11 Christmas events in London to boost your festive spirit
Seeing as there’s no ice rink in Canary Wharf this year, City Island is stepping into the breach to provide East London with some much-needed festive and affordable Christmas skating fun. Running from the 12-22 December, there will be special skating sessions for children aided by skating penguins, pre-ice-skating dance warm-ups (led by the English National Ballet) and a host of craft-led workshops and festive experiences to ensure friends and families can make indelible memories to
Ocean conservation charity Project Zero has presided over the theme of this year’s display. It aims to represent areas of the sea that are in need of conservation, as the iconic Carnaby Street arch hails “One Ocean One Planet”
RUN – Richmond Park Christmas 5k and 10k
Join hundreds of runners for this annual Christmas 10k and 5k in the scenic Richmond park. Suitable for all abilities, with a prize going to best dressed, this is a fun and active way to get into the seasonal spirit
BROWSE – Late Night Greenwich Market
Taking place on 4, 11 and 18 December, this annual late-night event is open until 8pm. Shoppers can browse and buy handcrafted gifts made by British makers, such as eco-friendly candles, handmade jewellery and much more
You’ll find this installation right on the rooftop of John Lewis Oxford Street. Complete with curling, fairground fun, coffee cocktails and American street food, this is the perfect destination for a festive date or an evening of laughs and competitions with friends
A magical winter trail takes visitors through a plethora of displays from glittering spiral trees to the Tunnel of Lights, filled with thousands of tiny illuminations. Along the trail, sip on spiced cider, mulled wine or hot chocolate and nibble on sourdough pizzas and award-winning pies
WATCH – Home Alone at The Shard
Get in the Christmas mood with the festive classic, Home Alone, at The View from The Shard. Sip on a complimentary Mermaid gin and tonic, and munch on freshly made popcorn while enjoying this sky-high screening with the best views of the twinkling city below
Transforming into a magical winter forest for the month of December, with more than 300 snow-covered pine trees, twinkling lights and kooky wood cabins, Broadgate Circle will offer visitors live music, food and drink, quizzes, and colourful artwork to light up the chilly evenings
GAZE – The Christmas Tree at King’s Cross St Pancras
It wouldn’t be a festive round-up without this show-stopping tree. This year, Lancôme is bringing a Gallic touch to the St Pancras International tree with a 36-foot sparkling Eiffel Tower installation and a twinkling light display
Find a unique and affordable gift at this East London shindig held at Bethnal Green’s Rich Mix cinema on 7 December. Get ready to view ceramics, custom t-shirts and tote bags, screen prints, jewellery and books with artworks from more than a 100 artists
Baubles, gifts and decorations galore! The Christmas shop in Liberty London, the West End’s most iconic department store has it all. Kick off your festive frivolities with a spot of shopping in this wonderland of luxury that shines with pomp and tradition
