Fun Things To Do When Celebrating Christmas In London
By SHANDLEY MCMURRAY
Borough Market, Old Spitalfields, Camden Market, and Portobello Road Market are well jazzed for Christmas fun, where you can browse, eat, and shop.
Christmas Markets
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival runs from late October through early January, with a Winter Light exhibit, holiday-themed shows, Christmas concerts, and a Winter Market.
The Winter Wonderland Christmas Market is another must-visit. Other festive London Christmas markets are Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Bankside, Greenwich, and Kingston.
From early November through December, many of London's most famous streets are decorated with twinkling stars, luminous angels, and dramatic LED archways.
Christmas Lights
If you only have one day to sightsee, the light displays on Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street are truly iconic and should top your list.
Mayfair hosts a "switch-on party" in mid-November when over 63,000 lights are illuminated on the famous Mount Street, just an eight-minute walk away from Bond Street tube station.
Dubbed London's coolest ice rink, Glide Battersea Power Station has three rinks with phenomenal views of the landmark it's named after and a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree.
Skating
Ice Rink Canary Wharf is the longest-running seasonal ice rink in London, from late October through February. It has a rink-side bar boasting great views and drinks.
Hampton Court Palace's rink is outside the stunning Tudor palace that once housed King Henry VIII. Somerset House's rink is another historic and captivating spot to skate.
From mid-November through December, one of the most festive places to visit in London is the family-friendly Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Winter Wonderland
The ice rink, concerts, holiday shows, rides, Street Food Village, ice sculpting workshops, and magical ice kingdom are just part of the fun.
Don't miss a visit to Santa's Grotto, where kids and their grownups travel to the North Pole to find plenty of fun things to do, like play on rides, eat treats, and meet Santa.
Create a scavenger hunt and try to spy on some of London's best professionally decorated Christmas trees during the holiday season.
Scavenger Hunt
Begin in Trafalgar Square with its yearly donated tree from Norway since 1947, in gratitude for England's help during World War II. Then try Covent Garden and Westminster Abbey.
Look at hotels like Shangri-La The Shard and The Connaught. You'll surely find more at stores like Liberty's and the Winter Village at Westfield London shopping center.