From comedy and theatre to shopping directly from makers at an Open Studio event, you won’t want to miss these events
Christmas decoration gilding workshops
Inspired by Cutty Sark’s ornate exterior, come along and try your hand at gilding in time for the festive season. You’ll be making gilded Christmas decorations and getting playful with all things gold aboard the ship.
These workshops are drop-in and suitable for all ages, and are included in your ticket to Cutty Sark.
Dates: Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December 2024
Tickets: Free with entry to the ship
King William Walk, SE10 9HT
www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/cutty-sark/christmas-decoration-gilding-workshops
Gingerbread Greenwich
Can you imagine Greenwich made from Gingerbread? This festive season, feast your eyes on a sugary cityscape at Woolwich Works depicting the local area.
It features gingerbread buildings, candy-lined streets, frosted features and much more in a mouth-watering metropolis in this “edible exhibition”.
The delicious display of Gingerbread Greenwich is crafted with care (and candy) by local schools. It is a free event so just pop along during opening hours to get a sneak peek of the goods.
Dates: Saturday 30 November 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025
Tickets: Free
The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD
www.woolwich.works/gingerbread-greenwich
You Are The Sun
Combining the joy of gentle classical singing and sensory play, this is an invitation to see beauty in the smallest things and to let plants be our guides.
Celebrate the gift of nature and help to conjure a world out of breath, water, sunlight and soil in this musical adventure for 0- to 2-year-olds at The Albany.
HurlyBurly Theatre makes playful theatrical experiences for babies and adults with classical singing at their heart, where babies are free to be themselves and grown-ups have a chance to relax, bond and play.
Date: Wednesday 27 November 2024
Tickets: £7
Douglas Way, SE8 4AG
www.thealbany.org.uk/shows/you-are-the-sun
A Vision of Elvis
The King is back. Put on your blue suede shoes and celebrate the music of the King of rock’n’roll at Churchill Theatre, with music from Rob Kingsley as Elvis and his talented cast.
This recreation of a live Elvis Presley concert takes you on an audio-visual journey through time, you’ll hear hits such as “Stuck on You”, “It’s Now or Never”, “Return to Sender, “GI Blues”, “Suspicious Minds”, “The Wonder Of You”, plus lots more.
And it’s officially endorsed by Mr Ed Bonja, Elvis’s Photographer and Road Manager from 1970-1977), who said: “On stage, Rob Kingsley looks extraordinarily like Elvis. He sings like Elvis, but most importantly, he seems to capture the very soul of Elvis – his charisma, his gestures – hell, he even walks like Elvis!”
Date: Friday 29 November 2024
Tickets: £30 to £37.50
High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA
trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley/en-GB/event/music/a-vision-of-elvis-tickets
Fresh Pasta Making Workshop
Discover the art of pasta making at Greenwich Peninsula’s Firepit with chef Angelica, who is from the city of Parma in northern Italy.
Angelica will guide you through creating fresh pasta shapes from across Italy, inviting you to get hands-on with tagliatelle, ravioli and more. You’ll then enjoy your creations paired with a traditional meat ragù or vegan sauce.
Expect a lively, social atmosphere with optional wine pairings from Puglia. Buon appetito!
Date: Friday 29 November 2024
Tickets: £35
No.2, Upper Riverside, 10 Cutter Lane, SE10 0XX
www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/whats-on/firepit-pasta-making-class
Cockpit Winter Open Studios
Cockpit’s Winter Open Studios returns for the festive season, bringing you the chance to meet and shop directly from artists and makers.
This twice-yearly shopping event is the only time Cockpit opens its doors to the public, providing an exclusive chance to meet craftspeople, go behind the scenes in their studios to learn the details of their practice and support independent businesses with your holiday gifting.
From jewellery and homewares to ceramics and fashion accessories, discover a world of making at Cockpit and delight your loved ones with unique and original handmade gifts this season.
Dates: Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December 2024
Tickets: Ticket prices vary
18-22 Creekside, SE8 3DZ
cockpitstudios.org/whats-on/winter-2024-open-studios-deptford
Bangers & Nash
Resident host Chantel Nash, who was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards 2023, will be bringing laughs to your doorstep with Bangers & Nash at The Albany this December.
With familiar faces and rising stars in the UK comedy scene, you’ll be sure to have a giggle at this event for over 18s.
The lineup includes Gbemi Oladipo, a new comic voice who is known for his playful approach to contentious topics. Gbemi regularly plays rooms such as Top Secret Comedy Club and Up The Creek.
