With schools and Londoners ‘breaking up’ for Christmas this week, you can quickly find yourself struggling to think of activities to fill the holidays with – there’s only so many times you can watch Elf! Lucky for you, there are plenty of festive events and pop-ups for everyone in London.
So whether you’re crazy about Christmas or you take a more scrooge-esque approach to the season, we’ve picked our top five family and adult-friendly events to help you plan.
Returning this year, the Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City fills two floors of the venue on Thurloe Street, South Kensington and is the perfect festive day out for the family. Designed and made by some of the country’s best architecture firms, the delicious smells of the exhibition might leave you feeling rather peckish, but make sure you resist sampling the incredible creations! Fancy trying your hand at making your own? There are three gingerbread house making workshops a day where the whole family can get involved too.
London at Christmas Walk – Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday until 28th December 2017
As London’s monuments and streets are alight with festive colours, join young architect Ike Ijeh for a two-hour stroll through London’s best Christmas illuminations. The tour promises to show you both the famous and lesser-known sights of London, educating you on the history and design inspiration behind them, as well as the architectural context of the areas. A sure way to get the whole family excited about Christmas!
Christmas at Kew has become an institution in London during the festive period. This stunning light trail, which winds through Kew Gardens after dark, is about as Instagram-worthy as it gets! Perfect for all ages, your little ones can visit Santa and his elves at the North Pole village and have a go on the vintage fairground rides, whilst you warm yourself up with a mulled wine or hot chocolate.
Winterville – Until 1st January 2018
Located on Clapham Common, Winterville is brought to you by the co-founders of Field Day and Street Feast. With plenty of fairground rides, adult-friendly events and possibly the best selection of food stalls any London fair has to offer, a night at Winterville is sure to get you in the festive mood. There’s also plenty of fun for the little ones, including the Littlebird’s Kid’s Quarter, a Narnia-inspired interactive experience in the World Beyond the Wardrobe and much more!
Set in the grand 18th-century courtyard of beautiful Somerset House, there’s nothing that instils the feeling of Christmas quite like ice-skating in the shadow of the huge Christmas tree. After you’ve pirouetted your way around the rink, warm up at Fortum’s Lodge where you can enjoy mulled wine, cheese or chocolate fondue and champagne. Need an idea for a date night? Book onto their ‘Skate Lates’ and glide across the ice to a soundtrack of specially curated music by some of the city’s best DJs, before retiring to the Skate Lounge – you’ll definitely be on Santa’s nice list!
Feeling inspired by our top pick of Christmas events in London? Take a look at our five properties with festive fireplaces.
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