Best place in London on xmas eve for atmos?

[BornFreeButinChains]

Carols...shops.....somewhere to eat perhaps?

[MamaPain]

During the day or evening?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Who are you taking- adults? children?
How far do you need to travel?
Have you checked the times of buses, tubes,trains?

We went to London last year (the Saturday before Christmas) and it was grim
Oxford Street was so unfestive.
The inflatable globe was out of action (Trafalgar Sq)

We had a McD (oh the glamour) because everywhere was busy.

The lights at Regent Street
Hamleys
Covent Gardens
All nice at Christmas
or Winter Wonderland Hyde Park (though it'll be mobbed)

If I had free time in London on the 24th I'd probably walk along the Thames and look at everyone milling about

[BornFreeButinChains]

Day or evening but not too late as small child in tow and 8 year old.

Would rather avoid WWW, and Oxford street....is there a little enclave somewhere that will be joyus....

Maybe Harrods? and watch people shopping?


Not sure yet but possibly might drive?

[BornFreeButinChains]

Would like somewhere happy singing carols...

[MamaPain]

Do you go into central London much? If not, I'd say try and go not on Christmas eve. Actual night/evening time can be pretty quiet but I would say you are off your tits if you are considering braving Harrods or any of Knightsbridge on Christmas Eve. Manic doesn't even come close to describing it.

In terms of finding a little enclave, you would be better widening your search, such as zone 2 or 3, the more residential areas. Highgate is probably very nice and festive but not to crazy. I think last year I saw carol singers there on the 23rd.

You can look up carol concerts online, lots of the central ones require booking and are prepping for midnight mass so often don't do them the evening of Christmas eve. Do not under any circumstances brave the St Paul's concert unless you are prepared to get there 3 or 4 hours early and queue until it opens.

[BornFreeButinChains]

Thanks Mama, yes we go into central lots.

Highgate sounds nice...I dont mind too busy am really depressed with the flatness where I am . Maybe primrose hill would be nice.

[BornFreeButinChains]

in fact we are going to concert which will finish at 3or 4,maybe christingle? then meal then home..

[MamaPain]

Where is home? Wheres this concert? Obviously if you're north west this won't be a good idea, but what about Borough Market or Greenwich Park/little market.

I don't know how old your DC are but you could go and buy something to leave out for Santa and the Reindeer.

The Southbank also has a christmas market area, I think a wander along there, or round whatever market, dinner and home would be good.

I personally would rather be shot in the face than spend time at Winter Wonderland, but again that might be an option.

[everydayaschoolday]

Southbank Christmas market. They had a merry-go-round there last year, and festive food. Small-ish, but nice.

[BornFreeButinChains]

The concert is in central london.

Borugh market sounds promising.....is that lovely at xmas? I do love that stretch of river....Southwark cathedral?

No As I said earlier i would rather avoid WWW.

[BornFreeButinChains]

where would there be to eat round southbank

[Unexpected]

There are dozens of places to eat on the Southbank - off the top of my head - Yo Sushi, Pain quotidien, Giraffe, Pizza Express, Ping Pong, Benugo, there are cafes in the NT, the BFI, etc etc

[Unexpected]

Oh just saw the message about Southbank Christmas Market, most markets finish on 23 Dec so make sure to check times.

[BornFreeButinChains]

oh

Thats ok, we can go before 24th and on 24th just stay round covent garden then and eat and come home...

[everydayaschoolday]

Sorry, it was in the month of Dec that we went to the Southbank Christmas Market, but not on Christmas Eve itself- so I cannot comment about that date specifically.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

We went to WWW three times (2/4/6 years ago)
First couple of times it was nice (it snowed one year) but last time it was so busy, we queued ages for the DC to go on a ride, left thinking "Well that was shit" and gave our remaining tickets to a parent coming in.

London is nice in early December, they have a couple of days when the main shopping streets are traffic free , so you can meander about and they have street entertainment.
Though now my 14.6 yo would rather peel his own spleen than go shopping

[MamaPain]

I had a look, you can just google, and both the Southbank and Borough Markets were open on Christmas Eve last year. I don't know how busy they would be, perhaps a reduced service. Nearer the time you will probably be able to find out more.

[frames]

London can be quite quiet on Xmas eve and xmas day. Most people have gone home.

[BornFreeButinChains]

Thanks Frames.

I think I will visit Harrds windows/ all big store windows regent street lights/followed by south bank and borough market....maybe on sunday before xmas...

then concentrate and keep things easy on 24th with show, and meal central.....covent garden area.

[BornFreeButinChains]

70

we went to WWWa few times when first started and it was great I was shocked to go a few years ago and it was so rammed couldnt walk.