Family events on the South Bank this Christmas

Santa Claus, Fine Chocolate and Ice Skating

The South Bank is gearing up for a truly magical Christmas, kicking off with the Cologne Christmas Market at the Southbank Centre (19 Nov to 23 Dec), with over 60 traditional wooden chalets selling handmade gifts, food and traditional wares. A must for families is Santa’s Secret Village, where children can meet Santa Claus and hear his stories in an enchanting 30 minute show (great for short attention spans).In case the aroma of roasted chestnuts isn’t enough to get your tastebuds tingling in time for the festive season, the divine Christmas Chocolate Festival  will be back this Christmas with even more award-winning chocolatiers and Christmas gift ideas, and the chance to enjoy fine chocolate in all its forms, with hot chocolate, chocolate cakes, crepes, delicious churros, a chocolate fountain, and even chocolate making kits to take home. The highlight of Christmas on the South Bank for families visiting London has got to be the EyeSkate – a sparkling ice skating experience under the iconic London Eye.

Family Theatre

Christmas on the South Bank would not be complete without first rate theatre productions, and we urge you to get tickets for these family shows before they sell out:

• The Railway Children (until 2 Jan 2011, in the old Eurostar terminal)
  The former Eurostar Terminal is transformed into a unique theatre and exhibition space, bringing one of the country’s best-loved novels to life with a real moving steam train!
  Click here to read Liz Jarvis’ review of The Railway Children.

• Beauty and the Beast (24 Nov 10 – 4 Jan 11, at the National Theatre)
  Katie Mitchell brings to the stage this enchanting and timeless fairy-tale, a wild and lively production exploding with music and magic suitable for girls and boys aged 8 and up.

• Hansel and Gretel (16 Dec 10 – 1 Jan 11, Southbank Centre)
  Brought to you by the Kneehigh Theatre this classic fairytale is told with lively music, amazing gadgets and gizmos.

• And the Rain Falls Down (not til 24 Feb – 12 Mar 11 – but buy your tickets now!, Young Vic)
  Created especially for 3 – 4 year olds, And the Rain Falls Down is a visually stunning celebration of the water things of the world.

Harry Potter at the IMAX

If your children are Harry Potter fans, there is no better early Christmas present than a ticket to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 at the BFI IMAX, the biggest screen in Britain.
Tickets are £10 to £15, and on sale now for shows from 19 Nov – 9 Dec 2010.

For more information and to book tickets for any of the events, visit www.southbanklondon.com

Have you been to London’s South Bank at Christmas before? What did you think? Leave a comment below and we’ll pop your name into the hat for our prize draw!