Christmas in London

Now that Oxford Street and Regent Street have had their Christmas lights turned on, London is officially in the midst of the Christmas season. Even though it’s still the first weekend in November. So what does Christmas in London have in store for 2009?

If you’d like to see more street lights being turned on, then head to Bond Street from about 5pm on the 19th November. The shops, mainly jewellers, put on quite a display and give out lots of freebies to the crowd. You should expect a winter wonderland scene with rickshaw sleighs and reindeer. The street will be closed to traffic.

Tiffany and Co is presenting Skate at Somerset House. This beautiful open air ice rink is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year. Tickets cost £10.50 for adults during the day and £12.50 for the evening. The event is open from the 17th November to the 24th January. You can book online through Ticketmaster.

Also returning in November, is the popular Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Entry to the park is free, but you’ll need to shell out £10-13 for their open air ice rink and £7.50 for a ride on the Giant Wheel. There is a Santa’s grotto and a European style Christmas market with dozens of stalls selling everything from mulled wine and hot cider to reindeer hats and scented candles. This is open from the 21st November to 3rd January and is highly recommended. You’re better off going in the evening or on a week day though as it gets extraordinarily busy at the weekends.

If you’re in London on 5th December, then head to Covent Garden for the utterly bizarre Great Christmas Pudding race. Held for Cancer Research, the event has been running since 1980. Teams made up of 6 contestants in fancy dress, take part in a relay race with obstacles such as flour-filled balloons to make it more difficult and entertaining for spectators. It starts at 11am and is great fun to watch.

Carol singers are everywhere in London during December and even non-church-goers are moved by hearing the old favourites being belted out for charity. Free carol concerts take place in Trafalgar Square between the 7th and 21st December. If you’re looking for a carol service though, St Paul’s Cathedral is holding the Breast Cancer Care Service on the 9th December. Ticket prices are between £25-60. Jeremy Irons, Saffron Burrows and Sophie Okenedo are among the names of famous actors giving readings. Also unmissable is the traditional donation of a Christmas tree from the people of Oslo to London. This unveiling will take place on the 3rd December in Trafalgar Square.

London really gets into the Christmas spirit and it’s a fantastic time to be in the capital.