There may be no better place to spend Christmas than in London.
Crossing the neighborhoods of Mayfair, Soho , Marylebone and Fitzrovia, Regent Street and Oxford Street, the two main shopping streets in London, are dressed-up in Christmas lights for the holidays, a must-see. A great time to check out the lights is on December 10-11 when Oxford Street is closed to all automobile traffic and pedestrians can walk down the street to go shopping. Those days there are many different sales and events put on by the stores on Oxford Street, making it maybe the best shopping day in London.
For those who want a different way of shopping, there are many Christmas markets that open across London. From traditional Christmas gifts to alternative gift ideas and great food, the Christmas markets are a great way to experience a fun way of shopping. The Cologne Christmas Market opens around the Southbank Centre and the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is another traditional German Christmas Market. You’ll find some of the most unique gifts as the Duckie Christmas Market in the Barbican.
For the kids, Santa Grotto’s are set up in many stores, most famously in Harrods and Selfridge. Both stores are located around Hyde Park, with Harrods in Knightsbridge and Selfridge to the west side of the park This gives the children a chance to Santa for gifts for Christmas. At the Selfridge store, there are many activities besides just speaking to Santa, including an ice grotto where kids can play with real snow, meet with a Wish Fairy, and dodge snowballs thrown by Jack Frost and snowmen. Reservations for both stores are recommended.
Since 1947, the city of Oslo has given London a Christmas tree for England’s support during World War II. The famous Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree reaches over 20 meters (65 feet) in height and is decorated in traditional Norwegian style with 500 white lights. This year it will be lit on December 2 and will remain until January 5th. Also this is where the traditional Christmas carols are sung every night from December 7 to December 22 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Just as a reminder to everyone, the extremely famous Trafalgar Square is located at the cross between Westminster, Mayfair and Soho, and Bloomsbury and West End.
Besides the free caroling at the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree, you can visit some of the most revered sites in London to hear the Christmas classics. The Westminster Abbey Christmas concert held on December 13, featuring performances from the Abbey Choir. The free carol service on Christmas Eve is also very popular. At the most famous concert venue in London, Royal Albert Hall Christmas Festival is held from December 12 to Christmas Eve. Performances of Christmas favorites by the performers like the Royal Choral Society, The London Philharmonic Choir and London Philharmonic Orchestra highlight the festival. The final three performances will be by candlelight with the performers in 18th century costume. If you want to make sure you arrive on time to this magical performance, consider an apartment rental in Knightsbridge.
For a great place to make home for the holidays, look no further than New York Habitat’s London accommodations.
This beautiful 2 bedroom vacation rental in Soho (LN-334) is located just one block South from Oxford Street, putting you a short walk from some of the finest shopping in the world.
This two bedroom vacation rental in Knightsbridge, London (LN-274) puts you nearby both the music of the Royal Albert Hall and the shopping and Santa’s Grotto of Harrods.
Share your favorite London activity in the comments section below.
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