Despite being the setting for Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", the attitude of this capital city is far from "Humbug" when it comes to celebrating the festive season. Indeed, it seems that with every year that goes by, London strives to improve on its former performances by rolling out even bigger and best decorations, lights, attractions and normal merrymaking in a bid to come to be the most Christmassy of cities.
Visitors to England's capital this winter can't fail to feel the Christmas cheer as they negotiate the main shopping streets with their glittering window displays, bundle up in hats and mittens for a ramble through the parks, or marvel at the myriad landmarks as the strains of carolling fills the air with festivity.
Christmas
Whether you live in London or are visiting for a Christmas break, here are some tips on where to look if you're hoping to get the most Christmas for your money while out and about...
Christmas Lights
London's Christmas lights are arranged somewhat strategically this year, with different Christmas-themed items depicted above each main street.
Oxford street shimmers under giant twinkling snowflakes, while Carnaby street is adorned with sparkly holly leaf and berry garlands, as well as great mistletoe chandeliers which turn colour in time with music. An illuminated cobweb of stars scatters the length of Regent Street, decorated with images advertising the lively 3D film 'Arthur Christmas', and St Christopher's Place is a fun-fest of huge coloured baubles and glitterballs.
Ice Skating Rinks
Outdoor ice rinks seem to have sprung up all over the city, one of the most impressive being the grand courtyard at Somerset House, which has transformed into an icy paradise presided over by a huge Christmas tree decorated by Tiffany's and inspired by carousel animals. This rink holds a skate school with sessions for children and disabled people, as well as ice dancing lessons, late-night skates and club nights.
Other outdoor rinks of note contain the Natural History Museum's 1,000m² rink, alongside which is a less imposing rink for children, all surrounded by trees decked in fairy-lights giving the impression of a snow-globe fantasy world. Canary Wharf also has its own rink situated in the midst of the towers, which is recommended by "Time Out (London)".
Christmas Markets and More....
Take a walk through any part of London and you're bound to stumble across all kinds of festive markets and Christmas fairs. It seems in any place you look at the moment there's someone else "Winter Wonderland" springing up, but Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is literally a wonder to view this year, with a Christmas shop of over 100 stalls, a giant observational wheel and the biggest outdoor rink in the Uk, as well as Santa Land and a fully heated and covered restaurant/bar for when Jack Frost starts to nip!
A trip down the Portobello Road will locate the Bad Santa's Grotto, a seasonal exhibition where Bad Santas paint, rap and beatbox, alongside street art photography displays and a Christmas market.
Even London Zoo is getting its Christmas on, with London's very own reindeer herd taking up home at the "Reindeer Lodge" exhibit every weekend from November 26th until Christmas (when, of course, they'll be packing up their antlers for the long overnight trip delivering presents to all of the world's good children!).
Christmas Is All colse to in London
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