There are a lot of things to do and see in London during the holiday seasons. The ones that I mention here may be considered the simplest yet perhaps the most fun things to do, especially for families.
Possibly considered the equivalent to New York’s Rockefeller Center, London’s Trafalgar Square is the home of the city’s Christmas tree. The tree, which is a Norwegian Spruce and is 65 feet in height, marks the 60th anniversary the people of Norway giving the people of London the tree. The tradition began in 1947 when Norway presented the tree as a sign of gratitude for Britain’s support for Norway during the Second World War.The tree was lit back on December 6 and will remain there until January 4, 2008, the Twelfth Night of Christmas. When it is taken down, the tree will be recycled into the mulch, very eco friendly decision.
Along with the Christmas tree, there is also Carol-singing at Trafalgar. From December 10-23 there is will be dozen of groups will sing on the stage, many of which raise charitable donations.
The second fun thing to do during the winter season is to ice skate. There are many ice skating rinks around the city and its famous landmarks to enjoy. There are rinks at the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Somerset House, Alexandra Palace, the Natural History Museum, and Canary Wharf to name a few. You will have to purchase tickets in order to skate; however, the fee is fairly reasonable and range from £7.50 (children) to £12.50 (adults) depending on the location. For a “complete” listing of the ice rinks in London you can visit the View London.co.uk website for overviews of the rinks, which also have links to Ticketmaster to purchase tickets. However, I also highly recommend visiting the official website of the landmark locations, such as Somerset House or the Tower of London for information and how to purchase to tickets.
Also throughout London there are fantastic Christmas lights. Along with dozens of shows to see, the famous West End is covered in lights. Other well-known locations, which include Oxford Street and the store Harrod’s are lit for the holiday season.
Now, onto New Year celebration. There is one fantastical event to ring in the year 2008: the firework show on the South Bank at the London Eye. The city is expecting to have over 350,000 people to celebrate the New Year here. Big Ben will chime at midnight and the fireworks will fill the night sky for ten minutes. You can view the show anywhere you can see the London Eye, but prime choice spots would be between Blackfiars and Westminster Bridges on the banks of the Thames. For more information, such as safety, transportation, and FAQs please check out the city’s website.Of course, if you would prefer to celebrate in a smaller crowd there are many pubs, bars, and clubs, to go to.
I hope that I have inspired some to take advantage of some of the events and things to do while in London. If you do, please exercise caution while in large crowds, especially if you are traveling with children.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
