{"id":5360,"date":"2017-12-11T15:00:32","date_gmt":"2017-12-11T15:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/?p=5360"},"modified":"2018-01-11T10:49:41","modified_gmt":"2018-01-11T10:49:41","slug":"the-12-days-of-christmas-london-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isango.com\/theguidebook\/the-12-days-of-christmas-london-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"The 12 Days of Christmas: London 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year I spent Christmas in a bikini<\/a><\/span> but this year the kitschy festive jumper is out in full force ready for December in London. Christmas is the only time where I choose frosty chill and a woolly hat over the sun and the sea. Nothing says Christmas quite like curling up in front of a fire with a mug of mulled wine and a toasty mince pie. In-fact it got me thinking! Can you do the 12 days of Christmas, London style?<\/strong><\/p>\n

London knows what the people want. The streets are decked with boughs of holly and the bars are brewing mulled cider and stocking up on Baileys in eager anticipation. So here\u2019s what\u2019s in store for us this December with our 12 days of Christmas:<\/p>\n

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1.\u00a0Take a Walking Tour of the Christmas Lights<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Christmas-in-London-lights\"<\/p>\n

The best things in life are free \u2013 even in infamously expensive London. Wrap up warm and stroll through London checking out the big lights of Oxford and Regent Street and exploring quirky displays like the Chinese lanterns of Chiswick<\/a><\/span><\/strong> from 24 November.<\/p>\n

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2. Ice Skate at Somerset House<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Somerset-House-Christmas-in-London\"<\/p>\n

Baby it\u2019s cold outside \u2013 so you may as well embrace the chill and take to the ice. I\u2019m by not a natural skater but you\u2019ll find me bruised and battered (and tugging myself around the edge) of Somerset House ice rink<\/a><\/span><\/strong> from 15 November.<\/p>\n

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3. Catch a show<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"12-Days-of-Christmas-shows\"<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s the ballet, a play or a good old \u2018oh no he didn\u2019t, or yes he did\u2019 panto, Christmas is perfect occasion to pay a trip to the theatre. Check out London Theatre breaks and shows here<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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4. Walk through Winter Wonderland Hyde Park<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"christmas-in-london-winter-wonderland\"<\/p>\n

No Christmas in London is complete without a trip to Hyde Park\u2019s<\/span> Winter Wonderland<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Munch on waffles washed down with mulled wine and soak up the festive atmosphere. Your 12 days of Christmas are well on their way!<\/p>\n

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5. Window Shop at Selfridges<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"12-days-of-christmas-selfridges\"<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to be able to afford designer labels to enjoy some high-end window-shopping this December. Harrods display is pretty good, Prada is gift-wrapped but its Selfridges that really pulls out all the stops for their festive themed window display.<\/p>\n

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6. See What\u2019s on at the Cinema <\/strong><\/h4>\n

In between chain-watching old festive favourites the likes of Love Actually and Home Alone make some time for these new releases. Murder On The Orient Express and the latest Star Wars are topping my list.<\/p>\n

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7. Indulge your cheesy side at Winterville Clapham Common<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"christmas-in-london-winterville\"<\/p>\n

An ice rink, a fairground, food stalls, bars, handicrafts and a roller disco \u2013 what more could you want of a Christmas fair? Fondue, that\u2019s what.<\/p>\n

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8. Backyard Cinema\u2019s Winter Night Garden<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"christmas-in-london-winter-gardens\"

Photo via: Backyard Cinema<\/p><\/div>\n

Once you\u2019ve dipped your way into a molten cheese induced stupor at Jimmy Garcia\u2019s recover in front of a festive flick. Step through a wardrobe door, wander through a secret tunnel of trees and slouch into a beanbag to watch a showing of Die Hard, Elf or Miracle on 34th<\/sup> Street. Make sure to get your tickets<\/span> before they all sell out.<\/p>\n

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9. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Attend one of the many carol concerts citywide \u2013 and deafen everyone with your best renditions.<\/p>\n

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10. South Pole Saloon, Brixton<\/strong><\/h4>\n