And, of course, there is always the possibility of snow. Grab a drink at Pergola Paddingtons underneath their beautiful On the Piste decor. December is however beyond magical, when it is adorned in glamorous Christmas decorations. Want to get in the festive spirit? There's no shortage of festive entertainment during London's Christmas season. Well you can, and I spent Saturday night with the worlds most wanted man, St. Nicky, and his anarchistic entourage of festive fugitives, for a debauched, but decadent immersive dinner party called Christmess. Yes, this is a very real thing! Its a real Christmas treat. There is of course no shortage of shops to explore, giving you the opportunity to find something special for your loved ones (and yourself! Shopping in London at Christmas is a sightseeing opportunity in itself, as Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason all boast dazzling Christmas displays and impressive seasonal dcor both inside and out. Spending Christmas in London with children is an excellent idea as there are many things to do. Obviously Oxford Street and Regent Street are the biggies their lights are two of the most-visited Christmas attractions in London. This Christmas, Neil is planning to send two parcels. This is where we can find smaller fairground rides perfect for smaller children but also where they can meet Father Christmas and let him know what they really really want for Christmas! They're filled to the brim with Turkish delight, champagne, caviar, sweet marmalades, pungent stilton, and gooey French cheeses. Sep 30, 2017 - London Christmas For the first time ever, I'm going to stay in London for Christmas. The food stalls in the Christmas Markets are always extremely popular, with hot dogs, hamburgers and roasted chestnuts. > Price: Free. Afternoon tea in London is a year-round must. How to spend a classic Christmas in London. In addition to the ice-skating rinks in London, Winter Wonderland and the many Christmas markets all over the capital there are many other events during this time of the year. Or, how about the Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise that treats you to mince pies and mulled wine as you spot Londons most famous attractions? Omakase chef Goemon Ishikawa has curated a two-hour experience with a seasonal menu that is perfectly on point. Then, warm up with a cocktail and a view of the ice in the Skate Lounge or pop in the Fortnum's Christmas Arcade to sneak in a little holiday shopping. Fancy a Christmas Day Lunch Cruise, complete with a four-course dinner, carols, and music? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The article also emphasizes how vital it is to reserve lodging and activities in advance, especially during the holiday season when demand is strong and supply is limited. I once took a day trip from London to York to discover the best York Christmas markets. It is located on Piccadilly Street and goes over 2.5 km. York at Christmas. 2023 Cond Nast. At one point dessert was brought out in what looked like long pieces of drainpipe and we were handed spoons to dive in I think I remember being fed desert by both Jingle Bell and Salt, but by this point everyone was too busy revelling to think about any inhibitions. 87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London. Where to eat nearby:Sink into Italian comforts while rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous atCecconi's Mayfair. Winter Wonderland is also packed full of amazing little Christmas stalls, where youll find unique souvenirs such as crafts, clothing, jewellery, and decorations from London so there are plenty of opportunities if youre trying to find that little something to take back home with you. Then slide over to Savile Road and get the men in your life monogrammed handkerchiefs. Every year in London, at Christmas, there is a race held in the beautiful square of the popular Covent Garden. One of the highlights whilst visiting London during Christmas is to admire the fantastic displays of Christmas lights and decorations. Winter Wonderland As the Brit's version of a traditional European Christmas Market, Winter Wonderland is the most important Christmas activity for any visitor to London in November/December because it truly is a world of wonder. Our blog includes info and advice about Things to do in London, Itineraries, Recommended Hotels in London, Places to visit in London with kids and more! And dont forget to check what stays open on Christmas Day, as many places across the city will be closed. Well worth it, we think. If you don't fancy turning things into a three-hour meal, we suggest grabbing a seat at the bar. 2023 PlantripLondon.com. The ice skating rinks that pop up all over London during the Christmas period are one of the things that I look forward to the most when Christmas is approaching. As much as we think Christmas is all about mince pies, presents, and booze, we admit that we do love a good Christmas light show. Hunting out the citys best Christmas concerts has become one of our favourite things to do during the Christmas season in London. It might as well be a scene out ofA Christmas Carol. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Press Esc to cancel. One of the enchanting things to do during Christmas in London is to visit Hogwarts Castle in the snow. It was truly an incredible evening. The city transforms into a sea of Christmas lights and decorations, ice-skating rinks, Christmas markets, and special festive events. The 25 metre-tall tree sits in the middle of the square, festooned with lights and looking ever so Christmassy. All the shops are normally open on this day with plenty of bargains. The Royal Botanic Gardens boast over a million bulbs, illuminating gardens, trees, and building on a one-mile trail. Much as a carol concert is Christmassier than eating mince pies and dancing badly in ugly jumpers, theres a whole world more to explore when it comes to festive music. Fortnum's is also a destination for its window decorations, and this year, the display is dedicated to one of things the department store does best: tea, of course. Nowadays, it's home to brands like Chanel, but also some uniquely British vendors, like cobbler Harrys of London and high-end homeware store Linley. These are brilliant if you love to collect tree decorations from your travels for example, or love beautiful candles or handmade crafts, to name a few. Impact Church - Christmas Hamper Program. But then it really kicked off. Children start crying into their hot chocolate. If hot chocolate is more your speed, stop by Knoops, a small chain of hot chocolate cafes where you order your drink with your desired percentage of cocoa, from 28 to 100 percent. Looking for something a little more highbrow? Just a fleeting glance at our website or social media pages will likely tell you that we love to wax lyrical about things to do at Christmas in London. Very many people will opt for the experience at Hyde Parks Winter Wonderland, which although free has many ticketed attractions and is extremely busy most evenings and weekends. Which is your favourite Christmas carol? At various points whilst dancing on tables with total strangers, we found ourselves looking at each other as if to say this is madness, but at no point did we ever feel uncomfortable. When you do the math, though, remember that gifts are only a portion of the overall Christmas spending - and not necessarily the largest one. Sep 12, 2019 - London Christmas For the first time ever, I'm going to stay in London for Christmas. Youll find stalls with lots of things to buy, decorations, souvenirs, and of course, mulled wine and food. Nah. This video covers things to do in London at Christmas, such as the best Christmas light displays, festive events like Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Christmas at Kew Gardens & Hogwarts in the Snow, & of course, Christmas markets. And whilst that doesnt sound great, the truth is far from it, as you can enjoy the Christmas lights in London and soak up the festive atmosphere. ibis hotel rooms are soundproof and air-conditioned and it isnt an exaggeration to say that the bed was the best Ive ever slept in (they call it their Sweet Bed). Just us then? Time your visit to catch the daily carolers beneath the tree, who will be there every evening through December 24. > When: dates 2022 TBC Families usually apply sometime in the fall. You either love or hate ice skating here at London x London were not too keen, but you should definitely visit one of Londons pop up rinks if youre feeling brave enough. Youre spoilt for choice regarding sweet treats with so much cotton candy and churros with chocolate. A full tea service is ideal any afternoon in London (We recommend making a reservation the first day you land, to help beat jetlag), but its a particularly nice way to warm up when its chilly outside. We thought so. Smithfield is the UKs largest meat market and one of the citys oldest markets. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lights and Sights is the museums Christmas series this year, so get ready to embark on a tour through Londons top Christmas light displays on a classic red Routemaster bus. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Get a souvenir picture with this Christmas icon at either Wembley or the O2. One of the best options to spend New Years Eve in the English capital is to go and see the fireworks display. After being led into the imaginarium, we waited to be taken to the rebel-elf stronghold. Dont spend too long in the pub, though; there are clues to crack. Other returnees include Christmas by the River at London Bridge and Pexmas in Peckhams Copeland Park. Tempting as it is to bury yourself under covers and watch a few well-chosen festive classics from the safety of your bed, there are better options at hand. Cold weather is the best time of year to enjoy a Sunday roast and sticky toffee pudding, not to mention a pint or two. If that sounds tempting, The Dorchesters decadent five-course Christmas menu with paired wines hits all the right spots: if you cant trust The Dorchester to get Christmas right then who can you trust? > Website: Great Christmas Pudding Race. This is high camp, alternative Christmas at its finest. You can also spend the night before Christmas at the magical Winter Wonderland or enjoy one of Londons musicals. Tube stops Temple, Charing Cross, Embankment, and Covent Garden are all close. Check back nearer the time for confirmation on more Christmas Eve concerts and services. The Nutcracker at the London Colisseum in Piccadilly is one of the most popular Christmas events, but we do love a Christmas pantomime, Disney On Ice at the O2 or Circus 1903. This light show will be held from November 16, 2022 to January 8, (2023). By Lale Arikoglu and. All the attractions will be closed including the Christmas markets and Winter Wonderland. London can be a brutally expensive city but one of our favourite things about the Christmas season in London is that it brings with it a whole host of free activities and things to do. LIFE*SPIN - Christmas Sponsorship Program. Now, you can pretend that youre just popping in to Hamleys because you need to pick up a present for your eight year old niece but we all know the truth. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. Fairground rides, the smell of mulled wine, and the iconic ice bar, this is one of the best Christmas things to do in London. > Website: Santa Run. London at Christmas is already magical but imagine seeing Hogwarts at Christmas! Add to that the excuse to drink Christmas cocktails (for the record, these are like normal cocktails but better and come with zero guilt because: Christmas), eat festive afternoon teas, dress up in ugly jumpers, and youre onto a winner. Plenty of restaurants open their doors on Christmas Day in London so that you can enjoy a traditional British Christmas Meal. Dont you just love how things that are pretty fabulous anyway get even better in London at Christmas? Low key O Little Town of Bethlehem? As well as the famous West-End London musicals that are available throughout the year, for a few weeks over the festive holidays, London is home to numerous Christmas-themed plays, musicals, pantomimes and ice-skating shows. Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, and even the Queen Mother visited the 19th-century mirrored bar, and its menu pays tribute to the songs played by the bar's resident pianist Jon Nickoll: 'Sun Sun Sun' is a gin cocktail inspired by The Beatles'Here Comes the Sun; 'Dreamer' is a vodka-based ode to Frank Sinatra's voice; 'Go Go Go' is a celebration of the music of Amy Winehouse. 1 What to do on Christmas Day in London 1.1 Christmas Day Sigthseeing Bus Tour 1.2 Christmas Day Tours from London 1.3 Peter Pan Cup Race 1.4 River Cruises in London on Christmas Day 2 Where to Eat in London on Christmas Day 2.1 Pubs open on Christmas Day in London 2.2 Restaurants open on Christmas Day in London Dont skip the toffee pudding on Sundays at the Michelin-starred restaurant or chips (fries) and a martini at their more casual restaurant, the Barn. Theres A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic with Owen Teale as Scrooge to check out too. Weve really tried to keep the Christmas Eve auction at Smithfield Meat Market a secret as its such a cool little festive London event and were not quite ready for it to be ruined Oh fine, well share. For a truly memorable holiday, book one of the seven. While not quite as bad asRome's controversial spruce, Londoners weren't particularly pleased with the Trafalgar Square tree a few years ago (a "gherkin draped in lights" was just one insult). Where to eat nearby:One of the most beautiful settings for afternoon tea is the Art Deco foyer ofClaridge's. Choristers at St. Pauls rehearse for their Christmas carol service. There are a number of ice skating rinks that pop up around the city of London over the month of December. Now clearly, we all love a good cocktail at any time of year and Londons packed with bars that just so happen to excel at making them (like ahem, these ones in Shoreditch). From visiting the famous Winter Wonderland to exploring the citys festive markets and ice skating rinks, theres something for everyone to enjoy. Stuff gets booked up. A train station might feel like an unlikely place to start your Christmas tree odyssey but there we are the tree at St Pancras is always on everyones lips when it comes to choosing their favourite. First published on Cond Nast Traveler US. Make sure to book in advance as these screenings sell out fast. By contrast, ipostparcels quoted between 80 and 100 - a . last year I made a table decoration (and was pretty proud of it too), but this year we opted to go big and make a gorgeous Christmas wreath. In particular, the English capital knows how to decorate a Christmas tree. Who said that panto is just for kids? Most of the pantos are back this year (hurray!) Jack and the Beanstalk at The Palladium is a biggie, as is Snow White at Wimbledon Theatre. If you plan to be in London on Christmas eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day it is important to check public transport as well as knowing what shops, attractions and museums will be open during this time. The lights are brighter, smiles are larger, and London attractions look even more beautiful than usual. 