Already in November in London opened a lot of festive fairs and markets, which not only help to better get into the Christmas atmosphere, but also save from the exhausting marathon of searching for gifts for family, friends and colleagues.
For example, you should go to Leadenhall Market, which at any time of the year looks like December 25th is coming soon, and with the onset of the winter season it has shone with twinkling lights and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. On December 7, Leadenhall will host a market where visitors can purchase crafts – souvenirs, treats, jewelry, clothing items, as well as vintage furniture and more.
We recommend having a glass of hot mulled wine at the Christmas market, which is located right in front of the entrance to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square – Christmas at Trafalgar Square – by the way, there you can find not only drinks, but also eat a juicy sausage, get a handmade wool poncho or buy some vintage records, author’s home decor items and more. In addition, on December 5, the Norwegian Christmas tree will arrive in Trafalgar Square, and it is the duty of any self-respecting citizen to give it an aesthetic verdict.
If two fairs aren’t enough for you, you can also head to Southbank Centre Winter Market, King’s Cross at Christmas, Winter by the River at Tower Bridge, Spitalfields Christmas Market or Leicester Square Christmas Market.
When: through January 5, 2025
To schedule your visit, visit this link.
Every year, one of London’s most famous parks, Hyde Park, is transformed into a Winter Wonderland that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a colorful world of fun for the whole family. In Winter Wonderland you can ride on carousels and other rides that will cheer up not only children but also adults, stroll through the town of Santa Land, visit the real circus, look at the British capital from the top of the Ferris wheel, indulge in a golden classic in the form of a slide down the ice slides and do a couple of triple tulups to the rousing Christmas hits at the local skating rink. After all the planned program is done, we recommend refreshing yourself with a meal at the Bavarian Village, which is also part of Winter Wonderland.
When planning your visit to London’s Wonderland, it’s worth remembering that it’s best to book tickets in advance, and leave enough time to enjoy all the activities – it usually takes around three hours.
When: December29 – December 31, 2024
Tickets at .
It is our responsibility to say that Christmas without The Nutcracker is not Christmas. Realizing this obvious fact, the Royal Albert Hall has invited the Royal Birmingham Ballet to perform the famous production for London audiences. The audience will be treated to the best dancers, magnificent period costumes, dazzling visuals and all this, of course, to the classical music of Tchaikovsky performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia Orchestra. Tickets are selling out fast, so you should hurry up and book them in advance.
When: through Dec. 13
Tickets at the link.
Rome 1800 is gripped by political chaos. Cesare Angelotti, former consul of the Roman Republic, has escaped from prison and seeks refuge in the church. He agrees to be sheltered by Mario Cavaradossi, an artist and supporter of the Republicans. Suspecting a conspiracy, Baron Scarpia, tyrant and chief of police of Rome, convinces the artist’s mistress, opera singer Floria Tosca, that Cavaradossi has betrayed her. The villain promises that he will save Floria’s lover, but only if she spends the night with him. Will Tosca give in to the man she hates to save the man she loves?
Combining romance, politics and intrigue, Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera is an action-packed drama that will be interesting to see both for the first time and to enjoy the great work again. You better hurry up and buy your tickets.
Ice skating is an integral part of the Christmas atmosphere. In November, London has opened many spaces where you can not only practice your ice skating skills and get in the festive mood, but also listen to DJs, drink punch and take part in other interesting activities. Here are a few places in the British capital where you can go to get in the Christmas spirit, no matter how good your ice skills are.
It’s hard to deny that classical Christmas carols are one of the most atmospheric winter traditions, capable of melting the hearts of even the most avid skeptics. The UK, and London in particular, is a place you can’t imagine without Christmas carols.
A whole series of free concerts and several ticketed benefit events await everyone at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Particular attention should be paid to “A Celebration of Christmas” – it will take place on December 12, as well as the Christmas Eve services, which will take place on December 23 and 24. You can plan your visit and see the full schedule by clicking here .
In addition, from December 9 through December 24, Christmas songs will be sung under the large Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square – for four hours each day, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. More than 50 different musical acts are expected to perform over the days.
Well, if you want scale, the Royal Albert Hall is organizing 15 shows and six days of Christmas carols from December 14 to 24. You can schedule your visit by clicking here .
In addition, All Souls Church, located in Fitzrovia, will be available for a free chorale from December 12-22.
When: December 5, 2024 through March 9, 2025
Where: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN
Admission is free.
