The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of the year! Warm cozy clothes, cheesy Hallmark movies, and the same songs on repeat for a month straight. Add my favorite city to the mix, and I’m officially in my happy place! London is a bustling city year round, and December is no exception. From the massive holiday theme park, to the Christmas markets and endless light displays, London is the perfect city to visit during the holidays! If you are planning a trip to London during the Christmas season, make sure to keep reading for my guide to Christmas in London!
GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS IN LONDON
Winter Wonderland
I am not going to lie when I say that I have a love, hate relationship with Winter Wonderland. It is a massive holiday themed amusement park held every year in Hyde Park. The theme park has a plethora of rides, carnival games, classic market stalls and live music every day and night of the week. Go during the day to enjoy the attractions at a leisurely pace, and then visit at night for a fun atmosphere with live music, mulled wine and beer stalls. Winter Wonderland is free to enter, but you must pay for each attraction individually. Make sure to arrival early as the queues tend to take several hours! Winter Wonderland is a must if you’ve never been, but be prepared for endless crowds, long waits, and limited cellphone reception.
The Nutcracker
One of my yearly Christmas traditions is to watch the Nutcracker. For those unaware, I am not referring to the physical wooden toy to crack nuts. The Nutcracker is a Christmas themed ballet. While in London, I was able to purchase tickets to watch the English National Ballet perform the Nutcracker at the London Coliseum. The show, costumes, and music were spectacular and the venue itself was stunning. If you are a fan of Ballets, and happen to be in London in December, I highly recommend going to see the Nutcracker performance.
Southbank Markets
During the holiday season, the south side of the Thames lights up. German-style wooden chalets line the Southbank throughout the entire month of December. Stop at one, or several, for sweet treats, hand crafted gifts and decorations. Take a stroll through the free village while enjoying a hot cup of mulled wine, and admire all of the festive decorations all while taking in the spectacular views of London.
Ice Skating
Ice Skating is definitely not one of my stronger skills, but it is nonetheless a fun winter activity, especially at Christmas. Every year in front of the famous Natural History Museum, London sets up an ice skating rink. Tickets are available online and at the venue. I would highly recommend buying the tickets in advanced to avoid waiting in a queue upon arrival. Prices for ice skating start at 9GBP for children and 13GBP for adults. Family packages are also available for purchase. For those who get tired of skating, or need a hot drink to warm up, there is also a café with a bird’s eye view of the ice rink nearby.
Christmas Lights
Most major cities display their impressive sets of fairy lights during the holiday season, and London is no exception! Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street, to name a few, dazzle spectators with lights of all shapes and sizes. It takes weeks for the city to hang them all up, and they are finally lit at the end of November each year. Walk through the center to witness the endless lights. If you are too tired, or cold to walk grab a front row seat on a double decker bus and see the lights from a different perspective!
Holiday Shopping
Of course a trip to London would not be complete without some holiday shopping. Stroll into the many stores along Oxford and Regent Street. For all lovers of Christmas, a stop at Harrods and Selfridges is a must! Year after year, both stores create an impressive Christmas window display for passerby’s to enjoy. The luxury shops also sell exclusive holiday merchandise perfect for that special unique gift.
If you love Christmas as much as I do, then head to London and experience all of the holiday magic for yourself! Admire the endless display of lights in the city, go window shopping and warm up with a nice hot cup of mulled wine. My guide to Christmas in London is sure to fill up your itinerary and get you into the holiday spirit!
Safe Travels,
Vip <3