Events

From June 27^th, all the thrills and spills of the 2016 Wimbledon tennis tournament were broadcast live to audiences on the specially-installed screen, enabling visitors to enjoy the great outdoors while cheering on their favourite players over a glass of Pimm’s and a dish of strawberries and cream.

Then, just a few weeks later, the big screen returned in time for all eyes to be on Britain’s sporting heroes as they enjoyed their success at the 2016 Rio Olympics.  

The men’s Pearl Izumi Tour Series and the women’s Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series saw some of the UK’s top elite cyclists blast their way around the town centre circuit, passing the familiar landmarks of the Town Hall, Croydon Clocktower and Surrey Street Market, as they took part in the only London leg of this series of professional road races.

Cheering spectators filled the route and restaurants and pubs around the course kept hunger and thirst at bay, while live music courtesy of Croydon BID and the Beats and Eats collective kept people entertained between the cycling action.

Demonstrations and a host of community-based activities were also staged ahead of the professional events, with the aim of promoting cycling in Croydon and encouraging healthy living. 

Part of our 2016 Street LIVE! entertainment programme, a series of wild and whacky challenges were laid on in the drive to inspire, energise and entertain visitors, in return for a donation to the charity.   

Scores of visitors were tempted to try their hand a series of sporting challenges which included 'shooting the hoops' and 'surfing the waves' inflatable games, shinning up an eight metre high climbing wall or competing in the far less-strenuous Crazy Cube Zone challenges. Even armchair sports fans were catered for, with deckchairs available for them to sit back and enjoy live music throughout the day.

A four day continental market added extra colour to the event and a total of £780 was ultimately raised for Sport Relief as a result of the activities organised.

Delivered in collaboration with Croydon Council and local licensed music venues, the busking initiative provides street performers with an opportunity to showcase their music in front of thousands of people passing through North End, while at the same time enabling them to perform for a set fee at one of the town's licensed venues in the evening. 

As a result, the sound of music has filled North End over the course of the year, entertaining crowds of delighted shoppers. 

Featuring stars from the Fairfield Halls' Christmas pantomime, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, the switch-on countdown attracted a footfall of over 8,000 - nearly 9% more than in 2013 - and provided the glittering climax to an afternoon of fabulous free entertainment.

Things got off to an energetic start at midday, when dozens of local employees in Santa outfits joined in a festive Zumbathon in aid of local charity, Croydon Commitment.  The spirited workout session was swiftly followed by performances throughout the afternoon from a host of talented, local musicians, singers and dancers, including the BRIT school’s fabulous all-male dance company Khronos who made a welcome return to the Town Centre.  

The excitement really began to build from 6pm onwwards when panto stars Gareth Gates, Witney White and Quinn Patrick took to the stage before being joined by Croydon's Mayor, Councillor Manju-Shahul Hameed for the switch-on ceremony, which this year also included a fantastic rooftop pyrotechnics finale, courtesy of Centrale Shopping Centre.

Thousands of spectators gathered in North End to watch Steve, supported by fellow performers from this year's Fairfield Halls' Chistmas panto, Peter Pan, turn on the lights and transform North End and surrounding streets into a twinkling winter wonderland.

The ceremony was the climax to an afternoon of lively entertainment, featuring dazzling performances from professional street entertainers and comedy stuntmen, plus an array of talented local muscians, singers and dancers who all helped to whip up a fabulous festive atmosphere.

The event was also the forerunner to a progamme of entertainment laid on by Croydon BID in the run-up to Christmas, with performances each Saturday throughout December from members of the highly acclaimed Covent Garden Entertainment company.

An estimated 200,000 people took to the streets to follow the torch’s progress through Croydon and we celebrated its arrival with a dazzling parade and three days of activities staged with support from the town’s two main shopping centres. A volley of cannon fire signalled the start of the procession, cascading thousands of pieces of colourful confetti across North End and creating a real sense of occasion. Around 100 performers including local musicians, dancers and community groups paraded and performed alongside professional street entertainers, stilt walkers and sports freestylers, helping to make it a truly memorable occasion. Watch our 2012 torch relay celebrations

The daring duo played out a series of side-splitting but thrilling, live "one set" matches throughout the day – all overseen by their own very ‘impartial’ judge and delivered with all the drama of a genuine Wimbledon final, complete with trick shots, slow motion replays, heated line calls, tantrums and live commentary.

The hilarious, interactive show was the latest in our series of Street LIVE! entertainment which is designed to give visitors yet another reason to come to Croydon town centre and leave them with a positive lasting impression. 

Popular 2015 ‘X Factor’ finalists Reggie ‘N’ Bollie were joined on stage by former Crystal Palace FC Manager Alan Pardew and club Captain, Scott Dann, to officially turn on the lights alongside Croydon’s Mayor Cllr Wayne Trakas-Lawlor.

The event provided the spectacular finale to an afternoon featuring stunning performances from a host of street entertainers, dancers and local musicians as well as a special treat for children, there were guest appearances from CBeebies TV stars, Abe Jarman and Jane Deane as well as children’s TV favourites PAW Patrol.