Christmas in London
Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a feeling. And feelings must be felt and truly celebrated with joy and people at great places. During my Christmas at Warwick, someone very proudly told me - ‘’ It’s not what’s under the tree that matters, it’s who’s gathered around it’’ and that year was officially my best Christmas experience.
If you’re in UK or are planning to do your Christmas there, here’s a list of things that made my Christmas beautiful and can make yours too.
1. Christmas Markets
Winter wonderland – Central LondonHyde Park’s amazing Christmas fair returns to London for the 10th consecutive year, and you can’t miss out on it! It’s a perfect event for all age groups, families, and friends. Entry here is free although select shows and rides require a ticket. Except wooden chalets selling traditional german food, a lot of wine, games, roller coasters – it’s basically a blast.
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| Winter Wonderland |
Secret favourite to make winters awesome – Mulled wine – a warm perfect mixture of cinnamon, cloves, orange and wine for the cold weather. A must have!
Dates: 17th November - 1 January
Winterville
Festive playground Winterville is back this year, swapping Victoria Park for Clapham Common for more dancing, eating, laughing, drinking and skating. Expect comedy, club nights, cabaret and live music as well as Christmas markets and ace food from Street Feast.
Dates – 1 December – 1 January
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| Winterville |
Leicester Square
Christmas is coming to Leicester Square for the second year running, so expect sacks of festive fun and a twinkly, goodtime atmosphere in Central London for 2017. The ‘square’ in Leicester Square will be home to Santa's grotto, traditional Christmas market, featuring more than 25 food, drink and Christmas gift stalls, and a vintage Speigeltent – a velvety, wooden, mirrored home to a stocked programme of Christmas cabaret brought to you from the Underbelly team.
Dates : December – 6 January
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| Leicester Square |
2. Shopping
Whether you like to get your Christmas shopping done at the last minute or you want to do it early, you’re guaranteed to find everything you need in stores from October-November. The biggest sales of the year, the best range of products and the joy to shop with a lot of people around you.Covent Garden
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| Covent Garden |
Oxford Street and Regent Street
Shoppers flock to these two famous streets all year round, but during the winter months they are lit up with a spectacular set of Christmas lights, making for the perfect Christmas shopping experience
Oxford Street and Regent Street
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| St Regent Street Christmas 2017 |
Knightsbridge
Head to Knightsbridge as darkness falls to see its famous department store, Harrods, gloriously illuminated by 11,500 light bulbs. Don't miss the store's giant Christmas shop, with luxury decorations, posh crackers and the hugely popular Christmas Grotto. You can also pick up presents for just about anyone in the 300-plus departments on the other floors. And if that isn’t enough, Harvey Nichols is just a few steps away with a fantastic selection of fashion, homewares and more.
Harrods
Knightsbridge
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| Harrods |
Carnaby Street
The 13 pedestrianised streets of Carnaby are the place to go when you’re buying for that super-cool friend or family member who already has everything. Carnaby Street is one of London’s trendiest shopping destinations, lined with independent fashion boutiques and cutting-edge brands, including SkinnyDip The Great Frog, Lazy Oaf and Pretty Green. Don’t forget to look up at the famous Christmas lights.
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| Carnaby Street Christmas 2017 |
Mayfair and St James's
No Christmas shopping excursion in London is complete without paying a visit to the Queen’s grocer, Fortnum & Mason. Leave plenty of time to discover the delights of the food hall, with Christmas puddings, mince pies, chocolates and Christmas hampers fit for royalty. Nearby Bond Street is the destination for high-end luxury goods, with big names Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and more in residence |
| Fortum and Maison |
3. Christmas carol concerts
For the Scrooges and green-faced Grinches out there, a little Christmas carol might lighten up your spirits and you just might discover the true meaning of Christmas. Here’s a list you can consider- Christmas carols in Trafalgar Square
- Christmas Festival at the Royal Albert Hall
- G4 Christmas by Candlelight at St James’s Church
- Advent and Christmas at St Paul's Cathedral
- Christmas carols and concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields
- Christmas Festival at St John's Smith Square
- Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Carol Concert at St Luke's Church
- Christmas concert at Cutty Sark
4. Ice skating
It’s not Christmas in London if you don’t go ice skating at least once. And this beautiful city has plenty of options! My favourites are the ice rink at the National History Museum and the Somerset Ice Skating, both incredible locations. An ice skating rink is also available at Winter Wonderland, and in front of the London Eye. Talking about scenery, London sure knows how to make your Christmas magical. Here's our guide to where to get your skates on over Christmas 2017.- Hyde park winder wonderland ice rink
- Sommerset house Ice rink
- Canary wharf ice rink
- Natural history meuseum park ice rink
- Hampton court palace inc rink
- Greenchwich winter time festival
5. Boxing Day in London
If you’re staying in London the day after Christmas, there’s a chance you will indulge in some Boxing Day shopping. It’s an adventure, but you can also very easily lose your nerves in the lake of crowds (seriously, it’s intense). Here’s a few things you need to know:- Get there early.
- London transportation will possibly be on strike. Take a bus or a taxi.
- Don’t have high expectations.
- Expect people on their worst behaviour (it’s the day after Christmas after all)
- Mind your belongings – everyone is back, including pickpocketers.
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