There’s plenty to get you feeling festive near you, and across the borough. On Saturday 23 November:  

• Islington Green (N1 8DU) will be a hub of Christmas cheer between 1–6pm for the ‘Glow in the Angel’ event. Expect stage performances, make-and-take crafts, music and songs. Plus belt out some yuletide bangers at the karaoke booth. 

• The open-air boulevard at Islington Square (N1 1AB) will be transformed into a Christmas market with local makers’ stalls and artisanal products between 12noon–5pm. There will also be live entertainment, a special appearance from the King’s Head Theatre pantomime cast. 

Plus, there are carolling events and more markets and events in Angel and beyond.  

Islington Museum's temporary exhibition 'Our Islington: Art of the Borough' is open now until 12 January 2025.  

Featuring never-before-seen objects and rarely shown artwork, it celebrates Islington's many artists, from at-home hobbyists to skilled artisans and manufacturers. You can get a free limited-edition pin when you add an art card to 'Our Islington,' an art piece made by visitors.  

What’s more, the exhibition is free, family-friendly, and has take-home art opportunities. 

As part of the exhibition, we also have a range of talks and guided walks taking place in November.  

We’re working with Transport for London (TfL) to develop proposals designed to improve bus journey times on City Road between Epworth Street and Lackington Street. 

We plan to consult on these proposals during winter in 2024 and early 2025. Make sure you get the latest updates on this consultation by subscribing for updates.

This flu season Islington Council is providing a series of walk-in vaccination clinics offering free flu and Covid-19 vaccines for eligible individuals. This includes clinics near you:

• Wednesday 20 November, 11am–1pm at Union Chapel
• Thursday 21 November, 1–6pm at Central Library 

There is no need to book, just turn up!  

November is Islamophobia Awareness Month which aims to raise awareness of Islamophobia and challenge stereotypes about Muslims and Islam. We want to emphasise the importance of how small actions contribute to big change, in line with this year’s Islamophobia Awareness Month theme, which is ‘Seeds of Change’.

Our ‘Cultivating Change’ event will include guest speakers, exhibitions, food and informative conversations as we stand together in Islington. Come along and find out how you can cultivate change and help tackle Islamophobia:

• Date: Wednesday 27 November
• Time: 5.30pm
• Location: Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD 

• Thursday 19 December, 3.30–5.30pm and Saturday 21 December, 12noon–2pm at West Library: children of all ages can make an angel to decorate your home for Christmas. 
• Monday 23 December, 2.30–4pm at Finsbury Library: festive craft event making ornaments for your family Christmas tree, for children of all ages.
• Monday 30 December, 2–3pm at South Library: winter craft event for children of all ages, making and decorating paper mittens.
• Winter reading challenge for ages 0–16: read four books between 2 December and 28 February to get a certificate. Ask a staff member for details.
• Thursday 2 January, 2.30–4pm at Finsbury Library: winter craft event making snowmen and snowflakes, for children of all ages. 

No need to book for these events, just come along. Plus, the usual weekly sessions for under-fives continue as normal over the festive period at Finsbury Library, South Library and West Library including baby bounce, story and rhyme time and Toy Library.

1. Shop and dine locally: your local businesses rely on the festive season to see them through quieter times of the year. 
2. Leave positive reviews online: positive online feedback on Google and TripAdvisor, and shout-outs on social media lead to new business.
3. Order your takeaway direct: some third-party delivery apps can charge fees to the restaurant.
4. Buy vouchers and gift cards: help friends and family discover a local business that you love. You can also save with The Local Buyers Club.
5. Word of mouth: recommend them to friends and family.
6. Swap supermarkets for a small business: even getting just one or two products in your weekly shop from a local business makes a difference.
7. Leave a tip: employers must now share all tips by law. Leaving a little or a lot can really brighten up someone’s day. 

Head down to Islington Green (N1 8DU) on Thursday 26 December, 4–6pm, to celebrate Chanukah with the annual menorah-lighting.   

There will be traditional songs and activities with the Little Angel Theatre, a raffle where you can win an Arsenal shirt, a dreidel, plus delicious latkes, doughnuts, and hot cocoa.  

This annual event has grown to become the second-biggest public menorah lighting in the UK, bringing together Jewish and non-Jewish members of the community, from Islington and beyond. 

Got a dodgy doorbell? Or a busted baby monitor? Come to Islington Fixer's next repair party, where volunteer fixers will help you fix your broken electrical items to save them from waste. You'll get to be involved in fixing your items so that you can learn new skills to take home with you. 

It’s on Saturday 7 December, 12noon–4pm at the Islington Climate Centre in Angel. Make sure you book to secure your spot.

Angel Islington Business Improvement District, Islington Giving, the Business Design Centre, and Angel Central shopping centre are working together to make sure no one in Islington feels isolated this winter – with sponsorship from Tishman Speyer and others. 

They've created exclusive ‘Angel Crackers’ to lift our spirits and raise funds for Islington Giving. 

These crackers are hand-assembled by volunteers and filled with goodies curated by homeware store After Noah. If you're lucky, you might get one with a golden ticket! 

Buy Angel Crackers from local shops for £5 each, £30 for a box of six, or make a larger order for your event.