Christmas is approaching believe it
or not and with that the events organized to provoke and keep your Christmas
spirit are on their way. I will highlight some upcoming initiatives which I
consider interesting and which are not connected with spending a huge amount of
money. My choice is based on the experience from the previous year. So here we
go:
1. London’s
Christmas Lights
According to me, a visit to one of the great Christmas lights displays
around the city is one of the good ways to put your mood in a festive “mode”. Like
the previous year some of the main big streets in London will do the switching on. There is
already a schedule for that and the special guests are announced. I am posting
some pictures from the previous year and I promise to update you with actual
ones from this year as well.
Oxford Street (5th November)
Robbie Williams, himself, will switch on the Christmas lights on London’s most famous
shopping street. The Candy man confirmed his presence in the event which will
take place at 5 PM in front of the House of Fraser department store. A night of music
and fun is expected to follow which will make Monday not such a depressing day.
Covent Garden (7th November)
Londoners and visitors of the capital should expect amazing set of
Christmas lights on Covent Garden this year. A
life performance by the London
Gay Men's Chorus will give the start of the festive atmosphere running till 2nd
of January 2013.
Carnaby Street (8th November)
The main focus of the
celebrations on Carnaby Street
will be the achievements and legacy of The Rolling Stones and their 50th
anniversary. Enormous 3D spheres containing gold and silver vinyls will
represent some of the most famous works of The Stones along with album covers. A
must see for a rock fan. The display will be on Carnaby street till 6th
of January 2013.
Regent Street (13th November)
More than 30 athletes from the British Olympic and Paralympic
teams teaming up with performers from the West End’s
musical Matilda and the opera singer Noah Stewart will tur on the lights
on Regent Street
this year. For the big finale, a massive pyrotechnic display to wow the crowds
- one of London's
showpiece switch-ons this Christmas.
Bond Street
(22nd November)
Vendages
on Bond Street
will be open late to shocase the charm of Bond Street this festive season. Expect
carol singers, reindeer, stilt walkers, hot chesnut sellers to line the length
of Bond Street.
At 6pm a 'special guest' will switch on the lights and start Bond Street's countdown to Christmas.
2. Winterwonderland in
Hyde Park (23rd November 2012 - 6th January 2013)
If you love extreme
rights, seasonal food and drinks, Christmas gifts and Cabaret performances you
have to start celebrating already because Winterwonderland is back. This year
as good as ever. Different types of pubs will welcome the guests (including the
St Nicola’s House) and The Fire Pit where guests can drink wine and cider
alongside farmhouse foods.
The Winterwonderland is
all over Hyde Park, open from 10 AM to 10 PM
every day and the admission is free.
3. Southbank's Christmas
Market
Sixty traditional
twinkling wooden chalets along the Queen's Walk presenting unique and unusual
Christmas presents. Soak up the magical riverside Christmas atmosphere and
enjoy a bratwurst, roasted pork, roasted chestnuts and a warming Glühwein. They
even have a traditional carousel to enjoy when you need to give your feet a
rest! After visiting the market take a stroll up to Skylon, a rooftop bar with quality
cocktails, an extensive wine list, delicious bites and breathtaking views.
Where? Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX
When? 16th November -
24th December. Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm.
Cost? Free
4. Trafalgar Square Christmas Carols (5th -
22nd of December 2012)
There's nothing like a bit of carolling in the
presence of an impressive Christmas tree, and none come more impressive than Trafalgar Square's
Norwegian spruce. Choirs perform nightly from 5pm beneath the tree's 500 white
lights. Once you've finished singing why not head on over to Gordon's Wine Bar,
the oldest wine bar in London
and a magical place to enjoy a glass of vino.
Where? Trafalgar Square, Westminster,
London WC2N 5
When? Daily from 5pm
Cost? Free.
5. Skate @ Somerset House
Go Ice skating this Christmas at Somerset House and
experience the unique atmosphere of open-air clubbing, on and off the ice, to a
live soundtrack from prominent DJs, iconic clubs and trend-setting festivals.
Visit after work for a glass of mulled wine and stay on into the night, or make
it a meeting place for friends to catch up over a cocktail before hitting the
ice. Club Nights bring a new late night soundtrack to Skate at Somerset House. Once the skating is over head
on to Foundation cocktail bar in Covent Garden
for a night cap or two.
Where? Strand, City of London WC2R 1LA
When? 16th November 2012 - 6th January 2013.
Sessions start at 10am and the last one commences at 9.15pm.
Cost? £7.50-£14.00 (16th Nov-7th Dec)
£12.50-£15.00 (8th Dec-6th Jan)
Enjoy and I hope to see you somewhere in the crowd because I am a huge Christmas fan or you could call me a Christmas Person :)
I even had this desire to move to Lapland and work as an Elf in that famous house of Santa Claus :) But anyway.
Jingle All The Way... :)
