Christmas is well and truly coming to Merton, with a host of festive activities to keep residents feeling merry this weekend and into December.

Head along to Raynes Park today for the Raynes Park Christmas Festival from 3.30pm to 7pm. The event will include a live nativity, with a chance to pet donkeys, sheep and goats, as well as a Santa's grotto and performances from local choirs and dance troupes. 

Wimbledon Times:

Lights will be switched on at 5pm, followed by carols around the Christmas tree. 

Nativity, carols, and lighting the tree - Raynes Park to get festive this Friday at festival

Christmas will truly be coming to Wimbledon Village tomorrow, with Christmas in the Village from 1.30pm.

Father Christmas will be arriving on horseback before settling into his grotto, and other activities will include a special children’s reading of ‘Twas the night before Christmas’, carols around the tree and the Christmas light switch on by special TV guest Jenni Falconer.

Also tomorrow, Wimbledon Library will be hosting a Christmas Fair from 10am to 4pm, with stalls selling arts, crafts, gifts and food.

On Friday, December 11, the Leopold Road SW19 Christmas Party will be returning, with mulled wine, carols, children’s entertainment and even a fancy dress competition for dogs.

All proceeds will be donated to the Perseid School in Morden for children with severe learning difficulties.

Finally, YMCA Wimbledon is holding a range of Christmas activities throughout the festive period, including Christmas lunches from Tuesday, December 1 until Wednesday, December 23 and a Christmas Playscheme for children from Monday, December 21 until Wednesday, December 23.

Lots of festive fun has already taken place across the borough. 

Monday November 30: Right on time: Mitcham clock tower unveiled as Christmas comes to Fair Green with steel bands, Minions and Father Christmas

On Sunday, November 29, Wimbledon was transformed into a Winter Wonderland, including brass bands, snowmen and even roller-skating Christmas puddings.

Tuesday December 1: In pictures: Walking in a Wimbledon Winter Wonderland

Other festive treats included snowboard simulators, bucking reindeer, food and gift stalls in the town centre.

And yesterday afternoon, the Morden Christmas lights were switched on at 4pm outside the civic centre.