Witness (another!) Christmas Miracle on Leake Street

After last year’s success transforming London’s longest graffiti tunnel into a festive urban paradise, Miracle on Leake Street is back, and it’s even more Christmasy! Incorporating a screening of Elf, a cross-dressing crooner leading a cabaret sing-song and Burlesque class, a grotty grotto, street food stalls, a wreath making workshop, an immersive Office Christmas Party experience, and heaps of snow; Miracle on Leake Street is guaranteed to warm the cockles of every cottonheaded ninny muggins this side of the candy cane mountain. We’re excited to once again be holding this free event run by WeAreWaterloo and Southbank BID at Leake Street Arches. Taking place on Tuesday 17th December from 5-9pm, donations are welcome and all proceeds will go to the Waterloo Action Centre a space run by and for the local community for the past 40 years. Home to London’s longest legal graffiti wall, Leake Street Arches is a world away from the traditional fireplace setting. Arriving to a band of busking reindeer, guests will make their way through the urban snow (not a euphemism), past graffiti artists at work, to the centre of the tunnel. There they will find cross-dressing crooner, Alexander Luttley, kicking off proceedings by leading a cabaret performance and Burlesque class with two well known artistes. With the festive tone set, guests can then take a seat, wrap up in a blanket and watch a screening of Elf. For those who just want to dip in and out of the screening, there’s plenty of other activities to enjoy… VAULT festival (who run London’s biggest arts festival every January to March) will be holding the VAULT Festival Office Christmas Party. Join the team outside The Vaults theatre for the cheesiest and danciest office Xmas shindig you’ve ever been to. Don your best (read: most ridiculous) Crimbo jumper, grab a cup of punch, pull a cracker, and get festive. This immersive experience will feature special guests from the VAULT Festival 2020 programme. Meanwhile Club will be hosting a free Christmas Wreath Making Workshop, led by Frances Ward (their community gardener) – visitors can then take their bespoke creations home with them! House of Vans, the iconic skateboard brand that has its European HQ at Leake Street, will be serving up mulled wine and cider as well as running a skateboard themed carnival game with prize giveaways. In Your Dreams will be offering free festive glitter face painting for all Lower Marsh Market traders will be serving up the goods (including an incredible range of hot food and sweet treats as well as bespoke craft items that will make unique Christmas gifts). The WeAreWaterloo and Southbank BID teams will be running a Grotty Grotto (complete with Grinch and Goody Bag! All the Leake Street Arches venues will be getting involved this year. Restaurants Banh Bao Brothers and Mamuska! Polish Kitchen and Bar will be offering alternatives to the traditional British Christmas cuisine. Aures London will be welcoming visitors into their immersive events space to experience an ‘Arctic Express’ and Draughts will be running giant board games from their outdoor Christmasy space.

Graffiti, Glitter, the Grinch and Grotty Grottos; if you’re looking for an alternative (and free!) way to celebrate the festive season in London, this is the event for you.

Check out some photos from last year’s event below: