It might not quite be December yet, but the countdown to Christmas has already officially begun. Here’s Love London Love Culture’s six top things to see and do to help you get into the festive spirit…
1. Pop Up Screens Cinema in the Snow experience: what better way to get into the festive mood than watching a classic Christmas film with food and drink such as popcorn from Drum and Kernel, as well as handmade brownies, craft beer, pimped hot chocolate and lovely festive mulled wine. Returning to the Hackney Showroom from the 8th to the 24th December, Pop Up Screens will present screenings of films such as Elf, Frozen, Love Actually and Home Alone to name a few!
2. Visit the Charles Dickens Museum’s Ghost of An Idea :Unwrapping ‘A Christmas Carol’ exhibition: discover how this Christmas classic story came together in the mind of its author with this exhibition, which opens on the 29th November and explores the circumstances that drove Dickens to write on Christian charity. The exhibition also celebrates the release of upcoming film ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ which also explores the creation of the classic novella.
3. Christmas in Leicester Square: not quite brave enough to venture to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park? Worry not as Leicester Square is getting into the spirit of things with a santa’s grotto, a Christmas market featuring a variety of food, drink and christmas gift stalls as well as a vintage Speigeltent where a programme of festive cabaret is waiting for you to discover.
4. Pay a visit to Backyard Cinema’s the Snow Kingdom: the company invites audiences into a magical kingdom to enjoy films such as Mary Poppins, When Harry Met Sally and It’s a Wonderful Life to name a few. But be aware – tickets for all screenings are selling fast!
5. Ice skate outside the Natural History Museum: for those who prefer something a little bit more active, how about ice skating around a Christmas tree outside the Natural History Museum on its ice rink? Alternatively, for those who would prefer to watch, there is an indoor cafe bar and viewing gallery to pass the time away.
6. Christmas at Kew: if you love your outdoor spaces then why not pay a visit to Kew at Christmas and watch the gardens light up after dark with its festive trail of lights…
Fairy-tale meets fantasy in a world of singing trees, larger-than-life flora, ribbons of light, giant baubles, and a flickering Fire Garden. The Palm House leaps into life with a dazzling show of laser beams, jets of light and kaleidoscopic projections.
Little ones can catch a glimpse of Santa and his elves at the North Pole village and enjoy a vintage fairground ride. Not so little ones can warm up with some mulled wine or hot chocolate and toast marshmallows around the fire.