Follow the Festive Art Trail created by Eltham Arts with the local community, from Saturday 22 November 2025 up until the new year!
Pick up a map and follow the Festive Art Trail around Eltham High Street, featuring works of art created by local schools and the community (downloadable map here; printed copies available along the high street and in Eltham Library).
People took part in sessions at local venues while talented pupils at Deansfield, Haimo and Wyborne schools, as well as the SV-Academy, took part in workshops to create a range of art works – including European inspired crafts, Asian inspired stars, African inspired Angels and even a Gingerbread family and Village!
The project and workshops were designed and led by artists Diana Jones, Pragya Kumar & Ali Forbes.
You can see the wonderful Festive Art Trail window displays in locations up and down Eltham High Street.
There are 6 festive artworks to find at these locations:
- Beyond the Fringe
- Eltham Kutchen haus
- Bob’s Your Uncle Cafe
- Legends Restaurant
- Community (Bexley & Greenwich Charity) Hospice Shop
- Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe
and 8 Gingerbread Characters to find at the following locations:
- Eltham Library Eltham Library
- Eltham GPO pub
- Skybar
- Bob Hope Theatre
- Fabulous Tea Room
- Mirto Bianco cafe
- Normans music shop
- Rusty Bucket pub
How many window displays will you find? Visit them all and collect a small prize from the library!
At the same time on Sat 22 November there will also be lots of other fun festive events happenings in and around the High Street organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich – music, art, choir singalongs, dance – culminating in the switching on of the Christmas tree at 5pm.
Keep up to date on our socials on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
With special thanks to the Eltham GPO, May Whit Cafe and Eltham Library for hosting the workshops.
Did you know that the concept and inspiration for the Gingerbread Family and art trail draws on both folklore and culinary history?
According to English Heritage, the tradition of shaping gingerbread into figures dates back centuries in England, Queen Elizabeth I is said to have had her bakers create gingerbread likenesses of her guests as edible caricatures.
In medieval England, “gingerbread” originally referred to a honey-sweetened paste (rather than the spice-laden confections of later centuries) and was transformed over time. As sugar and spices became more accessible, the art of gingerbread-making spread across Europe, evolving into decorated cookies, houses, and festive shapes, making it a perfect metaphor for craft, cultural exchange, and celebration.
In our project, the Gingerbread Man’s journey from English roots outward into India, Africa, and Europe mirrors the historical journey of gingerbread itself, from simple honey cakes in medieval England to a globally recognised festive tradition. Each window becomes a storytelling gesture in that evolution: from English folklore to cross-cultural decoration, celebrating the creative spirit shared across continents.
You can find out more about the fascinating history which inspired Eltham Arts in the project proposal here.
Eltham Arts 