Dates: Friday 5th December 3.30-8pm
Location: Aldgate Square

The Aldgate in Winter Festival returns for its ninth year! Read on to discover amazing free activities and celebrations coming to Aldgate on Friday 5th. Find out more about Thursday 4th’s Event Programme here. 

Friday 5^th December

2.00pm to 5.00pm – Creative Lantern Workshops
Join us at St Botolph without Aldgate for free, drop-in lantern making. Craft a lantern to carry in the parade and help light up the night sky.

3.30pm – The Aldgate School
The talented choir from The Aldgate School will be entertaining the crowds with their take on some classic festive songs.

3.45pm – Evan Desmarais from Dabbers Social Bingo
Join our stage host for fun, family-friendly games to get into the party spirit.

4.20pm – Cineman Productions
Experience vibrant Bollywood fusion on stage, blending traditional and modern dance with colourful costumes, dynamic choreography, and interactive moments that invite the audience to join in the fun.

4.30pm – Dubafrique
World-class acrobats bring energy and showmanship to The Aldgate Stage as we build towards the Lantern Parade.

5.00pm–6.00pm – Lantern Parade

The heart of the festival: a procession of handmade lanterns, led by Drum Works, lighting Aldgate streets with music, colour, and community spirit.

6.00pm–7.00pm – Community Feast

Get a voucher from festival staff and collect a hot meal catered by one of our amazing local businesses as you get set for an evening of incredible entertainment. Kindly supported by Howden Group.

6.00pm – Dubafrique
This interactive drumming show will drive the parade’s energy into the evening

6.25pm – Dc² Entertainment and Dance Co.
A family-friendly show packed with LED Dancers, balloons and even aliens! Get ready to be wowed by this high energy spectacle – and don’t miss out on photo opportunities with the LED Stiltwalker.

6.55pm – Cineman Productions
The group returns with more dazzling Bollywood fusion choreography.

7.05pm – Love Dance
Returning to the Aldgate Stage after an incredible debut in 2024, Love Dance is an inclusive, local dance class who will perform choreographed routines to top chart hits.

7.30pm – Sherika Sherard
A familiar face on the London music scene, Sherika has shared the stage with soul legend Seal and performed on Petticoat Lane. She closes Aldgate in Winter Festival 2025 with her unique, soulful, captivating sound.

For more Aldgate in Winter activities, including the Christmas Tree Switch-On and free hot drinks, join us on Thursday 4th December also!