The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is a surprisingly less-crowded time of year in London, offering many opportunities to enjoy activities that would otherwise have been a bit crowded for many people’s tolerance. Most families are preoccupied with saying their goodbyes to relatives who flew in for Christmas, heading for the long lines at airports, or packing up the car for that road trip back home. For others, this week is still busy. You might be back to work for a few days or perhaps you are finalising your New Year’s party venue for hire in London.
Regardless of your personal circumstances, there’s no denying that these few days between Christmas and New Year’s are always a little uncertain. Nobody is quite sure what to do, how to spend their time and whether or not they should keep the party train going or take the foot off the pedal for a few days to recover in time for the New Year’s celebrations. It’s important to plan for this time over the holidays and line up a few things that you can do to keep yourself and the family entertained while you wait for the NYE celebrations to begin.
Let’s take a look at just a few things that you can do to continue the festive fun during the remaining days of the year.
Holiday Skating Rinks
What better way to burn off those extra calories you’ve consumed over the past month than to bring the family or a date to the many pop-up holiday ice rinks that are set up at this time of the year? Skating really is the perfect activity to go along with the seasonal festive vibe, plus it’s inexpensive and quite easy to learn if you’ve never tried it. There are a few different spots to choose from but there are two rinks, in particular, you will not want to miss this season.
First up is the Canary Wharf Rink which remains operational until February 25th, so you have plenty of time. They’ve also installed a roof over the rink, so even if there is rain, the rink remains in action. Discounts are available for children, so make sure you bring the whole family. For parents, it’s important to note that all children on the rink need to be accompanied by an adult, one adult per six children. The rates are for 50 minutes of skating time, and the fee for skate hire is included in case you forget to bring your own skates.
Also worth checking out is the large rink in front of Henry VIII’s Palace at the Hampton Court Palace which runs through January 2023.
Christmas Lights Festivals
Light festivals showcase the many different messages and activities associated with Christmas while also displaying the skills and artistic creativity of the staff who put on these shows. It takes many hours of hard work and planning to create these magnificent displays that wow children and adults alike. There are a number of different displays worth seeing between Christmas and New Year’s.
Carnaby Street Shopping District: The light festival at Carnaby showcases Brazil’s always extravagant Carnival colours this year. Bring the kids and walk around the streets taking in the festive scene. You might even score some post-Christmas discounts in the over 100 shops and restaurants.
Regent Street & St. James Christmas Lights: Another expensive shopping district hosting a beautiful display celebrating all the beauty of the holidays. Both kids and kids at heart will enjoy the majesty of this popular attraction which runs through January 3, 2023.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park is transformed into a holiday extravaganza for all visitors up until January 2, 2023. See the lights and decorations, enjoy the rides, and grab some tasty street food offerings from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Boasting the UK’s largest ice rink, a Christmas Circus, a Cirque Berserk show, and the Giant Wheel, Hyde Park is a great way to enjoy the remaining days of the 2022 holiday season with your family.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
For a slightly more relaxing activity, taking the kids or parents on a Carriage ride may be just the ticket. Rides through Richmond Park last 75 minutes, and along the way, you’ll see plenty of holiday decorations inside the park grounds and maybe some wildlife if you’re lucky. Prices are set at £450 for a party of six people per carriage which includes a blanket, refreshments, and mince pies, and you’ll get to see the behind-the-scenes activity of the entire operation, including the stables. Proceeds from these rides go directly to the care and upkeep of the horses and the facility.
Make The Most Of The Time Between Christmas And New Year’s Eve
Although the few days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are often seen as an awkward few days where there’s nothing to do but wait until December 31st, this doesn’t have to be the case. Make some plans, consider the options above, and keep the festive fun rolling into the New Year.