Parmigianino’s painting “Madonna with Child and Saints” (“The Vision of St. Jerome”) will be shown at the National Gallery. The canvas was painted during the sacking of Rome in 1527 and cemented the young artist’s reputation as a “reborn Raphael”. Museum guests will have the opportunity not only to admire the masterpiece, but also to study the creative process of its creation – through chalk sketches and preparatory ink drawings.
When: December 10, 2024 to March 8, 2025
Where: Gagosian, 20 Grosvenor Hill, W1K 3QD
Entry is free.
In December, Gagosian Gallery will present the exhibition “History of Japanese Art a la Takashi Murakami”. In this new series of works, the artist will reflect on the erosion of the ancient splendor of the Japanese nation, as well as how it has been influenced by the aesthetics and values that have come from Western culture. To create some of his latest paintings, Murakami has combined his own sketches with images generated by artificial intelligence and augmented them with fragments from his earlier paintings.
When: until January 5
Where: Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, TW9 3AB
Book tickets by clicking here.
The 300-acre botanical garden is home to a spectacular light show. You will see how everything around is illuminated by large-scale illumination – both glass houses and trees covering the territory of Kew Gardens shine, shimmer and color in different shades. A separate delight is the lake with brightly colored lights “dancing” on the water – it looks truly magical. The sparkling trail is 3 kilometers long, and during the walk guests have the opportunity to eat roasted marshmallows, visit the local fair and more.
Tickets for this original light adventure, which is open daily from 16:20 to 22:00, are sold out quickly so you’ll have to try hard to book the right date.
Sometimes, to get a portion of festive mood in London, it is enough just to go out on the street, well, or come to the city center – because it literally shines with Christmas lights, most of which in addition, according to the trends of the time, made of environmentally friendly materials.
Oxford Street Christmas Lights, for example, is one of the most iconic places in the capital, with over 300,000 different lights, bulbs, stars and more lighting the way for citizens.
Regent Street Christmas Lights – Regent Street was the very first street in London to be decorated with Christmas lights in 1954, and the tradition thankfully continues to this day. Each winter it is home to one of the city’s most impressive installations – this year we counted 45 large glowing angels.
The Shard Christmas lights display – The top 20 floors of The Shard high-rise glow with lights inspired by traditional Christmas songs including Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days Of Christmas, We Wish You A Merry Christmas and more. Each song is represented by a 15-minute light show.
Winter Light at the Southbank Centre is a whole free outdoor exhibition – of works from talented artists from around the world. They all use light, color and even film to address issues and themes related to nature, technology, urban life and spirituality. Look out for Dichroic Sphere, a light sculpture powered by a single energy-saving bulb; Sphere, a gas-filled tube that rotates to create the illusion of a giant glowing sphere; and Cosmic Bloom, an installation of 1,300 digital artworks projected onto the Royal Festival Hall.
We also recommend finding Chanel’s exquisite installations on Bond Street, admiring the Mayfair Christmas Lights, strolling through Chelsea, and appreciating the elegant gold leaf garland sign at Marylebone Village Christmas Lights.
When: December 7, 2024 to February 1, 2025
Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF
Tickets via link.
Sigourney Weaver will make her British stage debut in Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest”. The 75-year-old star of Hollywood films “Alien”, “Ghostbusters” and “Avatar” will play the role of the exiled magician Prospero. According to the classic story, the narrative unfolds on a remote island where the sorcerer, a complex and contradictory character, lives with his daughter Miranda and two servants – the wild-eyed Caliban and Ariel, the spirit of the air. The tragicomedy explores themes of revenge, family and magic.
Joining Weaver on stage will be Forbes Masson (Caliban), Mason Alexander Park (Ariel), Jude Akwudike (Alonso), Jason Barnett (Stefano), Selina Cadell (Gonzalo), Matthew Horne (Trinculo), Mara Hoof (Miranda) and many more.
In his new production, British theater director Jamie Lloyd makes extensive use of live video and spaces throughout the theater, of which Drury Lane has many. Soutra Gilmour, who designs almost all of Lloyd’s productions, is responsible for the entourage, costumes and sets.
When: from November 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Where: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk Bankside, SE1 9DT
Tickets at the link.
As part of their Christmas program, Shakespeare’s Globe will stage a new adaptation of the Grimm Brothers’ classic tale, and it will be played outdoors – not in the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, but actually outside. It’s a brand new verse interpretation of Hansel and Gretel from the distinguished English poet and novelist Simon Armitage.
Details of what exactly the audience will be presented with on stage have not yet been revealed, but since the show is aimed at ages “from five years old”, it presumably won’t be too dark, and of course you can count on classic magic from the Brothers Grimm, a gingerbread house and a wicked witch.
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