Green Tara

New Year's Eve Celebration

Home » Courses & Retreats » 2026-12-31 New Year’s Eve Celebration

Green Tara

A peaceful, alcohol-free way to see in the New Year

with Kadam John McBretney

Thu 31 Dec 2026 – Fri 1 Jan 2027

Heruka KMC, 11 Woodstock Road, Golders Green, NW11 8ES

Looking for a different kind of New Year's Eve? Spend the evening somewhere calm and friendly, with meditation, a talk, a vegetarian buffet and good company. No alcohol, no loud music, no crowds: just a warm atmosphere in which to look back on the year and begin the next one with a clear and happy mind.

Learning to be Happy Whatever Happens

Kadam John shares practical meditations and ways of thinking that help us keep a happy mind whatever life brings. Begin 2027 with a fresh outlook and a joyful heart.

After the talk, join us for a vegetarian buffet and celebration. Everyone is welcome, whether you are new to meditation or have been coming for years. Bring friends and family; children are welcome too.

Seeing in the New Year with Tara

At 11pm we begin chanting prayers to Tara, so the New Year arrives in a peaceful and meaningful way. Tara is a female Buddha known for her quick help in overcoming fear and obstacles. The prayers are chanted together to a melody, and you can read along or simply listen. No experience is needed.

24-hour Tara chanting retreat

From 11pm we chant the prayers Liberation from Sorrow every four hours for 24 hours: six sessions in all, each about 1 hour 10 minutes. They are free, and there's no need to book. Just come along to any or all of them.

Staying overnight

If you would like to stay over and join the night-time sessions, please contact us at admin@meditateinlondon.org, 020 8455 7563 or 07949 916144 to ask about accommodation.

About the teacher

Kadam John McBretney has been studying, practKadam John McBretney, meditation teacherising and teaching meditation and modern Buddhism for over 30 years, and was appointed Resident Teacher of Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre by the renowned Buddhist master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. He is known for his joyful, down-to-earth style. Whether you are new to meditation or have been practising for years, he makes even the deepest subjects clear and immediately useful.

Schedule

Thursday 31 December

      • 7pm: Doors open
      • 7.30–9pm: Talk and meditation
      • 9–11pm: Vegetarian buffet and celebration
      • 11pm–12.10am: Tara prayers, seeing in the New Year

Friday 1 January 2027

    • Tara prayers at 3am, 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm

Getting here

Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre, 11 Woodstock Road, Golders Green, London NW11 8ES.

4 minutes' walk from Golders Green station (Northern line). Limited parking is available on our forecourt.

Open in Google Maps

Booking

Please book in advance so we can plan the food. The price includes the vegetarian buffet.

£25.00
£12.50

Members pay £15. The talk is free for Standard, Silver, Gold and Platinum members, and you pay for the buffet. Enter your member code at checkout as usual.

The Tara chanting sessions are free, with no need to book.

Members of Heruka KMC can attend the talk in person or join live via Zoom. Become a member.

Upcoming Courses & Retreats

specialevents

Upcoming Courses & Retreats

"When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within.” 

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso