Experience the Joy of Christmas on London’s South Bank

It’s guaranteed to be the most wonderful time of the year for visitors to London’s South Bank this year, with surprise festive ADVENT-ures aplenty, revealed daily in the run up to Christmas this December.

With celebrations across the Coca-Cola London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the London Dungeon and Shrek’s Adventure! London, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this festive season!

Coca-Cola London Eye
With a big helping of festive sparkle, the Coca-Cola London Eye is the perfect place to capture the magic of Christmas in the capital this year.

3…2…1…it’s Christmas! A special light show at 7pm every night will be illuminating the Coca-Cola London Eye from Thursday 1st December, ending with a ‘countdown to Christmas’ with more and more sections of the wheel being lit up each evening as the big day approaches. By Christmas Eve the whole iconic structure will be lit a brilliant white to help Santa navigate on his busiest night of the year.

#HolidaysAreComing (to the Coca-Cola London Eye): On Sunday 18th December, the famous Coca-Cola truck will be stopping at the London Eye as part of its UK tour. Watch as the iconic truck comes to life and get a little closer the magic as it parks up on the landscape in front of the wheel for the day, and see Christmas lights glow across London from a height of 135m as you enjoy a rotation in a cosy London Eye capsule.

A ‘Santa Spotting’ capsule for the perfect Christmas Eve: The Coca-Cola London Eye is also giving guests the chance to win a ‘Santa Spotting’ capsule on Saturday 24th December*. The lucky winner and 24 friends will be able to enjoy the last rotation of the London Eye on Christmas Eve looking out for the big man himself across the London skyline, perfect for getting the little ones even more excited!

It’s not just the Coca-Cola London Eye that will be getting people in the Christmas mood! Across the South Bank elves have been hard at work to ensure there’s something for everyone this festive period.

London Dungeon
With plenty of Christmas-themed activity going on, the London Dungeon is the perfect destination if you like festivities with a sinister twist. Highlights include:

• Mini Christmas stockings for the longest standing residents of the city - the Dungeon’s adorable rats.
• ‘Dark side’ Christmas decoration tips and tricks from the devilishly clever Dungeon Displays team.
• For those with a strong stomach, watch Sweeney Todd’s paramour Mrs Lovett putting a unique festive twist on her (in)famous pies with a Facebook Live Mince Pie Masterclass – keep an eye on London Dungeon Facebook page for details of when to tune in.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium
In the run up to ‘Fish’mas, guests will be able to enjoy a series of fishy festive events including:
Carols with Penguins where guests will get a chance to ‘Sing-to the Gentoos’ at an evening of wintery carols in the Penguin Point area.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium is also putting an aquatic twist on traditional Christmas decorations with an underwater Christmas tree being displayed for people to view throughout December.

On December 2nd there will be an exclusive giveaway of a family ticket to see the brand new West End production of Mr Popper’s Penguins, so come and visit our very own colony of penguins to be in with a chance of winning!**

Finally, no winter would be complete without a festive feast and that’s no different for the creatures at the SEA LIFE Aquarium, with a Facebook live talk to show what Christmas dinner looks like for many of the animals. Check the Facebook page in December for details of when to join in!

Shrek’s Adventure! London
A dusting of snow has fallen in Far Far Away and Shrek has gathered all his DreamWorks friends for some festive fun, including characters from Madagascar, How To Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda.

Santa Shrek will be spreading Christmas joy from 1st December dressed in his festive best, ready to meet you at the end of your experience. You might even spot him lending a hand decorating the South Bank!

Back by popular demand: meet the Trolls, Poppy and Branch, as they bring you the most colourful Christmas ever in their magical grotto.

With a nod to Shrek’s love of all things green, ‘Love a Sprout Day’ will also take place on December 8th to rally up an appreciation of the traditional festive vegetable.

What’s more, from 1st December through to Christmas Day, online customers purchasing tickets for more than one Merlin London attraction will be in with the chance of winning one of 25 amazing prizes! From Merlin Annual Passes to Afternoon Tea, flights for your whole family to hampers of gift shop items, these stacks of goodies will only be rivalled by those on the back of Santa’s sleigh!

Hywel Mathias, Divisional Director of London Midway Attractions, says: “We all love the festive season and nowhere is going to be more Christmassy this year than London’s South Bank! From iconic moments at the Coca-Cola London Eye to aquatic fun at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, edge-of-your-seat surprises at London Dungeon and family fun at Shrek’s Adventure! London, we are proud to be able to offer a festive programme that everyone will enjoy together.”