Twelve things to do this Christmas 2024 in the East End
From walking tours to pantomimes and talent shows, jump straight into Christmas with our top picks of festive events in the East End.
Across Tower Hamlets, fundraisers, art galleries, and music venues have events lined up to get you in the festive spirit and ensure you always have something to look forward to during the next couple of months.
No matter what your faith is, Christmas is the perfect opportunity to make special memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re craving an all-night party or a post-Christmas run, we bring you our essential guide to Christmas in the East End.
Vincent’s Jingle Bell Christmas
November 20 – December 21
Vincent Hayes is performing his Vincent’s Jinglebell Christmas at Brick Lane Music Hall in Silvertown for one week before Christmas.
The show is a good old-fashioned Christmas performance held in a converted Victorian Church, running throughout the festive period. It will include musicians, singers and dancers performing Christmas songs, jokes and sketches.
The performances will be followed by a three-course Christmas candlelight dinner and an opportunity to dance till midnight.
Vincent Hayes, founder of Brick Lane Music Hall, transformed St Mark’s church into an entertainment space with a box office, bar and reception area, seating and tables for 180 guests and dressing rooms for performers. Hayes himself will perform in the show alongside his cast.
The church, regarded as a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture, was neglected during the 1970s and 1980s. It was eventually rescued and restored but remained empty until Hayes’s makeover, which transformed it into a modern theatrical venue while preserving its original design.
A Grade II* listing was given to the conversion by English Heritage in 2012 to recognise the care taken by Brick Lane Music Hall to preserve the building’s original vision while creating a space for the community.
The venue now hosts luncheon shows, matinees with afternoon tea, and evening dinner concerts in the traditional music hall style.
For more information visit Bricklanemusichall.co.uk, Brick Lane Music Hall, 443 N Woolwich Rd, London E16 2DA.
Urban Makers Workshops
November 30 & December 1 and 14 & 15 December
Urban Makers are back in Mile End Park with their annual makers market with 50 different designer’s products ranging from homeware, jewellery, art, candles, clothing and accessories.
Besides the market, they have several workshops for people to make their own Christmas crafts. The workshops will take place at the Ecology Pavilion across the two market weekends.
Learn alongside professional crafters how to make Christmas candles, pottery, upcycled scrunchies, floral facial oils and Christmas decorations.
These workshops are an opportunity to create a handmade gift for a loved one or a Christmas treat for yourself.
Urban Makers was founded in Bow, by two designer friends Ilka Dickens and Julia Redgrove. You might recognise them from Old Spitalfields Market and their independent gift shop on Roman Road.
Find Urban Makers at Ecology Pavilion, 125 Grove Road, London E3 5RP.
Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall
December 4 until January 4 2025
Potted Panto, the West End’s longest-running panto returns to its East End home at Wilton’s Music Hall for the second year running, for the 2024 festive season.
Potted Panto, puts a twist on what you would expect from traditional panto. It combines seven classic pantomime stories including Aladdin, Cinderella and Dick Whittington.
The 80-minute performance is a mix of slapstick comedy, sarcasm and manic costume changes.
The show ran for seven consecutive festive seasons at the Vaudeville and Garrick Theatres, making it the West End’s longest-running panto.
Creators and best friends Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner star in Potted Panto and previously co-presented CBBC until 2009. The writing and performing duo have four shows under their belt Potted Potter, Potted Pirates, Potted Sherlock and Potted Panto.
The ‘Potted’ stage shows have been successful, earning both audience praise and critical acclaim, having sell-out seasons in the West End and a current Las Vegas residency with their show ‘Potted Potter’.
The history of Wilton’s Music Hall goes back to the 1690s when the buildings began as houses, shops and a pub are now home to ticket purchasing, rehearsals and show watching.
John Wilton built the Victorian Music Hall in 1959 intending to bring the West End glamour and first-rate entertainment to the East End working people. Wilton’s Music Hall is the oldest Grand Music Hall in the world and is home to over 300 performances and over 80 productions every year.
For more information visit Wiltons.org.uk, Wiltons Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB.
BSL Response to Staging Desire Exhibition at Autograph Gallery
December 5
Artist Chisato Minamimura will provide a British Sign Language (BSL) introduction and response to the upcoming exhibition The Studio- Staging Desire at the autograph gallery.
Chisato Minamimura is a deaf performance artist, choreographer and BSL art guide. Minamimura has contributed to aerial performances with Graeae Theatre Company, London’s Paralympic Opening Ceremony 2012 and Rio’s 2016 Paralympic Cultural Olympiad. Her work primarily uses dance and digital technology to share her experiences of sensory perception and human encounters.
