Tag: Christmas in London 2020

8 Quirky Ideas to Experience at Christmas in London

8 Quirky Experiences at Christmas in London

Christmas is all about traditions. Everywhere you go in this grand city of London, there is the dazzling of Christmas lights and Christmas trees. Store-fronts are specially decorated for the season, adding to the festive cheer. The ice-skating rinks are special as well as the Christmas Lights Trail at Kew. Let’s not forget the Christmas Markets that pops-up at this time, offering unique gifts for loved ones along with mulled wine, mince pies and roasted chestnuts. The Christmas traditions in the City of London is so beautiful that the festive cheer must be experienced at least once.

Alongside these age-old traditions, there are some new quirky and fun activities emerging and may well develop into a holiday tradition, where a visit to one or more of its destinations will be on a Christmas visit list. If you are contemplating something different, unique to do during the holidays, here is a shortlist of quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London which you may wish to explore.

Follow latest UK Government regulations and guidelines on Covid-19 while exploring London. Remember always to stay safe and act responsibly.

fun and quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London
  • 10 Best Christmas Lights in London | quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London
    Granary Square, Christmas 2020 | © timelesstravelsteps | georgina_daniel

Quirky Ideas to Experience at Christmas in London

With so many quirky and fun activities to do in London, the 8 listed here are by no means an exhaustive list but it is worth exploring.

1 | Backyard Cinema | Quirky Ideas to experience at Christmas in London

Watch a movie in a cinema like never before. Journey through a magical world of enchanted forest in a Winter Night Garden or find the secret entrance, explore the enchanted Snow Kingdom and go in search of the hidden cinema to watch your favourite movie. Select from a wide range of holiday favourites such as Home Alone, Love Actually, The Holiday, Trading Places, Pretty Woman and so many more.

Find out more > backyardcinema

quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London
quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London

2 | The Great Christmas Feast | Quirky Ideas to experience at Christmas in London

Be transported to Victorian London through a secret door in a secret location for an immersive experience of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. The story unfolds all around as you Indulge in a mouthwatering yuletide gastronomy of Victorian street food and feast.

Don’t miss out on this unique experience – book your tickets at Great Christmas Feast

3 | Winterland

For a unique experience of the festive cheer, sip mulled wine, move to the sounds of the music, or relax on a sofa in an enchanting Alpine setting at an outdoor bar.

Visit > neverland-winterland to learn more and book your experience

4 | The Piano Works | Quirky Ideas to experience at Christmas in London

For an unforgettable fun evening, head over to the Piano Works. A bar with non-stop music of audience requested songs. Sing-a-long into the night with steak or ribs, buddha bowls and vegan shepherd’s pie. A favourite for music lovers.

Find out more about Dinner & Brunch parties at The Piano Works

5 | Archipelago Restaurant

Right in the heart of London Fitzrovia is an exotic restaurant in an exotic setting serving exotic dishes such as kangaroo, python, crocodile and crispy zebra “jerky” alongside traditional dishes of chicken and fish. A visit to Archipelago is, without a doubt, an evening to remember.

For an evening to remember > Archipelago Restaurant

quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London
quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London

6 | Invisible City | Quirky Ideas to experience at Christmas in London

A short journey from the city of London, in Willesden is The Invisible City. This is an unusual experience to have at Christmas but I wanted to add it here for any one who wishes to experience the new sound art installation at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. A 21-acre landscape features the stories of people laid to rest in this, one of the most prestigious cemeteries in UK. Most of the ‘1970’s High Street’ can be found here including Jack Cohen (1898 – 1979) who founded Tesco.

Entry is Free. You can download the QR code onto any smartphone when you are onsite. There is a short trailer on the website.

Invisible City

7 | Harry Potter Studios at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Have a magical day and experience winter in Warner Bros Studio Tour. Join this behind-the-scenes tour of the making of Harry Potter series. Get close to the whimsical costumes and props, especially Dumbledore’s office and Hagrid’s Hut. This magical experience sells out fast so book your tickets several months ahead.

Harry Potter Tour from Kings X

Learn how the iconic train scenes were filmed, and browse through your favorite character’s luggage! For the first time ever, enter the set of Gringotts Wizarding Bank! Walk through the wizarding bank of Gringott’s, the Lestrange vault, a gallery of goblins, and much more. Admire the imposing marble columns and discover the costumes and prosthetics belonging to Bogrod, Griphook, and many other Golbin bankers. You’ll have approximately 4 hours to enjoy the magic of the Harry Potter studio.

