Christmas in London

Streets hung with bright, festive lights and lined with shops filled with glittering window displays, snow-covered trees surrounding skaters gliding across the ice, soaring voices singing carols by candlelight; these are just some of the wonderful traditions that take place in London every Christmas.

Christmas Lights

London is famous the world over for its magical Christmas lights. Most of the major shopping areas are festooned with lights and decorations, with celebrity lighting ceremonies that attract big crowds. Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Regent Street offer some of the most spectacular displays, but the most traditional ceremony is the lighting of the giant Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. This takes place on December 5th, and is followed by a torchlight processions.

Pantomimes

Pantomimes are a centuries-old Christmas tradition, and one of the best things to do with the family to get in the Christmas spirit. Usually based on children's stories, a pantomime includes so much more, with singing, dancing, celebrity appearances and lots of audience participation. Any What's on in London listing will show pages of pantomimes all over the city. This year theatre-goers can choose from classics like Dick Whittington, Aladdin and Puss in Boots, while more unusual offerings include a Pride and Prejudice pantomime at the Cockpit Theatre and Flo White & the $even Dawgs, an urban panto at The Dugdale Centre in Enfield.

Carol Singing

For a really memorable and magical Christmas experience, visit one of London's many historic cathedrals and churches to listen to choirs of carol singers. A look at What's on in London listings will help you find which ones are scheduled. A few of the best are The Mayor's Carol Service, held in Southwark Cathedral, and Carols by Candlelight at St Paul's Cathedral, which includes a champagne supper. Many outdoor carol singing events take place around London, offering a chance to exercise the vocal chords or just listen. Hampton Court Palace and Canary Wharf are staging outdoor carol singing, and Trafalgar Square offers nightly carols around its giant Christmas tree.

Skating Rinks

For those looking for outdoor things to do during days out in London, some of London's biggest tourist attractions are transformed at Christmas-time with the addition of a festive skating rink. The Tower of London has one that turns its centuries-old moat into an expanse of ice and Somerset House turns its grand courtyard into an ice rink, complete with a 40-foot Christmas tree, with DJs and dance music at night. The Natural History Museum has one of the biggest outdoor rinks, at 1,000 metres square, with a Christmas tree in the centre and thousands of fairy lights strung in the trees. Another beautiful location to visit on days out in London, Hampton Court Palace, gives skaters the wonderful backdrop of a Tudor palace, and visitors to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park can glide across a 1,600 metre square rink surrounded by trees and lights.

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