Top 10 Things to Do at Christmas in London

Christmas in London

London lights up at Christmas - literally! Check out these photos of London's West End taken in the evening when it's really worth visiting the big stores on Oxford Street and Regent Street. And it won't cost you a penny!
When? The lights are switched on in mid-November.

• London Christmas Lights Annual Galleries
• London Christmas Lights 2008
• London Christmas Lights 2007
• London Christmas Lights 2006

Every winter outdoor ice skating rinks appear all over London. Check out the details here for this year's ice skating opportunities in London. Most are open late in the evening and many have special events happening throughout the season. You'll find all the information you need under each picture.
When? Open from mid-November to mid-January.

Trafalgar Square benefits from a huge Christmas Tree each year as a present from Norway for the country's help during the Second World War. The tree is usually over 20 meters high and 50-60 years old. The tree usually stays till the Twelfth Night of Christmas, 6 January, when it is taken down to be chipped and composted.
When? The lights are switched on in the evening on the first Thursday in December.

More: Trafalgar Square Sights

You can meet Santa in London's department stores:

• Selfridges
• Harrods

Sit on Santa's knee and tell him what you want him to bring you for Christmas. Of course, he would prefer you take a small child to meet him but Santa is always happy to meet everyone!
When? Mid-November to 24 December (Christmas Eve).

Shopping is a national sport throughout December so join in by going to a Festive Fair. The Frost Fair is becoming more popular every year and the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair is the perfect opportunity to get ready early for Christmas.

When?
• Spirit of Christmas Fair: 4-8 November 2009
• Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair: 11-15 November 2009
• British Red Cross Christmas Fair: 18-19 November 2009
• Greenwich Christmas Market: 2-6, 9-24, 27, 30-31 December 2009

More Christmas Fairs are listed here: Christmas 2009 in London.

The English National Ballet Christmas season is a fabulous tradition which has included The Nutcracker for over 50 years.

This December, the Company returns to the London Coliseum with the muchloved Christmas favorite The Nutcracker, and welcomes back into its repertoire The Snow Queen and Giselle.

When? From mid-December to mid-January.

• ENB The Nutcracker - Family Friendly Performance Review
• ENB The Nutcracker Review
• ENB Alice in Wonderland Review

We have a wonderful English tradition of family theater where men dress as fat ugly women and women star as the lead 'boy'. You'll find plenty of C and D list 'celebrities' from soap operas and the like, who enjoy making complete fools of themselves. Oh, how could you not enjoy this? There's great audience participation when we get to shout, "He's behind you!" when they can't see the baddies. I always try to catch the annual pantomime at Hackney Empire. Hilarious, and not just for the kids.
When? Throughout December and January.

• Hackney Empire Panto Review: Mother Goose (2008)
• Hackney Empire Panto Review: Dick Whittington and his Cat (2007)
• Hackney Empire Panto Review: Cinderella (2006)

On a Saturday morning in December, about 150 race contestants wear fancy dress and run around Covent Garden while trying to balance a Christmas pudding on a plate! Obstacles, such as balloons full of flour, are put in their way to make it even more fun to watch. It's a charity event to raise money for Cancer Research.

When? Saturday morning in mid-December.

• Great Christmas Pudding Race Details
• Great Christmas Pudding Race Photos

Each year, the Geffrye Museum's twelve period rooms are decorated in authentic festive style, providing a magical glimpse into Christmases gone. Christmas Past explores the origins and meanings of some of our more common customs, from kissing under the mistletoe to decorating the tree and throwing cocktail parties.

When? Late November to early January.

• Christmas Past Exhibition Photos
• Geffrye Museum Information

Carol singers from around the country come to Trafalgar Square to sing and raise money for charity.

When? Two weeks in mid-December.

More Carol Venues:
• St. Paul's Cathedral.
• Westminster Abbey.

The Breast Cancer Care Carols is on 9 December 2009 at St. Paul's Cathedral. Expect over 2,200 people including leading names of stage and screen reading selected excerpts from classic Christmas writing. Find out more: www.breastcancercare.org.uk/carols.