Winter Westminster

As temperatures drop and the holiday season is upon us, the City of Westminster is set to be transformed into a festive landscape of entertainment, music, and exclusive shopping experiences to see you through the colder months. Check out our calendar of free and budget events:

Music and caroling:

Festive shopping to gospel tunes

Where: St. Martin's Courtyard, near Covent Garden

When: Thursday 15th December, 5-7pm

What to expect: Free roasted chestnuts and warm Pimm's whilst listening to the London Community Gospel Choir.

Christmas Carols by Candlelight

Where: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JH

When: Thursday 15th December, 7.30pm

What to expect: Christmas carols by candlelight with the Vivamus Choir.

Shopping:

Christmas food market and reindeer

Where: Covent Garden

When: Saturdays, 12 noon - 5pm

What to expect: Make friends with reindeer and visit a festive Christmas food market.

Entertainment:

London theatre - Top shows from £10

Where: All over Theatreland

When:Sunday 1st January to Friday 10th February – booking open now!

What to expect: More than 50 shows are taking part including Les Miserables, Singin’ In The Rain, The Wizard of Oz, The Ladykillers, Noises Off, The Gruffalo, The Snowman, Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker and Tosca at the London Coliseum.

Ice skating

Where: Somerset House, Aldwych South

When: Daily from 10am to 10.30pm

What to expect: Skate on one of London's most atmospheric rinks. Free storytelling sessions for little ones by the Christmas tree. From £7.50 plus booking fee.

For little ones:

Children’s Christmas crafts and stories

Where: Maida Vale Library, Sutherland Avenue, London W9 2QT

When: Wednesday 21st December, 2.30-4pm

What to expect: Christmas stories for Westminster’s little residents, crafts and the opportunity to  make your own tree decorations and greeting cards. Age: 5+

Puppet workshop

Where: Education Centre Foyer, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN

When: 29th December, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm

What to expect: Join in and learn how to make shadow puppets, make your own and take it home!

New Year’s Eve:

New Years Eve Fireworks Display

Where: Best views to be had from Victoria Embankment!

When: Saturday 31st December, midnight

What to expect: Ring in the year of the London Olympics in style.

New Year's Day Parade and festival

Where: The Parade starts on Piccadilly outside The Ritz hotel. It then goes to Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent St, Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Street.

When: 1st January 2012, 11.45am to 3pm

What to expect: The first official event of London's Olympic year has an Olympic and Diamond Jubilee theme. Watch 10,000 performers from 20 countries plus marching bands, acrobats, cheerleaders and much more.

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