So, it’s nearly 2016 and here are a few ideas for what to do to celebrate New Year in London.
Go shopping
Some of the sales in the UK start before Christmas, but all start by Boxing Day (26th December), so if you have a few hours (or more) to spare then I can definitely recommend some bargain-hunting!
A good place to start is Oxford Street, where you have a mix of the big department stores, such as Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhams, as well as smaller contemporary stores such as Zara, Mango, Coast, French Connection, Urban Outfitters and TopShop.
Just off Oxford Street, you will find New Bond Street, with shops such as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior (out of my budget unfortunately but beautiful for window-shopping) and South Molton Street, with shops such as Space NK, Sandro, Maje, Whistles and Hobbs.
Don’t forget to visit Liberty’s (on Regent Street), one of London’s iconic stores for shopping and/ or afternoon tea. The architecture of the building alone is worth a visit and the flower display is truly stunning.
Of course a trip to London wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Harrods. Again, the architecture of the building is impressive as is the beautiful array of clothes and beauty goods. The Harrods sale is well worth a visit with fantastic bargains on clothes, shoes, bags and beauty. However, if you can’t get into Harrods then have a look at their on-line sale here. The food department at Harrods is also well worth visiting as of course is the renowned Fortnum and Masons shop on Picadilly (on line here)
Another great area for shopping is Covent Garden and you can combine shopping with street entertainment and looking at the Christmas decorations, including a huge Christmas tree and a Lego Santa Express train in Covent Garden piazza.
Look at the Christmas decorations
As always, the Christmas decorations are beautiful. Take a stroll down Bond Street, or Carnaby Street (another great area for shopping), and don’t forget to look at the Christmas lights in Oxford Street and Regent Street (sponsored by Jo Malone London), as well as the giant Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
Following the 12th night tradition, the majority of the Christmas lights will remain until January 6th 2016.
The windows of some of the large department stores are also decorated, such as Selfridges on Oxford Street, which is following the Star Wars theme, and Hamley’s toy shop in Regent Street, which of course, includes a display of cute toys.
Take a ride on the big wheel in Leicester Square or on the London Eye
The big wheel in Leicester Square is a temporary arrangement for the festive season (until January 1st 2016), but you can take a ride on the London Eye (on the South bank of the Thames) all year round! (except between the 11th to 22nd January 2016, when it will be closed for annual maintenance).
Visit A Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
A Winter Wonderland is in Hyde Park from Friday November 20th 2015 to Sunday 3rd January 2016 from 10am to 10pm every day (except Christmas Day). Attractions at the Winter Wonderland include an array of Christmas market stalls, a huge ice-rink, fairground rides, (including a Giant Big Wheel), two circuses, Santa Land (including Santa’s grotto) and a Magical Ice Kingdom.
Entrance to the Winter Wonderland, with its display of Christmas markets is free but you have to pay for the ice-skating, fairground rides and food and drink in a selection of themed bars, including an Ice Bar!
You can book ahead for ice-skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom, the two Christmas circuses, the Giant Wheel and the Ice Bar here.
Have brunch and/ or Afternoon Tea
Take a break from sightseeing and shopping and go for brunch or a typical afternoon tea.
If you are in the Oxford Street area, then I can recommend ‘Browns’ for brunch and the ‘House of Fraser’ tea room or ‘Liberty’s’ for Afternoon tea. If you are around Covent Garden then pop into ‘Balthazar’s’ for brunch.
Visit the tourist attractions
I will do a separate post on what to do and see in London, but a few obvious ideas for now would be to visit Buckingham Palace, catch the Changing of the Guard, visit the Tower of London, which also has an ice-rink and an Ice bar at this time of year, visit Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Go to the theatre or the ballet
A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the theatre and it’s the perfect occasion to wear some of your new Christmas presents or sales acquisitions.
At this time of year, you can see seasonal specialties such as ‘Elf’ at the Dominion theatre, ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Noel Coward theatre, ‘The Nutcracker’ at The Royal Opera House or long-running classics such as ‘The Lion King’ at the Lyceum theatre, ‘the Phantom of the Opera’ at ‘Her Majesty’s Theatre’, ‘Wicked’ at the Apollo Victoria or ‘ The Mousetrap’ at St Martin’s Theatre.
Have a look here for more details.
Go to the New Year’s Eve fireworks and/ or the New Year’s Day Parade
Every year, the Mayor of London organises a public firework display. However, in recent years this event has become ticketed, with tickets priced at £10 each. The four viewing areas are: Victoria Embankment between Westminster and Embankment Underground stations (Blue Area); Victoria Embankment between Embankment and Temple Underground stations (Red Area); Southbank behind the London Eye (Green Area); and Westminster Bridge (White Area). However, even with a ticket you will still have to go to your viewing area by 9pm at the latest, which is why I am planning an evening with friends and will be watching the fireworks on television this year!
London’s New Year’s Day Parade starts out at the Ritz Hotel at midday and finishes at Big Ben, passing through Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall. You can watch the parade for free, although you will need to arrive early to secure a good view, or you can book tickets in one of the grandstands for £30 on this site. You can buy tickets here
I hope you enjoyed this feature about New Year in London, and have a look here for more of our travel features.
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January 3, 2016 at 5:27 pmThank you for the suggestion !
I will keep that in mind for another time and I looove when people give me good brunch locations haha.
I’ll be looking forward for new articles.
Happy new year. 🙂
January 3, 2016 at 5:44 pmThank you Kenza ! Happy New Year to you too 🙂