Get ready for Christmas at the South Bank
The South Bank is a magical place to be no matter what time of year it is, but come Christmas it gets an added injection of sparkle.
The riverside stretch twinkles under Christmas lights as the sound of festive music echoes through the markets where pop up bars are full of cheerful revellers.
While the winter may be dark and dreary, it’s time to forget the winter blues and give your Christmas a jolt of energy with a host of free events coming to this bustling spot.
First up, Between the Bridges is hosting its Electric Winter programme with a full line up of events taking place at The Queen’s Walk site until January.
The venue is fully covered, heated and decked out with eight bars and a series of street food stalls.
Between the Bridges is offering a series of ticketed events including drag shows, themed club nights as well as family friendly live performances and brunches.
There are also a selection of free disco’s, including the Dock Disco on December 20, and Guilty Pleasures on December 21, which will keep you dancing all night.
A short walk away at the Southbank Centre, experience uplifting and festive performances created by world-leading artists.
These include Circa’s unique re-write of Swan Lake in Duck Pond, running at the centre’s Royal Festival Hall from December 19 to 30.
Crammed with eye-popping stunts and jaw-dropping aerials, Duck Pond blends your favourite romantic ballet with world-class circus in an unmissable event for audiences of all ages.
Feathers will fly in this tale of beautiful swans, a hapless prince, and a cheeky flipper-wearing duck army.
For musical lovers, Queen Elizabeth Hall will showcase The Creakers from December 18 until January 5.
Based on the best-selling book by Tom Fletcher, and adapted for the stage by Miranda Larson, this is a story about a town full of children running wild after they wake up one morning to find all the adults have disappeared.
Expect surprises, silliness, scares and rocking new songs in a brand new magical adventure for all the family.
Also showing in the Queen Elizabeth Hall is a poignant coming-of-age tale, Please Right Back running from December 21 until January 5.
In Please Right Back, Mr E has disappeared. When he writes to his children to tell them what’s happened, his imagination takes over and sweeps us all along on a whirlwind adventure.
Combining handcrafted animation and storytelling, Please Right Back sweeps audiences into a mischievous world, inspired by a true story.
Free offerings across the Southbank Centre include the luminous outdoor art trail, Winter Light, which will be open to the public until February 2, 2025.
Or, get your dancing shoes on with a free jive extravaganza from Five Go Jiving.
Simon Selmon of SwingDance UK joins band leader John Bayley and a line-up of musicians to whirl around the ballroom floor in a mixture of jive, jazz, jump, dancing and humour.
There are workshops and lessons through the event, and all abilities and ages are welcome.
If you’re already looking ahead, the Just Vibez collective will be offering up some daytime fun for children with sounds, dance competitions and games on December 31.
The event includes a special countdown to 12 midday, for the little ones who might not make it to the midnight celebrations.
Pictured top: Circa’s DuckPond (Picture: Pia Johnson)