Christmas in London can be quite daunting with a million possibilities – most of which seem very expensive. But students can definitely enjoy what festive London has to offer, here are our recommendations.
Winter Wonderland (duh!)
Winter Wonderland has been going for 15 years, but for many of us City of London students, it might be the first time we’ve had the opportunity to go! After a year away due to Covid-19, Wonderland is back with an amazing selection of events and activities to choose from.
Tickets need to be booked in advance and are either free or £5 depending on the date and time you select. We suggest pre-booking a couple of activities too. Not only will this allow you to skip some lines but you can also get your entrances for free if you spend £20 or more per person on activities, rides, tokens, or food.
Choose from ice skating, an exhibition of ice sculptures, thrilling rides for the fearless, an acrobatic show, or a cool drink at Bar Ice. Whatever you do choose, and we can’t stress this enough - Wrap up warm!!! Winter Wonderland isn’t joking about the winter part, it can get really cold out there, and even though there are a few fire pits spread out around the park, most of the time you’ll be walking through cold winds.
Where: Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park (nearest Tube Stations include Marble Arch, Bond Street, Green Park, Paddington, among others.
When: Everyday from now until January 3rd (excluding Saturday 25th December) How much: Entrance fee is either free, £5 or £7.50, attractions range between £9 and £17 (adult prices) - separate prices for rides and games.
Must have: Some festive and warm (you’ll need something to stop your hands from freezing) Glühwein, mulled cider, or hot chocolate. There are plenty of food options from the Bavarian Village to a street food fair. If you’re vegan, make your way down to the Christmas Market near the Blue gate and keep your eyes peeled for a French vegan and gluten-free galette (or go for a cheeky doughnut from Doughnut Time).
What don’t we like? A common thought when it comes to Winter Wonderland is “this is just a funfair that’s vaguely Christmas themed”. Not entirely untrue, but if this doesn’t get you in the festive mood I’m not sure what will!
We recommend: Good place for a first or second date - get to know more about the person you’re seeing, do they like rides and rollercoasters, will they win you a massive plushie, maybe even a sneaky kiss on the giant wheel?
Ice skating at the Natural History Museum:
Sadly, 2021 is the last year the Natural History Museum is hosting this aesthetically magical ice rink. They’d been going for 16 years but have finally decided to call it quits. So, cosy cosy it would be criminal not to go this year right?
Each session lasts for 50 minutes which should be enough time to enjoy yourself if you’re a pro and just enough torture for us skating beginners (you can hire a “Skate Aid” if you need help, don’t worry).
Where: Natural History Museum in South Kensington (closest tube stations include South Kensington and Gloucester Road)
When: Everyday from now until the 16th of January (excluding Saturday 25th December)
How much: Adult tickets from £12.65
Must have: Lucky students like us get a free drink with a valid student ID card!
What don’t we like? It can be hard to book a ticket this late in December, so we recommend trying during the week or early in the morning if you have a free day. Worst comes to worst, it’s quite nice to have a walk along Hyde Park and stand and watch the skaters with a warm drink.
Winter Alpine Club Fulham:
Looking for a spot to have some Christmas drinks with your friends? I doubt you’ll find anything more atmospheric than this Alpine-inspired cocktail bar in West London. You can choose from a cosy forest igloo, moose cabin, or a luxurious Alpine lodge. The venue caters for both big and small groups and serves several dishes as well as festive drinks. If you’re in the mood for something even more exciting, try one of the Drag Bingo nights with tables up to 6 people, or a cheeky Bottomless brunch at the weekend (featuring live music!).
Where: Fulham (nearest Tube stations include Parson’s Green, get out at Imperial Wharf for the Overground and Wandsworth Town for the train).
When: They’re open Wednesday to Sunday.
How much: It all depends on the table and what you order! Check out their website for more details.
What don’t we like? This place can get quite pricey, so we recommend getting a bigger group so that you can split the cost of the table and share some dishes between you.
Borough Market:
Borough Market is always a good shout - but it gets even more glittery and energetic around Christmas. Wander through the stalls, get yourself some divine hot chocolate from Hotel Chocolat, grab some ingredients for your dinner, and treat yourself to some crumble from Humble Crumble.
Where: London Bridge.
When: Open everyday but we recommend the weekends in the morning.
Did you know? There are few things more Christmas-y than Bridget Jones, the iconic rom-com based on the books by Helen Fielding. Did you know that Bridget’s apartment was located in Borough Market? You can see the very building where Mr Darcy told Bridget he loved her, swoon.
Christmas by the river: London Bridge’s Christmas Market
While this picturesque market is a lot smaller than Covent Garden’s, it still makes for a lovely afternoon or evening out. Take a stroll by the river with a friend or partner and enjoy the crisp air, food and drink, and artisan stalls. Stop by Hay’s Galleria to take your shot for Insta and enjoy one of the most iconic views of Tower Bridge.
When: From now until the 31st of December (excluding Saturday 25th December)
Must buy: If you’re into sustainable and vegan cosmetics, try Sknfed - especially their Coffee body butter and scrub bar! Find them in Hay’s Galleria.
We recommend: While this is a lovely walk on its own, combine it with a trip to Borough Market to really get in the Christmas spirit.
Want more Carrot in London? Try: Festive fun to get you in the Christmas spirit