ADMIRE THE FESTIVE LIGHTS ACROSS LONDON
One of the bright sides to the increasingly dark winter nights are the twinkling Christmas displays that have popped up around the city. This year you'll find illuminated jellyfish dangling above Carnaby Street, a festive take on the northern lights at Coal Drops Yard and, as always, the traditional 80ft Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, this time with energy-efficient bulbs. To get your fix, see our edit of the best Christmas lights in London this year.
ROOFTOP SKATING AT SKYLIGHT
East London’s coolest (quite literally, it’s freezing) winter pop-up is back above Pennington Street’s car park, with Europe’s only real-ice rooftop rink, ice hockey and cosy igloos to keep you entertained after hours. When you’re not falling over or tipping back restorative mulled wine, take in the views – the setting here at night is incredible. For more festive skating, see our guide to the best ice skating venues in London By Annabelle Spranklen
Address:
Skylight Rooftop, Pennington Street Car Park Entrance, Wapping, London E1W 2SF
Website: skylightlondon.com
When: Tuesday 1 October 2019–Saturday 25 January 2020
GET CRAFTY AT PETERSHAM NURSERIES
If you’ve ever longed to make your own Christmas wreath and fancy a few hours totally switching off from all things digital, a jolly festive workshop with the pros at Petersham (aka London’s most famous garden centre) should be on the cards, using wildflowers, foraged foliage and woodland materials. Your door is set to be the finest on your street. By Annabelle Spranklen
Address:
Held at both Richmond and Covent Garden stores. Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AB and Petersham Nurseries, Floral Court, London WC2E 8JD
Website: petershamnurseries.com
When: Various dates from Tuesday 26 November 2019
TUTU SWIRLING AT THE COLISEUM
It’s not really Christmas until the English National Ballet’s annual Nutcracker performance tutus its way around the Coliseum, with 100 dancers and extra-sparkly costumes heralding the start of the festive season in this magical Tchaikovsky classic. You’ll be whisked away to a frost-dusted Edwardian London with Clara and her enchanting new toy. This one never gets old. By Annabelle Spranklen
Address:
The Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4ES
Website: ballet.org.uk
When: From Wednesday 11 December–Sunday 5 January 2020
DISCOVER UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS AT THE CITY'S CHRISTMAS MARKETS
2019 is the year Christmas got sustainable with multiple markets across London making it easier than ever to buy thoughtful gifts from local businesses. You'll find a whole host of smart and sustainable gift ideas at the Bloomberg Arcade Winter Market, while London's Zero Waste Christmas Market will return to the Old Truman Brewery again to host 45 independent and plastic-free traders. Start planning your Christmas shopping with our edit of the best Christmas markets in London.
CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA AT THE RITZ
For the best afternoon tea in London with a festive twist, it has to be The Ritz. The super-smart hotel’s Palm Court has been turned into an Edwardian winter wonderland this December, which makes it the ideal spot for a festive finger sandwich or two. They’ve decked the hall in lavish Christmas decorations, got the in-house choir to sing classic carols and added mince pies and festive cakes to the decadent afternoon tea selection. Grown-ups get a glass of Champagne too, whereas little ones are given a Ritz teddy bear. Festive family fun of the fanciest kind.
BROADGATE WINTER FOREST
Can’t make it to Lapland this Christmas? Head to Liverpool Street instead, where you’ll find that 200 snow-covered pine trees have descended on Broadgate Circle, along with cute wood cabins, twinkly lights and festive events including carol singing, quiz nights, craft classes and even a visit from St Nick himself. Drop into one of the classes or head to one of the nearby restaurants to soak up the Christmas spirit.
Address:
Broadgate Winter Forest, 1-2 Exchange Arcade, London EC2M 3WA
Website: broadgate.co.uk
When: Open until December 20 2019
Price: Free entry
GET COSY AT A WINTER TERRACE
In between ice skating, shopping and the general chaos that comes with the festive season, one of the best ways to spend Christmas in London is curled up somewhere warm with a glass of mulled wine. And among the many things London does exceptionally well is a cosy winter terrace, from après-ski-style hideaways to rooftop bars that have been transformed into enchanted woods. For more options, see our guide to the best winter terraces in London.
SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE WITH FORTNUM & MASON
Of all the best ice skating rinks in London, none are as appealing as the one that pops up at Somerset House each winter. A lap around this rink marks the beginning of the festive season, and the beautiful surroundings make it an unmissable annual treat. From Wednesday 14 November, you can glide around the ice while channelling your inner Torvill or Dean and then enjoy warming mince pies and mulled wine in the rinkside Skate Lounge or après-ski fondue in the Fortnum Lounge (and a little browse around the Fortnum & Mason pop-up shop). If you want to make an evening of it, book one of the Friday night Skate Lates sessions, where there’ll be top DJs and some very slippery dancing.
Address:
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Website: somersethouse.org.uk
When: 13 November 2019 - 12 January 2020
Price: Adult tickets £11 plus booking fee
CHRISTMAS AT KEW
Kew Gardens is worth a visit all year round, but it looks more spectacular than ever when it's all dolled up for its annual winter celebration. Back for the seventh year, the illuminated evening trail through the botanic gardens is bigger than ever, with more than a million twinkling pea-lights, thousands of laser beams that light up the trees and a dramatic Fire Garden. Wrap up warm and gently stroll along the atmospheric Winter Trail with a spiced cider, mulled wine or hot chocolate. Festive vibes guaranteed.
Address:
Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3AB
Website: kew.org
When: 20 November 2019 - 5 January 2020
Price: Adult tickets from £18
FROLIC AT FLAT IRON SQUARE’S APRES SKI LODGE
This fun dining destination in London Bridge will be getting a Christmas makeover this winter. There’ll be a recreation of a wooden ski chalet bar serving winter cocktails, superior street food, live music, wreath-making workshops, free weekly film screenings and loads more festive fun. And on November 30th, they will host Pebblefestive, a one day festival including a Conscious Christmas market of over thirty independent traders.
Address:
64 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU
Website: flatironsquare.co.uk
When: Ongoing
EXPLORE KING’S CROSS’ CANOPY MARKET
King’s Cross’ food and crafts market is getting in on the festive action hosting a whole month of Christmas shenanigans. As well as Yuletide markets selling street food, handmade treats, art and design pieces, there’ll be workshops (wreath making, Bauhaus plate designing, cheese board arranging), carols, live music and a mulled wine bar. And if you still need to pick up some extra presents, it’s also the perfect opportunity to check out the newly opened shopping hub Coal Drops Yard next door.
Address:
West Handyside Canopy, 1 Wharf Road, King’s Cross, London N1C 4BZ
Website: kingscross.co.uk
When: Friday 22 November-Sunday 29 December 2019
BOOK A TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
Ease the stress of the silly season and leave Christmas Day lunch up to the professionals with one of London's best restaurants. This Christmas a number of restaurants and pubs will be opening their doors on the 25th to serve up some of the finest menus. To book the best, see our guide to the loveliest London restaurants open on Christmas day.