Get Your Guide

8 | Tour of London Christmas Lights at night

See London at its best at Christmas and be dazzled by the glittering festive lights display from onboard an open top bus tour. The tour is led by an expert guide and the journey takes the route along all the Christmassy shop display. As well the Regent Street, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Tower Bridge.

London by Night Open Top Bus Tour

Have you experienced any quirky and fun activities in London which you may want to share? I would love to know your story or stories. Please share in the Comments below.

Have a splendid Christmas and stay safe.

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8 Quirky Ideas to Experience at Christmas in London first published at timelesstravelsteps.com and is regularly updated. Last update October 13, 2021

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Looking for something different and special to do this Christmas in London? Here is a list of 8 quirky ideas to absolutely try alongside the age-old Christmas traditions of dazzling lights | Christmas in London | London at Christmas | Christmas 2020 | Quirky things to do at Christmas | Fun things to do at Christmas via @GGeorgina_timelesstravelsteps/Looking for something different and special to do this Christmas in London? Here is a list of 8 quirky ideas to absolutely try alongside the age-old Christmas traditions of dazzling lights | Christmas in London | London at Christmas | Christmas 2020 | Quirky things to do at Christmas | Fun things to do at Christmas via @GGeorgina_timelesstravelsteps/

London’s Christmas Lights | An Unmissable Festive Cheer

London’s Christmas Lights | An Unmissable Festive Cheer

The Christmas season is one of the best times of the year to be in London. The streets of London dazzles, with brightness and warmth. London’s Christmas Lights are one of the greatest joys of Christmas as they fill people’s heart with festive cheer no matter the weather, come rain or shine. Most prominent displays and the unmissable London’s Christmas Lights are in Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden and in some prominent parks such as Kew Gardens.

Despite the current uncertain times, this year (2020) has made no difference. In fact, to kick-off the festive season, London Oxford Street and Carnaby Street have put up beautiful illuminations with heartwarming messages of Love, and Unity a little earlier than usual.

London's Christmas Lights

London’s Christmas Lights at Oxford Street

  • London's Christmas Lights | London's Christmas Lights
    Oxford Street | London’s Christmas Light | 2 November 2020 | © timelesstravelsteps | georgina_daniel

Though low keyed with no celebrities present (understandably), the unmissable London’s Christmas Lights in Oxford Street were switched-on just before lockdown 2.0 on Monday 2 November. The twenty-seven LED light curtains made up of twinkling lights drape the length of the premier shopping street in London. The lights burst into sparkling life with an uplifting message “To London with Love” .

London’s Christmas Lights 2020 Oxford Street, London

Along with messages of goodwill, the Oxford Street Christmas Lights is dedicated to the Heroes of 2020. Every week, the display will feature the name of a “hero” – a person who has gone that extra mile to help others during Covid-19 pandemic 2020.

The first of London’s Heroes whose name was featured is Anis Ali, a NHS Volunteer Responder who completed an astounding 733 tasks since March while also holding down a full-time job.

Location: Oxford Strret, London

Getting here: Oxford Circus Station on the Central and Jubilee lines of the Underground

To support the Royal Voluntary Service, Oxford Street is selling To London with Love T-shirts with all proceeds going to RVS.

2021 dates TBC

Recommended read: Best 10 Christmas Lights in London

London’s Christmas Lights at Carnaby Street

  • Carnaby Street | London's Christmas Lights 2020 | London's Christmas Lights
    Carnaby Street | London’s Christmas Lights 2020 | © timelesstravelsteps | georgina_daniel

Carnaby is one of the most fashionable areas in the heart of London. The area covers fourteen streets, over one hundred shops, sixty restaurants, bars and cafes. Each year Carnaby chooses a theme and puts up a spectacular display of lights. This year’s dazzling display is one with a strong message of Love and Unity, in partnership with the charity Choose Love.

As from 2 November, the length of the Streets is immersed in a series of lightboxes of pink neon lights. The message on each of the lightboxes is positively powerful, paying tribute to the strength and courage of Londoners as well as the whole of UK. The messages of love and unity is an encouragement to continue with hope and kindness to each other.

Location: Carnaby Street

Getting here: Nearest station is Oxford Circus

Carnaby Street Christmas Lights 2021 – November 4

Recommended read: Coal Drops Yard at Christmas in Kings Cross, London

Covent Garden Christmas Lights

  • Covent Garden Christmas Lights | London's Christmas Lights
    Apple Market, Covent Garden, 2020 |© timelesstravelsteps | georgina_daniel

The annual magical haven at Covent Garden is going ahead this year without the usual switching-on ceremony. The unique market offers visitors a very special shopping experience. From high-end names, market traders. and bespoke designers, you will find Christmas gifts for everyone.

