Key Points
- Tower Hamlets Council has officially invited children across the borough to participate in its annual Christmas card design competition.
- Young artists aged between five and 11 who live in or attend school in Tower Hamlets are eligible to enter.
- Three winning designs will be selected to feature on the official festive cards sent out by the Mayor, the Chief Executive, and the Corporate Director for Children’s Services.
- Participants are encouraged to use drawing, painting, or collage techniques to create personal designs incorporating both a seasonal and a borough theme.
- All entries must be submitted via email by 2:00 PM on Friday, November 20, and must adhere to specific size and contact information guidelines.
Tower Hamlets (East London Times) November 3, 2026 — Tower Hamlets Council has once again launched its annual call for local artistic talent, inviting budding young creators from across the borough to design this year’s official festive Christmas card. As reported by the local authority’s official announcements, the initiative seeks to engage children in community-focused creativity by asking them to produce original artwork that captures both the holiday season and the unique character of the local area.
Eligibility for the competition is strictly open to children aged between five and 11 years old. To qualify, participants must either reside within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets or attend a school located inside the borough’s boundaries. The competition aims to be inclusive, welcoming a wide range of young students from various backgrounds to showcase their artistic abilities to the wider community and local leadership.
How many winners will be chosen and where will their designs appear?
According to details released by the council, a total of three winning designs will be chosen by local leaders. These winning artworks will be printed and used for the official festive greeting cards distributed by key figures within the local authority. Specifically, the cards will be sent out by Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman, the Chief Executive, and the Corporate Director for Children’s Services, reaching community partners, local organizations, and stakeholders across the region.
What are the entry guidelines and design requirements for participants?
To ensure submissions meet the standard required for professional printing and distribution, the council has outlined clear criteria for all entries. Entrants are encouraged to be inventive, utilizing methods such as drawing, painting, or collage to craft a personal card that successfully combines a seasonal theme with a borough-focused perspective.
The explicit entry requirements mandate that all submissions must:
- Be exactly A5 in size, formatted in either landscape or portrait orientation.
- Be entirely original, creative, and colourful.
- Clearly include the participating child’s name, age, contact phone number, school, and home address.
How and when should entries be submitted?
Aspiring young artists and their families must ensure their completed artwork is submitted through the correct digital channel. Designs should be scanned or photographed and submitted by email. The strict deadline for all entries is set for 2:00 PM on Friday, November 20.
Reflecting on the launch of the initiative, Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, stated that
“every year, I am amazed by the creativity, imagination and talent shown by children across Tower Hamlets.”
Elaborating on the significance of the event, Mayor Lutfur Rahman further stated that
“our annual Christmas card competition is a wonderful opportunity for young people to share their artistic skills and help spread festive cheer throughout the borough.”
Concluding his remarks regarding the upcoming selection process, Mayor Lutfur Rahman stated that
“I look forward to seeing the fantastic entries and selecting a design that reflects the warmth, diversity and community spirit that makes Tower Hamlets such a special place.”
Background of the Development
The annual Christmas card competition hosted by Tower Hamlets Council has become a well-established tradition within the East London borough. Local authorities across the United Kingdom frequently utilize creative competitions as a means of fostering civic pride, encouraging youth engagement in local arts, and strengthening community relations. By involving children in the creation of official holiday correspondence, the council bridges the gap between local government representatives and the younger constituents they serve. Over successive years, these initiatives have consistently highlighted the multicultural identity and artistic potential embedded within Tower Hamlets schools and neighborhoods, providing a formal platform for youth expression that culminates during the festive period.
Prediction
This development directly impacts young residents, local families, and educational institutions within Tower Hamlets. For participating children, having their artwork selected by senior council leaders offers a significant boost to self-esteem, validates their creative efforts, and provides public recognition within the wider community. For schools and families, the competition encourages extracurricular artistic engagement and strengthens a collective sense of belonging. Furthermore, the selection of diverse designs reflecting the borough’s character ensures that local community values are visibly represented in civic correspondence sent out across London and beyond during the festive season.
