Sponsored Post: A guide to alternative Christmas events in London

Have you ever wanted to say Bah! Humbug to a traditional Christmas, but still want to see friends and family over the festive season? We have discovered some great alternative events in London that are sure to tickle your fancy.

Photo: Bint by Steve Reed

Walking With Dinosaurs

The O2 Arena will be hosting the return of the family event, Walking With Dinosaurs. From 26^th December and through to 6^th January audiences can watch walking life-size dinosaurs. This is the perfect event to take the family to if your kids loved watching the BBC series and are fascinated with these monstrous vertebrates. Using state of the art animatronics you will feel as if these creatures have returned from extinction and are on the hunt for their next meal. Ticket prices start from £29.

For more information on Walking with Dinosaurs check out the O2 website.

Harry Potter Christmas Tour with Muggle Tours

Always wanted to discover the film locations that created a backdrop for one of the greatest family adventures? Muggle tour guides will take you on a trip across London, showing you the attractions that inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books. The event runs on the weekends leading up to Christmas with the final date being 26^th December. Yes, that’s right you can even take a guided tour on Christmas Day!

Find out more information by going to the Muggle Tours website.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Why spend Christmas cooped up indoors when you can discover a two-headed calf, a blue-faced man from China and over 700 other weird exhibits? Piccadilly Circus will be over-run by all things extraordinary and out of this world. Leading up to the main event you can see a vegetable orchestra, Phat Santa DJ, a giant snow globe, mini Santa, live reindeer and even a cow drawn open sleigh. Now if you wanted a Christmas with a twist, Ripley has got that covered.

Have a look at the Ripley London website and discover what else there is to discover.

Other Alternative Christmas Events in London

• Slava’s Snowshow
• Duckie’s Copyright ©hristmas
• 1660 – The London of Samuel Pepys
• Windmill on the Common
• Boxing Day Bash

So there you have it, London is open 365 days a year, including Christmas Day. So why not ban Christmas this year like Oliver Cromwell and discover an alternative way of making the most of the day?

A Guide to Alternative Christmas Events in London is a sponsored post written by Refresh Accommodation. If you fancy taking a trip to London over the festive season to enjoy an alternative Christmas, why not have a look at the range of service apartments Refresh Accommodation have to offer?

The Santa Dispatch

Merry Christmas everyone!

I took this photo in Woolwich Arsenal. Hope Santa found you alright. Enjoy the day!

South Bank Christmas Market

I went down to the Christmas market on South Bank last weekend. Music floated up the stairs to the bridge, kids on piggyback, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, shopping and chatting and a general good Christmas spirit!

So, tell me… Do you celebrate Christmas? how’s the shopping going? Do you love the holiday season or loathe it? Favourite or least favourite time of the year? Are you staying in London for Christmas? What are your plans?

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Our first stop at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland? Mulled Wine. It’s £4 a cup, but when you’re standing in freezing night temperatures, it’s a must to keep your hands from going numb and to warm you from the inside.

We had some good laughs trying on hats (for example, one that looked like a fish – you stick your head up into its mouth), ate some bratwurst smothered in ketchup, watched the pretty lights of the rides and bought a a couple goodies from the Christmas market. There’s also an ice skating rink if you’ve got good balance or don’t mind a few bruises.

You pay for rides and food at regular fairground prices, but entry is free and it’s a nice experience just wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere. Friends of mine went on a weekend which is apparently crowded, but we went on a Monday night after work and it was just right. The Wonderland is open till 10pm. Dress warm!!

http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

Winter Wonderland

The lights are already sparkling in trees around London and strung across Regents Street and Oxford Street and many others. Shop window displays are spewing fake snow onto mannequins and Santa’s already in town to hear the children’s wishes. Jamiefraser1 added this snowglobe shot to Flickr pool over the weekend.

Hyde Park just opened up its Winter Wonderland so if you’re looking for something fun to do, they’ve got a huge ice rink, Christmas shows, rides and a giant observation wheel.

What are your favourite Winter in London activities? Anyone have any good recommendations to share?