THIS year Greenwich is celebrating the festive season by creating an idyllic retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the high street, with the launch of Greenwich: London's Christmas Village.

The festivities commence with the unveiling of the Christmas lights this Friday.

Exclusively designed by Zo Brown and activated by Father Christmas and the Greenwich Theatre's cast of Aladdin, the unique lights will illuminate an eclectic range of festive stalls within the covered market square and in Cutty Sark Gardens overlooking the River Thames.

Greenwich's very own ice rink opens on December 3. Situated in the stately grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, the rink offers stunning views of the River Thames and the perfect opportunity to work off those all those mince pies!

The Cutty Sark will be decked out with two magnificent Christmas trees and a traditional Santa's grotto for all the family to enjoy.

Father Christmas and his magical elf will be making appearances on December 11, December 17 and December 18.

Plus, there are a few rare opportunities to see how the ship's galley used to work.

Staging its first in-house show since 1999, the Greenwich Theatre's production of Aladdin promises glittering costumes and sensational songs with a cast of seasoned actors from the Natural Theatre Company.

The Ranger's House plays host to a beautiful and historic collection of Madonna and Child artwork, depicting different interpretations of the seasonal classic.

If you want to escape the crowds, the relaxed atmosphere of Greenwich is ideal. Whether a culture vulture, born shopper, theatre darling or Christmas fanatic, London's Christmas Village offers a wealth of activities for all the family and all within zone 2 of London's travelcard network.

To find out more on maritime Greenwich visit the website greenwichwhs.org.uk