This time of year something magical happens to the city of London; it turns into a Christmas fairy-tale town. It really is hard to stick to your inner-Scrooge with everything that is happening around the capital. Read on to see why.
The Street Lights
All major shopping streets will be donned with sparkly lights around the middle of September, cloaking the streets in a festive atmosphere. Regent Street, Bond Street and Oxford Street organise an event around the switching on of these lights, with fireworks, food and celebrity appearances to boot.The Department Store Windows
With so many department stores in this city, the number of amazingly cool Christmas shop windows is staggering. There is Selfridges of course, which never ceases to amaze window shoppers, and the Harrods lights which you can see from whatever manner of view point across town, but my personal favourite is John Lewis/Peter Jones, which usually touches the heart string as much as their yearly TV advert.The Christmas Markets
Christmas markets are no longer something you need to travel to Germany and Austria for. From November these festive markets are popping up around various places in the capital. There is Winter Wonderland, which seems to be growing every year with more rides and stalls selling crafts and heart warming food. There is the Winter Market on the South Bank and Winterville in Victoria Park for instance and various regular, local markets, like the one in Belgravia and the one of Duke of York Square, will turn festive around this time of year as well.
I LOVE all of these things about Christmas in London, it really is full of festivities! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is isn't it? I think it is the best city to be in this time of year.
DeleteI hope to pop back over to London for some festivities. I'm thinking next year to do a circuit around the UK for Christmas-y things. Any specific suggestions?
ReplyDeleteNewcastle is supposed to be fun as well and there is NYE in Edinburgh! Lots of stuff to do.
DeleteLondon is so special at Christmas. My favourite for Christmas decorations has to be Fortnum & Mason's which has wonderful window displays and lovely foodie goodies inside. I love the way that the skating rinks have sprung up in the most historic places too. I like your tips about the local markets.
ReplyDeleteLondon is like a big collection of little villages and they all have their individual events for Christmas.
DeleteWhat on earth is the great christmas pudding race?! that sounds like so much fun! I wish I could ice skate whenever I see these festive ice rinks! I love going to the Christmas markets too, though Winter Wonderland is far too crowded for my liking so I prefer some of the smaller ones or the waterside position on southbank - aaah all so festive :)
ReplyDeletehaha, it is something you must go and see once in your live! It is on tomorrow in Covent Garden.
DeleteThere *IS* just something so fantastic about London Christmases!
ReplyDeleteThe only down side is that when I go back for the actual thing in Holland, it is all a bit of a let down! ;-)
DeleteAhh, you're making me miss London! This will be my first Christmas in six years away from the city and I miss everything on this list!
ReplyDeleteAh, hopefully I made you miss London a tiny bit less by writing this post. Merry Christmas wherever you are!
DeleteI agree, Christmas turns London into a magical little paradise. The ice skating rinks are so cute especially when out the front of the Tower of London or one of the imposing museums.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
xx
Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes
I haven't been to the one at the Tower of London yet, but heard so much about it. I must go soon.
DeleteGreat post - just reminds me how much I love London! I'm hoping to get out to one of the ice skating rinks this winter, I've been a bit slack the past few years!
ReplyDeleteSophie :-)
October's Girl Blog
hehe, me too actually. I just went to the one at the Natural History Museum, but there are so many of them now.
DeleteI love my commute through london at this time of year - it is oh so pretty
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. Lights every where. I love it too!
Delete