Aldgate in Winter 2022 – THANK YOU

The Aldgate in Winter Festival returned on Friday 2nd December 2022 with an amazing programme, which included the lantern parade, live performances, creative workshops, winter markets, a delicious community feast and more! This festival is and remains one made for and by the community, and we at Aldgate Connect BID feel very privileged to have such an amazing and enthusiastic community around us!

Check out our video below, showcasing the amazing programme of events for Aldgate in Winter Festival this year:

You can also check out some of our Aldgate in Winter Festival photo album below.

Don’t forget that the festival continues with an Aldgate wide exhibition of the creative lanterns on display in the window fronts of local venues and businesses, for all to enjoy until the New Year! Find out more here.

We’d love to know your feedback!

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!

There are many amazing people involved in the festival, so we would love to say a special thank you: 

To the volunteers from Bureau Veritas, Howden Holdings, Ship Owners and Good Gym, without donating your time, the festival cannot run.

To Blue Orchid Hotel, Dorsett City London and Clayton Hotel for donating hot drinks, snacks and special prizes for audiences and Local Heroes.

A particular special thanks to Howden Group Holdings for not only sponsoring the Community Feasts but volunteering on it too, with thanks to Artsadmin and TATI for serving up a free treat for so many.

To the Community Curators: Anne Whitehead, Genia Leon, Jael Ong, Janice Hill Kocoglu, Konstantina Diamantidi, Luz Amparo Fletcher, Marina Marzotto, and Perla Jacqueline Camargo Lecca, thank you for programming a joyous Aldgate Stage, incredibly managed by Helen Dawson and Bandshop Sound and Light and MC’d by the charismatic Jonty Rooke, with the sensational acts for the evening, including: The Aldgate School Choir, Cost Rica in the UK, Music in the Offices, KZ Dance Entertainment, Fossey Tango Acoustic, Rising Sun, and Music Hall Choir.

To the Aldgate BID Ambassadors, for their incredible support with promotion of the festival and on the day presence and assistance.

To the Market Traders, thank you for showing just how creative Aldgate can be.

To the Artist Facilitators and to James Roe who have facilitated workshops and produced breath-taking lanterns which were centre stage during the parade, and to Drum Works who blew us away with their performances.

To London Metropolitan University Photographers and Lecturer James Cant, your talents in creating an exhibition of Local Heroes which highlights exactly who Aldgate is; a community who will support and celebrate one another is outstanding. Thank you to Toynbee Hall, for managing the technical aspects of presenting such an important project.

To the Lantern Exhibition installers, thank you for being amazing on the install, and to James Roe and the children at Aldgate School who are superstars too!

To the Petticoat Lane Dining Quarter, thank you for the magic which was on Middlesex Street, and of course the themed cocktails!

To St Botolph without Aldgate, Toynbee Hall, Artizan Library for offering use of your spaces both before and during the festival.

To the local businesses and venues for letting us use their space and hosting a lantern in the Aldgate in Winter Lantern Exhibition: 33 Creechurch Lane, Artizan St Library & Community Centre, BE Offices Aldgate, Cento alla Torre, Clayton Hotel City of London, David Game Higher Education, Leman Locke Hotel, London Metropolitan University Library, Portsoken Community Centre, St Botolph without Aldgate, The Office Group, The White Chapel Building & Toynbee Hall.

To the City of London Corporation, TfL and Tower Hamlets Council and all the contractors involved, thank you for your support in getting things in tip top shape, and getting those Christmas lights dazzling!

To First Aid Cover Ltd and TES Solutions, in particular Marius, thank you for your professionalism and swift responses to keep everyone safe.

And a massive thank you to Alice and the team at LACUNA, the arts studio that we worked with this year to deliver the festival. Alice worked incredibly hard to bring all the threads together to let Aldgate shine!

Don’t forget you can see the Lantern Exhibition across venues in Aldgate until Thursday 5^th January.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!