The magical month of December is a delightful time to explore London as it transforms itself into a winter wonderland and this year even more so after a big lockdown this time last year!
Here is my pick of top 5 things to do in London during this time.
I’m wearing The Maria Dress by Laura Green
High tea in a 5 star hotel
This year Browns Hotel is bringing you an immersive Nutcracker Experience, with an opening night on 28 November until 19 December.
Charlie’s, Brown’s Hotel’s restaurant led by Chef Adam Byatt, will set the scene with a three-course festive feast and award-winning actors, magicians and ballet dancers.
Once seated, each diner will be surrounded by magical characters from The Nutcracker. Through the course of the evening, the narrative will be revealed through a series of classic performances such as the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and other reimagined moments from the show.
Selfridges Christmas Market
The Christmas market launched earlier on the 5 November and runs until 23 December. Guests can register online for free tickets and spend two hours visiting tasty food stalls, cool gifts and lashings of mulled wine and festive cocktails.
The team behind Street Feast are in charge of the food — so it’s pretty much a sure thing that the grub will be tasty — and elsewhere there’s a helter skelter, performances from Santa himself and chances to make some festive purchases, from Christmas trees to gifts.
Put on your ice skates
The capital’s ice rinks are another winter favourite. Be sure to seek out the Natural History Museum’s (nhm.ac.uk) popular rink, as this will be its final outing after 16 years. I took my kids last week and we are certainly coming back for more!
The rink in the courtyard of Somerset House (somersethouse.org.uk) is a great option for central London as is the one at Winter Wonderland (hydeparkwinterwonderland.com) in Hyde Park — it’s the UK’s largest outdoor rink.
See London Xmas lights
This year the capital started celebrating Christmas early and on the 12 November first 20 iconic London streets switched their Christmas lights on.
On Oxford Street, falling shooting stars light up the pavements in cross patterns.
In Covent Garden, the market and its surroundings are set for the holiday season.
A 55-foot (17-metre)-tall Christmas tree greets visitors, accompanied by its 30,000 lights.
In Carnaby Street, more than 600 sparkling 3D and 2D butterflies hang in the air.
The art installation, called “Carnaby Christmas Kaleidoscope,” was handmade and set up in collaboration with Choose Love, a NGO supporting refugees. But if these dazzling displays leave you wanting more, there are a number of ticketed light shows on offer too.
See Crystal Palace bathed in light this winter at Lightopia, London’s largest Christmas light display this year. Set to be an all encompassing experience, the trail features interactive lanterns, colourful lasers and water shows, with highlights including a butterfly installation and illuminated dinosaurs. With marshmallow toasting for the kids and mulled wine for the grown-ups, this is definitely an experience for all the family to enjoy.
Christmas Theatre and Ballet
London’s theatres are back to their best for Christmas 2021, with a spectacular array of shows for all comers.
Most productions were cancelled or curtailed last year, but this Christmas venues can stage performances without restrictions on capacity.
If you haven’t been to see Frozen The Musical at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane I highly recommend! Incredible special effects, stunning costumes and jaw-dropping scenery bring Christmas spirit to the max!
For those of you who enjoy ballet, the Royal Opera House is the place to go. The Nutcracker ballet is a wonderful festive feast indeed. Choreographer Peter Wright is turning 95 this week and this production is supposed to be one of his best, with dream cast headlined by Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov.
