The Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival is back and bigger than ever before

Despite the long dark evenings now the clocks have gone back, November is sparkling, with Christmas light switch-ons and winter festivals opening up across the capital.

The Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival is back and bigger than ever before.

It has you covered for entertainment including exhibitions, light shows, live music and free events from November up until January.

There is a packed programme of new shows lined up including the world premiere production of Nutcracker.

Wild-spirited, mischievous and a lot of fun, this reinvention of Nutcracker is for anyone who wants to live life in full technicolour.

If you’re looking for something musical, E.T. in Concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra brings John Williams’ timeless score to the Royal Festival Hall, while film critic Mark Kermode guides you through winter movie classics played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

And as the dark draws in, the Southbank Centre lights up with a series of free outdoor artworks from contemporary artists that play with light and colour, including five new works for 2023.

Illuminating the windows of the Queen Elizabeth Hall is a new installation by Year 6 students from Oasis Academy, in collaboration with Brixton-based architecture practice, Squire and Partners who transform the drawings produced during workshops into bespoke, winter-themed neon shapes.

Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, said: “Our Winter Festival is back with a real joyous bang and as the nights get darker we are a welcoming home for everyone to enjoy some festive treats, including some truly exciting new productions.

“This year’s ambitious programme expands across the realms of cabaret, comedy, music and dance as well as numerous art exhibitions and free events.

“The Winter Festival encapsulates what the Southbank Centre does best, bringing everyone together with diverse and joyful cultural experiences.”

Picture: Children count down the light display at Southbank Centre Picture: Alice Boagey