 Tis the season to be jolly, and where better to get into the festive spirit than London?
What with ice skating, Christmas fairs, twinkly lights, festive food and fabulous shopping, there’s plenty going on. So come and soak up the gorgeous wintry atmosphere. How does mulled wine in a cosy pub by an open fire sound?
Friday Night
Eat, drink and be merry
To get yourself in to a relaxed and convivial mood, why not have dinner at Andrew Edmunds in Soho. It’s one of central London’s most atmospheric eateries. An intimate bistro-style restaurant, the tables are closely packed in a sociable kind of way. But do book ahead; it gets busy.
Saturday Morning
Seasonal sensations
Mince pies, mulled wine, stuffing, cake, port, stilton, brandy butter… we love festive food! A great place to taste and stock up on your Christmas provisions is the BBC Festive Good Food Show, an extravaganza of all things mouthwatering.
Or pop down to the award-winning Borough Market to browse and buy a tantalising selection of gourmet goods. For lunch, head to Roast for some delicious seasonal specialities.
Saturday Afternoon
Santa’s little helper
Time to hit the shops! If you enjoy hustle and bustle then Oxford Street and Regent Street are ideal. With a great range of shops you’ll snap up all the pressies you need in no time. And the sparkly Christmas lights will only make you feel even more festive.
For arts, crafts and up-and-coming design, check out London’s brilliant markets. All of them will, in their own way, be celebrating Christmas – but for choice, atmosphere and ambience we always return to Spitalfields.
Saturday Evening
He’s behind you!
Nothing says Christmas in town more than a pantomime or a ballet. This will definitely involve advance booking, but Christmas isn’t Christmas without a magical show!
For booing and hissing, we recommend Cinderella at Hackney Empire. Fans of ballet will love Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House or Swan Lake at Sadler’s Wells. And kids – big and small – will enjoy The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre (see Sadlers Wells website for details).
Of course, you’ll need to replenish your energy. Hackney Central is a short walk from the Empire, housed in the restored railway station. And if you manage to get tickets for Swan Lake we love Moro for an après theatre dinner. For those of you coming from the Royal Opera House or the Peacock Theatre head into Covent Garden for Chez Gerard, Rules or Betorelli’s.
Sunday Morning
Bah humbug!
Peace, love and joy to all. Or not? If you are a miserable rotter filled with cynicism and ill will then it’s off to the dungeon with you! The London Dungeon, that is.
Here you will be greeted by the Prince of Darkness and his evil helpers roasting robins over an open fire, trying to spread their ghoulish wickedness all around. If you have been particularly bad you may be allowed to sit on the Dark Lord’s knee and plunge your hand into his ‘yucky dip’.
Should you wish to purge yourself from this ghastly encounter, you merely have to cross Tooley Street and enter the serene, joyful world of the Christmas Shop where it really is Christmas every day.
Sunday Afternoon
Frosty fun
From Tooley Street, walk westwards along the river to the Frost Fair. The fair originates from the great freeze of 1564 when Londoners used the frozen Thames as a playground for coach races, puppet plays and general merriment. Modern day merriment this year is likely to take the form of enormous ice bars, sculptures, slides and climbing walls. Visitors will also be treated to live shows, entertainers, festive markets, marquees and a whole host of children’s activities. This year’s details are to be confirmed, but it’s great - don’t miss it! | 
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