What to do in London at Christmas Time

There is something special about London at Christmas time; the crisp December air, the bright festive lights and the seasonal jingles everywhere you go. These all help to produce a Christmassy feeling and certainly gets me in the mood for the 25^th! It has become something of a tradition to spend a weekend in the capital with my boyfriend in the run up until Christmas. Each year we set out to explore a new part of London but always revisit some of the most festive areas to see the lights and decorations.

If you too are planning on a trip to the city over the festive period, then keep reading as I have put together some suggestions of what to do in London at Christmas time.

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Check out the lights

You can’t visit London in December without a stroll along Oxford and Regent Street to see the beautiful light displays. The streets become strewn with magical twinkling lights and create a glittering backdrop for shoppers. Be sure to check out the displays in the many department stores en-route, especially John Lewis and of course, Selfridges!

Ice Skate in beautiful surroundings

Ice skating has become one of London’s favourite winter pastimes, for both locals and visitors, especially as Christmas approaches, and provides ‘kids’ young and old with a break from, or end to the shopping trip. Chose from one of many stunning backdrops including Somerset House, the Natural History Museum and even the Tower of London, to name just a few.

Stroll along Southbank

A whole bunch of exciting festivities occur along Southbank during the winter months. Traditional wooden huts border the River Thames for the annual Christmas market at Southbank Centre. There you can find everything from individually crafted gift stalls to a variety of food huts offering up an assortment of sweet treats including churros, lots of chocolates, cupcakes as well as rather more filling options such as hot dogs and those mouth-watering hog roasts.

Check out Covent Garden’s decorations

Each and every year Covent Garden delivers a beautiful Christmas display and 2015 does not disappoint. This year the decorations are themed around ‘Meet Me Under the Mistletoe’, designed by Michael Howells, and consists of over forty enchanting (and inviting?) mistletoe chandeliers with almost seven hundred dazzling berries scattered around.

Browse Borough Market

Indulge your senses with a stroll around Borough Market where you will find all sorts of seasonal produce like hot mulled cider, nutmeg jam and gingerbread. What’s more, local community choirs provide beautifully sung festive songs and carols, adding to the atmosphere and tempting the passer-by to join in (or hum away if you are shy!)

Visit the Christmas markets

In most corners of the city there is one Christmas Market or another taking place. To the west, head to Winter Wonderland, or if you’re based in the east, why not discover Winterville in Victoria Park. Both offer something for everyone; from fun fair rides and ice skating, to food stalls, as well as the more traditional market stalls.

Join in with some Christmas carols

Why not join in with a festive sing-song in the Royal Albert Hall or alternatively in Trafalgar Square beneath the lovely Christmas tree. From Good King Wenceslas to Ding Dong Merrily on High, a variety of sweet sounding voices sing to raise much needed cash for charity. Warming refreshments are also on hand so all the elements are in place to start the countdown to that perfect and magical Christmas.

See the Christmas lights at Kew

To escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, make your way out to Kew for a truly magical experience. The world-famous botanical gardens gets a Christmassy makeover in December as after dark, it is illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights, covering the buildings and trails as well as the shrubbery and plants. The sparkling mile-long paths lead you through the gardens past fountains, whose lights flicker and dance in the evening gloom, holly bushes, transformed into a choir, a scented fire garden and a host of decorated Christmas trees.

Sit back and take in a Musical

In London the place to take in a Musical is the West End. With shows such as Elf or the Nutcracker to chose from everyone can find something to suit their taste, so take your pick and get in the mood.

Enjoy a festive afternoon tea

It wouldn’t be Christmas without lots and lots of food, but before you get started on the turkey with all the associated trimmings, get into the festive mood by treating yourself to a Christmas-themed afternoon tea at a London hotel. What’s not to like about that?

Whilst personally I haven’t managed to do this yet (but it is on my list), I have been informed that the following hotels/ establishments provide the visitor with a wonderful experience and delicious food;  Conrad St James, Victoria; Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge; Lanes of London, Mayfair; The Georgian at Harrods.

 Put the finishing touches to your Christmas shopping

Whether your Christmas shopping is complete or not, it is always worth a trip to the city’s big department stores during the holiday period. Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty are always exquisitely decorated and I love checking out their wintery window displays or getting lost in the masses of decorations in their Christmas section. Plus who knows, maybe you’ll find the perfect last minute present?

See London’s lights from the Shard

This Christmas the Shard has been transformed into a winter wonderland by the innovative British experience designers Bompas and Parr.

Travel 800ft up into the heavens to the open-air Level 72 Skydeck and enter a world of frost and ice-crystals to experience a truly exceptional display of theatrical wonderment. Let your eyes feast on glowing crystal benches and marvel at the touch-responsive iridescent grotto. All of these effects combined with that unique feeling of being atop Western Europe’s tallest building provide the visitor a not-to-be-missed sensory journey. To ensure all the senses are catered for Bompas and Parr have also created such taste-bud tempting treats as –  Snow White Hot Chocolate, Mulled Champagne, Christmas Candy Floss. So allow yourself to be indulged and ‘open up’ that pre-Christmas present and ENJOY!!

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Have I missed anything off of my list?

What are your favourite spots in the London to soak up the festive atmosphere?

Do let me know in the comments below!