A favorite holiday, Christmas in London brings everyone in the family together. This day pleases the British with bright emotions and a festive atmosphere.
Features of celebrating Christmas in London
A month before the holiday, London streets begin to dazzle with garlands, and the facades and windows of shops and shopping centers - with lights and Christmas trees. A week before the holiday, the houses of English families are decorated with forest berries and coniferous branches - bringing all this into the house, the locals are thus trying to disperse the winter gloom. In addition, mistletoe is hung around the house (a wreath of mistletoe is installed on the front door), the task of which, according to legends, is to scare away evil spirits and attract good luck to the home.
On December 25, at 13:00, before Christmas dinner, it is customary to “blow up” the Christmas Cracker, inside which there are comic messages, confetti, streamers and small souvenirs. At 15:00, Her Royal Majesty makes her appeal to the English people. And the festive dinner acts as the culmination of Christmas, during which it is customary to treat yourself to spicy turkey, holiday pies, baked pork head, Christmas pudding, to which, when kneading the dough, a thimble, a coin, a ring and a button are added (the one who gets a piece of pie with a "surprise", will judge what will await him next year).
Entertainment and celebrations in London
During the Christmas holidays, it is recommended to go on ice skating rinks in the open air. At your service - skating rinks at Canary Wharf, Hampton Court Palace and Somerset House, in the Christmas Park Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park).
Going to Hyde Park for Christmas, you will have the opportunity to attend the interesting Peter Pan Cup competition, in which members of swimming clubs demonstrate their skills in swimming in the icy waters of the park.
If you wish, you can attend lavish services and listen to Christmas carols in Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral.
In December (check the dates in advance) it is worth stopping by the Charles Dickens Museum - here you can read Christmas stories in an atmosphere close to the 19th century.
Christmas sales and bazaars in London
Christmas shopping pleases customers with discounts up to 50%: sales start from the first days of December, and “sale” stickers can be seen in all stores closer to the holiday.
When it comes to Christmas markets, take a look at the following:
- Southbank Center Christmas Market (here you can buy souvenirs in the form of handicrafts made of stone, wood and glass, fragrant soaps, Christmas tree decorations, and craft workshops are held here weekly on weekends).
- Greenwich Christmas Market (there will be a chance to purchase handmade toys, clothes, original works of art).
