By Barney Stone and James Bayley
When: 19 December – 11 January
Where: Fairfield Halls
Cost: From £25
Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once is a musical about an Irish busker and a young Czech mother as they form a bond musically and romantically.
Carols by Candlelight
When: Sunday, December 22
Where: Life City Church
Cost: £0 – £3
Countdown to Christmas with the annual Carols by Candlelight service. The evening begins with beloved carols followed by music, festive giveaways, Santa’s grotto, a turkey roast and fireworks.
Back to the 80’s New Year’s Eve Party!
When: Tuesday, December 31, 7:30 pm
Where: Nine Jars Hotel & Bistro
Cost: From £15
Join Nine Jars on the last day of 2019 for their annual New Year’s Eve party! This year they are going Back to the 80s… With a delicious buffet and fantastic disco.
Bach to Baby Christmas Family Concert
When: December 16, 10:30
Where: St. Mildred’s Church
Cost: £15
“Gather in the windy woods and be regaled with Christmas fairy tales by our woodwind narrator”. All families, big and small, are invited to come and celebrate Christmas with a feast of music. Book here.
Carols by Candlelight
When: December 22, 17:00-20:00
Where: Woodcote High School
Cost: £3
Carol-singing, fireworks and turkey. This Christmas tradition is back and better than ever. Organisers advise you to book tickets before they run out – at Santa’s Grotto, time is precious and only the first 50 children will be able to talk to Santa. Book now.
Santa’s Elves and The Shoemaker
When: December 20
Where: Fairfield Halls
Cost: £12:25
Ian Billings, CBBC TV writer and children’s author, presents his original and energetic show ‘Santa’s Elves and The Shoemaker’, and there is plenty of audience participation for Croydon residents to get their teeth into! Buy tickets here.
It’s A Wonderful Life
When: Sunday, December 22, 6 pm
Where: Hackney Picturehouse
Cost: £8
One of the most popular and enduring films ever made, Capra’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is a gloriously sentimental testament to homely small-town’s moral values.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
When: December 18 – 25
Where: Startford Circus Arts Centre
Cost: £13
After wowing audiences across the country, award-winning company Little Angel Theatre bring their smash hit show We’re Going on a Bear Hunt to Stratford Circus Arts Centre for a very special festive adventure.
DINE & DRAG
When: Friday, December 27, 7 pm
Where: Wringer & Mangle
Cost: £50
Sashay down to Wringer + Mangle for a fabulous Dine + Drag dinner show experience !! From a beautiful East London Venue every Friday evening you can enjoy a bespoke set menu, stunning live vocals, astonishing dance routines, lots of laughs and a side of shade.
Boë Gin Boozy Christmas Wreath-making Workshop
When: December 18, 18:00-21:00
Where: That Flower Shop
Cost: £60
Boë Gin have teamed up with Shoreditch-based florist That Flower Shop to create a one-off wreath-making workshop featuring bottomless gin. Book here.
London African Gospel Choir
When: December 20, 19:00-23:00
Where: EartH Theatre
Cost: £27.50
Description: The London African Gospel Choir will visit Hackney as part of their UK tour performing the classic Paul Simon album ‘Graceland’ in full live on stage. Book here.
The Singing Ringing Tree
When: December 18, 18:30-21:30
Where: Hackney Picturehouse
Cost: £8 adults, £5 children
Description: “The epitome of fairy-tale delight”. The popular children’s film returns this Christmas. Book tickets here.
The Deptford Dub Club: Christmas Special
When: Saturday, December 21, 8 pm
Where: Fox & Firkin
Cost: £3
A night of music of Jamaican origin; from Ska, through Rocksteady to classic Reggae, presented in Soundsystem style. Presided over by the legendary Neville King, supported by Rebel Audio Vision Hi Fi, Soft Wax and Natty Nick on the decks. also featuring a full live horn section, led by Tim Topcat, plus live vocalists Doc murdoch, LYN and Sandeva.
Beauty & The Beast
When: Friday, 20 – 29 December
Where: The Broadway Theatre
This spellbinding pantomime for Christmas 2019 tells the story of Belle who longs for romance and adventure, a bad-mannered Prince who is transformed into a Beast to teach him a lesson and a good Fairy who makes both their dreams come true.
Christmas Toddler Tales
When: December 20, 11:15-11:45
Where: Lewisham Library
Cost: Free
Santa is in Lewisham! Children are invited to this Christmas extravaganza, where elves run wild, songs are sung freely and festive fancy-dress is mandatory. Register your interest here.
Lewisham Choral Society perform premiere of Kate Whitley’s ‘In My Way’
When: December 21, 19:30
Where: St Mary the Virgin Church, Lewisham
Cost: £10, £5 (students), £2 (16 and under)
Lewisham Choral Society present local composer Kate Whitley’s ‘In My Way’, celebrating the life of former member Miriam McCleod. More information here.
Stand Up 4 Mental Health Christmas Special at Backyard Comedy Club
When: December 16, 18:30-23:00
Where: Backyard Comedy Club
Cost: £10-£20
Mental health support group, Don’t Suffer in Silence, are back for the seventh time and bringing a feast of comedic talent with the aim of raising awareness for mental health issues. Book here.
Winter Holidays: Make & Do Christmas
When: December 20 – January 5, 10:30-16:00
Where: V&A Museum of Childhood
Cost: Free
This Christmas, the V&A Museum of Childhood have organised a series of festive events. Craft your own decorations, enjoy theatre performances and immerse yourself in festive storytelling. For the full schedule, click here.
A Christmas Carol
When: December 21
Where: St Margarets House
Cost: £8 adults, £6.50 concessions, $4 child
The Dickens Theatre Company and Director Eric Richard are coming to Bethnal Green to perform a Christmas classic. Tickets available here.
