1. West End Christmas Lights
London lights up at Christmas -
literally! And it won't cost you
a penny!
2. Ice
Skating Rinks
Every winter outdoor ice skating
rinks appear all over London.
Most are open late in the evening
and many have special events happening
throughout the season.
When? Open from mid-November to
mid-January.
3. Trafalgar
Square Christmas Tree
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
stays till the Twelfth Night of
Christmas, 6 January, when it is
taken down for to be chipped and
composted.
When? The lights are switched on
in the evening on the first Thursday
in December.
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).
5. Festive
Fairs
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.
6. English
National Ballet
The English National Ballet Christmas
season is a fabulous tradition which
has included The Nutcracker for
over 50 years.
When? From mid-December to mid-January.
7. Pantomimes
We have a wonderful English tradition
of family theater where men dress
as fat ugly women and women star
as the lead 'boy'. I always try
to catch the annual pantomime at
Hackney Empire. You'll find plenty
of C and D list 'celebrities' from
soap operas and the like 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. Hilarious, and not just
for the kids.
When? Throughout December and January.
8. Great
Christmas Pudding Race
For one 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.
9. Geffrye
Museum's 'Christmas Past'
Each year, the Geffrye Museum's
twelve period rooms are decorated
in authentic festive style, providing
a magical glimpse into Christmases
past. 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.
10. Christmas
Carols
Carol singers from around the country
come to Trafalgar Square to sing
and raise money for charity.
When? Two weeks in mid-December.
For
Guildford Events click here!
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