Rotimi Fani-Kayode’s photography exhibition The Studio -Staging Desire will be running at Autograph Gallery from October 31 – March 22 2025.
The exhibition is the culmination of research into the artist’s archives showcasing never-before-seen works that reveal what it meant for Fani-Kayode to negotiate the status of ‘outsider’ amongst London’s, racial multiverse in the 80s. Fani-Kay’s photography has a core focus on cultural politics of difference and has been exhibited internationally since 1985.
Alongside his artistry, he became a founding signatory and one of the first chairs of Autograph, London.
In the BSL response to the exhibition Minamimura will contextualise Fani-Kayode’s practice with art and activism in the 80s and by using the artist’s body of work, she will explore themes of self-representation, spirituality and community from a Deaf perspective.
Autograph Gallery is a photography-focused gallery dedicated to artists who use photography and film to explore themes of race, representation, human rights, and social justice.
The 45-minute event is an opportunity to learn about the never-before-seen works from Fani-Kayode’s wider practice followed by time to socialise over drinks.
For more information visit Autograph.org.uk Rivington Place, 1 Rivington Pl, London EC2A 3BA.
Trans Talent Show at the Vagina Museum
December 7
The Trans Talent Show will be at the Vagina Museum in Bethnal Green with performances from London Trans Choir.
The show will feature performances from trans singers, poets, and comics from London. The talent show will be a celebration of trans joy and talent during the festive season and is an opportunity to have an opportunity to discover a new artist.
London Trans Choir which is London’s first trans, non-binary, intersex and gender-fluid choir will be performing throughout the night.
The choir started in 2017 providing a safe and welcoming environment for the trans community to be heard. They have performed at public concerts and don’t require an audition to be a member.
Stephen Davidson, conductor of the choir, is a voice coach for the trans community, has studied voice widely and writes blog posts to tell his trans story.
The Vagina Museum is the world’s first physical museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas and gynaecological anatomy. The museum found its new home in Bethnal Green when it opened its permanent location in 2023. Throughout the year the museum has a range of exhibitions showcasing the different artistic interpretations of the female anatomy and hosts community events that focus on female history and issues.
For more information visit Vaginamuseum.co.uk, Vagina Museum, 275 Poyser Street, London, E2 9RF.
Santa Climb Felix Fundraiser
December 8
The Felix Project Santa Stair Climb is a festive fundraising stair-climbing challenge in Canary Wharf.
The fundraiser climb of 1,031 steps across 48 floors was launched last year to help tackle challenges faced due to the cost of living and has returned this year.
Each climber has a minimum fundraising target of £300 helping raise enough to fund and redistribute 825,000 meals for Londoners in need. Upon entry, a Santa hat, themed t-shirt, and medal will be provided to take home, along with the opportunity to help the community and enjoy views across London once the challenge is conquered.
The Felix Project helps feed local communities by rescuing fresh and nutritious food that would otherwise be thrown away.
Food is then delivered to charities and schools by volunteers, ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals in our society have access to healthy meals.
In 2023 the Felix Project rescued 13,394 tonnes of food and gave out the equivalent of 32 million meals. The Project offers many ways to volunteer including at depots, kitchens, markets or events. They are based across London with a Felix Kitchen in Poplar supporting community organisations with readymade meals using surplus food rescued.
For more information visit Felixproject.org One Canada Square London E14 5AB.
Swiftogeddon Club Night at Troxy Music Hall
December 12
Swifties this one is for you.
Troxy Music Hall will hold another Swiftogeddon-themed club night but with the festive spirit in mind, the night will feature Taylor Swift Christmas songs and snow machines.
The Swiftogeddon club night has become a recurring event at Troxy, with this year’s festive night marking its second consecutive year.
The night is non-stop Swifty all night, deep cuts, extended mixies and fan favourites.
Troxy is an Art Deco music venue with a history of music performances, theatre and film screenings dating back to 1930.
Taylor Swift, an award-winning country pop singer-songwriter started her career back in 2006 and has recently been touring her ‘Eras Tour’ for over a year now, which has become the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.
The ‘Taylor’s Verisons’ albums have kept the singer even more popular in recent years giving her a huge fan base of ‘Swifties’ that are committed to all things Taylor Swift.
