FESTIVE FLEET STREET QUARTER 2024
DISCOVER WHAT'S ON ACROSS THE QUARTER THIS CHRISTMAS TIME
Wednesday 13 November 2024 – Thursday 5 January 2025 • Across Fleet Street Quarter
Looking for festive fun? It's just around the corner with Festive Fleet Street Quarter!
We’re bringing the Christmas magic back to the Quarter this year with a full lineup of yuletide events to set the perfect holiday mood. Starting from 13 November, Fleet Street Quarter will be buzzing with seasonal cheer, offering everyone a chance to revel in the most wonderful time of the year right here in the western City.
Join us across the Quarter to experience sparkling light displays, cozy winter markets, heartwarming choral performances, and an array of festive workshops designed to help you soak in the spirit of the season.
With so much to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this winter in Fleet Street Quarter – it’s just around the corner! Click here to view all the event booking pages. All events go live to book on Tuesday 5 November at 10am.
NOVEMBER
CHANCERY LANE LIGHT SWITCH-ON
WEDS 13 NOV, 5:00PM - 6:00PM • CORNER OF CHANCERY LANE & CURSITOR STREET • NO BOOKING NECESSARY
Kick off the seasonal cheer with a dazzling festive lights display illuminating the famous Chancery Lane. The lights will go on around 5:30pm, but please join us before and after for festive song from London Community Voices Choir and free festive treats courtesy of Lucky Voice Holborn and the Fleet Street Quarter.
PENGUIN PARADE SCULPTURE TRAIL
THURS 14 NOV - SUN 5 JAN • ACROSS THE QUARTER • VIEW THE MAP • NO BOOKING NECESSARY
From Thursday 14th November, families and visitors are invited to embark on a fabulous festive adventure to discover 12 adorable penguin sculptures throughout the Quarter. Each penguin, decked out in unique festive finery designed by talented artists, will be perched in iconic spots like Chancery Lane, New Street Square, Ludgate Circus and Fleet Street, adding a splash of Antarctic charm to the City.
LUDGATE LUMINATIONS LIGHT SWITCH-ON
THURS 14 NOV, 5:00PM - 6:00PM • LUDGATE CIRCUS / ST BRIDE STREET • NO BOOKING NECESSARY
Join us as we illuminate Ludgate Circus with a shimmering spectacle of festive lights! The lights will go on around 5:30pm, but expect mince pies, mulled wine, hot chocolate, alongside carols from our FSQ Choir and market stalls from Crafty Fox on St Bride Street (just off Ludgate Circus) before and after the switch on!
SOLD OUT! FESTIVE WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
TUES 19 NOV, 12:00PM - 1:00PM • WORKSPACE FLEET STREET • BOOK TICKETS
Get into the festive spirit with Jar and Fern's Wreath Making Workshop! Join us to create your own stunning wreath using seasonal foliage and decorations. This workshop usually costs £50pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
LITERARY HISTORY WALKING TOUR
WEDS 20 NOV, 12:00PM - 1:00PM • MEET OUTSIDE BLANK STREET COFFEE LUDGATE CIRCUS • BOOK TICKETS
Join David Harry for a festive tour through the storied streets of FSQ, where the legacy of British literature and journalism lives on in every corner. Discover tales of literary giants like Dickens and Wilde, the infamous Sweeney Todd, and pioneering women journalists who shaped Fleet Street’s vibrant history. This tour usually costs £15pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
GIN TASTING AND TALK AT DR JOHNSON'S HOUSE
WEDS 20 NOV, 6:00PM - 7:30PM • DR JOHNSON'S HOUSE • BOOK TICKETS
Enjoy a 'spirited' exploration of British gin in the atmospheric setting of a 300-year old London townhouse while sampling 7 contemporary gins! During the event you will hear a talk on the history of gin while sampling gins under the guidance of cultural historian, Dr Steven Parissien. At the end, you will be invited to pick a favourite and mix your own gin to enjoy! You can also explore Dr Johnson's House, sit down on the chairs and window seats and soak up the atmosphere of this rare 1690s house. Please note all money from this event goes to Dr Johnson's House Museum.
