Christmas in the City

From lanterns & performances in Aldgate and crazy Christmas trees in the Eastern City, to carols for good causes in the Culture Mile and Snowman Trail in Fleet Street, there is festive cheer to be had by all.

Find out more about the BIDs activities below:

Aldgate Connect BID
What: A popular community festival, Aldgate in Winter returns this year for its seventh edition. The programme will include a Christmas tree light switch-on, live acts and performances from the community, including Bollywood dance workshops and performances, a lantern parade, creative workshops and a community feast offering free hot meals.
Where: Aldgate Square
When: Friday 8th December, 3:30-7:30pm

Cheapside Business Alliance
What: The Lord and Lady Mayoress will head to Cheapside for an evening of festive songs, choir performances and snow as they switch on the Christmas lights at St Mary Le Bow and Bow Lane. Find light up presents, festive bells and trees across the Cheapside area in place until the new year!
Where: St Mary Le Bow, Bow Lane, surrounding streets
When: 15th November

Culture Mile BID
What: After an enforced break due to the pandemic, London’s Guildhall will once again be transformed into the ultimate shopping experience. Shop a variety of stalls selling luxury handmade, unique and exclusive gifts. The event raises vital funds for the work of the British Red Cross. Sponsored by the Culture Mile BID.
Where: Guildhall Yard
When: 27th and 28th November

What: Now in its 9th year, the Hands Up Foundation’s Singing for Syrians Carol Concert will take place at St Bartholomew the Great, London’s oldest surviving church, in support of Syrian communities who have endured 12 years of conflict and, more recently, February’s earthquakes. Sponsored by the Culture Mile BID.
Where: St Bartholomew The Great
When: 28th November

What: Join us under the snow machine for Christmas carols followed by free mulled wine and mince pies, and bring along hygiene products to donate in support of The City Hygiene Bank.
Where: Holy Sepulchre Church
When: 5th December, 5-7pm

What: Join us for free mulled wine and mince pies in the snow with music and festive storytelling.
Where: Bartholomew Close Square
When: 7th December, 5-7pm

Eastern City BID (City of London)
What: Launch of the MOSAIC – a unique fitting designed by the world-famous artist Arnaud Lapierre, which reinvents the traditional Christmas tree in a sustainable and modern vision. The tree is fitted mirrored cubes arranged in a manner which evokes the natural geometry of a pine cone. A partnership between EC BID, Pan Pacific London and MTArt Agency.
Where: One Bishopsgate Plaza outside Pan Pacific London
When: 16th November

What: Working with the Trees for Cities charity, Aviva, and the inspirational artist Jasper Toeli, ‘Be the Tree’ invites the public to connect with a city tree on both a public and personal scale. Simply place your face up to the O2 bottle and in just a few moments the sculpture lights your face in real time onto a 20 foot high tree, embellished by installation artist Ella Schofield Lake, through the magical technique of video projection mapping. There will then be a link to access your image so you can make a unique digital, Christmas card.
Where: Aviva Piazza
When: 30th November to 22nd December

What: Lights switch-on at the church’s 18-foot Christmas tree.
Where: St Helen’s Church, Bishopsgate
When: 30th November

What: In partnership with the Leadenhall Market, the EC BID will be installing a light activation to showcase the side road of the market. In addition, carol singers will be performing at peak times in the market.
Where: Leadenhall market
When: 16th November

What: An immersive inflatable Winter Wonderland snow globe will allow visitors to create that unique insta-worthy moment. The surrounding space will be designed to create a truly festive feeling for visitors and workers alike.
Where: Fenchurch Street station
When: 5th-8th December

What: The EC BID will run a series of festive workshops including wreath-making, felting, stocking filler designs, winter candle making and gingerbread house decorating. Each workshop will open for up to 20 people and run until mid-December.
Where: EC BID footprint
When: November, December

Fleet Street Quarter (City of London)
What: Discover 12 sculptures of The Snowman™ throughout the Quarter, each individually painted and designed by UK-based artists and inspired by the carol ‘ The Twelve Days of Christmas’, paying homage to the animation and the original picture book by the late Raymond Briggs.
Where: Across Fleet Street Quarter
When: 21st November – 5th January

What: Join us as we illuminate Ludgate Circus with a shimmering spectacle of festive lights! London Contemporary Voices choir will also be performing, helping us to get into the festive spirit! Mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate will also be served from 5pm with the countdown to the switch on beginning around 5:15pm!
Where: Ludgate Circus
When: 21st November – 5th January

What: Kick off the festive cheer with a dazzling Christmas lights illumination on the famous Chancery Lane, with a performance from the London Contemporary Voices choir. Join us for mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate from 5pm with the countdown to the switch on beginning around 5:15pm!
Where: Chancery Lane
When: 28th November, 5pm

What: The Festive Fleet Street Quarter Makers’ Market will return to New Street Square on 5, 6 and 7 December to house an array of exceptional gifts from independent homeware, fashion, beauty and arts-and-crafts traders provided by the talented Crafty Fox Market.
Where: New Street Square
When: 5th-7th December, 11.30am-6pm