It’s that time of year again; snow is glistening and Jack Frost is nipping at your nose! Christmas spirit has settled over London like fresh snow, as the city lights up like a Christmas tree. In this article, we’ve compiled all the best things to do for the holiday season, including holiday markets, outdoor ice skating, seasonal must-sees, and of course all the great Christmas activities you can’t live without.
Holiday markets
Opening day for London’s holiday markets is hotly anticipated every year. Glittering little shops spring up throughout the city, and all of them are great places to enjoy hot cocoa or find a present for even the pickiest relatives. We’ve tracked down the very best of the markets in town, so be sure to visit one or two this holiday season!
- Though it’s gorgeous any day, Hyde Park looks like it’s straight out of a snow globe during Christmas. Because of this, it has one of the best holiday markets in the country. The Winter Wonderland attraction comes to Hyde Park every year, but the market section itself is known as the Angels and Yuletide Christmas Market. The market is known for its unique stalls offering handmade gifts and hot cider. You can buy tickets to Winter Wonderland’s Christmas circus and ice sculpture garden, as well as to the biggest outdoor ice skating rink in the whole U.K. Admission to the Angels and Yuletide Market is free of charge, and runs every day from November 21 to January 4. The best time to come is just before dusk, so you can watch the sunset over the park as the shops illuminate one by one.
- The Dalston Christmas Market is another great holiday market in London. Known as the edgier version of the Soho flea market, this one-day event spotlights local artisans and creatives in the area. Final stallholders are selected from a diverse applicant pool based on the quality and design of their goods. The market will be in Dalston Square this year on December 1—the perfect event to visit on a weekend Christmas getaway to London.
- Another one-day event, the Belgravia Christmas Sunday Market, opens on December 7. Elizabeth Street and Pimlico Road will be transformed into a winter wonderland bursting with festive food and holiday gifts. Free entertainment is scheduled throughout the day, with highlights like real reindeer, a full brass band, and of course a visit from Santa. Luxury boutiques and shops pepper the whole area, making this Christmas market a must-see for any family outing.
- Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival holiday market is a gorgeous mélange of food, crafts, hot drinks, shows, rides, and artists. Events are scheduled throughout the season, starting November 5 and running through January 11. It’s free to wander, and you won’t want to miss the gorgeous views of Big Ben and the River Thames.
- Just steps away from the Thames, the Greenwich Christmas Market runs all month from November 27 thru December 24, perfect for last-minute shoppers. It’s known for selling quirky, unique items you won’t be able to find anywhere else. So whether you’re on the hunt for a perfect piece of original art, or if you just want a tin (or three) of homemade brownies, Greenwich Market is right for you. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to revisit multiple times. In fact, save yourself the trip and just stay in the area. We have the perfect selection of nearby apartment rentals on the Thames from which to choose!
Ice-skating rinks
Never be strapped for winter activity ideas again! Outdoor skating is one of the most fun ways to enjoy a new city, whether you’re falling down with friends or skating in circles on your own. As Christmas approaches, rinks are installed all throughout London. Here are the top five.
- Remember when we mentioned the rink at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland in the last section? We still love it. Combine your skating trip with your holiday shopping for a truly unforgettable day out. Don’t forget to book in advance (the £10.50 tickets sell out fast), and stop at the ice bar on your way out.
- How often can you say the phrase, “I’ll see you at the palace?” If you go skating at the Hampton Court Palace ice rink, you can use it often! The rink is open from November thru January, and tickets are very reasonable at £11 general admission (£9 for students). Just think of the photos you can take in front of Henry VIII’s 16th-century home!
- If you’d rather skate on the darker side of royalty, there’s an ice rink at the Tower of London as well. Ice at the Tower is an iconic open-air rink situated in the old moat against the battlements of the Tower of London. Tickets are £11.50, and at night you can see a sky full of stars. Red magazine calls it “the most dramatic setting for an ice rink.” In fact, you can follow your skate with a tour of the Tower and see one of the top 10 sights in London.
- If you don’t go for the exhibits at the Natural History Museum, at least go for the ice skating. The museum has one of the coolest outdoor ice rinks in the city. And by ‘cool,’ we mean ‘cold.’ The £9 tickets are sold separately from museum admission, but if you visit to see the wonders of the natural world, don’t forget to make a donation. It’s expected, and forgetting to do so is one of the top 10 most common etiquette mistakes. Londoners will appreciate the gesture!
- Last but not least, there’s the Somerset House Ice Rink. Hosted by Fortnum & Mason, The Evening Standard magazine calls it “London’s favorite outdoor ice rink.” Bask in the splendor of Somerset House’s neoclassical courtyard, then warm up with a cocktail or treat afterward. Tickets start at £7.50, though be sure to bring extra cash for refreshments.
Annual holiday events
Some holiday traditions are avoidable, like wearing an awkward Christmas sweater, but others, like seeing a giant Christmas tree light up in Trafalgar Square, are time-honored traditions that only get better the longer you participate. How can you tell which is which? We’ve noted the ones you definitely don’t want to miss.
- Every year since 1947, the city of Oslo, Norway has donated a huge Christmas tree to the people of Britain as a token of gratitude for British support during World War II. This gargantuan tree is typically a 50-60-year-old spruce that’s over 20 meters tall. It’s too large to be airlifted, so it has to be shipped by sea. The Tree Lighting at Trafalgar Square during the first week of December marks the unofficial start of the London Christmas season. Every day until January 6, the square hosts carolers and holiday festivities. It’s one of the biggest events of the year, so don’t miss it!
- You can expect great things from a name like The Great Christmas Pudding Race. Fortunately, the pudding race does not disappoint. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a giant race with over 100 costumed contestants racing across the Covent Garden Piazza balancing Christmas puddings. This sponsored race raises money for cancer research and thousands of people watch it every year. Covent Garden, already a great place to explore, is made even better by the race.
- If you thought the celebrations ended with Christmas, think again. London is well-known for hosting a fabulous Boxing Day. In fact, Boxing Day (December 26) is a public holiday. It’s also a huge shopping holiday that sees London’s main shopping hub, Oxford Street, open early in the morning to accommodate the crowds. Be prepared for long lines, and take a peek at our list of the top 5 shopping spots in London.
- Stand outside with a cup of hot coffee from one of the top 10 coffee shops in town and wait to see the New Year’s Eve Fireworks burst over London. Starting late on December 31, these fireworks are best seen from any of London’s many bridges or along the banks of the Thames. This is when you’ll see Londoners celebrating in full force, so be prepared for exuberant crowds!
Celebrate the holiday season in an apartment
There’s no better way to experience London than to live there as a local. Besides learning to take the ‘lift’ to your ‘flat,’ you’ll also learn what life is really like in a city that has long been at the center of the world. Stay in a London vacation rental if you’re only in town for a whirlwind tour, or book a furnished London apartment if you intend to stay longer than one month.
Things to do and see during the holiday season
There are few times as enchanting as Christmas, and few places that emphasize the magic as well as London. Here are a few places that will really get you in the Christmas spirit!
- When Londoners talk about the magic of Christmas, they’re being literal. One of the best things to do in London during the Christmas season is to take the Warner Bros. Studio tour, ‘The Making of Harry Potter.’ Find out what it took to create magic in the muggle world, and explore sets from your favorite wizard school. Don’t forget to visit the other top Harry Potter locations in London, and maybe if you wish very hard, you’ll find a Hogwarts letter waiting for you at home.
- There are few things more idyllic than strolling through Kew Gardens at Christmastime. Watch as the park is lit to resemble the night sky by giant light sculptures on the new 2014 trail, and marvel at the frozen fireworks effect. Lounge beneath the beautiful tree canopies of the garden, or steal a kiss from a sweetheart in the shimmering tunnel of lights.
- For another stop on your garden tour, don’t miss the Enchanted Woodland in Syon Park. Starting on November 21, The Garden Center will open its doors to plant lovers everywhere, beguiling and fascinating its visitors with stunning light shows and mystical illusions. It’s the perfect place to step between worlds.
- Everybody loves Christmas carols, but few carolers are as talented as the professionals at the Royal Albert Hall. Drop by this world-renowned stage on December 13 for an exquisite concert by candlelight. Tickets run a pricey £30, but it’s sure to be worthwhile.
- Last but not least, the most magical sight of all is London itself. Christmas lights are strung all over the city, from the quiet river walks to the bustling shopping districts. Make sure to plan some time to wander freely throughout the shimmering streets of London. You never know what you may discover!
What would you most like to visit during the holiday season in London? Is there anything you think we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
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