Ian Smith joins the line-up, a regular on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and comedian set to appear on the forthcoming series of Live at the Apollo. He is also the co-host of the Northern News podcast alongside Amy Gledhill.
Next up is Laura Lexx, an impassioned regional comedian, born and bred in somerset, who brings warmth and energy to juxtapose biting wit.
And finally, Sharifa Butterfly, celebrated for natural storytelling, her journey began as a professional hip-hop dancer, navigating societal expectations for a “grown-up” career. Get ready to laugh along as Sharifa’s story unfolds on stage.
Date: Friday 13 December 2024
Tickets: £11 to £13
Douglas Way, SE8 4AG
www.thealbany.org.uk/shows/bangers-nash-december
Winter Solstice Festival
Make the most of the shortest day of the year and head to the Winter Solstice Festival at Greenwich Park, a midwinter celebration filled with attractions and activities.
Folk meets science this December, with live performances, craft and food markets hosted by the Royal Parks, plus live science demos led by Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomers.
The astronomers will be out and about, answering all your astronomy questions and explaining what makes the winter solstice such an important day in the astrological calendar. Find them next to the General Wolfe statue, just outside the Royal Observatory.
Once you’ve explored the skies, it’s time to head to Greenwich Park for the craft and food market. Get into the festive spirit with a host of live music and performances.
Date: Saturday 21 December 2024
Tickets: Free
Blackheath Avenue, SE10 8XJ
www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/royal-observatory/winter-solstice-greenwich-park
The Horne Section’s Christmas Shindig
The Horne Section’s Christmas Shindig returns to Indigo at The O2 this December, a show from Alex Horne, the creator and co-host of the BAFTA and National Comedy Award-winning Taskmaster.
Featuring five musicians and one non-musical stand-up comedian, The Horne Section is the six-headed musical comedy band where “freewheeling, ridiculous and surprisingly satisfying music happens”.
There will be comedy, songs, enthusiastic dancing, and a lot of mucking about. Get into the festive spirit with this Christmas shindig.
Date: Sunday 8 December 2024
Tickets: £33.60
205 Peninsula Square, SE10 0ES
www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/the-horne-section
Christmas Carol Concert in the Chapel
Enjoy a festive carols concert in the neoclassical setting of the Chapel of St Peter & St Paul in the Old Royal Naval College, performed by the award-winning Trinity Laban Choir.
Included in your ticket is entry to the Painted Hall, which is now home to Luke Jerram’s out-of-this-world Mars installation.
Dates: Monday 2, Monday 9 and Monday 16 December 2024
Tickets: £16 to £32.50Chapel of St Peter & St Paul, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN
ornc.org/whats-on/christmas-carol-concert-in-the-chapel
Sticks’n’Santa
Experience Christmas at Sticks’n’Sushi as its festive set menus return, offering guests Japanese-inspired dishes with a Nordic twist – and a welcome alternative to the usual turkey and stuffing.
From now until Christmas Eve, three Sticks’n’Santa set menus will be available for pre-booked tables of over six guests, featuring a festive spin on Sticks’n’Sushi dishes.
The Yuki Menu includes dishes such as the Aka Ebi – Argentinian red shrimp, spicy gochujang, avocado, snow peas, miso aioli and trout roe, and the return of the annual favourite Chicks’n’Blankets, a playful take on the Christmas dinner essential.
For those who want their Christmas celebration to sparkle a little brighter, the Touya Menu is also available, including premium dishes such as the Wagyu Temaki – seared Kyushu wagyu beef, sushi rice, tsume soy and crisp nori.
The Evergreen Menu is available for guests who wish to opt for plant-based plates and features festive delights such as the ‘Red’n’Green’ roll made with roasted pepper, avocado, cucumber, yuzu-kosho, shiso and tsume.
Dates: Until Christmas eve
1 Nelson Road, SE10 9JB
www.sticksnsushi.com/gb/en/lp/feelingfestive
LDN Queer Mart
Visit the Deptford Lounge for another creative, festive and community-led event from LDN Queer Mart, Queermas.
The day will showcase over 100 up-and-coming queer artists and small businesses, all from a wide range of artistic backgrounds, providing you with the opportunity to discover a whole range of artwork – from art prints and zines to clothing and sculptures.
Enjoy a spot of festive shopping at this community-focused market.
Date: Sunday 8 December 2024
Tickets: Suggested entry donation of £2
9 Giffin Street, SE8 4RJ
deptfordlounge.org.uk/whats-on/event/ldn-queer-mart-queermas
