Aldgate in Winter Festival returns for its seventh year!

Join us on Friday 8th December in Aldgate Square for a jam-packed evening of music, dance, light, and celebration.

This year will see the return of everyone’s favourites including the Lantern Parade, live performances on The Aldgate Stage, Community Feast, creative workshops and more. Find the full schedule of activities below!

Event Programme

Friday 8th December 2023 at 3:30-7:30pm
Aldgate Square

• Creative Workshops – 12:00-5:00pm
  Join us at St Botolph without Aldgate for free drop-in lantern making and postcard decorating workshops. Make your very own lantern for the lantern parade and help us light up the night sky.
• Music in Offices – 3:35-3:50pm
  A local organisation helping to build communities through musical workshops. We’ll be joined by local performers helping to spread joy through music and sound.
  
• Christmas Tree light switch on – 4:00pm
  Join us for the annual Christmas tree light switch-on, as we kickstart the winter fun in Aldgate!
• The Aldgate School Choir – 4:05-4:20pm
  The talented choir from The Aldgate School will be entertaining the crowds with their take on some classic festive songs.
• K’Z Dance Entertainment – 4:25-4:55pm
  K’Z Dance Entertainment will be back by popular demand, with their interactive Bollywood dance workshop and performances.
• Lantern Parade – 5:00-6:00pm
  The heart and soul of the festival, the Lantern Parade brings together the community and local schools to display handmade lanterns through the streets of Aldgate. Led by Drum Works, an impactful samba drum band, the parade will light up Aldgate with music and colour, encouraging members of the community to join in with the celebration.
• Community Feast – 6:00-7:00pm
  Back by popular demand is the Community Feast, a community project offering up free meals to those attending the Aldgate in Winter Festival. Get a voucher from festival staff or the information point, grab a hot meal from The Aldgate Tap and settle in for a night of performances on The Aldgate Stage.
• LED Dance Entertainment – 6:05-6:35pm
  A trio of dazzling, illuminating dancers who’ll be belting classics to sing along to. Expect lights, music, and plenty of fun as they light up Aldgate Square!
• Sax In The City – 6:40-6:55pm
  Flying solo from the wonderful Sax Bandits, with whom he usually performs, Lewi Lewis shares the joy of sax with a variety of well-known songs across different genres on his alto saxophone. Providing a creative outlet, he enjoys performing and entertaining crowds (no matter what the size) with fun and uplifting melodies that you could sing and dance to.
• Dabbers Bingo – 7:00-7:45pm
  Bingo like you’ve never seen it before! Expect music, dance, fun, and plenty of unique prizes to be won. This family-friendly show will have plenty of opportunities for crowd participation, too!

Get involved in the festival fun and keep up to date on the latest activities through our Instagram and Twitter channels: @AldgateConnect #AldgateinWinter

Find out more at aldgateconnect.london/aldgateinwinter

Festival FAQs

Looking to join us for the Aldgate in Winter Festival? Read our festival FAQs to help you prepare for the evening.