Christmas in London
Christmas in London can be a magical time, with Christmas lights everywhere and the sounds of traditional Christmas music wafting out from the stores.
Trafalgar Square
It all begins in Trafalgar Square where a huge Norwegian pine is decorated and lit. This is a tradition that has taken place since 1947 and is visible to all driving or walking in the area. The lighting of the tree takes place on the evening of December 6th this year. It has become one of London’s most famed Christmas tradition.
The Great Christmas Pudding Race
Another Christmas event is the Great Christmas Pudding Race occurring at Covent Garden. It is an exhibition of teams dressed in their Sunday’s finest clothing meandering around the park carrying fragile Christmas pudding. This is a charity event with all proceeds going to Cancer research. This event will start from Covent Garden Market at 11.30am on December 8th, 2007.
London Santa Skate
Started in december 2004, skaters dressed in Santa suites roamed the streets of central London for an event with a difference. This year edition will take place on the 15th of december.
For a quiet Christmas eve event, check out the candlelight vigil at the House of God and Kings. It is set up as a tribute to Christmas future, past and present, occurring on Christmas Eve at Westminster Abbey. This is an event you can bring your children to enjoy.
High Street Lights
There are light displays at Oxford, at Piccadilly Circus, on Regent Street, Marylebone Street and Bond Street. In some cases, you can shop among the lights or grab a cup of tea while seeing the lovely Christmas lights. This year, some of the lights are themed after the movie Ice Age 2-The Meltdown and you’ll see characters as well as lights.
London Theatres
The Peacock Theatre will feature a pantomime of the classic book by Raymond Briggs, called The Snowman, and melt. Opening night: 6 December 2007.
London Ice Skating
This year, there will be numerous ice rinks flooded for visitors to skate at Christmas.
- Kew,
- Hyde Park (1 December),
- NHM,
- Somerset House,
- the Tower of London,
- Canary Wharf,
- Broadgate, etc.
London Christmas Markets
Christmas markets are truly magical in London this year. Between the lights, the trees, the wooden chalets, the gourmet foods and the traditional Christmas events, there is something holiday for everyone who chooses to visit a Christmas Market in London this year.
Christmas Fairs and Markets venues include:
- Frost Fair (Borough Market),
- Covent Garden Market,
- Carnaby Street,
- Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair,
- Arts and Craft Fairs (St Paul’s Church, Lauderdale House and Wimbledon),
- Connaught Christmas Village,
- Kew Gardens Christmas Fair,
- Greenwich Christmas Village.