| Get your festive fix at Southbank Centre's Winter Festival Twinkling markets, joyous theatre shows, choral performances, cosy pop-up bars – the Southbank Centre's magical Winter Festival brings all things merry and bright to London this season.
Whether you're keen on cabaret, all about scrumptious street food or simply fancy a stroll beneath dazzling light displays, there's a gift for everyone to enjoy. Yes, Scrooges, even you. After all, many events are free! View our highlights below.
The Winter Festival runs through 'til Sunday 8 January 2023. Remember, once the turkey sandwiches are gone, the Royal Festival Hall's annual New Year's Eve Spectacular is the ultimate way to ring in the new year. You won't find a finer view of London's legendary firework display. |
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| Joy-Filled Shows Dive into a musical re-imagining of a classic Christmas tale, written by the Queen of Country herself. Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol takes Dickens' much-loved story and gives it a darn tootin' Tennessee twist. For families, Hey Duggee: The Live Theatre Show bursts with sing-along songs. |
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| Unexpected Art Lose yourself in Hayward Gallery's otherworldly five-star exhibition, Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art. Under 12s go free. After admiring the "garden of weird and wonderful delights", walk along the river to bask in the warm glow of Winter Light – the festival's free outdoor art installation. |
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| Food, Glorious Food Cheese fondue? Toasted marshmallows? Hot toddies? Indulge in a festive feast along the Queen's Walk, where alpine-style street food chalets whip up all manner of tasty treats. Or, combine delicious food, seasonal cocktails and a dusting of good-natured competition at The Curling Club. |
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| Free Musical Events Festive fun needn't come with a price tag. Savour the sounds of a Caribbean Christmas at Just Vibez Caribbean Winter Carnival on 16 December, then bring your best moves to Daytime Rave with Heart n Soul DJs on 18 December. Plus, local choirs take to the stage at Choral Winter Warmers on 21 December. |
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| Classics Or Cabaret? Get ready for a stonking classical music line-up: Handel's Messiah, Christmas at the Movies, A Dickensian Christmas and Christmas with the Philharmonia Cellos. Prefer performance that rattles cages? Enjoy drag/beatbox poetry at What Words Are Ours?, plus sexy punk-crip cabaret at Not F**kin' Sorry. |
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