Festive Trail Favourites
Three most popular Festive Trail displays
After a break in 2024, the 2025 Haddenham Festive Trail lit up the whole village throughout December, including well over 50 official displays plus many more local households and businesses beautifully illuminated for Christmas. Well done and thank you to everyone who took part. Villagers had the opportunity to vote for their three favourites. The creators of the three most popular entries will each receive prizes kindly donated by Haddenham Garden Centre and Haddenham Park Care Home.
These were the thre displays that received the most votes:
1. Frosty’s Winter Wonderland in Slave Hill by the Merchants
This impressive display covered the whole house, driveway, front garden and hedges! David Handley said “What wonderful news. Frosty and his mate Snowball will be delighted….. I have a young family and we have so much fun doing the lights and decorations and this will mean so much to them. A massive thank you to the organisers for all that you do for our wonderful village. It is events like this that bring the community together and makes everyone love where they live”.
2. He said he was bringing a Reindeer in Maslin Elms by the Jull Family
Instead of a Reindeer, this display included a bright and colourful illuminated dinosaur! The Jull family were very excited to receive so many votes: “We've loved admiring the light trail over the years and are already planning next year!”.
3. Have yourself a merry little Christmas at Bradmoor Farm by Unite/Tiny Gym
Santa stood at the door of Unite/Tiny Gym to welcome members and visitors during December, with a message asking him for “a big fat bank account and a slim body” – - and a warning to him not to mix up those two wishes! Display creator Lisa Cook said “Wow, I’m totally shocked we came third, it’s so kind that people have taken the time to vote for us. We have also raised some extra money for the charity”.
Here are the rest of theTop 10 in terms of votes received:
4. Christmas Lights in Long Wall and Popes Acre
5. It's that time again in Thame Road by Debbie Thompson
6. } Return of the King in Dovecote by the Fisher Family
6. } Deck the Willows in Willow Rise by the Waller Family
8. Stella's Lights in Thompson Mews by Stella Davis
9. Santa's Joy Ride in Townside by Mark Cox
10. Please stop here in Willis Road – Layla's Lights
A special mention must go to the collective groups of villagers who worked together to light up a whole street, namely the residents of Long Wall and Popes Acre (no 4 above), Dollicot Christmas, Twinkle Corner by the Thame Road Twinklers and the residents of Dovecote and Flint Street.
Although the main purpose of the Festive Trail is to bring joy and light to the community, it also raises money for different good causes. This year's event has raised almost £700 including Gift Aid for Dementia UK.
We are really grateful to everyone who took part, to all those who donated, to Haddenham Park Care Home for hosting the Switch-on and donating prizes, to Haddenham Library and Blooming Fruity for selling Maps and to Haddenham Garden Centre for selling Maps and donating Afternoon Tea for Two vouchers. Given the popularity and positive feedback, we plan to do it again in December 2026 and we hope even more Haddenham residents, local businesses and village groups will get involved next Christmas.
Francesca Flaxton and the Festive Trail Team
6th January 2026
