The tree is decorated, the tinsel is up and the mistletoe is primed, TB_HQ is set for Christmas! We thought we’d share a few of our favourite festive things to do in London at this time of year.
Winterville
More than just a Christmas theme park, Winterville is East London’s festive pop-up town in Victoria Park and this year its bigger and better than ever.
With Christmas market stalls added to the Bizarre Bazaar this year, foodie goodness from some of London’s best loved street food vendors and a pantomime in the shape of Snow White, there’s something for all the family, as well as the regular Ice Rink, Big Wheel, fairground and to top it all in 2015, a circus! Christmas ravers get to cut some rug to the musical selections of legendary nightlife dons Bugged Out and Guilty Pleasures.
Until 23rd December
winterville.co.uk | Victoria Park, London E9 7DD
Montague Ski Lodge
Experience après ski without having to set foot anywhere near a mountain as Bloomsbury’s Montague on the Gardens Hotel once again transforms the Garden Grill in to its annual Ski Lodge complete with pinetrees, falling snow, reindeer and even the odd snowman.
The bar serves alpine themed drinks from Schnapps and Mulled Wine to Hot Chocolate based Cocktails, as well as winter Pimms and hot spiced cider all available to be enjoyed whilst wrapped up in a warm wooly rug. There’s also Monty’s Log Cabin where you can sip Champagne and scoff chocolate truffles to your hearts content whilst kicking back in a cosy armchair next to the fire.
After a hard day’s action on the urban pistes, you deserve it…
montaguehotel.com/skilodge | Montague On The Gardens, 15 Montague Street WC1B 5BJ
Ice Bar London
For something a little more unique, check out Icebar London on Heddon Street W1 for a sensory experience fitting of the season. The bar, walls, tables and even glasses are carved out of the purest Torne River ice harvested in Northern Sweden and maintained at a constant -5˚c.
Being the UK’s only fully frozen bar, it is rather popular so booking is essential and limited to a 40 minute timeslot, however at that temperature staying for the full allotted time is a challenge!
icebarlondon.com | 31-33 Heddon Street W1B 4BN | 020 7478 8910
Southbank Winter Market
Our perennial favourite and only a stones throw across the Thames from TB_HQ, the Southbank Centre Winter Festival returns with it’s pop-up Christmas market and cosy wooden chalets clustered along the river bank stocked full of festive food and drink, handmade gifts and trinkets, bringing a distinctly European feel to the capital. Is there a better way to appreciate our wonderful city than strolling along the south bank with a cup of warm mulled wine in hand taking in the sights, lights and smells of Christmas?
Until 24 December | southbankcentre.co.uk
Underground Film Club
And whilst you’re on the South Bank, why not take in a festive movie at the underground film club?
Located in the vaults underneath Waterloo Station, they’ll be showing Christmas classics until 22nd December including Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, A Muppet Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life. Why not grab yourself a pre or post-movie cocktail in the blues themed Smokey Joes Bar, and grab some sustenance from street-food pop-up Rockadollar Dogs, conceived by Hawksmoor Knightsbridge head chef Richard Sandiford who’s created a bespoke menu for the season.
undergroundfilmclub.com | The Vaults, Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD