6 Festive Things to do in London at Christmas
CAROLING AT TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Located in Central London is Trafalgar Square. The Square is a beautiful spot surrounded by historical buildings full of museums and galleries. Located in the square, you will find a Christmas tree that has been an annual gift from Norway since 1947. Measuring over 80 feet high, the tree is decorated with lights done vertically which is the tradition in Norway.
During the month of December, over 40 caroling groups perform Christmas classics entertaining the visitors to the square. These performances are done to raise money for local charity organizations. Choirs perform daily from 4 pm to 8 pm weekdays and 2-5 on weekends. It is free and open to the public.
CHRISTMAS TEA
No trip to London would be complete without going to tea, but add that special touch by going to a Christmas themed tea. This experience can be found throughout the city at many restaurants and hotels. Some really pull out all the stops and create over the top Christmas themes.
Be our Guest, Be our Guest...
The Town House located in South Kensington offers during the holiday season “Tale as Old as Time”, a Beauty and the Beast themed tea experience. Imagine being served tea from Mrs. Pott’s!! You will be able to try the grey stuff (white chocolate mousse) served in a delightful Chip teacup, a Cogsworth chocolate mince pie, and an Enchanted Rose (vanilla and gold Jelly). The variety of selection both savory and sweet are themed around this beloved film. Hmmm…I wonder if I could get by dressing as Belle for tea?
A short walk from Royal Albert Hall is the Royal Garden Hotel which offers a beautiful Christmas tea while enjoying a fantastic view of Kensington Gardens. Indulge in unlimited sandwiches, scones, sweets, and tea. For an additional fee, you can upgrade to the Royal Tea that includes champagne with strawberries drizzled with balsamic vinegar and powdered sugar.
There are so many different tea experiences throughout the city that there is sure to be one to fit your style and budget.
God Bless Us, Everyone
A great way to burn off all those calories from your Christmas Tea is to take a walking tour of the city on the Dickens Christmas Walk. Led by your tour guide Richard Jones, dressed in period Victorian costume, he will lead you along the same streets and see some of the same sights that Dickens did himself. Richard does a fantastic job not only telling you, but showing you the life of Dickens and how the city itself and the social atmosphere of the time led to “A Christmas Carol”.
Richard explains how many of the Christmas traditions we use today came from Dickens himself during the Victorian period. Things such as the first Christmas card featuring Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and the royal children gathered around the first Christmas tree. Learn how Christmas dinner now includes turkey instead of a goose. Even the tradition of playing games during Christmas came from the Victorian era. Learn about the game Snap-Dragon’s, and why this games died out over time.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The festive feel of the city truly comes to life at night when the streets sparkle with lights and decorations. The glittering streets are scattered throughout the city, each one offering its unique holiday theme.
One of the most famous shopping areas in London is Oxford Street. It is the original light display in the city and dates back to 1954. Many of its famous storefronts are decked out with Christmas displays, while overhead, nearly ¾ of a million lights stretch out over the street above creating a stunning display.
Probably one of the most majestic displays is on Regent Street. Heavenly angels with their sparkling wings spread wide, stretch the entire width of the street. The white Portland stone that makes up the facade of the buildings, beautifully reflects the twinkling lights, creating a stunning golden glow.
Even The Shard gets into the Christmas spirit by turning the top 20 stories into a brilliant show. The current theme “Reflections”, mimics the different colors the skies over London turn during the day from sunrise to sunset. The 30-minute show runs daily during the holiday season.
A Christmas trip to London would not be complete without a visit to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. It seems every year, this ultimate holiday event gets bigger and better. Enjoy shopping at the Christmas markets, ice-skating on the largest ice rink in the UK, carnival rides, shows and so much more. In the Bavarian Village treat yourself to juicy Bratwurst or a German soft pretzel. Feeling cold, slip into one of the rustic wooden chalets and order a warm cup of Gluhwein.
Winter Wonderland is free to enter, but many of the events and attractions do have a fee in order to participate. Some of the more popular activities do fill up fast and may possibly sell out. My advice is to visit the website as early as possible and from there you are able to secure tickets.
Running the month of December Royal Albert Hall shines as brightly as the Christmas lights in the city. A fantastic selection of holiday concerts and stage shows fill the hall daily. Truly there is something for everyone. From traditional performances of Handel’s Messiah or the London Community Gospel Choir, to the upbeat and festive A Hollywood Christmas, featuring music from films such as A Christmas Carol, The Nightmare before Christmas and much more.
We had the pleasure of attending two different holiday concerts during a recent trip to London. One was an evening full of traditional carols and hymns that were performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kings College Boys Choir. With a full orchestra and massive choir, the entire hall filled with the sounds of the season and was truly magical.
A second evening concert performed by the Mozart Festival Chorus and Orchestra outfitted in full Victorian period costume was full of festive carols. Even the audience participated in the singing, with a little extra fun added to The Twelve Days of Christmas.
If you long for that old Victorian style Christmas, then I can’t think of any place better than London. There is so much to do and see and there is no way to see it all in one visit. My advice, do your homework and seek those activities the city has to offer. Plan early and secure any tickets or reservations well in advance. I can say from experience, Christmas in London was one of my all time favorite trips. You won’t be disappointed.
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