There is so much to do at Christmas in London every year. What I love most is the way London empties on Christmas Eve when all the workers leave to see their families across the country. Join us for some crazy shopping throughout December and them some tranquility between Christmas and the New Year. Read on to find out more about what happens over the holiday season in London. Also see South Bank at Christmas as it's not just for the summer.
Also see London Christmas Gift Ideas.
1. West End Christmas Lights
When? The lights are switched on in mid-November.
2. Ice Skating Rinks
When? Open from mid-November to mid-January.
3. Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
When? The lights are switched on in the evening on the first Thursday in December.
More: Trafalgar Square Sights
4. Santa's Grottos - Meet Father Christmas!
You can meet Santa in London's department stores: 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? Early December to 24 December (Christmas Eve).
Father Christmas pays a visit to Museum of London Docklands on 20 December 2008 when there will also be half-hour interactive sessions with Christmas stories for under fives (book in advance).
5. Festive Fairs
-
When?
- Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair: mid-November
- Spirit of Christmas Fair: 5-9 November 2008
- Bankside Winter Festival(Frost Fair): 12-21 December 2008
- Greenwich Christmas Market 3-24 Dec + 27-28 Dec 2008
- Somerset House Christmas Design Market: 19-21 December 2008
6. English National Ballet
This December, the Company returns to the London Coliseum with the muchloved Christmas favorite The Nutcracker, as well as The Sleeping Beauty and, in a new production for English National Ballet, the tragic love story Manon.
When? From mid-December to mid-January.
7. Pantomimes
When? Throughout December and January.
- Hackney Empire Pantomime Review: Mother Goose (2008)
- Hackney Empire Pantomime Review: Dick Whittington and his Cat (2007)
- Hackney Empire Pantomime Review: Cinderella (2006)
8. Great Christmas Pudding Race
When? Saturday morning in mid-December.
More: Great Christmas Pudding Race Photos
9. Geffrye Museum's 'Christmas Past'
When? Late November to early January.
10. Christmas Carols
When? Two weeks in mid-December.
More Carols:
- Festive concerts and Carols at St. Paul's Cathedral.
- Advent and Christmas Services at Westminster Abbey.
And here's one more Christmas idea for the spirit of goodwill:
Absolut Ice Bar London
London has its own indoor permanent ice bar. You get issued with warm clothing when you arrive and have 40 minutes to shiver and enjoy. Thankfully they sell some strong alcohol to warm you up!
When? Open permanently - the entire bar is rebuilt every six months.










