In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the Victorian novelist recalled London’s ‘Little Ice Age’, when Frost Fairs were held on a frozen Thames. You can’t do your Christmas shopping on the river – the last Frost Fair was in 1814 – but you can still enjoy the season’s magic beside it.
The river’s southern stretch between icy-blue Tower Bridge and London Bridge becomes a maze of fairylit chalets selling festive wares for Winter by the River (to 4 Jan). Wrap up for a stroll around the market and enjoy hands-on experiences including wreath making, gingerbread decorating and cocktail masterclasses. Go hungry for the street-food stalls – a salt beef sandwich with a tot of sloe gin, anyone?
Continue west, via the aromas of Borough Market, towards the Southbank Centre. This Brutalist landmark, which is celebrating its 75th birthday next year, is lit up for its wondrous Winter festival (to 11 Jan). As well as free outdoor art exhibition, Winter Light, browse the market and catch a show. The stage version of Top Hat (from 12 Dec) should put you in a sparkling mood, while Bluey’s Big Play (from 18 Dec) will distract little ones from asking how many sleeps are left until Christmas.
Seconds away, you’ll find Between the Bridges, a pop-up near Jubilee Gardens and the London Eye. If you’ve a few presents left to buy, visit SoLo Craft Fair, which will be doing a roaring trade in independent gifts (to 14 Dec). Catch the market in Leadenhall Market and St Martin-in-the Fields, too.
Battersea Power Station is another must-visit. After you’ve seen the shops and market, whirl around London’s only riverside ice rink, Glide (to 4 Jan). With a new Skate Trail, it’s overlooked by a towering Christmas tree, fairground rides and bars.
And if the mulled wine doesn’t perk you up, Drip – a sauna and ice-bath experience suspended above the river – certainly will (to 31 Dec).
Finally, you may have bought a snow globe as a stocking filler, but you can step into a real one at Up at The O2 in Greenwich.
Brave a guided Snow Globe Climb over the iconic roof, then get cosy in the UK’s highest snow globe (to 4 Jan). At 52 metres high, you may even spot Santa whizzing through the sky.
