Aldgate in Winter Festival is back for its sixth year!
Join us on Friday 2nd December for a magical night, as we light up Aldgate and celebrate the local community.
The Aldgate in Winter festival is free to attend and will return with some firm favourites, including the lantern parade, live performances, creative workshops, winter markets and a delicious community feast. This year the festival will include a special new addition of a portraiture exhibition showcasing Aldgate’s Local Heroes. With such a variety of things on offer, we look forward to seeing you there.
The festival will be followed by a lantern exhibition from Wednesday 7th December until January 2023, in the window fronts of Aldgate’s local venues and businesses.
Event Programme
Friday 2nd December 2022
12:00-9:00pm – Winter Markets
Head down to Aldgate Square and Mallon Gardens for the perfect Winter Markets, featuring traders from Lady Lane Market and London Metropolitan University Accelerator Programme, selling stunning handmade gifts & goodies. Pop down towards Tower Bridge for the sustainable London Love Affair’s Christmas Market in the Crescent near Hammett Street, open from 11am and find some stocking fillers and more.
12:00-9:00pm – Local Heroes Portraiture Exhibition
Come and find the large-scale outdoor projector exhibition at Mallon Gardens, showcasing Aldgate’s Local Heroes. This photography project was captured by London Metropolitan University Photography students and put into an open air projector reel for you to enjoy.
3:00-5:30pm – Public Lantern Making Workshops
If you have not yet had a chance to make a lantern, head to down to St. Botolph without Aldgate or Toynbee Hall Community Centre for a free drop in Lantern Making Workshop.
3:00-5:30pm – Community Feast
A Community Feast will be served freely to the public at the Artsadmin Canteen at Toynbee Studies, delicious food made by Artsadmin’s artist in residence and TATI Canteen. Please note, free meals are limited to 300.
3:30pm-late – Petticoat Lane Dining Quarter Join the Petticoat Lane Dining Quarter for Aldgate in Winter themed drinks, festive treats and more fun on Middlesex Street, E1 7EZ.
4:00-6:00pm – Live Performances
Join us in Aldgate Square for a fun-filled programme of live music and dance performances, curated by the local community.
5:15-6:00pm – Mini Parade
Mini Lantern Parade from Mallon Gardens to Aldgate Square, in preparation for the main parade.
6:00-7:00pm – Community Lantern Parade
Starting and finishing at Aldgate Square, join us for the Lantern Parade led by Drum Works drummers, weaving their way through the streets of Aldgate. This year’s parade surrounds the themes of Local Heroes and Cultural Celebration. All are welcome to join the parade: bring your own or grab a spare lantern from The Aldgate School’s playground and join in!
7:00-9:00pm – Live Performances
Come and enjoy the second half of live music and dance performances programme.
Wednesday 7th December – January 2023
Lantern Exhibition The creative lanterns will be on display around Aldgate in the window fronts of local venues and businesses for all to enjoy until the New Year! An exhibition map of the lantern locations will be shared soon, keep an eye on this page for more details.
There will also be a special tour led by the children of The Aldgate School Art Club for anyone to attend on Wednesday 7th December at 1:30-3:00pm. More information on how to sign up for the tour to follow.
Tell us your thoughts about this year’s Aldgate in Winter Festival, and be in for a chance to win cocktails and sharing platter for two at Clayton Hotel City of London!
Don’t forget to make your lantern to carry for the parade! With thanks to Mr. Roe at Aldgate Primary School, here’s a tutorial on how to make your own:
What you’ll need: Tissue paper (many colours), PVA Glue, 1 plastic wallet, 1 flat lollypop stick & some card (as an insert). You can also purchase a little battery powered LED to stick inside!
Don’t have access to resources? Not to worry, contact Arts Producer Alice on alice@lacuna-projects.com and you can collect free resources from our office in Aldgate.
Don’t have time before the festival? Not to worry, we’ll have two drop-in lantern making workshops from 3.00-5.30pm at St. Botolph without Aldgate and Toynbee Hall Community Centre entirely free!
Lantern Exhibition Map
Check out all of the amazing creative lanterns across 13 sites in Aldgate, download our trail map here or take a look at our interactive digital map here. Printed versions of the maps are available and are being handed out by our Aldgate Ambassadors, please do let us know if you would like one.
Join us on a special one-off walking tour of the exhibition around Aldgate, led by the children of The Aldgate School’s Art Club, available for anyone to attend!
The children have spent weeks creating these extraordinary artworks, with special thanks to Mr. Roe, who will share the inspiration and process of making them.
Book your spot now for Wednesday 7th December at 1:30-3:00pm and join us for a lovely tour of the lanterns!
Come and find the large-scale outdoor projection at Mallon Gardens (outside Toynbee Hall), showcasing the Portraiture Project of Aldgate’s Local Heroes. This photography project was captured by London Metropolitan University Photography students and put into an open air projector reel for you all to enjoy.
The Portraiture Project will on display from Monday 5th – Friday 9th December, from 4:00-9:00pm.
Special thanks to…
Aldgate in Winter this year has been programmed by local Community Curators, with thanks to: Anne Whitehead, Genia Leon, Jael Ong, Janice Hill Kocoglu, Konstantina Diamantidi, Luz Amparo Fletcher, Marina Marzotto, and Perla Jacqueline Camargo Lecca.
Special thanks to our festival producers LACUNA, with a shoutout to Arts Producer, Alice Sandon for an amazing job pulling it all together!
Frequently Asked Questions
I am D/deaf or HoH, what access provisions are there for me? Whilst Aldgate in Winter does include some acts which are only sound based, there are many other visual opportunities to experience the festival. All staff are briefed in D/deaf and HoH awareness and are able to get in touch with a BSL communicator.
I am blind/partially sited, what access provisions are there for me? Aldgate in Winter does include some acts which are only visually based, there are many auditory opportunities to experience the festival, with live music from 4.00-6.00 and 7.00-9.00pm.
I have a physical disability, what access provisions are there for me? All sites are outdoors and have wheelchair accessibility.
Is there anywhere to drop off pushchairs or buggies? Unfortunately, there are no pushchair/buggies drop off’s on any of the sites. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Are there any toilet facilities? Due to the nature of the festival and it’s setting there aren’t dedicated facilities for audiences. However, free provisions are available at: Fenchurch Street Station, Liverpool Street Station and Various Restaurants and Bars open for service as usual. You can use this handy public toilet map for more details: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/streets/clean-streets/public-toilets
Are there any restaurants or bars which will be open? Yes, the nearest Restaurants and Bars are open with themed cocktails and meals, particularly on Middlesex Street.
My questions isn’t included in this FAQ? If you require any further information, please contact the Arts Producer, Alice Sandon at: alice@lacuna-projects.com
If you require a video call/ BSL communication, please indicate in your email.
I am not sure whether an event is for me, how can I find out more information? All acts as part of the live events on from 4.00-6.00 and 7.00-9.00pm are family friendly and do not have any content warnings. The Lantern Parade from 6.00-7.00pm does include a steel drum band which will be loud drumming at the front and back of the parade.
Will there be any First Aiders on Site? Yes, all sites have a dedicated qualified first aider.
Will there be any Covid-19 safety policies? All acts are presented in an outdoor setting. Wearing a mask is a personal choice.
What happens if there is bad weather? We will monitor bad weather conditions and communicate with audiences in person and on our social media channels. You can find us here:
Instagram @aldgateconnect
Twitter @aldgateconnect
What happens if my child and I are separated? Please download our Lost Child Procedures and Safeguarding information. Aldgate in Winter Festival 2022 Lost Child Procedure Aldgate in Winter 2022 Emergency Procedures
In short, your child should report to the nearest staff member who will be identifiable with a lanyard.
If you are looking for your child, please head to The Information Tent at Aldgate Square which is clearly signposted. There is a hub set up with security, who will liaise with the Emergency Liaison Team across all sites.
Should I wear anything in particular? As the festival is predominately outdoors, we highly recommend warm clothing and comfortable shoes for the parade.
