Central London destination Marylebone Village has officially announced that award winning English actor Martin Freeman will be switching on the Christmas lights display at the Merry Marylebone Christmas Lights & Shopping Event taking place this Wednesday 13 November 2024.
The event takes place from 3-8pm and is organised and funded by The Howard de Walden Estate in support of charity partner Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
Martin Freeman will be switching on the festive Christmas lights at 6pm, taking place in the heart of Marylebone Village on the stage situated on Devonshire Street. The stage will be hosted throughout the day by local Marylebone Village resident, BBC presenter and broadcaster Jo Good.
Martin Freeman is known for portraying a host of well-known characters, including Dr. Watson in Sherlock and Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit film trilogy. Throughout his career, he has also been part of several beloved festive films, such as Love Actually, A Christmas Carol and Nativity!. He is also a long-time ambassador for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, having previously been part of their virtual reality (VR) Christmas campaign exploring life on the ward for children.
To celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season, Marylebone Village is inviting shoppers to experience an unforgettable evening of late-night shopping, market stalls selling food, drinks and gifts, a Santa’s Grotto, a Ferris Wheel, live music and more. There will also be the ever-popular charity tombola located on Marylebone High Street for the chance to win fantastic prizes from a host of Marylebone Village brand.
All proceeds made from the festive activities – including a Santa’s Grotto and the tombola – will be donated to GOSH Charity to help give seriously ill children the best chance, and childhood, possible.
Funds raised for the charity this festive season will help staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH Charity) bring joy to the wards and create magical memories – whether through bedside carols or Christmas parties. It will also help fund support services like free accommodation so loved ones can be there from the 5am stocking unwrapping to bedtime stories on Christmas night.
