What's On - December 2011
Yes, we have a tendency to get rather over excited at this time of year and London is a truly wonderful city when it comes to generating some festive cheer. The run up to Christmas is also a really magical time for dates, where old fashioned entertainment (think ice-scating, carols, mince pies and mulled wine) is perfectly combined with a need to cosy up to someone lovely! So banish the Scrooge within and let the festivities begin...
1) Trafalgar Christmas Tree & Carols (Trafalgar Square: 1st - 22nd December)
This magnificent tree (an annual gift from the lovely Norwegians) provides one of London's Christmas focal points and would serve as the perfect meeting place for a festive date. This year the lighting ceremony is on the 1st December, with carol singing every evening between 5th and 22nd December, generally from 5pm - 9pm.
2) Taste of Christmas (Excel Centre: 2nd - 4th December)
The Christmas version of our all time favourite foodie event, Taste of London. So, it may be in the Excel centre rather than grassy Regents Park, but it still hosts some of London's best restaurants, some of the most famous chefs on the planet and a fabulous boutique market so you can stock up for the classiest Christmas yet.
3) Great Christmas Pudding Race (Covent Garden: 3rd December)
A fancy dress extravaganza in aid of Cancer Research UK. If you think you've got what it takes to transport a christmas pudding on a tray over treacherous obstacles amongst crowds of finely honed athletes, then why not enter a team? There has to be six of you… so perhaps a triple date?!
4) London at Christmas Walk (Trafalgar Square: 3rd - 28th December)
A night time tour of London in all its festive glittering glory. The tour leaves from Trafalgar Square at 7pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in December but does require pre-booking.
5) The Nutcracker (The Royal Opera House: 3rd December - 18th January)
For a truely romantic festive date, look no further. The Royal Opera House is a GDG favourite all year round but is probably at its very best during the Christmas season. Step this way for some seriously high romance.
6) Covent Garden Hotel Opera Club (Covent Garden: Sunday Afternoons)
Screenings of some of the most beautiful and, this month, festive ballets and operas (filmed at The Royal Opera House) complete with an enormous afternoon tea. The month's first screening is The Nutcracker on 4th December. Sunday afternoon bliss…
7) Carols by Candlelight (Royal Albert Hall: 23rd December)
Do your carol concert in style this year and attend this incredible musical spectacular in the world famous Royal Albert Hall. As well as some beautiful choral pieces, there are also plenty of 'sing along' carols for you all to enjoy.
8) New Years Eve Fireworks (Central London: 31st December)
It can be pretty difficult to get into the main viewing area at the foot of the London Eye unless you're prepared for a long and cold wait, but other good spots to see these incredible fireworks include Westminster Bridge and the north bank of the river opposite the London Eye itself. If all else fails, as long as you can see the London Eye, you should be able to see some fireworks!
Throughout December: Don't forget that all of London's fabulous open air ice skating rinks are open throughout December, as is the incredibly romantic Winter Wonderland at The Berkeley (a huge cinema screen, pine trees, hot chocolate and mulled wine, all on a rooftop in Knightsbridge!).
