Christmas Mini Midnight Run, Southbank Centre

Since 2005, poet Inua Ellams has been rediscovering and redefining city life in a unique and inspiring way. By gathering together groups of strangers, and taking them on creative nighttime adventures through the streets of London, Ellams hopes to create ephemeral mobile communities; an initiative that he terms the 'midnight run'. As part of the Southbank Centre's Literature Autumn Season, he will be curating a special ChristmasMini Midnight Run on 6 December, which will explore the themes of charity and goodwill in urban life.

The 'midnight run' phenomenon originated when Ellams and a friend lost patience waiting for a bus and decided to walk the bus route instead. Six hours later, the pair had wandered all over London, exploring the city in its deserted state with a sense of wonder, discovering new haunts and more about their own identities in the process. Since then, Ellams has recreated this form of event many different times, with many diverse groups of people.

To each midnight run, he typically invites five other creatives, from filmmakers to storytellers, illustrators to dancers, who accompany the 'runners' on their urban journey and engage the group in their particular craft. Devoid of any political agenda, these events nevertheless carry the social aim of countering some of the loneliness and isolation faced by city dwellers today, with the prime objective of having fun and seeing the city in a new light.

We think the Christmas Mini Midnight Run will be the perfect experience for anyone with a curious or adventurous streak. Come prepared to explore with warm clothing, sensible walking shoes, and above all, an open attitude.

Tickets: £8

Address and map :  The Southbank Centre (Open Spaces),  Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX  ‎

Meeting Point:   Opposite the Royal Festival Hall Ticket Desk on level 2

Nearest Tube: Waterloo, Embankment, Charing Cross