Every year, streets, shops, and town centres across boroughs like Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Richmond, and Wandsworth are decorated with lights, festive displays, and seasonal attractions.
Organised events, such as Croydon’s Tudor Parade switch-on on November 22 and Sutton High Street’s lights switch-on on December 3, are joined by smaller local displays and decorations in residential areas.
For many, this early festive cheer is exciting as it’s a chance to start celebrating, catch up with friends and family, and enjoy the lights and seasonal markets.
Your Local Guardian visited Sutton town centre on October 22 and discovered that stores in the St Nicholas Centre, notably Home Living, were full of Christmas stock.
But not everyone shares the enthusiasm.
Critics argue that Christmas appearing this early can feel rushed and overwhelming, with festive music, decorations, and shop adverts sometimes clashing with the autumn season.
Complaints often come from residents who prefer a quieter run-up to the holidays.
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Retailers and councils argue that starting Christmas early helps manage crowds, support local businesses, and give people more time to shop.
New 2025 data shows that three in five UK retailers started their Christmas campaigns earlier this year, aiming to attract shoppers and manage the busy trading period, according to The Retail Bulletin.
Research conducted by A1 Retail Magazine found that in October 2025, 23 per cent of consumers in the UK had already begun their Christmas shopping.
Many people argue that starting Christmas too early can dilute the magic of the season, making the holiday feel less special when it actually arrives, according to commentary in The Times.
