Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree & Carols

Since 1947, stately Trafalgar Square receives a majestic Norwegian Christmas Tree as an annual gift from the people of Oslo, thanking Britain for its support and friendship during World War Two. The enormous tree is a popular seasonal tourist attraction, particularly in the fortnight leading up to Christmas, when each evening from Monday 5 December to Thursday 22 December 2011, between 5pm and 9pm, a different choir gathers there to sing carols and raise money for a range of voluntary or charitable organisations. Passers-by are welcome to come and listen to the carols in the square, and even join in the festive cheer. Nelson's Column is decorated with Norwegian white lights and the tree is illuminated from noon until midnight until the Twelfth Night of Christmas in early January. The tree actually goes up in late November if you want to see it in all its naked evergreen glory. Then, on Thursday 1st December 2011, you can join the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields and sing carols around the tree from 6pm before the lighting of the tree at 6.30pm.