Miracle on Leake Street

Start warming up your vocal cords because this year’s Miracle on Leake Street (the ultimate FREE alternative Christmas party) is using the acoustics of London’s longest graffiti tunnel to create a singalong like never before.

Returning to Waterloo on Thursday 5th December for its sixth year, this after-work event centres around music. The Karaoke Bug Bar powered by Lucky Voice, will provide a unique Christmas soundtrack that everyone will want to sing along to (with professional choirs on hand to drown out any off-key notes). Traditional carols (and Mariah!) have been banned – and replaced by a curated track list of rock, hip hop, and RnB classics.

The event also includes graffiti workshops, dance performances from local Samba and Salsa troupes, quirky wreath-making, giant board games, a craft market, a group photo experience, and food and drink stalls serving-up flavours from around the world. A gold, ten-foot ‘Spray Can Christmas Tree’ completes this one-of-a-kind festive experience.

KEY DETAILS!

• Free Street Party on Thursday 5h Dec from 5pm to 9pm
• Held in the graffiti tunnel at Leake Street Arches in Waterloo
• Centred around a Christmas Massaoke experience
• Spray Can Christmas Tree
• Free graffiti workshops
• Free Dance, Theatre and Choir performances
• Free wreath-making and Craft Market stalls
• Food and drink available from Lower Marsh Market traders and Leake Street Arches bars and restaurants
• Cash and card donations collected throughout the night will be given to Waterloo Foodbank

On Thursday 5th December, the Waterloo and South Bank community will once again lead this alternative Christmas celebration to bring the whole (urban) family together.

The night will be centred around a Christmas Massaoke experience led by The Karaoke Bug Bar powered by Lucky Voice. This converted Beetle campervan will pump out tunes and invite guests to join award-winning artist, Pi the Mime and singers from Waterloo’s Rock Choir and Pink Choir to create the neighbourhood’s biggest ever singalong (making the most of the tunnel’s acoustics).

Forget the traditional Nutcracker ballet, Miracle on Leake Street showcases energetic entertainment from the locally based London School of Samba and SalsaTeca as well as the Taking Part, Young Vic programme.

Inspired by the surrounding graffitied walls, guests can join a free workshop led by Artist-in-Residence, Marc Craig and leave their own mark on the tunnel.

Throughout the evening, wreath-making sessions (led by community gardener Frances Ward), and market stalls (run by local craft traders), offer the chance to make or buy a unique Christmas gift. Street food stalls and bars will serve up flavours from around the world. Guests who are keen to upgrade the cheesy Christmas round-robin, can capture a more authentic festive moment with friends or colleagues, courtesy of You Photo studio

A gold, ten-foot, ‘Spray Can Christmas Tree’ (sponsored by 26 Leake Street as part of the Camm & Hooper Collection) and (machine blown) snow will complete the transformation of Leake Street Arches into London’s coolest Christmas hangout. This free event is run by WeAreWaterloo and South Bank London and held at Leake Street Arches from 5-9pm. Donations made by cash and card throughout the evening will go to Waterloo Foodbank.