SOLD OUT! FESTIVE WINE TASTING
MON 25 NOV, 6:00PM - 8:00PM • THE AMICABLE SOCIETY OF LAZY BALLERINAS • BOOK TICKETS
Indulge in the joy of the season at Lazy Ballerinas Bar with our Festive Wine Tasting. Explore exquisite wines guided by experts – you could even find the ideal Christmas present, or simply a treat for yourself! This tasting usually costs £40pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
SOLD OUT! CHRISTMAS CARD WORKSHOP
WEDS 27 NOV, 12:00PM - 1:00PM • ST BRIDE FOUNDATION • BOOK TICKETS
Design and make your own Christmas cards with Bella Gomez. Each card is unique and features a design that can be detached and used as a Christmas tree decoration! This workshop usually costs £15pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
DECEMBER
SOLD OUT! CHRISTMAS COOKIE DECORATING
TUES 3 DEC, 5:30PM - 7:00PM • TATTLE COFFEE HOUSE - ST PAUL'S • BOOK TICKETS
Join us for biscuits & bubbles! Taught by bespoke biscuit maker Lost Together Bakery, you'll learn to decorate and get to take home six of your own almost-too-good-looking-to-eat biscuits. Accompanied by drinks and canapes from the luxe Lost Property hotel near St Paul's, you don't want to miss this treat of a class. This workshop usually costs £75pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
SOLD OUT! CHRISTMAS KIMCHI WORKSHOP
WEDS 4 DEC, 6:00PM - 7:00PM • KIMCHIMAMA FLEET STREET • BOOK TICKETS
Make your own kimchi with Kimchimama Fleet Street. Kimchi is an emblematic dish of Korea and in this one hour class you'll make and jar you very own kimchi from scratch – perfect for gifting! This workshop usually costs £25pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
MAKERS' MARKET
WEDS 4 DEC - THURS 5 DEC, 11:00AM - 6:00PM • NEW STREET SQUARE • NO BOOKING NECESSARY
Our Festive Makers' Market returns with hand-crafted gifts from independent artisans provided by Crafty Fox. Pick up the perfect present for friends, family and colleagues right here in FSQ!
MUSEUM LATE
THURS 5 DEC, 5:30PM - 7:00PM • DR JOHNSON'S HOUSE • BOOK TICKETS
Join us for candlelit Christmas drinks in Dr Johnson's enchanting and atmospheric 17th-century House of Words! Dr Johnson is one of the greatest literary figures of the 18th century and compiled his Dictionary of the English Language at his home in Gough Square.
SOLD OUT! FREE FAMILY FUN MORNING
SAT 7 DEC, 10:00AM - 12:00PM • DR JOHNSON'S HOUSE • BOOK TICKETS FOR FREE
Explore Dr Johnson's incredible House of Words! Ever wondered what a Slubberdegullion, Jiggumbob or Camelopard is? Find out in Dr Johnson's famous Dictionary of the English Language! This FREE drop in morning is split into two one hour slots. Drinks and snacks provided!
SOLD OUT! GIN MAKING WORKSHOP
TUES 10 DEC, 6:00PM - 8:00PM • CITY OF LONDON DISTILLERY • BOOK TICKETS
Craft your own unique gin at a hands-on experience with The City of London Distillery! Learn the art of distillation at the only working distillery in the City of London! Create your own personalised bottle - the perfect present for yourself or a loved one. This workshop usually costs £125pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
SOLD OUT! FESTIVE WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP
TUES 10 DEC, 6:00PM - 7:00PM • WORKSPACE FLEET STREET • BOOK TICKETS
Get into the festive spirit with Jar and Fern's Wreath Making Workshop! Join us to create your own stunning wreath using seasonal foliage and decorations. This workshop usually costs £50pp but we are offering to you for just a £3 donation to WWF!
DR JOHNSON'S HOUSE FESTIVE SPECIAL LECTURE
THURS, 12:00PM - 12:30PM • DR JOHNSON'S HOUSE • BOOK TICKETS FOR FREE
Join us for a very special festive edition of our Dr Johnson’s House lecture series. We’ll be exploring the history of Georgian Christmas and the yuletide traditions in Dr Johnson’s time. In his Dictionary of the English Language, Johnson’s entry for Christmas is: ‘the day on which the nativity of our blessed saviour is celebrated, by the particular service of the church.’
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