Christmas in London

London Christmas
Christmastime in London

If you’re spending Christmas in London, you have a wide variety of festive activities to choose from.

London’s Christmas markets and seasonal ice skating rinks are one of the highlights of spending Christmas in London. From Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland to the famous ice skating rink at Somerset House, there are enough Christmas activities to keep you in the holiday spirit throughout the whole Christmas season.

Another highlight of spending Christmas in London is the decorative lights at Oxford Circus and Carnaby Street. Each year there is a different theme, and the lights and other decorations are more and more elaborate. Other neighbourhoods have smaller Christmas light displays and ceremonies, including Marylebone and Hampstead.

Many churches in London hold special Christmas services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and during the run-up to Christmas there are many carol services at churches and theatres throughout London.

Speaking of theatres, many of them show special seasonal plays and musicals throughout the festive season. From classics like A Christmas Carol to newer productions, there is something to get everyone in the spirit.

Christmas dinner in London is a tradition, and many pubs and restaurants offer special Christmas menus. Make sure to book in advance, though, as spaces fill up quickly at Christmastime.

Glasgow Loves Christmas

Glasgow Loves Christmas Dates:
late November to early January
Location: George Square, Glasgow

Glasgow Loves Christmas (formerly Winterfest) is an annual winter festival held in George Square in the Glasgow city centre. With events ranging from Glasgow on Ice to Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) to the Glasgow Santa Dash, Glasgow Loves Christmas has a wide range of attractions and events for families, couples, locals and visitors.

Beginning with the Christmas Lights switch-on, during which there are fireworks and a ceremony to light up the square for the Christmas season, Glasgow Loves Christmas continues throughout the holiday period with free films in George Square on Wednesdays and Sundays, live music in the Road to Hogmanay on Thursdays, Shindig, and St Andrew’s weekend celebrations, all of which are free.

In December, the annual Santa Dash takes place at Glasgow Loves Christmas. The Santa Dash, a 5k fun run that begins and ends in George Square features all runners wearing Santa suits (included in your registration fee) and all proceeds going to charity.

Throughout the whole of Glasgow Loves Christmas is the beloved Glasgow on Ice. Glasgow on Ice is a large ice skating rink in Glasgow’s George Square, and is one of the most popular activities of the season.

Don’t miss the Christmas Eve and Hogmanay celebrations in Glasgow, either. Glasgow Loves Christmas features live entertainment in George Square for both nights.

If you are visiting Scotland for Glasgow Loves Christmas, make sure to book your hotel accommodation and flight or train well in advance. Glasgow Loves Christmas is a very popular time to visit Glasgow, and tickets for events sell out quickly, so book those ahead of time too.

New Year’s Eve in London

If you’re going to be in London on New Year’s Eve, you have a wide variety of things to choose from to help you celebrate.

There are plenty of options for ringing in the new year in London, and one of the most popular ways to spend New Year’s Eve in London is to join the crowds along the Thames to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks above Big Ben and the London Eye.

Thousands of people gather in central London to watch the huge fireworks display on the river every year. You need a ticket to go to the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London, though. Trafalgar and Parliament Squares do not have screens showing the display anymore, so make sure to book tickets in advance.

If standing out in the cold in a big crowd doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend New Year’s, there are plenty of bars, pubs, clubs, and restaurants that have special packages for New Year’s Eve in London. The fireworks are also televised for those that want to enjoy a quieter evening at home.

If you do end up going out, all public transport is free of charge in London on New Year’s Eve from 23:45 to 4:30.