Show and Stay’s ultimate guide to Christmas in London
Published on Thursday 3rd November, 10.01am, Written by Eleanor Perry
At Christmas, London becomes a winter wonderland, with a wealth of exciting events to fill you with Christmas cheer. Whether you’re looking for unique places to buy gifts, great places for some yuletide romance or the most spectacular Santa’s Grotto, we’ve put together a guide to the best events in the capital to ensure you have a holly jolly festive season!
ICE RINKS
Twirl and spiral in some of London’s most spectacular settings at one of the capital’s seasonal open-air ice rinks. Take your loved one on a romantic skate-date, or simply enjoy some wholesome family fun in the exhilarating winter air.
Tower of London – 19 November – 8 January
Test out your Dancing on Ice skills on the thousand-year-old moat of this imposing London landmark, impressively illuminated by night. Advanced booking is recommended and an adult skate costs £12.50.
Hampton Court Palace – 26 November – 8 January
Glide gracefully amid the splendour of the grandiose West Front of this magnificent Tudor palace. An adult skate costs £12.50.
Somerset House – 22 November – 22 January
Experience the elegance of Somerset House’s ice rink, presented by Tiffany & Co. Teatime with Tiffany blends tea dance music with dazzling ice-dancing displays, plus sumptuous afternoon treats to warm up those cold limbs. Little ones can snuggle up by the Tiffany Christmas tree for some seasonal storytelling, whereas adults might prefer keeping fit at the Big Ice Dance lunchtime sessions or flaunting their moves in the glamorous atmosphere of open-air nightclubbing.
Natural History Museum – 4 November – 8 January
Soak up the atmosphere and stunning locality at this 900-square metre rink as the surrounding trees twinkle with the glint of a thousand fairy lights, before warming up with a hot chocolate or a mulled wine from the Cafe Bar.
Canary Wharf – 12 November – 19 February
Situated in the stately setting of Canada Square Park, the rink is encircled by iconic skyscrapers and bedecked with glimmering Christmas lighting. Open seven days a week, this open-air ice arena is furnished with a viewing gallery, and ‘The Moose’, the seasonal venue, perfect for a post-skate warm-up beverage.
CAROLS
Nothing evokes the spirit of Christmas like singing along to some choral classics. There are lots of carol-singing events to choose from in some of London’s most picturesque settings. Here are some of our favourites:
Westminster Abbey
London’s most beautific church is hosting a number of musical events and concerts, including a carol service on Christmas Eve and a performance of Handel’s Messiah in the Nave on 29 November. Their annual Christmas concert is on 13 December and features choral pieces sung by the Abbey Choir. Some events are free, and others start from £10 per person.
Trafalgar Square
Join the multitudes in a traditional sing-song as choirs fill London’s most vibrant municipal area with the sound of Christmas. The focal point is the 20 metre Norwegian spruce tree, donated by Norway every year since 1947 in gratitude for Britain’s support in World War II and decorated in a traditional Norwegian fashion. Beneath its heart-warming glow, crowds gather to partake in renditions of seasonal classics from 5 – 22 December between 5pm and 9pm.
Royal Albert Hall
Engage in a little Christmas magic at the capital’s most famous concert hall. Sing along with celebrities from popular TV shows at Christmas with the Stars on 8 December, indulge your ears in the soprano sumptuousness of Lesley Garrett on 13 December, or join the Mozart Festival Orchestra as they perform some 18th Century classical music dressed in authentic costumes at Carols by Candlelight on various dates between 17 – 24 December.
MEETING SANTA
Treating the kids to a meeting with Santa is a must-do for families during the festive season. We’ve picked some of the more extravagant seasonal dreamlands that will fill the hearts of your little ones with Christmas joy.
Selfridges – 19 November – 24 December
Enter a world of enchantment, with mischievous snow-ball slinging snowmen, merry elves, the Wish Fairy and Father Christmas, the jolliest of them all. Watch out for the rascally Jack Frost as you traverse glacial gang-planks and scenery covered in real snow on your way to the Ice Grotto. Children will be delighted by the unforgettable 30-minute experience, as well as their Christmas gift. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £3 for children (kids under 2 go free!)
Winter Wonderland – 18 November – 3 January
Every winter, Hyde Park transforms into Winter Wonderland, the ultimate Christmas destination combining all the best festive treats in one place. Show off your skating style on the UK’s biggest outdoor rink that surrounds the Victorian bandstand or take the Santa Express to visit Father Christmas in his North Pole grotto, where good children will get a free gift. There’s also a traditional German market selling festive refreshments and gifts, and a host of exciting rides and attractions including Power Tower, Snow Jet and the 60m high Giant Observation Wheel, with 360 degree panoramic views. Plus head to the Wonderland Big Top, where Zippo’s Circus performs a fun-filled, kaleidoscopic show for families, and the world-class Cirque Extreme full of contortionists and death-defying acrobatic feats.
Enchanted Christmas House – 26 – 27 November and 3 – 24 December
Head to Islington for a truly spellbinding Christmas adventure. Specially designed for children aged 1 – 12, the experience features interactive workshops and festive decorations designed by children’s book illustrator Nicky Armstrong. Kids can join the elves in a spot of toy-making, decorate biscuits in the Gingerbread Kitchen and enjoy storytelling with Mrs Claus. There’s a world of creative crafts and activities in the Garden of Winter Wonder, including puppet play, dressing up, drumming and bouncy castles. Parents can unwind with a mince pie while the little ones visit Santa and receive their present, or search for enchanted gems in the Genie’s Cave. Tickets cost £42 and must be bought in advance.