For more information visit Troxy.co.uk, 490 Commercial Rd, London E1 0HX
Winter Solstice at Rich Mix
December 21st
The Winter Solstice from Within, at Rich Mix, is a performance by Bajuji Shrivastav OBE, showcasing a range of artists using their unique instruments.
Winter Solstice marks the first day of winter in the astronomical calendar. It is seen globally as a time for reflection, giving thanks to our community, setting intentions, and celebrating the end of a year.
An opportunity to get away from the Christmas frenzy, this event brings together these themes with an ensemble of performances from blind Japanese violist Takashi Kikuchi, tabla maestro Yousuf Ali Khan, vocalist Linda Shanson and projection artist Dimitris Menexopoulos.
Bajuji Shrivastav is a Indian multi-intrusmentalist and composer. Shrivastav was blinded at just eight months old and has overcome stereotypes of artistic limitations and potentials blind and visually impaired musicians face.
Rich Mix is a performance venue that provides exhibitions, theatre, live music and cinema screenings of both independent and blockbuster films.
They are a non-profit organisation with every pound they make going straight back into supporting their creative community work.
For more information visit Richmix.org.uk Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA.
Midnight Mass at St Barnabas Church
December 24
St Barnabas Church will hold its annual Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve.
St Barnabas Church in Bethnal Green will have a traditional Midnight Mass service for an hour at 11.30 pm running through into Christmas Day.
The service will include prayers, hymns and scripture readings focused on the birth of Jesus Christ.
Midnight Mass is a traditional Christian public worship service held on Christmas Eve to dedicate the festive celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
St Barnabas Church is an Anglican parish church in the Stepney episcopal area of the Diocese of London.
Father Brain Ralph is the current parish priest and has worked in East End parishes for 23 years. The church has also been affiliated with the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, now known as OneBodyOneFaith since April 2006
St Barnabas Church also holds Christmas Carol services and various Said Mass and Sung Mass services across the festive period.
For more information visit Stbarnabasbethnalgreen.org, St Barnabas Church Grove Rd., Bow, London E3 5TG.
New Year’s Eve 1920s at Morgan Arms
December 31
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Morgan Arms’s 1920’s 1920s-themed New Year’s Eve Party with a live DJ and fancy dress encouraged.
As part of their ‘Nostalgia Nights’ Morgan Arms will take you back to the 1920s to celebrate the end of 2024 and welcome 2025.
Arrive in your finest 1920s-themed attire for a free glass of prosecco. You can also book early for a festive dinner giving you free entry to the event.
Morgan Arms is a classic east London pub serving traditional British comfort food and is home to a weekly Pub quiz night, Jazz nights, Sunday roasts and more festive-themed events.
If you aren’t set for partying in the 1920s, Morgan Arms will be hosting a Burns Night special on January 25 from 12 pm – 9 pm, starting your 2025 with Scottish classics such as haggis, neeps and tatties.
For more information visit Morganarmsbow.com, The Morgan Arms, 43 Morgan St, Bow, London E3 5AA.
Walking Tour Guide in Wapping and Isle of Dogs
January 1 and 3
Rea Rhine is a walking tour guide who provides historical tours of the London Docklands in Wapping and Isle of Dogs.
The walks are based on the history of the areas in the 18th and 19th centuries, showcasing important landmarks and including stories about injustice, crime punishment and law enforcement.
Rhine dresses in period attire whilst giving the tours in her red ‘Brunel’ dress.
Alongside her guided walks, Rhine is a museum ambassador at the Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe and is currently working on a historical crime novel.
For more information visit Rearhine.wordpress.com.
Half Marathon Victoria Park
January 5
There will be a 5k, 10k and half marathon held at Victoria Park on January 5 to start 2025.
The routes will go through Victoria Park, where wide flat paths are provided, making it perfect for beginners who want to start the New Year with a personal best.
Organised by RunThrough the event includes a Victoria Park-themed medal, chip-timed results, free official event photographs, and post-race refreshments for all participants.
Marshals will be around the course to keep runners on track and each kilometre will be marked along the route.
Victoria Park is London’s oldest public park, opened in 1845 to provide green space for the East End’s working class. Spanning 86 hectares, it is the largest park in Tower Hamlets.
The park was the site for the first-ever Open 5 Race by the Victoria Park Harriers in 1966, an event that remains a significant tradition on the club’s calendar and holds great sentiment among its members as it was renamed to honour club member Mike Penman who passed away in 2003.
For more information visit Runthrough.co.uk, St Marks Gate, London E9 5HT.
Looking for more festive fun? Check out our guide to the best Christmas Markets in East London.
