Suggestions of what to do in London end Nov/start Dec

[everymeeveryyou]

At the very end on Nov/start of Dec I am going to be visiting DD who is in her first year of Uni in London.
it would be great to get some things booked in for us to do. I have suggested we could do some Christmas things and she has agreed. Whilst originally from the U.K. we haven’t lived there since she was in primary school and did not live in London. I have had a quick look online but am really looking for recommendations from those who live in/near London (or who have visited and have places/things to recommend). We only have about 3.5 days together so I don’t want to waste any of it.
The only thing I have booked so far is an in-Christmasy trip to the design museum to see the Tim Burton exhibition.
All suggestions gratefully received.

Kew light trail is lovely.
Lots if christmassy feeling plays on - we saw Peter Pan goes wrong last year which was brilliant
Ice skating at Somerset house or Hampton court

Thank you @EasyComfortDishes I had looked at Kew and then saw quite a few bad reviews so started to have second thoughts. It’s good to hear personal recommendations. Will book this now.
Did briefly consider skating but we both have hyper-mobile joints and that can make skating a bit difficult.
Have has a look at musicals but will widen the search to plays. If anyone has any recommendations of ones showing this year please do add them.

I would do a very touristy open top bus ride to see the Xmas lights! Then onto the Southbank for their Xmas fayre.

Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery.

Carnaby street, the lights are fab and to u have cool shopping

Liberty's Christmas floor

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park?
Christmas afternoon tea somewhere?

@everymeeveryyou

If you are still in town on December 5th 2024, you will be able to see the lighting of the Norwegian Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square in the late afternoon.

It's a lovely event.

This

The open top bus, maybe a panto?
Liberty Xmas shop

I think Kew is a little overrated personally.

There will be Christmas theatre on - A Christmas carol at the Old Vic or Elf (had good reviews not just for kids!). Also Royal Albert Hall has Christmas carols and songs.

Gingerbread city in the Museum of Architecture is fun - basically local Architecture firms design these massive Gingerbread houses to raise money for charity - they are amazing!

Leicester sq and South bank have Christmas stalls.

Winter Wonderland is as far away from a
Wonderland as you can get.

Definitely Kew

A cocktail/ glass of champagne/ hot chocolate in the sky garden (it's free to go up but you need to book a slot, there are bars up there.)

I too would avoid Winter wonderland! Overpriced and tacky IMO. If you are in the area, you could walk through the park, have a look at it, and get a glühwein, but I wouldn't make a special trip to Wonderland.

Any idea which part of London you will stay in? Mid week or weekend?
Not specifically Christmassy- other than decorations and things for sale, but another idea is to go East.
Get off the tube at Liverpool St station and walk to Spitalfields market which has bespoke and some quirky/interesting stalls.https://www.spitalfields.co.uk/
If its a Sunday, continue walking to Bricklane, which has a Sunday market. New and 2nd hand items in various buildings on either side of the road and side streets. You could add a curry at the many restaurants there for lunch. (I recommend Preem on a corner with Hanbury St). https://preembricklane.co.uk/
At the top end of Bricklane, are 2 Beigal shops. If you haven't eaten, a salt beef beigal from Beigal bake (the one nearer the lights on Bethnal Green rd) is great. If there is a massive queue out the door- it does move quickly! bricklanebeigel.co.uk/london/beigel-bake
Continue walking to Columbia road, where there is a massive flower market on sundays. Plants, flowers, bulbs along with Christmas trees, decorations and lots of quirky shops. columbiaroad.info/
If up for more, continue walking to 'The Last Tuesday Society'. A bar that also does absinthe. Downstairs is a curiosity museum, rammed with weird and wonderful items 1 man collected. https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum/
If that isn't your thing, there is the V&A children's museum near Bethnal Green tube. There are interactive exhibits, its free and interesting for adults and teens alike. https://www.vam.ac.uk/young?srsltid=AfmBOop6iwHHdyn3PAkIO6PD8FQvuIT3GGXECS0771kVNOhVQ5fRFR1p

Just another idea for something a bit different.

Agree.

Fortnum & Mason, Burlington Arcade, Old and New Bond Street for the most beautiful window shopping.

Battersea Power Station incl elevator

Second Sky Garden, ideally after sunset

Covent Garden

Skating at Somerset House?
Walk along the Christmassy streets like New Bond Street or St Christopher's Place - so pretty when all lit up.
If you and she like traditional music you could look for a carol concert by candlelight at St Martin in the Fields or Royal Albert Hall.
Or go to a panto or A Christmas carol (Old Vic - I think)
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and eye-wateringly over-priced Christmas Market in Trafalgar Square

To add to @JC03745 brilliant list.
https://dennissevershouse.co.uk/book/

Denis Sever’s house is a wonderful experience. A walk through the ages of a Huguenot silk weavers house done in silence. Truly magical.

Oh my goodness, lots of amazing replies. Thank you all, I didn’t get any notification updates so hadn’t been checking the thread.
For those who asked I am arriving in the Friday morning and leaving on the Monday evening. Staying in Stratford as that is where her accommodation is but it’s so well connected I am happy to go anywhere.
Have now booked a Christmas wreath making class at a florists in Hackney for the Sunday afternoon. Hopefully we can get a show in after that.
Have only skimmed the messages and there are some great ideas for other visits I may make in the next year or so. However the idea of a Gingerbread City sounds just up our street @Summervibes24 she is an art student so will appreciate the work that will have gone into that, it will definitely be on our list!

30 November is the Christmas Dollshouse Exhibition at Kensington Town Hall. Around £15 entrance I believe and thousands of fascinating miniatures.

Open Top Bus Tour - yes , did this last year , loved it , so nice to properly see the lights . When you're on foot you have to watch out for other people but on the bus , wrap up and enjoy .

Liberty's is lovely and Carnaby Street as suggested upthread.

Covent Garden

Any shows in Leicester Square you fancy ?

Borough Market

If you're in Stratford , ABBA Voyage

Years ago we took the DC to WinterWonderland but it got bigger , pricier and lost the appeal.