December 2010

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.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and Carols

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
2nd December 2010 - 3rd January 2011 - TO BE CONFIRMED

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.

DATE TO BE CONFIRMED

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and Carols - Information

Plum Pudding Plunge

Parliament Hill Lido, London, NW5 1LP
4th December 2010

It's one of those crazy British Christmas traditions that no one can quite fathom: every year, swimmers around the UK take a festive plunge in icy waters all in the name of a bit of bravado and exhilaration (not to mention hypothermia). The annual freezing dip into Parliament Hill Lido takes place on the first Saturday of December. The Plum Pudding Plunge is the first swim of the season organised by the Outdoor Swimming Society, who organise each year festive swims as far away and chilly as Scotland. With mince pies to dispel the inevitable goosebumps, a hot tub, chattering teeth and general merrymaking, all swimmers, donning Christmas hats, will be encouraged to attempt two widths of the lido, with the most intrepid aiming for four or six. Swimmers can register for the event, which costs £15, at www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com. Make sure you bring some warm clothes, a woolly hat, a swimming costume / trunks and a lot of courage. They say it's good for the circulation...

More info: Plum Pudding Plunge Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Great Christmas Pudding Race

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RF
Saturday 4th December 2010 - TO BE CONFIRMED

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. See www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk for details.

DATE TO BE CONFIRMED

Great Christmas Pudding Race - Information

JLS

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB
9th December 2010

Giving the fleeting nature of celebrity, it's hard to tell whether or not the UK's teens will still be listening to JLS come December 2010 - which makes these Christmas gigs at The O2 Arena and Wembley Arena either a stroke of genius or a folly of presumptuousness. By then, the 2009 X-Factor winner Joe "Rage Against The Machine" McElderry will be in full flow with a debut album, whilst Simon Cowell and his fellow judges will be casting the rule over a whole new cluster of pop wannabes. But JLS, runners-up to Alexandra Burke (who?!) in 2008, seem to be here at least for the medium-haul. Young, dynamic and fit - as long as these four fresh-faced boys from London and Peterborough are given catchy material they'll be around to Beat Again for a while longer. Although if all else fails, it must be said lead singer Aston Merrygold could pass as a very convincing lookalike for Manchester United footballer Nani - and he's pitch perfect, to boot.

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

The War Of The Worlds

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB & Wembley Arena, London, HA9 0DH
12th & 18th December 2010

Jeff Wayne's musical version of The War of the Worlds is a spectacular stage show which features 30-foot mechanical aliens and an 11-foot high 3D floating hologram of Richard Burton. Based on the HG Wells novel, which has been made into a film starring Tom Cruise, this musical version has been touring since 2006 and, due to popular demand, it's back in 2010 for another arena tour, appearing at The O2 Arena and Wembley Arena in London. Jason Donovan, former Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon and Moody Blues' Justin Hayward take on the singing roles, accompanied by the 10-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings, and set against a giant screen with a CGI-animated movie projected onto it. Jeff Wayne's album, originally released in June 1978, and including hit singles 'The Eve of The War' and 'Forever Autumn' is well and truly brought to life by this hugely popular stage show, tickets sell out fast so you're advised to book early.

The War Of The Worlds, The O2 Arena - Information
The War Of The Worlds, Wembley Arena - Information

London International Horse Show 2010

Olympia, London, W14 8UX
14th December 2010 - 20th December 2010

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 at the London International Horse Show, 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.

More info: London International Horse Show 2010 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Carols by Candlelight

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
19th, 20th, 23rd & 24th December 2010 - TO BE CONFIRMED

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'.

DATE TO BE CONFRIMED

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, 24th December 2010

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, 25th December 2010

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.

Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race - Information

New Year's Eve Fireworks 2009

London Eye, Jubilee Gardens, London, SE1 7PB
New Year's Eve, 31st December 2010

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.

New Year's Eve Fireworks - Information