Christmas in London 2022: Five things to do this festive season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the festive season in London in full swing.

With the city lit up, the shops blasting Christmas anthems and festive markets popping up all over the city, it’s impossible not to feel festive.

From pantomines on the London Eye to the Snowman and Snowdog with a live orchestra, we’ve rounded up some of the best events the capital has to offer this Christmas season.

‘Christmas Panto Pod’ at the London Eye

Riverside Building, County Hall, SE1 7PB December 14 to 18 (performances at 1pm, 3.30pm and 5pm each day) Tickets: Adults £51 Children £46

This December the London Eye is offering guests the ultimate festive experience, a unique Christmas pantomime performance while soaring 443 ft over the capital.

Opening on December 14, the ‘Christmas Panto Pod’ will see one of the attraction’s 32 pods given a magical theatre-style makeover – decked out with velvet seats, spotlights, and mini stage, all with a festive twist creating an intimate theatre, 135m above the London skyline.

Punters can watch a performance of Dick Whittington, performed by the cast of the Phoenix Arts Club in London’s West End.

Each experience lasts 30 minutes, including a 25-minute performance of Dick Whittington.

Watch The Snowman and Snowdog with a live orchestra

Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine St, WC2B 5JF December 20 (2.30pm and 7pm) Tickets £30.75 to £64.50

This December the festive classic ‘The Snowman and The Snowdog’ will be brought to life by the film’s original composers, Ilan Eshkeri and Andy Burrows, alongside a live concert orchestra.

First broadcast in 2012 on Channel 4, the sequel to ‘The Snowman’ tells the story of Billy, who discovers a snowman-making kit hidden under the floorboards of his new home on Christmas Eve.

This special performance celebrating the 10th anniversary of the animated movie will take place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on December 20. Tickets for matinee and evening performances are now on sale.

Visit Crisis’s festive pop up shop

27 Savile Row, W1S 2ER Till December 14

Looking to do some Christmas shopping while supporting a good cause? Crisis at the Cop Shop is back this month.

Taking residence in the decommissioned police station in the heart of Savile Row, the temporary pop-up will sell a plethora of donated goods, including brand new product, old season stock and samples from luxury brands.

With donations confirmed from the likes of Jimmy Choo, Bianca Saunders, Manolo Blahnik, Roja Parfums and more, it is an idyllic setting to grab a bargain, all while supporting the wonderful work Crisis does for homeless people all year round.

Christmas at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3AF Till January 8 2023 Tickets: Standard adult Off peak £21.50/ Peak £28.00

Take an enchanting journey into a glittering wonderland with Christmas at Kew at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

The popular after-dark Christmas event hosts a trail through the famous botanic gardens, lit up with lights and spectacular projections.

Get together with family or friends to follow the illuminated path around the gardens and be treated to immersive installations and spectacular displays.

Along the route, you can enjoy some festive delights from independent street food vendors from hot food and sweet treats to spiced winter warmers and hot chocolate.

The Gingerbread City

6-7 Motcomb Street, Belgravia, SW1X 8JU Till January 2 2023 Tickets: Adults £15 Under 12s £10

The Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City returns for its sixth year presenting not just one edible city but five cities across five different climate zones.

Over 100 leading architects, landscape architects, engineers and designers have used their building expertise and baking genius to create a gingerbread-based urban landscape that suggests a new ‘normal’ in our post- Covid world.

Expect the unconventional and mesmerising from this edible exhibition.