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BANKSIDE FROST FAIR
Friday 12th - 21st December 2008

Early records of a Frost Fair date back to 1309–10 with subsequent fairs held during the ‘Big Freeze’ of 1607–08, 1682–83, 1715–16, 1739–40, 1788–89 and 1813–14.

Last year's fair attracted 140,000 visitors and this year's fair, unlike in previous years, will be open for ten days from 10am on Friday 12th to 6pm on Sunday 21st December 2008 along the Bankside riverwalk outside the iconic Tate Modern.

Lantern Procession

The festival opens with a lantern parade on Friday 12th December starting at 4.30pm with around 270 local school children taking part. New for 2008, the lantern parade will have three strands starting at Bernie Spain Gardens, St Paul’s Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral, all congregating outside Tate Modern, the general public and children will witness the assembling of a Frost Fair scene, on view for the entire length of the festival.

Families can download instructions on how to make their own lantern from Bankside website and join in the parade.

Traditional Thames Cutters Procession

At 11am on Saturday 13th December there will be celebratory procession of Traditional Thames Cutters carrying Frost Fair flags on the River Thames between Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges. The Livery men will disembark at Bankside Pier and parade in full uniform. Visitors should watch the boats from the best vantage point on the Millennium Bridge.

Sled Rides

Siberian Huskies will be back to give sled rides to under 12s (£5) and for everyone else who still wants to get close to these beauties have a “Hug a Husky” photo (£4): Friday 12th – Sunday 14th December and Friday 19th – Sunday 21st December.

Christmas Market

The winter market will be made up of 40-50 quality arts and crafts stalls and there will be several stalls selling seasonal food to keep you warm plus a main bar serving mulled wine and ale.

Getting Here

A short walk over the Millennium Bridge from the City and there are rail and underground connections at London Bridge and Waterloo. If you're coming from the west end take the Jubilee line into Southwark.

Times:
Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Address:
Bankside Riverwalk
SE1 9DT
Tel: 020 7525 2296
Tube: Blackfriars/Mansion House/Southwark
website

Return to London Festivals

Nearby Attractions

London Eye
Dali Universe
Globe Theatre
Tate Modern
Borough Market
Southwark Cathedral
London Dungeon
Vinopolis City of Wine
The Clink Prison
The Golden Hinde

London Restaurants

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