London is a magical place to be over the festive season, but with an overwhelming amount of things to do in the capital, it’s hard to know where to begin.
You’ll never manage to do everything, so pick a few of these ideas, put them in your diary and enjoy some magical moments with your nearest and dearest.
Sometimes you want something different, maybe something that you’ve never done before that will help spark some excitement in the lead up to Christmas.
Whatever your relationship status, use these date ideas to find festive inspiration – Christmas is only a matter of weeks away.
1. Ice skate at the Natural History Museum
Take a trip to the famous Natural History Museum for its annual ice skating rink. It’s the last year you can do it before it disappears forever. Come January, the ice rink will say goodbye for the final time and become an urban garden.
You really don’t need anywhere else to help get you in the mood for Christmas this year when you have the panoramic backdrop of the iconic Waterhouse building, a 30ft glistening tree in the centre and the smell of mulled wine in the air.
You have until January 16, 2022 to ice skate under the fairy lights. You can buy your tickets here.
2. Get the ‘Northern Lights’ experience at Guildhall Yard
Prepare to be mesmerised by this immersive installation that mimics the movement of the natural Aurora Borealis phenomenon. Inspired by the Northern Lights, Borealis will light up the skies over the city of London for 12 nights, accompanied by a tranquil soundtrack.
This unique work from Dan Acher takes over the historic space from December 11 to 22, from 5.30pm until 10pm. Last entry is at 9.30pm. Advance tickets have sold out, but walk-up tickets are available on the day. Tickets are free.
3. Boozy winter brunch
If you fancy a bit of tipsy cheer, there’s no better way to do it than have a bottomless boozy brunch – beer, prosecco, mulled wine all on tap for 90 minutes. Barge East , located in Hackney, offers a toasty terrace and winter garden with heated cabins and can cater for groups as well as couples. And if you want to get extra cosy, you can ask for a blanket and hot water bottle.
4. The big London bake off
Bake your spirits bright with this unusual date idea. If you call yourself a Bake Off fan and you’ve been glued to the TV watching the original Channel 4 show over the past few weeks, then this is for you. Take part in this year’s winter competition to bake a woolly winter hat cake.
Just like they do on TV, you’ll have your own cooking station with ingredients provided, and 90 minutes on the clock to bake the best cake you have ever made, in the hope to be crowned the winner of The Big London Bake . Grab a friend, pick a date, and bake!
5. Bring Scandinavia to you through coffee and cake
You might not be able to get a last-minute flight to the snowy destination of Finland, but you can visit one of Ole & Steen ’s 16 coffee shop locations to bring Scandinavia closer to you. People from Scandinavian countries tend to dim the lights and take a more humble approach to winter to wind down and hibernate. Sometimes we need that in our lives – this one gives you time to catch up with your friends who you haven’t seen in years, or simply to enjoy a taste of Fika in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s an inviting warm refuge out of the bitterly cold weather.
6. See the Christmas story A Fir Tree at The Globe Theatre
A little different to your obvious West End shows, The Globe Theatre returns to its roots for a magical re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Fir Tree – the story of Christmas told from the perspective of the tree.
Bring friends and partners to this wintery performance, with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand, and sit under the wintry star-lit sky ready for a dose of story, song, candlelight, and hope. Ticket prices vary between £7 and £49 here.
7. Wintery walk along the Thames and finish at The Founder’s Arms
South Bank was named Europe’s most filmed location last year, and for good reason. With effortless views of the city and tons of buzzing riverside bars, this place is a romantic winter wonderland. Do your very own riverside walk before stopping off at the cosy Founder’s Arms for a restorative pint, with magnificent views of St Paul’s.
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