An Alternative Christmas in London

An Alternative Christmas in London
Our guide to an alternative Christmas in London

5 ALTERNATIVE THINGS TO DO FOR CHRISTMAS IN LONDON

VISIT A REAL FOOD MARKET  

If you are hungry for some proper Christmas food but want to stay away from the big fairs, then why not enjoy visit an artisan Christmas market in the middle of vibrant King’s Cross!

The festive edition of the Real Food Market will be bringing the best, top-quality artisan food and drink to the square just outside King's Cross St Pancras station between 14-23/12. Stalls will be offering up a selection of sustainably and ethically produced fine foods but with extra-added seasonal goodies. Pick up some tasty gifts, drink some mulled wine and enjoy an Artisan Christmas in the centre of London. Food stalls include The Borough Cheese Company, The Flour Station, Cannon & Cannon and The Scottish Kitchen.

pies

GO INTO THE GARDEN

If you are in the mood for an enchanting winter walk, you should go see Kew Gardens lit up with more than 60, 000 lights, including colour-changing reeds and a glittering crystal tree that glow into the night and hear the choir of Christmas trees sing to you, when you walk the mile-long festive trail. Don’t forget to pass through the sparkling tunnel of dancing lights and sing along to a classic Christmas tune with the karaoke jukebox!

kewgardens

HAVE A SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS

Go see the Swedish Lucia celebrations on the morning of the 13th!

Lucia is an annual candlelit procession on 13 December is, alongside Midsummer, one of the most exotic-looking Swedish customs, with women and men clad in white full-length gowns and glitter and candlelit crowns singing songs together. The Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth. Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters.

Early in the morning on the 13th, why not head to one of the Swedish churches in London before you go to work and watch the candlelit procession and drink some Glögg and eat gingerbread and Lussekatter.

Don't forget to get your tickets!

lucia

TIME TRAVEL

Take a trip back in time and see how people celebrated Christmas in the past and what their homes would have looked like and learn where our traditions come from. Each year, authentic festive decorations, lighting, music and greenery transform the Geffrye Museum’s period living rooms, giving visitors a genuine insight into how Christmas was celebrated from 1600 until today.

The exhibition also brings to life the origins and meanings of the many colourful Christmas traditions, such as kissing under the mistletoe, decorating the Christmas tree and sending greeting cards.

‘Christmas Past’ , as the exhibition is called, will be accompanied by a full program of events including craft fairs, festive evenings, carol singing and decoration workshops.

gef

A CHRISTMAS SCREENING

If you are a dedicated fan of classic Christmas movies and passionate about traditional Christmas: then a night of classic Christmas films in a winter wonderland full of mulled wine, hot chocolate and treats would be a night to remember! At the ‘Cinema in the Snow’ in Hackney they will screen a selection of movies including Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone during the month of December.

In the Christmas mood? Check the out the schedule!

xmassnow