Underbelly make plans for Christmas festival in Leicester Square

It may only be July but preparations for Christmas are already well under way in London.

With 164 sleeps to go, entertainment firm Underbelly has revealed details for the new festive arts attraction it is bringing to the capital in November.

Its Christmas In Leicester Square event, which runs until January, combines a traditional German Christmas market and a Santa’s grotto with a run by established variety show La Soirée, which won an Olivier award last year.

Acts including cabaret artist Ursula Martinez and acrobatic duo the English Gents will perform in the troupe’s tent, as well as yet-to-be announced artists.

Underbelly, which was set up to run a venue at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000, helped to develop the Winter At Southbank Centre event and is also known for its Udderbelly and London Wonderground festivals on the South Bank. Its founders, Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing a European Christmas to the centre of London and presenting Leicester Square with something for everyone, from the world-famous La Soirée and their perfect Christmas night out, to the Christmas market from Germany for shoppers to the Santa’s grotto for children.”