December 2009

December sees London in a festive mood as the city gears up for Christmas. From carols, concerts and Christmas lights to pantomimes and ballets there's enough to keep you going through the whole of this chilly winter month.

AEGON Masters Tennis

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
1st - 6th December 2009

The highlight of the seniors' tennis circuit is definitely this event at the Albert Hall, which John McEnroe describes as "our Wimbledon". To play in the tournament players must, at one time, have been the world Number One, a Grand Slam finalist or a player on a winning Davis Cup side - so that means top quality. These guys might have lost a few mph in speed and stamina over the years but they retain all the guile, poise and determination that made them champions in the first place. The game's greatest characters - including headband hero Pat Cash, amiable playboy Henri Leconte and louche Croatian Goran Ivanisevic - usually feature, so the games are full of banter and fun. Of course, there's not so much at stake as on the main tour, but the players get very competitive, unwilling to bow out to an old rival.

More info: AEGON Masters Tennis Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and Carols

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
3rd December 2009 - 4th January 2010

For over half a century Trafalgar Square has been adorned with a majestic Christmas Tree - an annual gift from the people of Oslo, and a symbol of thanks for support and friendship during World War Two. The evergreen - perhaps the most famous in the world - is an integral part of Christmas in London and is always a prime specimen, towering high alongside Nelson and decorated only with authentic white lights. The turning-on ceremony is traditionally preceded by carol singing from the choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields church, and also involves a celebrity appearance. As soon as it's illuminated, the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree lights remain turned on from noon until midnight daily throughout the festive season until the Twelfth Night of Christmas in early January. Choirs and passers-by join around the tree most evenings to sing carols and soak up the Christmas cheer.

Trafalgar Square Christmas TreeMore info: and Carols Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Great Christmas Pudding Race 2009

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RF
Saturday 5th December 2009

You're familiar with the egg and spoon race. Well how about the Christmas Pudding Race? Covent Garden Piazza swells with spectators as about 150 contestants don fancy dress and race around a course strewn with flour-filled balloons, foam jets and other obstacles - all while trying to balance a Christmas pudding on a flimsy plate! The race has been going on every year since 1980 and it raises money for Cancer Research. At this time of year Covent Garden is a great place to be, with shops full of Christmas decorations and street entertainers putting on some diverting shows before and after the main event. The perfect way to break up a day of Christmas shopping in Covent Garden's collection of stylish stores.

www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk

More info: Great Christmas Pudding Race 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

UB40

The O2, London, SE10 0PE
Saturday 12th December 2009

UB40 famously formed while larking around in the dole queue - since which time they've taken their brand of reggae pop music all over the world, winning millions of fans. This O2 concert is sure to be a grand sell-out occasion, with huge loving crowds and a roster of rousing hits old and new to match. Expect an impressive show from old hands who are still learning new tricks and can keep a huge crowd rocking all night. Early booking essential.

More info: UB40 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

London International Horse Show 2009

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
15th - 21st December 2009

London's annual equestrian fiesta graces Olympia once more for a full week of galloping, jumping and pinpoint dressage steps. There's enough to please everybody, with the UK's only World Cup dressage qualifier, spectacular show-jumping competitions, and some fantastic equestrian shopping opportunities. As well as the elegant steeds trotting around, there are some dog-related competitions too, including a canine agility contest. The grand finale is an enormous festive parade with hundreds of horses, costumes and music combining to a spectacular climax. It usually sells out, so get booking those tickets soon.

Photo: Olympia - The London International Horse Show

More info: London International Horse Show 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Carols by Candlelight

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
19th, 20th, 23rd & 24th December 2009

The climax of the Royal Albert Hall's Christmas carols programme is this dimly-lit traditional Christmas celebration, mixing singalong carols with readings from Dickens and the Bible. The name is a bit of a cheat - there are no actual candles lighting the hall, just a 'candle-lit style setting' - but the performers are all in 18th century costume, and the hall splendidly decorated to create a thoroughly festive atmosphere. Expect all the Christmas classics, from the Christmas sequence from Handel's Messiah to a rousing 'Good King Wenceslas'.

More info: Carols by Candlelight Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Midnight Mass at St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral, EC4M 8AD
Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December 2009

Built by Sir Christopher Wren after the fire, St Paul's Cathedral is viewed by many as the spiritual home of Great Britain. It's also a very popular place to experience the more traditional side of Christmas and escape the mad rush that threatens to overtake us all as December 25th approaches. Demand is so great that St Paul's puts on a series of Christmas celebrations throughout December but the high point has to be the Midnight Mass service. The cathedral's famous dome, which peaks over the top of London's skyline from miles around, fills with the soaring sounds of the Cathedral Choir. In candlelit, majestic surroundings in the middle of the city this is the perfect place to usher in Christmas Day before wrapping up warm and making your way home through the magically deserted streets.

Midnight Mass at St Paul's Cathedral - Information

Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race 2009

Serpentine, London, W2 2UH
Christmas Day, Friday 25th December 2009

This lot are a hardy bunch but tradition is tradition and members of the Serpentine Swimming Club have been plunging themselves into the lake's icy waters every Christmas Day since 1864. At temperatures of below four degrees Celsius in winter, the swimmers will want to get a wiggle on so it's lucky that they are all in hot pursuit of the prestigious Peter Pan Cup. The name of the 100-yard race dates back to 1904 when JM Barrie, the creator of the boy who refused to grow up, presented the first cup. Most of us are still tucked up in bed or delving into our stocking as the competitors line up (and pretend not to shiver) for their 9am start, but there's always a jolly crowd of onlookers who gather early to witness the spectacle. It's a great way to get some fresh air on Christmas morning and you'll feel like you've earned your post-lunch snooze. Behind you, Hyde Park offers a wonderful wintry landscape and, if you want to continue the Peter Pan theme, why not nip across to see the famous statue in Kensington Gardens.

NOTE: You must be a member of the Serpentine Swimming Club and have competed in the entire Winter Series to take part. Spectators are welcome and the race starts on the south bank of the lake close to the Lido Cafe.

More info: Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

New Year's Eve Fireworks 2009

London Eye, Jubilee Gardens, London, SE1 7PB
New Year's Eve, Thursday 31st December 2009

The annual display, launched from the foot of the London Eye and from rafts on the Thames, is visible from most of central London: the basic rule is that if you can see the London Eye, you'll be able to see the show. They cram enough firepower for an hour-long display into ten explosive minutes, lighting up the sky for miles around. The best views are from Victoria Embankment, the South Bank, and Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. Hungerford Bridge is closed after 8pm and there's also no entry to Westminster Bridge after this time.

More info: New Year's Eve Fireworks 2009 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube