What to do for the festive period in London - 2024

The festive season is finally here, bringing with it a flurry of excitement and cheer. This time of year is all about attending Christmas parties, immersing yourself in magical festive experiences, and indulging in seasonal treats like mince pies and warm, spiced mulled wine.

To help you make the most of this wonderful time, we have created a list of some of our favourite places to visit in London.

Christmas at the Natural History Museum - 20th December

Grown-ups, this one’s for you! Leave the kids at home and get ready to enjoy the Natural History Museum like never before at their exclusive after-hours Christmas event on Friday, December 20th.

Wander through the Museum’s incredible galleries, soak up the festive vibes, and dive into yuletide activities made just for adults. Oh, and did we mention? A live harpist will be there to fill the air with magical Christmas tunes. It’s a festive evening you won’t want to miss!

What to enjoy at the museum:

• Visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

• A Wild Life Drawing drop-in workshop to create your very own nature themed Christmas card.

• Learn about the petrology collection at Jingle Bell ROCKS station, genomes of Christmassy animals at the Darwin (Christmas) Tree of Life Project station, marine reptile fossils at the Holy Bones station, and the amazing adaptations some animals have evolved to make it through Winter at the Winter Survival station.

• Join a free Christmas-themed trail to explore the Museum with the chance to win tickets to the famed silent disco.

Price: £24.30 for Natural History Museum members, and £27 for non-members. The adult-only (18 and over) event takes place from 6.30-8.30pm.

Tickets on sale now. Visit  nhm.ac.uk/events/christmas-at-the-museum

Westfield London’s ice rink

Westfield London’s iconic ice rink is back—but this year, it’s bringing the heat with a tropical twist! Inspired by Disney’s Moana 2, the rink has been transformed into a slice of Pacific paradise. Get ready to glide into the vibrant world of Oceania and soak up all the festive vibes with a side of adventure.

Right at the centre, you’ll find Europe’s tallest Christmas tree on an ice rink—a jaw-dropping 65 feet tall—decked out with intricate island-inspired details, celebrating the beauty of the Pacific and Moana’s fearless journey across the seas.

Skate under the twinkling lights of this tropical wonderland, with special Moana 2-themed events bringing the film’s themes of courage and exploration to life. Whether you’re out with family or friends, this is the ultimate winter adventure with a splash of island spirit!

Sessions start at just £11.00 for 45 minutes and are available seven days a week from 10am to 9pm.  

To book visit https://icerinkatwestfieldlondon.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Ou5BhCrARIsAPoTxrB5mBTnPjCH5CWvJGgRtiG0-4v5erA0lzHroo8ddH-ssulPfVLDmHkaAl24EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Festive Workshops in Marylebone - 4th - 17th December

Marylebone is bringing the holiday vibes with a merry lineup of festive workshops from December 4th to 17th. Whether you’re all about crafting a gorgeous wreath, creating show-stopping floral centerpieces, or shaking up some seasonal cocktails, there will be fun and creativity for everyone.

Workshop schedule:

4th December - Wreath Making with Carol Maxwell, at 106 Baker Street at Holmes Hotel London. Create your own stunning wreath to take home and display. Carol will take you through a step-by-step guide on making the perfect wreath styled with ribbons and trimmings. Cost £35, from 6pm-7pm.

10th December - Centrepiece workshop with Grandirosa Florist at The Zetter. Join local Marylebone florist, Grandiosa, and create small candle arrangement featuring mixed seasonal Christmas foliage, pine cones, dried fruits, and berries. Cost £45, from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

11th December - Christmas candle making with Potato Art Studio. Design your own Christmas candle, choosing its shape, colours and charms with Potato Art Studio. Cost £35, from 6pm-7pm.

17th December - Christmas cocktail classes at The Hyatt Churchill. Take a guided tour of the Churchill Bar’s new LAB and learn from the expert mixologists at The Hyatt Churchill to shake and sip on festive cocktails. Make up to three different cocktails and enjoy! Cost £40, from 2:30pm-3:30pm

For more information visit https://www.makeitmarylebone.co.uk/christmas-in-marylebone/

Gather your friends and family and head to Bounce for their festive bottomless brunch

Get ready to smash it this Christmas at Bounce! The Ping Pong pros have whipped up a festive bottomless brunch that’s packed with holiday fun, Santa sacks full of prizes, and plenty of cheer. In between games, you can refuel with all-you-can-eat pizza featuring seasonal flavours such as turkey, sage & onion, roasted chestnuts & sage and pork & apple. 

Bottomless tipples include Pornstar Martinis, Espresso Martinis, Chilli Mango Margaritas, a non-alcoholic Apple Spritz or a limited edition Christmas special The Sleighgermeister.

Feeling competitive? You can take on the Games Gurus or challenge your skills at Beat The Robot - a super fun, dynamic game that will put even the most seasoned Ping Pong pro to the test. Players can also try their luck at the cutting-edge Ping Pong X, a revolutionary AI-enabled Ping Pong table.

Bounce’s Christmas bottomless brunch starts from £30 per person and includes unlimited prosecco, beer, pizza and Ping Pong - the perfect Christmas party experience.

To book visit https://www.bouncepingpong.com/christmas/

Ice Skating Rink in Canary Wharf

Ready to glide into some winter magic? Head to the Ice Rink at Canary Wharf, where you can skate under a canopy of twinkling lights in the heart of Canada Square Park. This winter wonderland features an impressive 875 sqm ice rink with a transparent roof, so you can skate rain or shine. Oh, and there’s a sparkling disco ball to keep the vibe extra festive!

After your session, cozy up at the nearby Oasis Bar and Terrace with some delicious food and drinks. Whether you’re skating or spectating, it’s the perfect way to soak up those winter feels!

On until Sunday 23rd February 2025.

To book tickets visit https://icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

Fleet Street Quarter Penguin Parade

Wander through the Quarter and discover 12 adorable penguin sculptures, each dressed in fabulous festive outfits designed by super-talented artists—all in support of WWF.

You’ll find these Antarctic cuties chilling in iconic spots like Chancery Lane, New Street Square, Ludgate Circus, and Fleet Street, bringing a frosty dash of charm to the City. Spot a penguin? Scan its QR code to donate and help protect these amazing creatures and their icy homes for future generations. Brought to life by Wild in Art, the trail runs for eight weeks and features penguins standing a cool 1.6 meters tall on eco-friendly, recycled plinths.

Don’t forget to check out the plaques to learn about the artists’ inspirations. It’s the perfect mix of festive fun and doing good.

For more information visit https://www.fleetstreetquarter.co.uk/news/penguin-parade-sculpture-trail-in-fleet-street-quarter

Festive Wreath Workshop with SAGE Flowers – 2nd December 

Get ready for an evening of creativity and festive cheer with a special workshop hosted by London’s very own SAGE Flowers. SAGE Flowers is celebrated for its bold, innovative approach to floral design and its commitment to championing female entrepreneurship and diversity in the floral industry.

During this hands-on festive workshop, you’ll learn tips and techniques from the talented SAGE team as they guide you through creating your own stunning floral arrangement. Whether you’re a seasoned flower enthusiast or a complete beginner, this is your chance to craft something beautiful to take home and proudly display.

Tickets are £45 per person, and spaces are limited—so grab your spot and get ready to unleash your inner florist!

For more information and to book visit https://sketch.london/