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Top 10 Things to do in Winter/Christmas in London 2016

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It’s the most beautiful and magical time of the year, winter has already set in and people are gearing up for Christmas celebrations. Here in this article, we have covered the Top 10 Things to do in Winter/Christmas in London in 2016. The city is magnificently decked out for Christmas and other winter events. London is the place to be to check out the spectacular Christmas lights. All the famous streets of London are transformed into a winter wonderland over the festive period.

There are many events lined up as the city has geared up for the colder weather. So if you want to spend your winter and Christmas time in London, we provide you with a helpful guide to some of the best events and places to go. Here is our list of the top 10 things to do in winter in London.

1. Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park hosts a massive winter event like every year. This is the 10th year in 2016. Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park to experience the best Christmas Spirit in London. This one is on most people?s winter hit lists. This year Winter Wonderland runs from November 18 2016 – until January 2 2017. Entry to Winter Wonderland is free, however, Tickets for Ice Skating, The Giant Wheel, Magical Ice Kingdom and other shows could be booked in advance. Activities like Ice Skating, a Ferris wheel, a Fairground ride, and stalls and stands brimming with sweets and toys make Winter Wonderland a real treat for kids.

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

Source: Flickr Winter Wonderland- Hyde Park

2. Go Christmas Shopping

Christmas is fast approaching and it’s time to shop for yourself and your loved ones. Whether you plan to shop early or like to make it till the last minute you’ll find everything you need in these stores. If you are looking for original and interesting gifting ideas pretty baubles and spectacular decorations then shop till you drop at the very famous Harrods (For Decadent Decoration), Selfridges (for Stylish stocking fillers), Fortnum & Mason (for luxury food hampers), The Conran Shop( for designer home trimmings). Also, do not forget to visit London’s Christmas market and fairs. A few of the best annual Christmas markets are at The Leicester Square, the South Bank Centre Christmas Market, and The Swedish Church Christmas Fair.

Christmas Shopping at Harrods
Christmas Shopping at Harrods

Source: Flickr Christmas Shopping at Harrods

3. Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree

This 20 Metres high tree is stunningly decorated every year at the very famous Trafalgar Square. Norway gifted it to London in 1947, and ever since then this place majorly attracted tourists. The glistening Christmas tree gifted every year by Oslo, Norway is a focal point of Christmas in London. Carol Services are held throughout the month around the tree, go check out this beautiful place on one of your beautiful winter evenings in London.

Trafalgar Square, London
Trafalgar Square, London

Source: Flickr

4. Ice Skating

A trip to an Ice rink is a must-do for every Londoner and tourist during winter. Pretty Christmas trees and lights set to the backdrop make it quite a view. So head on and twirl around with your pair of skates at some of the best Ice skating rinks in London.

Locations: Broad Gate Ice Rink, Canary Wharf Ice Rink, Somerset House Ice Rink (18th Century Courtyard Ice Rink) Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink, and Hyde Park- Winter Wonderland.

Ice Skating Rink at Somerset House
Ice Skating Rink at Somerset House

Source: Flickr Ice Skating Rink at Somerset House

5. London Illustration Fair

This year, 2016, marks the fourth anniversary of this fair. It? is a three-day illustration extravaganza. Over 65 designers, illustrators and publishers will showcase their work/art. The fair also will host a programme of workshops, talks, Live DJs and a Bar.

Dates: From 1 December 2016 to 4th December 2016.

Address: Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London, SE1 9PH.

6. The Chocolate Festival

You simply cannot miss this event; as it’s a delight for chocolate lovers. This event hosts an array of chocolatiers and artisan delights, demonstrations, tastings and conversations, also there will be a Choco/ Cocoa Spa where the guests can try some cocoa beauty treatments, a health zone where guests will be provided information about the health benefits of chocolate. You also can pick up goodies for Christmas from their Chocolate market. So you know where to go if you are a Chocoholic.

Dates: From 1 December 2016 to 4 December 2016.

Address: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London, N10QH.

7. Dazzling London Christmas Lights

The Capital’s streets are beautifully lit every year. Christmas lights shimmer in the skies. Plan an evening to gaze upon the glittering London streets. You can spend your evenings just strolling around and watching the lights glitter. Visit these twinkling streets of Oxford, Carnaby, Covent Garden Illuminations, Bond Street, Regent Street, Duke of York Square, and South Bank.

Regents Street decorated during Christmas, London
Regents Street decorated during Christmas, London

Source?: Flickr Regent Street, London

8. Geffrye Museum:

This is a great place to discover and learn how X-Mas was celebrated in English middle-class homes in the past like around 400 years ago. The living room is authentically decorated. The rooms of the museum are transformed for Christmas using lighting, greenery, and music. Discover the origins and meaning of Christmas traditions such as sending cards, tree decorating, hanging stockings, and Christmas lunch to name a few. You may also pick up gifts and decorations for Christmas at the Museum shop.

Address: 136, Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8EA

9. Go on a Haunted Pub Tour

This one sounds a little weird to be mentioned in this list since Halloween is over and we are talking about the haunted tour again, but yes, why not do something different and spooky this winter? Go along with a group of friends to explore all the ghostly things. This tour is conducted by London Walking Tours and it includes a visit to three haunted historic pubs, which are kind of dark and Quirky. The tour happens only on selected Wednesdays at 7 pm.

Starting Point: Temple Station (watch out for boards and balloons)

Finishing Point: Fleet Street.

