What’s on guide: December
With life getting busier every week and new bars, restaurants and events opening every month, staying on top can be tricky. So here’s a round up of this month’s hottest happenings in and around the local area…
What? London Pantomime Horse Race
Where? Various London locations, London
When? Sunday December 15th 2019
In scenes only slightly less dramatic and probably far more entertaining than the Grand National, more than 40 pantomime horses (plus a few pretenders in the form of zebras and cows) will gallop through Greenwich on this race raising money for charity. An opening ceremony takes place before the race begins and will feature a 'Strictly Neigh Dancing' dressage contest, performances from The London Humanist Choir, a singing Princess Leia and a battalion of Stormtrooper. Horses who aren't knackered following their mad dash (and pub stops) can stick their nose in at The After Race Christmas Party for live music, comedy and DJs.
What? Forest Uprising
Where? Leyton Sports Ground, Leyton
When? Friday December 13th - Sunday December 15th 2019
Waltham Forest marks the end of its reign as the first London Borough of Culture with an ethereal light installation - Forest Uprising. See ‘tree-like structures’ of light appear in Leyton Sports Ground and shine on for three days. Launch night will also see live music and a theatre performance.
What? Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Where? Southbank Centre, South Bank
When? Until Sunday January 5th 2020
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival is back for 2019 with another sparkling programme of festive shows and performances, family fun and music. The riverside venue will celebrate the coldest season with a fistful of fun pop-ups and activities. The annual Winter Market will be back with mulled wine and seasonal treats galore, to munch and sip while you watch the show.
What? Wave at Eccleston Yards
Where? Eccleston Yards, Victoria
When? Until Saturday January 11th 2020
The Belgravia spot will be hosting a light installation by the artist collective Squidsoup this Christmas, which will see 500 individually orbs suspended in the space for visitors to immerse themselves in. Eagle-eyed readers will recognise the group's work from their collaboration with DJ and producer Four Tet at his recent live shows, and you can expect more of the same from their free festive show at the west London hub.
What? Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays
Where? Columbia Rd, Bethnal Green
When? Wednesday December 11th - Wednesday December 18th 2019
The road famous for its flower market is swapping blooms for fir trees as its independent shops stay open until 9pm from these annual late-night Christmas evenings. Every Wednesday night in the lead up to Christmas you can beat the usual Sunday crowds, pick up unique stocking-fillers and grab a Christmas tree and fragrant festive greenery while you're at it. In true Dickensian style, there’ll also be carols singers accompanied by a piano that gets wheeled down the street by the local vicar, dancing Pearly Kings and steaming mugs of mulled wine on offer.
What? Maltby Street Christmas Night Market
Where? Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey
When? Friday December 13th - Friday December 20th 2019
Guzzle Christmas dishes from around the globe as the iconic food market’s finest traders set up their stalls after dark beneath Bermondsey’s fairy-light-festooned Victorian railway arches. There'll be caroling, hot mulled wine, mince pies, live wreath demonstration and responsibly source Christmas trees to buy. Get ready to feel like you've wandered into Dickens' ‘A Christmas Carol’.
What? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Where? Bridge Theatre, Tower Bridge
When? Until Sunday February 2nd 2020
Step through the wardrobe this winter into the magical kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to a talking Faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruelest White Witch. Pretty much everything in the book is retained – a wilderness of pure imagination, unshackled, ecstatic and pagan.
What? New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Where? Thames Riverside, South Bank
When? Tuesday December 31st 2019
The magnificent fireworks display that showers the Thames with light each New Year's Eve is back for 2019. The impressive display will feature more than 12,000 fireworks. Big Ben’s famous bongs, which are currently silenced because of vital renovation works, will sound for the special occasion. The event is now ticketed each year due to the huge numbers of people who crowd the riverbank to get a good view.