7 shopping tips for an organised Christmas The chances are that you have already spent a small fortune on Christmas. So here it is: the best things to do in London at Christmas 25 Christmas in London ideas for your festive December bucket list. Its no wonder that so many people choose to sack the whole cooking malarkey off and treat themselves to a blow out Christmas meal instead. The tradition of Christmas lights in London began in 1954 after World War II when shops and businesses wanted to present themselves as attractive places to visit. Ready to take on the role of a Dickensian detective and put your sleuthing skills to the test? We have a dreamy range of Christmas Day activities, including a day trip to Canterbury, Dover, Greenwich and a full Christmas Day Lunch in Canterbury Cathedral! For fans of the Harry Potter series, the Warner Brothers Studio Tour really comes to life in the wintertime. Need to pick up some last-minute gifts, or perhaps you just want to treat yourself? Enjoy a Christmas Day out in London Grab yourself a sausage and get merry! It is not really a traditional one, you can almost compare it to a theme park as it has so many different rides: roller coasters, haunted houses, Ferris wheel, Marry go round, trampolines and so much more. Backyard Cinema is another of our favourite spots to watch festive flicks in London. This London Christmas itinerary combines the most festive places in London with London's top sights. 1.7K Likes, TikTok video from Visit London (@visitlondon): "Merry Christmas from London! Take advantage of London's quiet streets on a tour of the city's top landmarks, celebrate Christmas with Londoners in cosy restaurants and pubs, wander streets adorned with glittering Christmas lights or take in the festive atmosphere as you wander through the royal parks . tickets available for the midweek Christmess events, Christmas By The River at London Bridge City. December 24th: Christmas Eve in 2022 falls on a Saturday. We were served a twelve dish dinner including cajun roasted turkey with all the trimmings, red cabbage, candied yams and gravy and we tucked in with abandon whilst the band continued to play. Winter Wonderland Hyde Park by Garry Knight.. One of the most popular holiday attractions in London is the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.Running until January 5 (but closed on Christmas Day), the fair boasts an ice rink, observation wheel (think The Eye, but a smidge smaller), Santa Land, and an ice sculpture garden. An alternative to panto, you ask? Where it is:In a prime position on Piccadilly, it's accessed easily via Piccadilly Circus tube station, or Green Park for fewer crowds. It is a giant Christmas fair and Market with restaurants and bars in the heart of Hyde Park, the most famous park in London. Try the Connaught Martini, as well as the Fleurissimo, created as a tribute to a notable former guest: Princess Grace of Monaco. The Christmas decorations are always a highlight, with wreaths, trees, and ribbons adorning almost every open surface in the arcade. It will be hard to miss Claridge'sChristmas tree: This year's 19-footer is actually a sculpture designed by Christian Louboutin, accompanied by a romantic train carriage titled 'The Loubi Express' in the designer's trademark red. The Christmas markets and fairs are something they will remember forever. The Burlington Arcade was created in 1819 and is magical any time of year. The newly renovated North Lodge at Coworth Park for those staying with friends and family. Christmas at Kew - Paid Event. They usually start unofficially a few days before Christmas Day and last until February, but the big day is always Boxing Day, the 26th of December. As well as this, expect to spot Europes largest Christmas tree, be serenaded by Christmas Choirs, get involved with crafty workshops, and plenty more throughout the festive season. Where it is:On the North Side of the River Thames, near Waterloo Bridge. In the cafe, you can treat yourself and the family to a lovely hot chocolate, and along your walk, youll be able to toast marshmallows on the bonfires placed all around. For a classic experience, indulge at Fortnum & Mason. And we cant quite think of a better way to marvel at them than during an immersive scavenger hunt. There are also circus performances and an ice-skating rink, as well as the famous Ice Kingdom, where you can walk through amazing Ice Sculptures, and so much more to do! Alexandra Palaces rink is beautiful, the Queens House rink in Greenwich is a stunner too, as is the iconic skating rink at Somerset House. See the greatest displays of Christmas lights and decorations, visit the most fantastic Christmas Markets, explore the beautiful ice-skating rinks and go Christmas shopping in some of the best world-known shops. Close to Buckingham Palace, it is a favourite of the Middleton family and the turkey lunch on its Christmas Day menu is as customary (in the best way possible) as it comes. Or, for a stunning Christmas date night, head to The Corinthia London for a drink or two on the bars courtyard, surrounded by twinkling lights. echo through the OVO Arena. There are so many Christmas markets in London, its difficult to know which to choose and where to go. No need to worry about washing a single plate. For the second year in a row, I headed to Villandry near Great Portland Street for some festive flower arranging fun with incredible florists Moyses Stevens. Step into a winter wonderland and cosy up as the classics play out in front of you. See instructions above. How to spend an incredible Christmas weekend in London December 12, 2017 26 Comments 7 minute read I'm a HUGE fan of Christmas. 1 Christmas lights in London 2 Winter Wonderland, the Christmas fair in Hyde Park 3 Ice skating in London at Christmas 4 Christmas Markets in London 5 Christmas musicals, ice-skating, theatre, and ballet shows in London 6 Christmas in London with Children 7 Events in London at Christmas 7.1 Christmas at London Zoo 7.2 Christmas at Kew Gardens