  • Covent Garden Christmas Lights | London's Christmas Lights
    20 metre Norwegian spruce that took some 300 hours to put together – tree, lights and baubles at Covent Garden, 2020 | © timelesstravelsteps | georgina_daniel

The splendidness of the Christmas atmosphere is in the cobbled piazza and the market buildings that create a wonder-perfect backdrop for the twenty metre (sixty foot) Christmas tree. Decorated with some thirty thousand sparkling lights, the piazza glows! An unmissable Christmas lights experience in London for sure.

Location: Covent Garden

Getting here: Covent Garden Station on the Central, Northern and Piccadilly Underground lines.

Covent Garden Christmas Lights 2021 – TBC

Recommended read: Quirky ideas to experience at Christmas in London

Regent Street Angels at Christmas

  • Spirit of Christmas, Regent Street Christmas Lights | London 2020 | © timelesstravelsteps | georgina_daniel

Regent Street Christmas Lights is the largest festive display in the UK. The stunning Spirit of Christmas returns to celebrate the festive heritage of the upscale shopping district.

The illumination of more than three hundred thousand twinkling Christmas lights light up the skies of Regent Street and St James’ running from Oxford Circus all the way to Waterloo Place. It is a breathtaking sight and one that will have you in awe.

As with other Christmas Lights switching on ceremony, the annual grand event at Regent Street is cancelled. The lights will dazzle daily from 3:30 p.m. to midnight.

Location: Regent Street

Getting here: Oxford Circus Underground Station: Victoria, Bakerloo & Central Line.

Piccadilly Circus Underground Station: Piccadilly & Bakerloo Line

Regent Street Christmas Lights 2021 – November 12

Kew Gardens | An amazing magical trail of lights after dark

Kew Gardens at Christmas is one of the best times to visit. The grounds turn into an enchanted magical trail of lights taking you through dazzling sparkly tunnels, trees wrapped in glowing lights and a beautiful dynamic laser projections of Christmas colours on the iconic glasshouse. The grand finale at the Palm House Pond is a stunning light show playing to a festive soundtrack.

Christmas at Kew is a perfect destination for families, and couples, both young and old. Enjoy a festive evening with marshmallows, mulled wine and hot chocolate. Open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Book a time-slot and purchase tickets in advance.

Location: Kew Gardens, Entrances at Victoria Gate, Lion Gate and Brentford Gate

Getting here: Kew Gardens Station on the District Line (Richmond branch)

Christmas at Kew 2021 – November 17 2021 through to January 9, 2022 | From 4 pm to 10 pm – Advance bookings only

Ways to Experience the Magical Christmas Lights in London

Admire the famous and magical Christmas Lights in Oxford Street and Regent Street by booking the following tour:

  • London's Christmas Lights
    Photo: Georgina_Daniel

Enjoy an evening tour on a restored vintage bus.
Take in panoramic views of the dazzling Christmas Lights in Oxford Street and Regent Street as well as a ride around London town to experience Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, Trafalgar Square, and more. Learn from informative and entertaining live commentary

I sincerely hope that this article is valuable to you in planning your trip to London at Christmas so you can experience the unmissable London’s Christmas Lights. Plan ahead and book your accommodations in London, sign-up to guided tours with last-minute cancellation protection or buy the great value London Pass. TTS earns a commission for all qualified purchases at no cost to you at all. As always, your continued support is much appreciated in keeping this website running. As well, you could support in other ways also.

For more on Christmas in London, visit Timeless Christmas in London

Have a wonderful time experiencing the unmissable festive cheer at London’s Christmas lights and A Very Merry Christmas!

Georgina xx

London’s Christmas Lights at Wembley

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London’s Christmas Lights | An Unmissable Festive Cheer first published at timelesstravelsteps.com and is regularly updated. Last update 17 October, 2021

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London's Christmas Lights are one of the greatest joys of Christmas as they fill people's heart with festive cheer no matter the weather, come rain or shine | Christmas in London | Where to go for the best Christmas Lights in London via @GGeorgina_timelesstravelsteps/London's Christmas Lights are one of the greatest joys of Christmas as they fill people's heart with festive cheer no matter the weather, come rain or shine | Christmas in London | Where to go for the best Christmas Lights in London via @GGeorgina_timelesstravelsteps/
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