Prepare yours-elf for the imminent arrival of the cheekiest addition to Croydon’s Christmas countdown. A 15-foot Elf on the Shelf will soon be landing in the South London suburb to sprinkle some festive cheer across the town in the lead up to Christmas. Arriving at BOXPARK on November 29, the rather hefty Scout Elf will pop up at eight of Croydon’s best-loved buildings and landmarks, before finishing its seasonal shenanigans at Whitgift Shopping Centre on Christmas Eve.
Organised by Croydon Business Improvement District and The Lumistella Company, the playful project aims to encourage locals and visitors alike to get outside and enjoy the town and everything it has to offer this festive season. Alongside the elf itself, there will be plenty of seasonal displays and photo opportunities. So, prepare to snap some cracking Christmas (s)elfies.
To mark the (rather sizeable) occasion, Croydon BID has launched a competition to find name for the enormous elf. Anyone keen to participate in the competition can submit their funniest and most festive name ideas on Instagram, by tagging @CheckOutCroydon and hash-tagging #ScoutElfInCroydon. The winning name will be revealed on November 25, just before the elf’s arrival on November 29.
Matthew Sims, Chief Executive of Croydon BID, said: “In a first for London, we are so excited to be bringing The Elf on the Shelf® to Croydon. For many, this beloved holiday tradition adds humour, magic and festive cheer each year, and we aim to do the same in our town centre. We invite you to help us name our 15ft The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elf and join us in discovering his antics starting Friday 29th November. We hope this exciting, free activity will sprinkle a bit of seasonal magic for everyone who lives in, works in and visits Croydon this Christmas”.
Credit: @checkoutcroydon via Instagram
Here’s where the giant Elf on the Shelf will be popping up throughout the festive season:
- BOXPARK Croydon – 99 George Street, CR0 1LD (November 29 – December 3)
- Centrale Shopping Centre – North End, CR0 1TY (December 4 – December 6)
- LSBU Croydon Campus – 3 Wellesley Road, CR0 2AG (December 7 – December 9)
- Streeter Marshall Solicitors – 74 High Street, CR9 2UU (December 10 – December 12)
- Fairfield Halls – Park Lane, CR0 1JD (December 13 – December 15)
- Croydon Town Hall – Katherine Street, CR0 1NX (December 16 – December 18)
- Surrey Street/OurSpace Community Hub – 50 High Street, CR0 1YB (December 19 – December 21)
- Whitgift Shopping Centre – North End, CR0 1TY (December 22 – December 24)