The lights are twinkling, the mulled wine is flowing and London’s festive season is in full swing. 

Whether or not you’re trying to get into the Christmas spirit or just take pleasure in a comfortable winter journey in town, listed below are 10 of the most effective things to do in London this season.

Get your skates on at a scenic ice rink

Within the colder months, most of the metropolis’s most spectacular landmarks play host to grand ice-skating rinks. In opposition to the magnificent neoclassical structure of Somerset Home, the courtyard has been given a Swiss makeover, full with a pop-up Alpine restaurant serving cheese fondue and waffles. There’s additionally a collection of “Skate Late” periods that includes famend DJs spinning tunes whilst you glide below the celebs. Pre-booking is beneficial as slots promote out shortly.

For those who fancy a fair…fancier setting, Henry VIII’s former residence, Hampton Court docket Palace, is a 35-minute prepare journey from Waterloo and affords gorgeous views of Tudor structure in addition to skating thrills. Afterward, head contained in the palace to be taught extra concerning the dramas of the Tudor courtroom.

Be dazzled by glittering lights 

A longstanding favourite, elegant Regent St is bedecked with well-known “spirits” floating above London’s busiest purchasing vacation spot, whereas close by Carnaby St, identified for its uniquely vibrant Christmas lights, has this 12 months been taken over by a galactic neon show.

Residence to town’s best tailors, Savile Row has a stunning new design of golden shears reducing right into a shimmering swathe of “cloth,” whereas Marylebone Village, one of many metropolis’s most charming streets, options lights made totally from recycled plastic bottles. 

For an much more festive expertise, hop on the Lights and Sights tour from the London Transport Museum, a 60-minute journey aboard a heritage bus, accompanied by a information in a conventional conductor’s uniform.

See the first-ever Christmas card

The Postal Museum in Clerkenwell makes for a beautiful household day trip in the run up to the vacations. Guests can try the seasonal shows, which embrace letters to Santa from throughout generations – and even the very first Christmas card ever despatched, from 1843. Journey again in time on the Mail Rail, a 100-year-old underground prepare that carried put up by way of tunnels from Paddington to Whitechapel, and uncover unseen components of the railway on foot, with a festive tunnel stroll led by one of many museum’s knowledgeable guides.

Step inside a festive Georgian residence

Tucked away on a cobbled facet road in Spitalfields, Dennis Severs’ Home is among the metropolis’s best-kept secrets and techniques. It was described as a “dwelling portray” by its namesake creator, a Californian artist who purchased the property in 1979 and spent 20 years constructing a “historic creativeness” of the lifetime of an invented Victorian household.

Every winter, it’s richly adorned with classic Christmas ornaments and paper chains, illuminated solely by candlelight. Guests can immerse themselves in the environment of centuries previous on a silent tour.

Deal with your self to afternoon delight

Afternoon tea is a must-try on any journey to London – and the menus at Christmastime are particularly tempting. The providing from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the oldest London theater nonetheless in use, is a selected spotlight: heat turkey and cranberry pie topped with caramelized onion chutney, adopted by an English crumpet with Earl Gray–infused cream cheese and smoked salmon. Candy treats by baker to the celebs Lily Vanilli embrace a festive spiced chocolate pudding, served in the lavish environment of the Grand Saloon.

These with decrease budgets can heat up with a decadent scorching chocolate from luxurious chocolate cafe Knoops. At a handful of places across the metropolis, you’ll be able to select your proportion of white, milk or darkish chocolate, then add festive spices or a pillowy gingerbread marshmallow for full indulgence.

Hear the candy sounds of carol singers

Christmas concert events in the capital mix a musical feast with a critical architectural wow issue. St Paul’s Cathedral is among the best-known, with carol providers on weekdays and weekends all through December. Lots of the occasions are free and unticketed – an exquisite likelihood to get a glimpse of Christopher Wren’s masterpiece.

Lesser identified however virtually as spectacular is Freemasons’ Corridor in Covent Backyard, a hidden gem of artwork deco design. Get pleasure from carols by candlelight from the Belmont Ensemble and Trafalgar Sinfonia in the gilded setting of the Grand Temple.

Be swept away by an evening of ballet

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker has change into a holiday staple, and the English Nationwide Ballet’s long-running manufacturing is among the best-loved, carried out in the splendor of the London Coliseum.

For a extra fashionable tackle storytelling by way of dance, an adaptation of Edward Scissorhands arrives at Sadler’s Wells. Dance maestro Matthew Bourne and firm have tailored the rating and unforgettable costumes from Tim Burton’s cult movie for the stage, enchanting audiences with successful set items and revolutionary visible results.

Browse the stalls at a winter market

Pop-up Christmas markets have a tendency to be pretty repetitive – but London has quite a few standout exceptions. The Southbank Centre’s winter market sees the Queen’s Stroll coated in wood chalets and glowing lights. Stroll alongside the Thames whereas perusing the wares, or people-watch with a scorching toddy in hand from the riverside igloos.

Borough Market is unmissable for meals lovers at any time of 12 months. In December, guests can drop in for the annual “Night of Cheese,” decide up a present basket or wander the stalls with a warming spiced apple drink.

Take a look at a blockbuster exhibition

The Nationwide Portrait Gallery has up to date its main David Hockney present, Drawing from Life, which was open for simply 20 days in 2020 earlier than Covid compelled its closure. Alongside self-portraits and works depicting his family and friends, Britain’s best dwelling artist has added new items, together with a usually vibrant portrait of Harry Kinds.

For those who favor European masters, head to the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, the place you’ll discover a assortment of greater than 100 objects from Henry VIII’s courtroom tracing the profession of Hans Holbein the Youthful. Among the many gadgets on show are portraits of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, plus Henry VIII’s famously adjustable armor, designed to accommodate his increasing waistline.

Take in a West Finish present

One of many 12 months’s most anticipated theatrical occasions is Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a brand-new, staged prequel to Netflix’s hit sci-fi collection. Operating on the Phoenix Theatre, it follows teenage variations of Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado and Henry Creel in 1950s Hawkins, and options awe-inspiring particular results and a synth soundtrack. 

Youthful households will likely be delighted by the Royal Shakespeare Firm’s adaptation of the Studio Ghibli traditional My Neighbour Totoro on the Barbican, with its jaw-dropping puppets by Jim Henson’s studio. For a extra festive deal with, the Globe Theatre is staging an epic model of the Brothers Grimm fairytale Hansel and Gretel, which guarantees music and magic for audiences ages 5 and up.