Aldgate in Winter Festival returns for an eighth year!

Join the local Aldgate community for the eight edition of the popular festival this December!

Aldgate Connect BID is delighted to announce the return of the Aldgate in Winter Festival, taking place in Aldgate Square on Friday 6th December 2024. Now in its eighth year, the festival has become a staple of the annual events calendar, bringing an evening of music, dance, performance, and celebration to Aldgate.

The one-day festival returns with some firm favourites, including the Lantern Parade, the Community Feast, and live entertainment on The Aldgate Stage. The celebrates begin at 3.30PM in Aldgate Square, when local legend, Cllr Henry Jones will kickstart the evening of fun by switching on this year’s Christmas tree. Visitors will then be treated to live music and entertainment from local performers and community groups, as well as shows from two brand new headline acts! Dubafrique, a team of world class acrobats and drummers who will be bringing the energy to Aldgate Square, and Dc² Entertainment and Dance Company, who’ll bring music and energy to the festival. Expect LED performers, a mesmerising mirror man, and even a giant robot! View the full stage programme here.

From here, the fun will extend across Aldgate as the Lantern Parade hits the streets. The heart and soul of the festival, the Lantern Parade brings together local schools and community members to display large handmade lanterns on the streets of Aldgate. Led by Drum Works, a vibrant samba drum band, the parade will light up Aldgate, filling the streets with music and colour, encouraging the hundreds of participants to dance along and celebrate.

After winding its way through the streets of Aldgate, the parade will come to an end back where it started, in Aldgate Square. But the fun does not stop there! Visitors can expect more live performances, music, and dance on The Aldgate Stage, before the evening’s celebrations are rounded off with a special DJ set and bingo game from Dabbers Social Bingo, complete with interactive games and plenty of giveaways.

This year also sees the return of the popular Community Feast, providing free hot meals to festival attendees. Simply grab a food voucher from a member of festival staff, pick up your meal from The Aldgate Tap, and settle in for a night of entertainment in Aldgate Square.

Find out more about Aldgate in Winter Festival 2024 here.