As we all know, there is so much happening in London. All year round. In fact, the city’s events calendar is always busy! But there is something special about Christmas in London, so have a look at our overview of things to do in the capital during the festive season!
Christmas in Leicester Square – 10th NOV 2017 – 7th JAN 2018
Image credit: Visitlondon.com
London’s most famous square has been transformed for the festive season. Browse more than 25 stalls for handcrafted gifts, festive decorations and more at the traditional Christmas market.
Afterwards, step inside the velvet-draped Belgian spiegeltent to catch an array of festive entertainment for all ages, including Black Cat Cabaret’s spellbinding Parisian circus, The Showstoppers’ Christmas Kids Show and a performance of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Medicine for little ones.
Admission to Christmas in Leicester Square is free, but paid-for tickets are required for shows in the spiegeltent and Santa’s Grotto. More details here.
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square on the Piccadilly line (25 minute journey from the hotel).
Wintertime at Southbank Centre – 10th NOV 2017 – 4th JAN 2018
Image credit: Visitlondon.com
See Southbank Centre transformed into a Nordic-inspired wonderland for Wintertime, the art centre’s annual winter festival along the Thames. Shop for Christmas gifts and quirky crafts at the twinkling wooden cabins of the Winter Market, experience Swedish food and culture at Rekorderlig’s two-storey pop-up lodge, featuring traditional fire pits and plenty of hot spiced plum cider. Alternatively, you can warm up in the Finnish rooftop sauna on top of Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Admission to the Winter Festival is free, but paid-for tickets are required for certain activities. Please visit the official website for more details.
Nearest tube station: Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines); Waterloo (Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee, Waterloo & City lines, 30 minute journey from the Danubius Hotel Regents Park).
Christmas at Kew – 22nd NOV 2017 – 1st JAN 2018
Image credit: www.kew.org
This popular after-dark Christmas event returns with a new mile-long trail through the famous botanic gardens, lit up with more than one million lights.
Get together with family and friends and follow the illuminated path around the gardens. The adventure begins with a scenic trail illuminated by hundreds of glowing globes winding through the trees, and an enormous shimmering Sledge Tree made of more than 360 wooden Santa’s sledges.
See the array of luminous petals at the Great Broad Walk Borders, which features in Christmas at Kew for the first time this year, before ending your journey with the spectacular light, music and water display in front of the iconic Palm House.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
Nearest overground station: Kew gardens (50 – 60 minute journey from the Danubius Hotel Regents Park. Please do not hesitate to ask our Concierge for directions).
Somerset House ice skating – 15th NOV 2017 – 14th JAN 2018
Image credit: Somerset House.
“Skate at Somerset House”, in partnership with Fortnum & Mason, is one of London’s most beautiful outdoor ice rinks.
Enjoy a late-night ice skating session with music by top DJs at one of the Skate Lates. Learn to skate or perfect your skills with Skate School, and let little ones have a go on the ice at the Polar Cub Club.
After skating, treat yourself at Fortnum’s Lodge with one of their delicious Skate Extras, served at the Fortnum’s Lodge in Fortnum’s Christmas Arcade at Somerset House, available day and night.
Prices start from £8.90. For more info and to book, please visit the official website.
Nearest tube station: Temple (District and Circle line, 35 minute journey from the hotel).
Christmas Shopping at Covent Garden
Image credit: Londontown.com
Head to Leicester Square or Covent Garden for a London Christmas shopping day in style!
The cobbled piazza and market buildings are especially irresistible at this time of year. The Christmas decorations bring back a mistletoe theme for 2017, with over 40 mistletoe chandeliers hanging over the area’s streets and in the pretty market buildings, as well as a 22ft tall reindeer. Check the official website and plan your visit in advance.
Covent Garden is also an ideal place to have a meal with you loved ones, with so many dining options available! We recommend Balthazar restaurant for delicious bistro food, good wine and friendly service.
Nearest tube station: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line, 25 minute journey from us). Feel free to ask our Concierge for directions.
