Yahoo Finance Make the most of the festive season with these fun days out
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Make the most of the festive season with these fun days out
After last year’s Christmas was all but cancelled, our social lives this festive season are going to be in for a major shock. Ice rinks are returning, markets will be stocked with unlimited mulled wine and you’re going to need to dig out your sunglasses thanks to all the stunning light shows taking place. And let’s not forget about the fancy festive-themed afternoon teas, quirky pop-ups and Christmas movie screenings. Basically, there’s not a Zoom quiz in sight. If you don’t know where to start, here’s our round-up of some of the best Christmas 2021 events happening in London and beyond. You can sign us up for all of it.
Blenheim Palace/Glow Wild - 2/10
1) Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace will take your breath away without being decked out in Christmas goodness, so throw in the festive element and more than a million twinkling lights and you’ve got yourself a magical experience. As well as the Christmas Market with wooden chalets hosting artisan food and drink sellers, the story of The Nutcracker plays out in the palace’s state rooms with each one featuring a new Nutcracker-themed surprise. And for the main event? That would be the illuminated trail which weaves through the beautiful grounds, lighting up the lake and South Lawn.
When: 19 November - 2 January
Blenheim Palace - 3/10
2) Boozy alpine-themed pop ups, various
If you’ve been pining for après ski since pre-pandemic times then why not try an alpine winter wonderland? Bar Hutte, which has locations in Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh features cosy huts with rustic furnishings and fairy lights and ~most importantly~ karaoke machines. The ski lodge pop-up at the four-star Montague Hotel Hotel in London is also back and you can sip on mulled wine, spiced cider or schnapps while pretending you’re thawing out in the Alps. Santé!
When: Bar Hutte: 4 November - January, The Ski Lodge: 10 November - 9 January
The Montague - 4/10
3) Ice skating at Somerset House, London
After you’re greeted by the 40ft Christmas tree as you step into Somerset House’s classy courtyard, you’ll find one of the best ice skating rinks in London. This year you can expect late night skating with a series of well-known DJs, perfect for post-work fun with friends and colleagues. Meanwhile, Hotel Chocolat’s Chocmobile will be serving steaming hot chocolate while the Skate Lounge by Moet & Chandon, this year’s partner, will be selling champagne and cocktails. Ideal.
When: 17 November - 16 January
David Jensen - 5/10
4) Glow Wild at Wakehurst, Sussex
The winding trail at Glow Wild at Wakehurst, which is just under a mile long, starts at an avenue of ancient oak trees and features hand-crafted lanterns, magical projections and stunning installations. Once you’ve enjoyed the trail, head to the Walled Garden to see it lit up by glowworms before checking out the tallest living Christmas tree dressed with almost 2,000 stunning lights.
When: 25 November - 2 January
Glow Wild - 6/10
5) Festive afternoon teas, various
For when you’re feeling that little bit extra, an afternoon tea can nail the spot and this year plenty of locations will be swapping out their traditional afternoon tea for a glorious festive spread. For incredible decor teamed with the best sweet and savoury treats, London restaurant Sketch tops the list. Every year, the restaurant teams up with acclaimed artists to transform the space into an enchanting winter wonderland which couldn’t possibly feel any more Christmassy. With its year-round festive feels, Fortnum & Mason’s chic spread also makes for the perfect lunchtime pit stop before stocking up on Christmas presents.
When: TBC
ALI SAFAROV - Getty Images - 7/10
6) Christmas cinema screenings, various
While watching Home Alone for the fiftieth time from the comfort of your front room in December is unquestionably fun, watching it while surrounded by full-blown Christmas decs on a big screen is arguably better. Backyard Cinema nailed the assignment and are putting on three separate events, including screenings at the Troxy in East London featuring George the Poet narrating, a choir and dancing - and that’s all before the film starts. Meanwhile, Capital Studios in Wandsworth plays host to The Winter Night Garden: think The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe vibes.
When: 18 October - 3 January
Thomas Alexander - 8/10
7) Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Hertfordshire
Step into a festive wonderland with the return of Hogwarts in the Snow. As well as Diagon Alley, the Great Hall and Hagrid’s Hut getting their usual Christmas makeover, this year the Forbidden Forest will also be sprinkled with snow. And for the seriously loyal Potter fans out there (and if you’ve got some extra cash to spend), Dinner in the Great Hall will be back for two nights in December. Enjoy a drinks reception before recreating IRL Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone scenes with your own two-course dinner and after hours tour. This year you can also purchase tickets to a special screening of 2001 film to celebrate 20 years since The Boy Who Lived made his first on-screen debut.
When: Hogwarts in the Snow: 16 November - 13 January / Dinner in the Great Hall: 13 - 15 December
Warner Bros - 9/10
8) Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
A guaranteed good time in the capital, Winter Wonderland is back with the UK’s largest ice rink, -10C ice bar, a buzzy alpine-themed pop-up restaurant, fairground rides and endless street food stalls. If you fancy a go at ice sculpting, this year also sees the return of workshops hosted by the artists who create the Magical Ice Kingdom. It’s open from 10am-10pm and you'll easily be able to while away the entire day there.
When: 19 November - 3 January
IMG - 10/10
9) Christmas at Kenwood, London
Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath is undergoing a wintery Christmas transformation for the first time ever, with the surrounding woodland paths being lit up by thousands of lights and lasers. Mince pies and mulled wine will be available from a variety of food stalls and bars, while a VIP package offers guests access to an exclusive bar set up on the Kenwood terrace. Already a dreamy spot for wholesome weekend strolls, it’s sure to be a festive treat.
When: 26 November - 9 January
Christmas at Kenwood
