CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY
FESTIVITIES ARE IN FULL SWING ACROSS THE CITY BIDS
There's plenty to see and do across the City of London this Christmas, with the five City BIDs (Fleet Street Quarter, Aldgate Connect, Cheapside Business Alliance, Culture Mile, and Eastern City) putting on a wide variety of free activities sure to get you in the festive spirit. Check out our illustrated map at the bottom of this page to discover the Square Mile this winter.
Find out more about the BIDs activities below:
What: Discover 12 sculptures of The Snowman™ throughout the Quarter, each individually painted and designed by UK-based artists and inspired by the carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, paying homage to the animation and the original picture book by the late Raymond Briggs. Where: Across Fleet Street Quarter
When: 21st November – 5th January
What: Join us as we illuminate Ludgate Circus with a shimmering spectacle of festive lights! London Contemporary Voices choir will also be performing, helping us to get into the festive spirit! Mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate will also be served from 5pm with the countdown to the switch on beginning around 5:15pm!
Where: Ludgate Circus
When: 21st November – 5th January
What: Kick off the festive cheer with a dazzling Christmas lights illumination on the famous Chancery Lane, with a performance from the London Contemporary Voices choir. Join us for mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate from 5pm with the countdown to the switch on beginning around 5:15pm!
Where: Chancery Lane
When: From 28th November
What: The Festive Fleet Street Quarter Makers’ Market will return to New Street Square on 5, 6 and 7 December to house an array of exceptional gifts from independent homeware, fashion, beauty and arts-and-crafts traders provided by the talented Crafty Fox Market.
Where: New Street Square
When: 5th-7th December, 11.30am-6pm
What: A popular community festival, Aldgate in Winter returns this year for its seventh edition. The programme will include a Christmas tree light switch-on, live acts and performances from the community, including Bollywood dance workshops and performances, a lantern parade, creative workshops and a community feast offering free hot meals.
Where: Aldgate Square
When: Friday 8th December, 3:30-7:30pm
What: Find light up presents, festive bells and trees across the Cheapside area in place until the new year!
Where: St Mary Le Bow, Bow Lane, surrounding streets
When: From 15th November
What: Join us for free mulled wine and mince pies in the snow with music and festive storytelling.
Where: Bartholomew Close Square
When: 7th December, 5-7pm
What: Launch of the MOSAIC – a unique fitting designed by the world-famous artist Arnaud Lapierre, which reinvents the traditional Christmas tree in a sustainable and modern vision. The tree is fitted mirrored cubes arranged in a manner which evokes the natural geometry of a pine cone. A partnership between EC BID, Pan Pacific London and MTArt Agency.
Where: One Bishopsgate Plaza outside Pan Pacific London
When: From 16th November
What: Working with the Trees for Cities charity, Aviva, and the inspirational artist Jasper Toeli, ‘Be the Tree’ invites the public to connect with a city tree on both a public and personal scale. Simply place your face up to the O2 bottle and in just a few moments the sculpture lights your face in real time onto a 20 foot high tree, embellished by installation artist Ella Schofield Lake, through the magical technique of video projection mapping. There will then be a link to access your image so you can make a unique digital, Christmas card.
Where: Aviva Piazza
When: 30th November to 22nd December
What: An immersive inflatable Winter Wonderland snow globe will allow visitors to create that unique insta-worthy moment. The surrounding space will be designed to create a truly festive feeling for visitors and workers alike
Where: Fenchurch Street Station
When: 5th-8th December
What: The EC BID will run a series of festive workshops including wreath-making, felting, stocking filler designs, winter candle making and gingerbread house decorating. Each workshop will open for up to 20 people and run until mid-December.
Where: EC BID footprint
When: November, December
