Places to Visit
African Christmas Market
Friday 8 December – Sunday 10 December. Southwark, London. Free Entry
What better way to prepare for Christmas than a bright Christmas market with an African twist? Organised by The Africa Centre, the market will have a range of African and Caribbean food, fashion and jewellery stalls, Santa’s Grotto and lovely sparkling Christmas lights!
For more info, click here
Winterville
Until Monday 1 January. Clapham, London. Free Entry
Along with some of London’s popular street food traders, Winterville is a festival that will leave no individual bored. The festive playground has an ice rink, roller disco, golf, a cinema, a fairground and even yoga on ice??
Click here for more info.
Pop-ups
Vauxhall Winter Village
Until Friday 22 December. Vauxhall, London. Free Entry
Enjoy street food, mulled wine and entertainment in the comfort of an alpine ski village. Yes, Vauxhall Winter Village’s winter pop up will provide retro skiwear and alpine cabin booths in efforts to make you really feel the ski winter experience.
For more info, click here.
Christmas in Leicester Square
Until Saturday 6 January. Leicester Square, London. Free Entry
It’s Christmas in Leicester Square. Back again for its second year, the square has been taken over by festivities. Along with a traditional Christmas market, there’s a Santa’s grotto, food and drink as well as a variety of shows.
Click here, for more info.
Events
Portobello Winter Festival
Saturday 9 December – Sunday 10 December. Portobello Road, London. Free
The second annual Portobello Winter Festival is back and if you missed it last year, now is the chance to explore Christmas with an array of various cultural elements. Prepare for the Caribbean steel pans, calypso music and Moroccan performances.
Click here for more info.
Hogwarts in the Snow
Until January 28. Warner Brothers Studio, London. Tickets, Adults £39, Under 4s Free
Why don’t you make your way down to the Warner Brothers Studios for a Harry Potter Tour? The studio tour has been given a festive makeover, perfect for the Potter fans among us.
For more information, click here.
Theatre
Hamilton
Thursday 21 December – Until Saturday 30 June. Victoria Palace Theatre, London. Tickets £20-£89.50
Hamilton is finally making its debut in London and it is a show that definitely needs love from us theatre lovers. The musical, produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is one that tells the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton with an amazing spin! All of the traditional white founding fathers and historical figures are played by a non-white cast with a hip-hop inspired sound.
Click here to buy tickets!
The Lady from the Sea
Until Saturday 2 December. Donmar Warehouse, London. Tickets £10-40
The production focuses on Elida, the lighthouse-keeper’s daughter, who trapped in her marriage, longs for the sea. Caught between freedom and a new life for herself, Elida is forced to make a haste decision.
Click here for more info.
Nativity the Musical
Wednesday 13 December – Sunday 17 December. Eventim Apollo, London. Tickets £27.75
Nativity! has been adapted for the stage. A sing-along with familiar songs, Nativity the Musical will be a lovely festive show to watch this Christmas season.
Click here for more info.
White Fang
Wednesday 13 December – Saturday 13 January. Park Theatre, London. Tickets, Adults £18, Child £13
An adventure story that depicts the friendship between an orphaned girl and an abandoned wolf. Set in the snowy landscape of Canada, it’s a perfect family show to prepare you for the winter season.
Click here for more info.
Panto
Rapunzel
Monday 27 November – Saturday 13 January 2018. Theatre Royal Stratford East, London. Tickets from £15
Let your hair down with the feisty Rapunzel and friends in a magical re-imagining of this much-loved tale. Featuring original music, laugh-out-loud comedy and hilarious audience participation, it’s no surprise that Theatre Royal Stratford East’s pantomime is known as one of the best in London (‘Oh yes it is!’).
Click here for more info.
Cinderella
Tuesday 28 November – Sunday 31 December 2017. Hackney Empire, London. Tickets from £10
This Christmas you shall go to the Ball as the most magical of pantomimes comes to Hackney Empire! The classic rags to riches tale of Cinderella will be told in true Hackney style by the award-winning pantomime team as they prove a new pair of shoes really can change your life.
Click here for more info.
Music
Trevor Nelson’ Soul Nation Boxing Day Party
Tuesday 26 December. Camden, London. Tickets £15-£30
Don’t get too caught up in the Boxing Day crowd because DJ Trevor Nelson will be mixing up the R&B jams we love at the Jazz Cafe!
Click here for more information.
Jamiroquai
Sunday 3 December & Wednesday 3 December. The O2, London. Tickets £49.50-£85
Who doesn’t love a bit Jamiroquai? Head down to The O2 to listen to the Grammy award winning group as they effortlessly mix funk and acid jazz.
Click here for more info.
Mariah Carey
Monday 11 December. The O2, London. Tickets from £84
R&B Diva Mariah Carey is currently on a Christmas Tour and when better to hear her belt out her legendary tracks than during the festive season.
Click here for more info.
Talks
Women in Media
Wednesday 6 December. Amnesty International UK, London. Free
There’s nothing like listening to successful women talk about their journeys and their paths. Women in Media is presenting a networking event that does just this from Channel 4 News producer, Yomi Adegoke to broadcast journalist Sue Turton, be ready for a night of inspiration.
Click here for more info.
Diversity in Media
Tuesday 19 December. Bluebird Pictures, London. £11.05
Bluebird Pictures are inviting you to a night of celebrating diversity in media. Listen to the three guest speakers, CEO of Chocolate Films Rachel Wang, CEO of MYCOMEUP Leonard and actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Click here for more info.
