#FLOFavourite: things to do in London in December 2020
With the evenings getting darker, and Christmas around the corner, London is getting ready to reopen again. Whilst the city is by no means back to normal some events are still going ahead this month from much-loved Christmas ice-skating to the reopening of the London Coliseum.
The situation is ever-changing and it is possible that events may be postponed or cancelled at the last minute as a result of government guidelines so we recommend you look at individual websites before your visit.
Nutcracker Delights at the London Coliseum
When?
17 December 2020 –3 January 2021
Where?
London Coliseum
Price: Starting from £10 + (£2.50 booking fee per ticket) - £55
Image: @englishnationalballet
#FLODown: The London Coliseum will be reopening with a performance of the Nutcracker Delights by the English National Ballet (ENB). The ENB has been performing a version of Nutcracker every year since 1950, luckily the tradition will live on this year. This special production will include dancers and musicians who will take you on a whirlwind tour of the classic ballet’s most popular moments, with Tchaikovsky’s famous score played live. Nutcracker Delights will be an unforgettable Christmas treat to savour the holiday season.
Location:
St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4ES,
Nearest station:
Leicester Square and Charing Cross tube stations
Christmas at Kew
Where?
Kew Gardens
When?
4 December 2020 – 7 January 2021
Price: £19.50-£24.50
Image: @kewgardens
#FLODown: Kew Gardens will be welcoming visitors back to explore their winter light trail this Christmas, and how can you not be excited! The winter light trail gives visitors the opportunity to see the world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens under twinkling illuminations and the ever-so-comforting glow of Christmas neon. This year, there's an addition to the route, taking visitors through the Rose Garden where you can explore the Tunnel of Light, illuminated treetop waterfall and the Temperate House laser show.
Click here to book. We recommend booking as soon as possible. tickets are selling quickly!
Location:
Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Nearest station:
Richmond station
Opening hours:
Wednesday -Sunday 4 pm-10 pm
(except closed Christmas Day, open Saturday Dec 26-SundayJ an 3).
Ice-skating in London
Image:MTotoe
#FLODown: Although Christmas isn’t going to be the same this year with events such as Winter Wonderland having been cancelled, you can still get your skates on! Here are a few locations in the city offering ice-skating this month and next.:
Hampton Court Palace
When?
5 December 2020 - 17 January 2021
Hampton Court Palace ice rink will also be opening in the picturesque grounds with a slightly bigger than usual rink to allow for social distancing. Refreshments will also be on offer from the café and bar.
Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
When?
3 December 2020
Ally Pally at Alexandra Palace returns for covid secure ice-skating. The ice rink will be open seven days a week to a significantly reduced capacity. Food and drinks will also be available. Christmas Ice Discos running every evening between 19th December and 3rd January.
Unfortunately, the legendary ice rinks at the Natural History Museum, Somerset House and Tower of London will not be returning this year.
Southbank Centre’s Winter Lights
Where?
Southbank Centre
When?
20 November 2020 - 28 February 2021
Detail of Sixty Minute Spectrum (2017) by David Batchelor on display at Hayward Gallery, Image: Morley Von Sternberg
#FLODown: The Southbank Centre presents Winter Light, a new free open-air exhibition that will enlighten the Centres iconic structure and the Riverside Walk with luminous, playful and thought-provoking artworks. The exhibition will feature 17 artworks and new commissions that make ingenious use of light, colour and animation whilst exploring ideas about nature, politics and society, gender, aesthetics and the act of looking.
There will be plenty of time to check out this cool exhibition, which will be on display until February 2021.
Location:
The Queen's Walk, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX
Nearest station:
Waterloo and Embankment station
Carols at the Hall
Where?
Royal Albert Hall
When?
18 – 23 December 2020
Image: MTotoe
#FLODown: Christmas Carols at the Royal Albert Hall will be going ahead this month. Arguably one of the best carol concerts in London and definitely a festive favourite for many, thankfully, Carols at the Hall will be returning. Due to government restrictions, the event is open to 1000 people only. However, to ensure you don't miss out the Royal Albert Hall will be streaming the concert online.
Location:
Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP
Nearest station:
South Kensington station
Christmas lights on Regent’s Street
Where?
Regent Street
When?
Now – until 5 January 2021
Image: MTotoe
#FLODown: The Regents Street Christmas lights are on! ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ display has returned for another year. Designed by Paul Dart of James Glancy Design, the installation is the biggest festive light scheme in the capital, With over 300,000 LED lights. The Regent Street Christmas lights date back to 1954, and we could not imagine a Christmas without.
Chila Kumari Burman Installation
When?
Tate Britain
When?
util the end of January 2021
Image: MTotoe
#FLODown: Chila Kumari Burman transforms the front of Tate Britain into a celebration of bright lights. The installation, remembering a brave new world, was opened to coincide with Diwali, the Festival of Light.
Remembering a brave new world takes inspiration from the luminous struggles and victories of the past to offer hope for a brighter future. It is a celebration of new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
Location:
Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RG
Nearest station:
Pimlico station
Art in December
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Image: Tate
#FLODown: Many of London’s arts and cultural institutions will be reopening with extended exhibitions. Check out some of the art exhibitions that abruptly had to close their doors in November, from first solo exhibitions in the UK by New York-based artist Jennifer Packer to a collection by Thao Nguyen Phan. The much-anticipated exhibition by Tracey Emin at the Royal Academy of Arts will also be opening.
Click here for our recommendations on exhibitions to see this month