Just over a week until the Christmas countdown begins. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t join in the festive fun now. It is a fact that the Love Actually opening scene is set 6 weeks before Christmas so get ready to get well and truly into the Christmas spirit. There will be festive food, twinkly lights and even some ice-skating to kick start your Christmas mood.
Image: Southbank Winter Market
Nearest Tube: Waterloo
Opening hours: Various times
The annual winter market is back this year, letting you eat drink and be merry. With sparkle, tinsel and seasonal goodies, the market is made up of stalls from around the world offering you festive food, warming drinks and hand crafted gifts. The Bar Under the Bridge is back, with its alpine interior, creating a sanctuary for you to enjoy your mulled wine, hot cider or array of Christmas cocktails. There are even ping-pong tables and board games, making it really feel like Christmas day…especially when someone loses and storms off!
Image: Trafalgar Square
Christmas Tree at Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross
Opening hours: 5th December onwards
It is not Christmas without a tree and Trafalgar Square definitely do this well! The giant 82-foot Norwegian spruce has been an annual gift from Norway since 1947 and is lit up by hundreds of twinkly lights. The lights will be switched on, on the 5th December and it promises to get you in the Christmas mood, with Christmas carols being sung the whole time and concerts planned throughout December. On the 8th December there is also a ‘blessing of the crib’ ceremony, with a music and parade from St Martins-in-the-field church.
Image: National Museum Ice Rink
Nearest Tube: South Kensington
Opening hours: Every day except Christmas Day: 10am-10pm
Christmas is a magical time and what is more magical than ice-skating to the backdrop of one of London’s most famous landmarks. With frosted covered trees wrapped in fairy lights and the smell of mulled wine and hot chocolate circulating the air why not book your skating session and unleash your inner Torvill and Dean. Or if you are more Bambi on ice, head to the Ice Rink Café Bar for acoustic music sessions every Thursday until the 19th December.
Image: Elephant and Castle
Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, New Kent Road, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6TE
Nearest Tube: Elephant and Castle
Opening hours: Monday 18th November-Monday 2nd December: 10am-9pm
Head down to Elephant and Castle and experience the ’12 days of Christmas’ carol in a whole new immersive way. Designed to capture every element of the song, visitors are lead on a trail to each themed display, with the aim to engage people and spread a little Christmas spirit. Imagine 5 gold rings, and then think more gold! There is also a chance for people to win a festive prize for those that fill out the trail map quiz questions. You have got to be in it to win it.
How many festive events will you be going to? Let us know in the comments below! If you like our posts, you’ll love our Instagram.
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