Christmassy things to do in London (child free holiday)

[neeps1207]

I have just booked a weekend in London during the last week of November - just me and my best friend (I am a mum of 3 and very excited!). We love Christmas and I was wondering what festive things we could do when we are there. We’ll be spending a day trawling round the shops but would like to do something different for the other 2 days we are there. Any suggestions? Thanks!

When you have your trailing round the shops say it may be worth popping to John Lewis.

They have a roof terrace / cafe and a couple of years ago we went and it had little wooden huts Xmas trees and fake snow. The huts were filled with blankets and cushions and you could sit in them with your hot chocolate! Very festive. Carnaby street lights were very nice last year. Not traditionally themed but very impressive.

Nice afternoon tea? We have been to st Ermins hotel in Westminster which was lovely.

I'd avoid winter wonderland. It's rammed and very expensive.

Go to Somerset House for ice skating , something to drink and the Courtauld Gallery while you are at it. You may have to book for skating .
Covent Garden is lovely at Christmas.
If the Xmas shoes have started I would go .

Thanks for these suggestions - these
are exactly what I’m looking for. Don’t want anything really aimed at children as I’ll be doing a lot with them in December but things that give you that festive glow - thank you!!

Kew Gardens has a really lovely light trail, and skating is great too.

Liberty Christmas shop!

Ice skating by the natural history museum.

I agree with Liberty but any of the big stores eg Harrods, Harvey Nicholls or Selfridges look great at Christmas. For a more nostalgic shop go up StChristophers place into Marylebone high street where there are lots of smaller shops that will all be decorated beautifully.
On a similar note the smart hotels will be at their most lavish and you can pop in to the Savoy or wherever for a very treat like drink.
Keep an eye on listings for Christmas shows , ballets or whatever.you can get cheap tickets even at the royal opera house if you are lucky and don't mind being up in the gods.that would be really Christmassy and memorable.

Fortnum and Masons.

South Bank Christmas market

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

South Molton Street and area lights.
A performance of the Nutcracker.
Carols in Trafalgar Square (you might be a bit early, in November)
Selfridges windows
The South bank
St Paul’s Cathedral nativity.
A carol concert at Albert Hall or Barbican.
Afternoon tea somewhere like the Langham
Harrods food halls

Leicester Square - they had an amazing carousel there a few years ago, best one I've ever been on! And another one saying the South Bank - although the market wasn't around when we went last year in the last week of November.

I prefer Winter Wonderland without my dd. I can drink as much mulled wine as I like and look at the ice sculptures .

London has a lot of Xmas evening concerts at places like the Royal Albert Hall but I'm not sure when they start. Nutcracker ballet is always on too.

Check and see if backyard cinema have started their Christmas films by then - it's my favourite Christmas tradition in London!

I went on a London bus for a gin afternoon tea with dh. It was amazing and we both loved it. If you search for B Bakery it will come up.