London is the the best destination for Christmas. In December, there are many Christmas markets, holiday fairs, and holiday festivals in the city. Just walk around and you’ll hear carols echoing in the cold air, see pop-up winter igloos taking over roofs and the river, and see the glow of fairy lights against the powdery white snow.
The world-famous Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park happens every year, and the city of Oslo gives the people of Britain a huge Christmas tree that stands in the middle of Trafalgar Square.
London is, in fact, the perfect place to go in the winter and is the best destination for Christmas if you want to get into the holiday spirit. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that December is one of the busiest times for Singaporeans to visit. Here’s a guide to how to spend Christmas in London this year if you’re going there in December.
The best destination for Christmas are:
Christmas pop-ups
There are a lot of pop-up events with a holiday theme in London, such as rooftop igloos, alpine lodges, and pop-up theaters, to name a few. Here are some pop-ups you don’t want to miss.
Coppa Club igloos
The Coppa Club igloos on the banks of the Thames are one of the most well-known Christmas pop-ups. The terrace is turned into a cozy place to get out of the cold, with fluffy blankets, sheepskin rugs, and scented candles in private igloos that look out over the London city along the Thames. This year, Coppa Club is teaming up with Sipsmith to offer a gin-only meal. Gin fans will love it.
Jimmy’s Lodge
This year, Jimmy’s Lodge, a famous makeshift alpine cabin on the Queen’s Walk next to the river, is back. This time, the rooftop has been turned into The Refuge, a cozy, fully covered pop-up chalet with a view of the river and the London city. The Refuge has homey wood-paneled walls, tea lights at each table, and a menu with fondue on it. You can also eat in one of the private glass igloos that are set up on the beach.
Aviary rooftop igloos
Another set of winter igloos can be found at the rooftop restaurant Aviary, which will have igloo domes with blue fairy lights, luxurious fake fur blankets, snug rugs, and hot water bottles, all set against the beautiful city skyline. If you don’t like gin, this is the place to go because they serve mulled negronis in teapots and rum-spiked smooth hot chocolate with fluffy marshmallows.
Christmas markets
The Christmas markets that pop up all over Europe during the holiday season are hard to miss. At these Christmas markets, there’s something for everyone, whether you want mulled wine, mince pies, or rides at the fair.
Leicester Square Christmas Market
This holiday market, which is right in the middle of London’s tourist area, will be back for the winter season this year. Take a walk around to find food and gift stands, a big Spiegeltent with great shows like the Burlesque Carol Concert, and a lot of other fun things for both adults and children to do.
Winter Wonderland
The yearly Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is one of the most well-known holiday events in London. Winter markets, fun fair rides, a big ice-skating rink, food stands, cozy wooden grottos, and booths selling gallons of glühwein are all part of the event. The Bavarian Village is a market with many bars, cafes, and restaurants that give you a taste of Germany. It may be one of the best places to get a classic Christmas feel.
Southbank Christmas Festival
The Southbank Christmas Festival is one of the first Christmas markets to open this year. It is near the London Eye. Rumpelstiltskin and Circus 1903, a show with life-sized elephant puppets, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, and trapeze artists, will be among the shows and acts at the festival.
Ice Skating Rinks
During the winter, ice skating is one of London’s favorite things to do. There are a few fixed indoor ice skating rinks in London, but in the weeks before Christmas, you’ll find a lot more outdoor ones all over the city. Glide along the ice in some of the most beautiful places in London.
Hampton Court Palace
This Christmas, the Hampton Court house has an outdoor ice skating rink that is 1,040-square-meters (11,194-square-feet) big. You can take a spin on the ice after you’ve seen the beautiful Tudor house that King Henry VIII used to live in. You can choose to skate on the shiny ice during the day or book a lesson in the evening to see how the palace looks when it’s lit up.
Somerset House
The Somerset House is one of the most famous old houses in the city. Spin around one of London’s most beautiful ice rinks, the neoclassical Edmond J. Safra Fountain patio, before going inside to warm up at the alpine lodge from Fortnum & Mason. From November 14, 2018, to January 13, 2019, the pop-up will be open.
Winter terraces
Nothing says “winter” like drinking mulled wine on one of the many beautifully decorated decks that pop up all over the city at Christmas. Here are some of the most beautiful places to visit if you need ideas.
The Montague Ski Lodge, Fitzrovia
This winter, The Montague brings the slopes to Fitzrovia for those who can’t get there. The venue has pine trees, snow, ski racks, piste maps, and lines of fairy lights, so it’s the perfect place to warm up with hot spiced cider and chocolate cocktails made with Baileys or rum. You could also go to the Log Cabin, which has a fireplace, a Christmas tree, and comfortable seats with blankets over them.
Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury
This year, Dalloway’s winter deck, which is probably one of the most Instagrammable places in London, is back. The Dalloway Terrace at The Bloomsbury has been turned into a magical place with frosted branches and a beautiful Christmas tree, as well as sheepskin rugs and outdoor heaters. This is the perfect place for guests to enjoy sweet or savory fondue with hot cocktails like the Spiced Pear and Rum Flip.
