A free festive photography exhibition exploring the evolution of Father Christmas has returned to Wembley Park due to popular demand. The outdoor From Saint to Santa exhibition first opened in 2023, as part of Wembley Park’s free public Art Trail. Now, it has returned to delight visitors of all ages throughout the 2024 festive period.
From Saint to Santa consists of 32 artworks that lead viewers on a journey through the ages, tracking the blending of history and myth from the origins of Father Christmas to our modern-day interpretation. The photographs and illustrations examine the making of a holiday hero, along with the big man’s influence on film, literature, music, digital media and more. The images are displayed via light boxes in Wembley Park’s Arena Square, just outside the Grade II listed OVO Arena Wembley.
The exhibition looks at the origins of Santa Claus from all angles, encompassing Norse Yule celebrations, Roman Saturnalia festivals and Christianity’s Saint Nicholas. The pictures also look at the darker side of the legend, from the child-stealing, demon-esque Krampus of Central Europe to German folklore’s Knecht Ruprecht, known for using his staff to reprimand unruly children.
Over the course of the images, From Saint to Santa examines how everything from rosy cheeks to reindeer came to be associated with Christmas’ main man. The impact of art and literature in this evolution are put under the microscope. Consideration is given to the impact of authors such as Washington Irving and Clement Clarke Moore, artists such as Thomas Nast and Norman Rockwell, and the influences of non-western cultures on our jolly, contemporary Father Christmas.
“I’ve always been intrigued by Santa Claus’s journey through history and how his figure can unite such diverse stories and traditions. It’s also been fascinating to delve into the more enigmatic sides of the Santa legend, adding layers to his appeal. In a diverse city like London, this exhibition feels especially meaningful – I hope everyone will find a bit of their own heritage by exploring Santa’s evolution” – Claudio Giambrone, Head of Cultural Programming, Wembley Park
The From Saint to Santa exhibition is now open and runs until 10th January 2025. It is part of a host of festive activities taking place at Wembley Park this winter. Each weekend in December, Market Square will come alive with free family fun; create mini wreaths and snowman mobiles at the children’s arts workshops, get sparkly at the glitter stations and transform with festive face painting. With the 15m classic Christmas tree as the perfect backdrop, come and meet a whole host of magical festive characters including Percy the Penguin, Snowball the Polar Bear, The Christmas Nutkins and Archie & Lionel the Reindeer. And for those keen to meet the big man himself, the grotto at London Designer Outlet is the place to be.
The weekends will also welcome ever-popular Wembley Park Festive Market which delights visitors with its selection of festive products and artisan gifts from over 50 traders. Peruse homemade Christmas candles and decorations, discover pottery, prints and cards engraved by local artists or cosy up in an alpaca wool scarf, the perfect presents can be found at the Wembley Park Festive Market. While German sausages, mulled wine and light, fruity Italian panettone will warm shoppers with their festive flavours as they browse. The market will be open again on 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd December.
Also delighting visitors this December will be the stunning new audio-visual 3D art installation known as Trialogue. Now open in Arena Square, next to the Grade II listed OVO Arena Wembley, as part of the Wembley Park Art Trail, Trialogue is hosted across the three iconic red phone boxes in Arena Square, transforming them into three-dimensional art spaces courtesy of visionary audio-visual artists Greenaway & Greenaway.
