Spend Your Festive Season in the Christmas Capital
From Dickens’ Christmas Carol ghosts to the unforgettable doorstep-scene in rom-com favourite Love Actually, London is a Christmas city through and through. The festive feels don’t stop on the 26th but carry on all the way to New Years. Even though 2020’s Xmas season was a quiet one, this year looks like it will be a December to remember.
We’ve selected five of our favourite London Christmas must-dos, five New Year’s highlights, and two London Christmas hotel offers to ensure your stay is unforgettable whether you’re planning a Silent Night or hoping on Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.
From Show to Snow in London This Christmas
London gets into the festive spirit, with window displays, Christmas jingles, and seasonal specials from late November, but from early-December onwards Christmas is in full swing in the capital. Here’s our top five festive experiences during your London Christmas hotel break.
1. Fill Your Hampers at Christmas Markets
Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be all about a last dash to try and find that already-sold-out toy. You can make your Christmas shopping a lot merrier with a visit to one of London’s seasonal markets. Take a 25-minute tube ride from Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge to the Southbank Centre and enjoy the lights, street-food with a Christmas twist, and alpine-style at their Christmas market. Jump on the Circle Line from Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington and make your way to Borough Market. Londoners and visitors know this year-round market as one of the best foodie markets in the city, but the December makeover, mulled wine, Christmas pudding, and pretty decoration makes it extra special at Xmas. Other Christmas market favourites include the Christmas Wednesday markets on Columbia Road, the open-til-late indoor Greenwich Market, and various Christmas themed markets at Chelsea’s Old Town Hall.
2. Experience Christmas Magic in Hyde Park
A tube or black cab ride might not be quite as magical as a reindeer drawn sleigh, but however you make the journey, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is a highlight of any London Christmas hotel break. Book tickets in advance and explore shows, rides, and games dotted around the magical outdoor wintery experience. From a Christmas circus to ice sculpting workshops, and from fairground rides to a stein of beer in the Bavarian Village, there’s something for all ages from morning ‘til late at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland.
3. London (High) Lights
Don’t let the early evenings dampen your Christmas spirit and instead seek out London’s stunning festive light displays. London looks its best when the Christmas light switch gets flipped, so make sure to explore some of the high-lights from Kew to Carnaby.
Take a trip to Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens to experience the iconic greenhouses lit up in their festive finery. The garden’s lighted winter trails are lined with food vendors to add to the Christmas cheer. Few places can compete with Carnaby Street for its annual decorations. This year the famous street has been filled with 600 sparkling butterflies for a local refugee-supporting charity, Choose Love. For guests at The Bailey’s Hotel London (as well as a selection of other Millennium Hotels and Resorts properties) the lights at Sloane Square set the mood for Christmas shopping in one of London’s most famous upmarket shopping districts. Whether you head to Regent Street, Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, and just about any of London’s most visited landmarks, the light displays are magical.
4. Family-Fun, Ice and Easy
There are few activities quite as quintessentially wintery as strapping on your skates and making your way onto the ice at an outdoor rink in London. During your London hotel break this Christmas there’s some excellent all-ages options to choose from. If you’re at the previously mentioned Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, then you’ll love their rink. Not only is it the largest outdoor ice rink in the UK, but the Victorian bandstand at it’s centre and all those pretty lights makes it very special. As great as Hyde Park is, it’s hard to compete with Somerset House who’ve partnered this year with Champagne makers Moët & Chandon to add even more sparkle to your Christmas. Delicious food and drink, the iconic Somerset House as a backdrop, and great music make it one of London’s top Christmas attractions.
5. It’s Panto-Time!
Pantomime is a very British Christmas tradition, and the shout of ‘he’s behind you’ will instantly resonate with anyone who’s spent a festive season in the UK. Even if it doesn’t with you, watching a panto is a great idea for a Christmas break in London. Pantomimes are silly, a little naughty, (sometimes) family-friendly live shows with a strong link to Christmas. In Battersea you can watch fairytale mash-up Sleeping Beauty and the Beast, in Richmond the Christmas panto favourite Cinderella takes centre stage, join Aladdin on his magic carpet in Hammersmith, and Jack and the Beanstalk in Hackney.
We’ve selected five of our favourite London Christmas must-dos, five New Year’s highlights, along with two London Christmas hotel offers to ensure your stay is unforgettable whether you’re planning a Silent Night or hoping on Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.
Five Ways to Welcome in the New Year in London
1. Have A Ball(et)
The most recognisable of festive theatrical performances has to be The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky might not be the obvious musical choice for a New Year’s Eve celebration, but if you’re planning a NYE that’s a little more subdued but very memorable, then quickly book tickets for the Friday 31st December performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Sit back and soak in the magic of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia’s performance, the stunning lights, costumes, and projections brought to life especially for the Royal Albert Hall.
2. Make Shapes in Trafalgar Square
London’s famous firework spectacular has been replaced by a ticketed event in the very heart of the city, Trafalgar Square. While getting a ticket isn’t a guarantee (you’ll have to sign up to stand a chance to win tickets), if you do get some the event is sure to be a celebration. Live music, great food, and amazing stage performances have been promised for this central London New Years Eve celebration. Didn’t get tickets? The event’s going to be streamed live on the BBC, so maybe some Champagne in your hotel room is a pretty good alternative.
3. Toast The New Year
Guests staying at one of Millennium Hotels and Resorts central London properties can celebrate without even leaving the building. Two of our favourite drinking venues that are sure to be special for a New Year’s Eve ‘at home’ are at The Bailey’s Hotel and Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa. At The Bailey’s Hotel in London Kensington the Bailey’s Bar has a menu of celebratory cocktails to enjoy in the classic wood-panelled setting. The 5-star Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa is home to the classy Harbour Bar & Terrace where all-day dining easily transforms into after-dark drinks with extra special riverside views.
4. Cruise Into 2022
Take a cruise along the Thames on the beautiful MV Pride of London for an adults-only New Year’s Eve celebration like no other. The five-hour NYE cruise includes Champagne, an unlimited bar, live music, great dining, and a DJ to keep the party going past midnight.
5. New Year’s Day Street Celebrations
Perhaps the perfect way to keep the party going after the New Year’s Eve celebrations the night before, London’s New Year’s Day Parade is back and bigger than ever. Promising more than 10,000 participants, this street-parade spectacle starts at noon on the 01st January in Piccadilly and combines live music, dancing, and even cheerleading for a one-of-a-kind start to the New Year.
Merry Merry Millennium
Make the most of the festive season with two superb London Christmas hotel offers from Millennium Hotels and Resorts.
In the spirit of seasonal giving, the Discover Millennium offer will make your London Christmas break even more special with up to 20% off dining, the option of an early check-in or late check-out, and to make it a family celebration, up to two kids can stay free. Join My Millennium and get an extra 12% off room rates.
Make your Christmas wish this year come true with the Stay Like a Millionaire promotion. Join the My Millennium rewards programme for free and then book a stay for just one night or more and you’ll be eligible to enter an amazing prize draw with one million points up for grabs. The lucky winner can splash their one million points on free room nights, amazing suite upgrades, dining experiences, and other exciting rewards.