Christmas Celebrations Begin in Shepherd's Bush
Your guide to the festivities in the weeks to come
The ice rink at Westfield in White City
Christmas celebrations have officially begun in Shepherd’s Bush, with Westfield’s lights switched on, Winter Village open and Santa Claus on his way to his woodland lodge.
This is the start of a host of festive events planned for the next few weeks in the Bush and surrounding area.
Here’s what’s in store:
The Winter Village and outdoor ice rink are now open, along with Christmas tree and illuminations in Westfield Square, and skaters can take to the ice until January 8. Book tickets at icerinkatwestfieldlondon.co.uk.
The Upside Down House, which has become one of Westfield’s most popular attractions, has redecorated for the festive season and the Christmas house, complete with upside down decorations, is now open and offering prizes for best seasonal selfies. Find out more here.
Santa is on his way to Shepherd’s Bush and children can meet him in his woodland lodge, on Level One near Sunglass Hut/The Village from 10 - 24 December , 12.30pm-6.30pm, daily. These visits are a free walk-up experience where families can take a photo with Santa and receive a small gift. No pre-booking required.
Christmas decorations in Westfield
In Television Centre on Wood Lane on 11 December at 11am, the Electric Cinema White City is hosting a very special pantomime with CBeebies taking to the stage with a unique adaptation of Dick Whittington and His Cat. Recorded in front of a live audience at Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre, the show will be bursting with catchy songs, festive fun, and a host of CBeebies stars, making it a theatrical treat for the whole family. Tickets will go on sale on 4 December.
CBeebies coming to White City
Bush Hall in Uxbridge Road is hosting two festive events in December. The Idler's Christmas Party is on Monday, 12 December from 7pm - midnight with singalong, drinks and dancing. The dress code is sparkling and tickets cost £10.
Lefty Christmas is also back on 17 December, offering a night of entertainment with Grace Petrie and Ben Moss, plus Guise, Soft Lad, Molly Naylor, Celia AB, Priya Hall and compere Jen Brister. Tickets are on sale now.
In Hammersmith, this year’s pantomime at the Lyric Hammersmith is Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack’s ‘climb of a lifetime’ runs till 7 January, promising beanstalk climbing, giant defeating, golden egg laying, extreme skateboarding, milk explosions, singing cows and some absolutely outrageous outfits.
While the panto is suitable for everyone aged six and up, the Lyric is also welcoming back Raymond Briggs’ much loved Father Christmas, which is suitable for smaller children, opening on 23 November and running till 31 December.
The Lyric’s festive offerings continue on December 5 with Christmas Comedy, featuring five top comics performing live in the Lyric Bar, as a finale to a week of fundraising for the theatre’s More Lyric campaign.
Then from 12 to 19 December , Joe Stilgoe takes to the stage, hosting his hugely popular Christmas party with special guests, gospel choirs and ridiculous singalongs.
Find out more about all these events.
At the Eventim Apollo, Michael McIntyre is the star of a special Charity Christmas Show on 7 December in aid of food bank charity the Trussell Trust, with guests including Romesh Ranganathan, Judi Love, Tom Allen and Adam Hills.
The venue is also hosting special screenings of some favourite festive films, with their musical scores performed by a live orchestra. The films are The Holiday and La La Land on 3 December, The Muppet Christmas Carol on 4 December and Love Actually on 10 December.
Then from 15 December till 1 January, with start times throughout the day and evening, the acclaimed Circus 1903 makes its new home at the Apollo, offering all the thrills and daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus including strong men, contortionists, acrobats and elephants!
Find out more about all these events.
Barons Court Theatre in Comeragh Road is also getting into the Christmas spirit as it presents a haunting adaptation of the most famous festive ghost story ever written - Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, running from 7 December until Christmas Eve. Find out more and book tickets.
At Riverside Studios, Jonny Feathers the Rock and Roll Pigeon, running from 7 December to 8 January, is aimed at little rebels aged four to eight, but promises laughs and live music to entertain the whole family. Find out more and book tickets.
At Olympia, The Ideal Home Show Christmas is back for its 11th year, alongside the Eat and Drink Festival Christmas. Together they promise a world of seasonal delights, including the opportunity to shop till you drop and get ideas from experts on everything from decorations and hand‐crafted gifts, to Christmas puddings and festive fizz.
Find out more and book tickets.
Shoppers on a tighter budget are invited to a pre-loved gift exchange at Livat on King Street on Saturday, 26 November. Visitors can bring up to six toys, games or non-perishable (non-food) items to exchange, with a professional gift-wrapper on hand to turn pre-loved items into beautifully wrapped gifts.
Blogger Becky Goddard-Hill, will also be on hand to offer a wealth of ideas on enjoying a magical and cost-effective Christmas. Any surplus gifts will be donated to Hammersmith’s British Heart Foundation charity shop.
Livat’s seasonal events continue next month, with a chance to meet Santa and receive a gift from his sleigh in the free Swedish Grotto each weekend (3 and 4, 10 and 11, 17 and 18 December ) plus Monday 19 to Wednesday 21, and to celebrate the Swedish festive tradition of Santa Lucia, with a traditional choir parade and a glass of Glogg (a Swedish fruity festive punch) on 11 December.
From 22 to 24 December, talented local gospel choir Gold will be on hand to entertain last minute late night shoppers. Find out more about these events.
The traffic free Christmas Market has become an annual festive highlight in Hammersmith, with over 100 stalls lined up along King Street selling crafts, jewellery, home accessories, boutique fashion and more, plus food stalls offering favourite dishes and seasonal treats, street entertainment and live music.
This year’s market, taking place on 3 December from 11 am till 6pm will include a pop-up Art Market and feature a performance by Hammersmith’s own Abba tribute band, Abba Stars.
On Sunday 11 December, a Community Boot sale is being held at the Masbro Centre in Masbro Road, with stalls offering good deals and preloved items, face painting, coffee and cheap eats and a chance to learn how to tackle climate change through community action.
Entry is free and you can find out more here.
Stores, pubs, restaurants and gyms around Hammersmith have a wide range of discounts and special seasonal deals on offer for holders of the free Privilege Card. You can now sign up online.
Further afield, if you if you can’t make the Hammersmith Christmas Market, there is another in Fulham’s North End Road on Saturday 16 December, with 150+ stalls, food from around the world and live music and entertainment.
Find out more about what’s on offer at local Christmas markets on the council's website.
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November 21, 2022