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Put your money away! Here are the next fortnight’s best free events
Rave Culture: Winter Rooftop Sessions
Hanging out on London’s rooftops isn’t just reserved for balmy summer nights, y’know. Dalston Roof Park is swinging open its doors for the festive season after a wintry makeover. For the next two Friday nights, Rave Culture is throwing free parties with house music and good vibes. Don’t panic, they have heaters and a retractable roof so there’s no danger of you getting hypothermia on the dancefloor. Dalston Roof Park. Dalston Junction Overground. Fri Dec 22 and Fri Dec 29.
Christmas carol-writing workshop
Think you could give ‘Silent Night’ some extra pizazz? Get creative at Christmas by the River’s carol- writing workshop, where musical improv from The Nursery Theatre will help you create an original festive tune. London Bridge City Pier.Tube: London Bridge. Wed Dec 20.
Ginger Johnson at Southbank Centre
If you’ve had enough of watching crap films on the telly, east London drag star Ginger Johnson’s ‘Glamorous Gran! And Other Tall Stories’ performance is the ideal antidote. Expect storytelling, songs, shouting and lots of glitter. Royal Festival Hall. Tube: Waterloo. Sat Dec 30.
Christmas wreath workshop
Get green-fingered at Lower Marsh Market’s Christmas wreath-making workshop. Once you’ve finished creating your masterpiece, join the carol singalong outside to tick all the festive boxes. Reserve your spot online. Lower Marsh Market. Tube: Waterloo. Tue Dec 19.
New Year’s Eve at Peckham Levels
South-east London’s newest cultural hub is throwing a New Year’s Eve bash – and with capacity for 1,200 people over seven floors, everyone’s invited. Grab a free beer at midnight and run up to the roof to catch the fireworks. Peckham Levels. Peckham Rye Overground. Sun Dec 31.
New Year’s Day parade
Managed to avoid starting 2018 without a hangover? Make the most of that energy at the annual New Year’s Day Parade, now in its thirty-second year. Dancers, acrobats and floats will twirl, march and drum along a 2.2-mile route, starting at the Ritz on Piccadilly. Various locations. Mon Jan 1.