10. Christmas at Kew

This famous Royal Botanical Garden is lit up with more than 60,000 lights. Get your family and friends along and follow the long illuminated trail around the gardens. Sing along to the classic Christmas Tunes with Karaoke, admire the crystal flowers and colour-changing reed, enjoy a ride on the Victorian Carousel, and Pass through the shimmering tunnel of dancing lights, also delicious Christmas treats and warming winter drinks could be enjoyed which will lift your festive spirit.

Dates: From 23 November 2016 to 2 January 2017. Between 5 pm to 10 Pm.

Address: Kew, Richmond, TW9 3 AB.

In case you have missed visiting Kew Gardens during Christmas you can always visit Kew 365 days a year. Check out our Kew with us

BOOK KEW GARDEN ADMISSION TICKETS

And lastly, If you wish to witness the spectacular New Year’s Eve Fireworks, at the London Eye, then book your tickets in advance to secure your spot.

Eat and Drink merry and catch the best of London this winter with our list of best events.

London Christmas Lights 2014

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London Christmas Lights 2014

Christmas and New Year Celebrations in London can always be a treat for all age groups. No matter what if I didn’t got the chance to travel to London this year. But I can assure you there is a lot I miss about London. Specially in winters, whole London gets in festive mood and chill in the air makes no difference whatsoever when out and about shopping and celebrating on Christmas eve and New Years night. One thing you will notice about London when you come as a tourist is, that London from November onwards starts getting decorated. The high streets and tourists places with bright, shiny, sparkling lights all in and around London. Christmas lights give such a warm and festive feel to anyone who sees them. It’s like festivities are on their way, when you see them around in central London’s famous shopping street “The Oxford Street” you feel like that you are in a very nice shopping place with lot of people from around the world. The place is lively and vibrant full of colours. When you are in London, make sure you go to these places which are worth going when Celebrating Christmas and New Year in London 2014.

Best Places to see Christmas Lights in London

1. Bond Street – You can expect the best Christmas lights showdown in Bond Street. Year after Year the lights around the city are simply spectacular and bring cheer to passers buy and shoppers from around the world.

Bond Street Christmas Lights 2014
Bond Street Christmas Lights 2014

2. Covent Garden – Covent Garden is a place which is the cosiest and warmest place in town, great sparkling lights. The piazza, the arcade all light up with lights and this time you will also see a huge Christmas tree with red and white lights. I insist not to stay in hotel when you are in London, because at this time of the year London looks gorgeous in the nights too! There is a special installation of Lego Santa with sleigh where you can go and have a selfie taken :). All in all you got to enjoy the lights, the people and the food of Covent Garden. It’s one place i always go every time i visit London.

Lego Santa at Covent Garden

Lego Santa at Covent Garden

3. Oxford Street – Oxford Street is the shopping Mecca of Europe. Shopaholics get their fix when they visit London. Your London tour is incomplete of you don’t go to Oxford street for exhibiting some shopping madness. Oxford street is not only famous for its shopping discounts on the high street, but also for the Christmas lights. This year 2014 I must say the lights have been rather simple, but no matter still the street is buzzing with tourists from all around the world. Which makes Oxford Street the must visit place when coming to London. Surely every London tour package consists a day of shopping and to be free to hangout. Make sure this is the place to visit ;).

Oxford Street Lights 2014
Oxford Street Lights 2014

4. Regents Street – Regent Street has been another shopping paradise for tourists and locals. Christmas lights again this winter are spectacular, and they’re really make a perfect sparkle to make the list complete best London Christmas lights of 2014. The whole street gets traffic free, and pedestrians have the access to walk around and shop till they drop. You will exhibit many activities happening in this street as it is a nice Georgian style building street with expensive retail chains having there high street outlets.

Regents Street christmas Lights 2014
The Regent Street Christmas lights were switched on by the pop group Take That on November 16, 2014.

When you explore these areas of London at the time of Christmas, you are rest assured that you will love these places and come back again and again next year.

New Year Celebrations in London 2014

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Winters in Europe are like sitting inside a freezer literally. I celebrated my 4 new years in London from 2006 to 2010. And all those years I enjoyed my time staying in London. I really enjoy shopping in London, there is a clear reason why the discounts you get on the high street and the sheer number of people who turn up for these discounts is staggering. New Year brings a lot of new opportunities and happiness to London. The year-end sale, the warmth of mulled wine, and the shopping fiesta all sum up a great New Year Celebration in London.

Harrods the luxury department store famed for its iconic Christmas window display
Harrods the luxury department store famed for its iconic Christmas window display

New Year Celebration is like ones in a year celebration, which is together with Christmas celebrated. The atmosphere changes all around when December arrives, huge shopping discounts all around, and retail business gets active for all-time high year-end sales. The decorations for Christmas and New Year are simply breathtaking around London.

New Year Celebrations 2014

The celebrations start with Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and then the whole of Oxford Street is lit with the old tradition of lights. On New Year’s eve, there are special arrangements around the city. Spectators from around the world line up to celebrate New Year near Trafalgar Square, Near London Eye, to see the Fireworks unfold in front of them. The number of people visiting this place on the 31st night is huge and everyone enjoys the midnight music, food, and firecrackers. This year 2013, the firecrackers were awesome, and I and my friends had a ball, as we got pretty close to the London Eye, and did get a chance to see the firecrackers. It was a great start to New Year 2014 watching firecrackers and being with friends and family. It’s ones in a lifetime spectacle to see the great colourful fireworks. Must see and visit for all London lovers.