Young rowers from Fulham Reach Boat Club took centre stage last night as hundreds gathered at Fulham Pier, the riverside food, drink and entertainment destination on the Thames, for London’s first-ever Great Reindeer River Race. Six illuminated rowing boats transformed into glowing reindeer raced along the Thames before the victorious Row-dolph crew joined Amanda Holden to switch on the riverside Christmas lights.
The Hammersmith-based Sport for Good charity brought a Christmas twist to the stretch of river that hosts the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Heart favourite Mark Wright called the racing action before a special DJ set, while visitors enjoyed food and drinks beneath the lights at Riverside Market.
The free launch opened seven weeks of riverside festivities. Real reindeer, roaming light-up performers, live jazz and a vinyl market feature this weekend (13–15 November). The season continues with Christmas markets, Santa storytelling, the Share the Light of Christmas musical, Santa’s Roller Disco, Merry Makers workshops, Santa Paws Day and the Snow Ball NYE Family Rave, alongside comedy, candlelit opera, wreath-making and wine tastings.
