Christmas Events

[InEveryDreamHomeAHeartache]

I decided last Christmas that in order to feel more Christmassy this year, I would go to some Christmas events/concerts etc. Sadly my DCs are all grown up and I don’t have grandchildren yet or any small children I can “borrow” to take to see Santa etc. I normally go to a church carol concert locally but would really love to do some more festive things. I know I looked at a couple of things last year (although for the life of me I can’t remember what! ) but they had all been booked up months ago.

I live fairly close to Norwich but wouldn’t mind going to London. Any ideas of anything that is really worth going to/seeing that needs to be booked up well in advance?

I would recommend carols by candlenight at the Royal Albert Hall. It is lovely and you dont need small people to go and enjoy it! I have been every year for the past 5 and it's wonderfully festive.

How about a festive themed afternoon tea? All of the fancy London hotels do them, I went to the Charing Cross hotel last year and was lovely.

Also, Kew Gardens have a festival of lights type thing at Christmas. I didnt go last year, but it looked lovely!

I did a wreath making course at a local National Trust property in early December last year. Met some nice people and made (imho) a lovely wreath. The venue provided a lunch as part of the cost too.

My DC will be 19 and 16.6 by Christmas (DS is a complete and utter Christmas Grump , he'll accept that I do Christmas Overboard and eat a huge dinner but never wants 'presents' - we give him money , he saves) .
He gets the Hamper with PJs etc and is made to wear them.
DD is a complete Christmas-a-holic.
DH goes along for a quiet life.

DD and I go shopping usually in London on the 23rd and Lakeside/Bluewater in December.

I think this year I'll book a London Tour Bus trip, the open topped ones. See the lights, wrap up warm .

We went to Kew Gardens a few years ago when it first opened , hopefully its got bigger and better.

There's WinterWonderland in Hyde Park but its really busy .

Tea at The Ritz or Savoy ?

We did a London Duck Tour one year - great fun but freezing , not sure if they're still running , there's something on the website for Dec 2018 but its 'On Hold'

Any theatre shows you fancy? Swan Lake, Little Match Girl, Nutcracker

The cinema never seems to have proper festive films , when Nativity came out it was in the November that year.

This is a lovely idea OP. I would suggest going to your local National trust houses around you, ours is Tredegar House Park and every year we go to see the gardens and the house . They decorate it beautifully , have carols around the many trees and it is full of Bonhomie and atmosphere, mince pies and mulled wine in the servants hall...just wonderful , even my DH who is a misery and Scrooge about Christmas, loves it and would not miss it for the world.

Thanks everyone, there are some lovely suggestions there and all the sort of things I enjoy.

I love the idea of making a wreath and will also check local National Trust properties to see if there are any festive events, as what Mrsmadevans described at hers sounds perfect.

I used to go to The Ritz for afternoon tea every Christmas when I used to work in London and really enjoy it. Other than a Christmas tree, I don’t recall it being festive themed. Can someone tell me what is the difference between the normal afternoon tea and the Christmas one?

I think Carols by Candlelight at the Royal Albert Hall was one of the things I missed out on last year Flithy. It sounds amazing. I have looked on their website though and can’t see it this year? There is a carol service on 23rd and 24th December, is that the same thing?

I’ve never seen The Nutcracker live, so will add this to the list as well. Is there a particular one anyone can recommend?

I’ve also had a look at Kew and that looks lovely as well.

Thanks again for all your suggestions, Id better start saving!

I have just had a look and the Carol service sounds like it, but I am surprised, as it is usually on for most of December. We tend to book in October so I would check back then! Ticket prices vary depending on where you sit, ours are usually around £35 each.

I am excited about Kew Gardens this year! Wish I went last year as my DS was 5.5 months old and would have loved the lights, but we all got ill so didn't end up doing as much as we wanted...

Our festive afternoon tea had Christmas themed cakes! Was pretty standard I suppose apart from that, but you do get to eat in lovely festive surroundings! I am trying to decide where to go this year with a boistrous 18 month old!

@InEveryDreamHomeAHeartache and @FilthyforFirth - I went to Carols by Candlelight last year and there was an announcement at the end of the performance that it was not going to be held at RAH in 2018 (which is a shame).

That said, there are loads of similar events being held around London in December, often raising funds for charity.

Oh no @aquiver! That is a Christmas staple in my house, gutted. Is is just this year, or have they stopped doing it altogether?

@FilthyforFirth I know! There was a great "oh no!" from the audience when they announced it at the end of the performance. They didn't indicate whether it would return in future years.

There are loads of Christmas events on at the RAH this year though - including a big band show, gospel concert and Carol concerts.

@InEveryDreamHomeAHeartache @FilthyforFirth I've just had a look online and it looks like Carols by Candlelight is still on, but held at new venues this year (Central Hall in Westminster and Cadogan Hall). Huzzah!

We've been to Kew Gardens a few times. Although you buy timed tickets it gets extremely busy. At one point on the trail last year we came to an absolute standstill due to the sheer volume of people so it was hard to enjoy. I think it's gone downhill over the years too busy and a bit tacky - just my personal view though.

Thanks @aquiver. I've always wanted to go to Cadogan Hall! I cant decide if the RAH or Carols by Candle light is the tradition to follow...

Thanks everyone. I love the Albert Hall so it’s such a shame Carols By Candlelight isn’t being held there this year but thanks aquiver for the update about Central and Cadogan Hall.

Hello thanks for your thoughts on Kew; initially I thought it looked really good but really appreciate your insight, as I’m not keen on crowds like that when you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself! I used to enjoy Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park but I feel it has gone downhill and last time I went I thought it was a bit tacky, although that was just my opinion.