Christmas in London

[IStillHearTheWaves]

Hi,

Does anyone have any suggestions for Christmassy activities to do in London? Things we've done before:

Christmas lights walk
Christmas lights bus tour
Southbank market
WW - haven't done this for a good 10 years and it looks even more horrendous than ever IMO.
Coq D'Argent rooftop bar

Things I'm considering for this year:

Ice skating at Sommerset House
Festive capsule on London Eye - not sure about this one.

Any lovely suggestions grearefully accepted 😀🤶

A festive show
Panto
Lights at Kew Gardens
There's often a festive adventure pop-up of some kind of you have young children.

Carols by candlelight in one of the churches.

Cadogan Hall usually has a lovely program of Christmas concerts.

I like the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square. It's the moment when Christmas in London seems to really begin.

It comes from Norway each year as a thank you for the UK's support during the Second World War.

https://youtube.com/shorts/dW7hXiIEZnE?si=9YQsgRX1lTmSo9bP

Covent Garden is absolutely lovely at Christmas

There's a new event called Christmas in the Garden, that includes a traditional santa's grotto and other activities. The santa visit also includes a self-guided festive trail around Covent Garden as well as a gift, so its like a day out, not just a quick visit to santa. It's called Grotto in the Garden: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-santas-grotto-in-covent-garden-and-ms-claus-for-story-time-tickets-1998511651147

Thanks for the suggestions!

I said the same on another thread, but we really enjoy Gingerbread City at the Museum of Architecture

The Christmas dept in Liberty
(coupled with the Carnaby St lights which are usually excellent)

The Museum of the Home, which decorates all the rooms from different Xmas eras. If you went on a Sunday you could combine with Colombia Road flower market for Xmas greenery and vibes (museum of the home put on events in the run up as well).

For small children the Docklands Museum have a fab well priced grotto and a good Xmas programme.

Ooh thanks. Museum of the Home is on my list of places to go so sounds like before Xmas may be a good time.

Is this for an adults visit? Or with children? What ages?

There would be a 10 year old on the visit.

Great suggestions, lthank you. I haven't heard of the Museum of Home or Museum of Architecture, but they sound great!

I've been a bit disappointed by Liberty's displays for the last couple of years but will still take a look!

Ice skating at Battersea Power Station and a trip up in ‘Up’

You'll have to Google but I'm sure there is a walk you can do that take in the main lights (so Oxford St, Regent St, Carnaby St, Covent Garden)

We've never done it despite being Londoners but I am going to try this year.

F&M is always meant to be worth a look.

Kew Gardens and Kenwood House are expensive (I cannot justify the cost for a family of 5) but meant to be lovely.

I always try and book the Sky Garden as close to Xmas as possible and then we have a walk past Tower of London, across Tower Bridge and walk along the South Bank (there are loads of festive stalls so we grab a hot chocolate or some churros) and then we hop back on the Tube and have a non festive Nandos. It's become a bit of a tradition. It's cheap and cheerful but festive and simple.

Meh, the light trail at Kenwood was nothing special, I got through it with extra fortified mulled wine. I’m not sure they’re doing it this year. I have added the Museum of Architecture to my list and I love a panto, the Palladium is supposed to be the best. The Snowman at the Peacock theatre is surprisingly moving, even though it’s ostensibly for kids 😢

We prefer Somerset House to Battersea Power Station for ice skating.

St. Martin-in-the-Fields has really lovely concerts, not too long and not too expensive.