Kew – 10 December – 2 January
The breathtaking botanical gardens are the perfect destination for families who want to evade the flurry of festive activity in the capital. There are guided winter walks that take in evergreens and conifers in the 300-acre grounds, or self-guided trails to discover hidden seasonal secrets, all sparkling with festive lights. Kids can visit Santa in his woodland grotto between 10 – 23 December, plus there will be creative crafts in the Climbers and Creepers interactive Area. To top it all off, there’s a traditional carousel, horse-drawn carriage or mini vintage cars to take a ride on!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
London lights up at Christmas, and the switching-on events at the breath-taking landmark displays often herald the start of the festive season. In the heart of the West End, Oxford Street Christmas lights are among the most spectacular in the capital. They will be turned on during the evening of 1 November, amid an array of seasonal entertainment including live music and celebrity appearances. Why not pop down and join in the revelry with friends and family? You can even get a head-start with some late night shopping at some of the street’s flagship stores.
Just around the corner, Regent Street’s grand display is switched on with an equally spectacular ceremony on 8 November.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
Buying presents for your loved ones needn’t be a stressful experience. In fact, it’s a great way to get into the spirit of Christmas. We’ve got some fantastic suggestions for a wide range of gift-shopping needs, so pick what suits your style and grab some unique stocking-fillers this winter.
West End
Head to Oxford Street or Regent Street over the weekend of 10 – 11 December and experience a traffic-free shopping spree. Bargain browsers will have the streets to themselves, as all vehicles are excluded from the area. Enjoy selecting gifts from the multitude of flagship stores and high-end boutiques without the tumult of London traffic.
PLUS, don’t miss Fortnum and Mason’s Christmas window displays, revealed to the public on 10 November. These intricate seasonal scenes take months to construct and are guaranteed to add a little magic to your shopping spree.
Fair Trade
Socially-conscious shoppers will love London’s Fair Trade Christmas Fair, packed full of ethical gifts and hand-made treats from around the world. Head to the Salvation Army’s Regent Hall on Oxford Street on 3 December for unusual crafts to fill family stockings, plus you’ll have the peace of mind that proceeds go to a good cause.
Weihnachtsfest
Visit South Bank between 18 November – 24 December, where the spirit of traditional German Christmas comes to life at the Cologne Christmas market. Stroll through the charming log-chalet boutiques offering unique gifts from jewellery to old fashioned toys, before treating yourself to a warming gluhwein, a customary bratwurst or a refreshing Kolsch beer by the river.
If you have a sweet tooth, pop down between 9 – 11 December for some chocolate treats at the annual Chocolate Festival, where you’ll find decadent chocolate delights and artisan confection for the perfect luxury gift.
Budding gourmets should check out the Real Food Christmas Market between 16 – 23 December. With a smorgasbord of gastronomic delights, from freshly-baked mince pies and plum puddings to glazed ham and wild game, there’s a feast of traditional fare from over 40 producers, perfect for packing your Christmas larder.
Alternative shopping
Tired of the high street? Head to the Duckie Christmas Market at the Barbican for alternative ideas for gifts. This anti-consumerist bazaar boasts a wealth of curios and trinkets to browse and buy from indie designers plus impromptu performances and plenty of seasonal cheer. Open on various dates from 10 – 30 December, this is the perfect place to procure some cult crafts for distinctly different gifts.
Finnish Festivities
Celebrate Christmas in Nordic style at the Finnish Church Guild Christmas Market, filled with the finest festive fare. Sample gravadlax, reindeer stew, baked ham and karelian rice pie or relax with a strong coffee and a cinnamon bun. Don’t forget to drop in and visit Joulupukki, the Finnish Santa Claus from 18 – 20 and 23 – 26 November.
Christmas Extravaganza
If you’re looking for the definitive Christmas shopping event, look no further than the Spirit of Christmas Fair. Between 2 – 6 November, Olympia will be transformed into an enormous mall filled with boutiques selling gifts and goodies from artisan producers. There’ll be demos from celebrity chefs and food gurus, plus workshops on everything from floral centre-pieces to wrapping the perfect parcel. Unwind after your intense uber-shop with some seasonal delicacies in Mosimann’s Winter Restaurant, or toast your bargain buys with a glass of bubbly at the Champagne Bar. Adult tickets start at £16.
Quirky events
Still not feeling Christmassy? We’ve got a couple more seasonal treats up our sleeve. Check out the eccentric events below for some guaranteed festive cheer!
Great Christmas Pudding Race
Come along to Covent Garden on 3 December to cheer on the competitors in this weird and wonderful race event. Teams of six are faced with obstacles, inflatables, foam and flour as they go head to head in a frantic relay while carrying a Christmas pudding on a tray. With lots of guest celebs and live entertainment, it’s a festive fancy dress frolic, plus all proceeds go to Cancer Research UK.
Digital nativity at Covent Garden
This year, Covent Garden goes cutting-edge with their decorations, incorporating an automated biblical installation which will change throughout the day displaying rain, snow and stars as part of the stable scene. This innovative imagery will appear alongside the more traditional tree, oversized baubles and topiary reindeer, serving as a glorious backdrop for the market, which takes on a Christmas theme every Thursday and Friday from 12 November until Christmas.
Serpentine Swim
Bored of the same old Christmas TV? Head down to Hyde Park on Christmas Day to watch the brave souls of the Serpentine Swimming Club endure sub-zero temperatures for their annual Peter Pan Christmas Race. Since 1864, die-hard enthusiasts have been taking part in this 100 yard race, donning Santa hats for their dip in the river.
