Study, work or travel in the UK. British
culture and life.
Things to do in the UK in December 2007
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Study, work or travel in the UK. British
culture and life.
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Things to do in the UK in December 2007
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 Father Christmas |
 Mince pies |
 Mulled wine |
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DECEMBER
2007
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Ice skating tickets in London:
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Applying for tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo (in
August next year):
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| Tickets for next year's Edinburgh Tattoo start to go on sale this month. For details of this event and how to buy tickets, see: Ideas/Album/Tattoo |
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Recommended last posting dates (for post to arrive
before Christmas)
Fri 7 Dec 2007: Airmail to South & Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Far East (except Japan), New Zealand, Australia Mon 10 Dec 2007: Airmail to Eastern Europe, USA, Canada, Japan Thu 13 Dec 2007: Airmail to Western Europe Fri 14 Dec 2007: UK standard parcels Mon 17 Dec 2007: UK second class letters Thu 20 Dec 2007: UK first class letters For further details, see: http://www.royalmail.com * Post in the UK: Life/Post |
| Thu 29 Nov - Sat 22 Dec |
European Christmas Market, London There will be a Christmas market each day from 10am-8pm with traders from different European countries, offering arts & crafts, festive gifts and a wide selection of food and drink. There is no entrance charge. The venue is Potters Fields Park, on the South Bank close to Tower Bridge (nearest Tube: London Bridge or Tower Hill; map). For details, see: http://www.londonchristmasmarket.com. |
| Sat 1 Dec | World Aids Day, UK & worldwide World Aids Day has been created to educate people about Aids. It seeks to remove the stigma and discrimination which can prevent effective HIV & Aids prevention and care worldwide. It also seeks to make people more aware of what they can do to reduce the risk of becoming infected. For more details about events on World Aids Day, see: http://www.worldaidsday.org |
| Sat 1 Dec - Sun 6 Jan |
Winter Wonderland, London A Big Wheel and other rides, an ice rink and a Christmas market are put up in London's Hyde Park (nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch; map). Pre-booking is recommended for skating. For details, see: http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com. |
 Winter Wonderland: Big Wheel, stalls |
 ... skating ... |
 ... and rides (in Hyde Park) |
| Mon 3 Dec | Royal Variety Performance, Liverpool Since 1912 there has been an annual variety show performance attended by the king or queen, with the money raised going to a fund to help retired entertainers in need (the artists perform for free). The show is shown on BBC television at a later date. See: http://www.eabf.org.uk/rvp1.htm. |
| Thu 6 Dec | Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree, London [usually performed on the first Thursday in December] In the Second World War Norway was occupied by the Nazis. The King of Norway escaped to Britain and set up an alternative government in London for 5 years until the war was over. The Norwegian resistance secretly sent a tree from Norway each year to make the King feel closer to his homeland. After the war, the Norwegian government decided to offer a large Norwegian tree to Britain each year, as a symbol of friendship and to thank the nation for helping the Norwegian people. This fir tree, which is about 75 feet (26 metres) high, is put up in Trafalgar Square, London (map; nearest Tube: Charing Cross). The tree is decorated in a traditional Norwegian style with 500 white lights: these lights will be lit from noon until midnight each day during the Christmas period (until 6th January). The 2007 ceremony will start at 6pm. There will be carol singing before the lights will be switched on at 6:30pm. For more details, see: http://www.norway.org.uk/norwayuk/christmastree/christmastree.htm and http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/events/xmas.jsp * Photos of this event: Ideas/Album/NorwegianTree |
 Norwegian Christmas tree, Trafalgar Square |
| Fri 7 Dec - Wed 12 Dec |
Clotheshow Live, Birmingham Clotheshow Live is a popular fashion event held at Birmingham's NEC. To travel there by coach, click here (select "Birmingham" as the destination, then choose "Birmingham NEC") For entrance tickets and further information: http://www.clotheshowlive.com |
| Sat 8 Dec | Great Christmas Pudding Race, London Teams dressed in fancy clothes race around an obstacle course in Covent Garden. To make it more difficult, they have to carry a Christmas pudding on a tray. The winner receives the Pudding Trophy. The event raises money for Cancer Research UK. For details see: http://www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk * Pictures of the event: Ideas/Album/PuddingRace |
 Great Christmas Pudding Race, Covent Garden |
 Christmas pudding (with holly decoration) |
| Sun 9 Dec | Blessing of the Crib, London [usually performed on the Sunday after the first Thursday in December] Each year the Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields provides a crib which is placed on Trafalgar Square during the Christmas period. There is a special dedication ceremony in the church. Meet on the steps of the church at 5:20pm for a torchlight procession into the square, led by the Salvation Army Band followed by the choir and clergy. See: http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/events/xmas.jsp or http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org |
 Salvation Army band |
 Crib |
 Choir girl |
| Mon 10 Dec - Sun 23 Dec |
Carol singing in the Square, London Groups of carol singers will perform each evening (at various times between 5-9pm) next to the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, raising money for charity. There will not be any singing on 11 December. To check the programme, see: http://www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/events/xmas.jsp |
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Get Into London Theatre (GILT) 2008
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| A limited number of specially priced tickets are available for a range of plays, musicals, operas and dance performances in London (between 3 January and 8 February 2008). Book as soon as you can, because these special tickets usually sell quickly. Depending on the show, top price tickets are available for £15, £25 or £35 (there is no booking fee). Tickets go on sale from 12 December 2007. To book tickets, click here. |
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Plays: Absurd Person Singular £25
; Dealer's Choice £25 ; Glengarry Glen Ross £25 ; Hergé’s
Adventures of Tintin £25 ; Marianne Dreams £15 ; Metamorphosis
£15 ; Nicholas Nickleby Part 1 £25 ; Nicholas Nickleby Part
2 £25 ; Present Laughter £25 ; Shadowlands £25 ; Swimming
With Sharks £35 ; The 39 Steps £25 ; The Country Wife £35
; The History Boys £25 ; The Importance of Being Earnest £35
; The Lover/The Collection £25 ; The Sea £25 ; The Seagull
(RSC) £25 ; The Woman in Black £25 ; Women Of Troy £25
Musicals: A Christmas Carol £15 ; Avenue Q £25 ; Billy Elliot £35 ; Blood Brothers £25 ; Buddy £25 ; Cabaret £25 ; Chicago £25 ; Dancing in the Streets £15 ; Fiddler On The Roof £25 ; Grease £35 ; Joseph £35 ; Les Misérables £35 ; Mamma Mia! £35 ; Monty Python's Spamalot £35 ; Rent £25 ; The Lord Of The Rings £25 ; The Magic Flute £15 ; The Phantom Of The Opera £35 ; The Sound Of Music £35 ; We Will Rock You £25 ; Wicked £35 Opera: The Mikado (ENO) £25 Dance/Ballet: Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! £25 ; Swan Lake (ENB) £35 ; Tango Por Dos £25 ; The Nutcracker (ENB) £35 Entertainment: Beauty And The Beast £15 ; Cinderella £35 ; Dick Whittington £15 ; Jack And The Beanstalk £15 ; Moscow State Circus £15 ; Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs £15 ; Stomp £25 |
| Fri 14 Dec - Sun 16 Dec |
Frost Fair, London During the 16th century the River Thames froze during several cold winters. A tradition started of having a festival on the ice when this happened. Although the river has not frozen for nearly 200 years, the tradition of holding a free "frost fair" by the Thames has been revived recently. There is a lantern parade on Friday evening. There are stalls selling crafts and seasonal goods, ice sculptures, music and entertainers. This event takes place on Bankside (near the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern; nearest Tube: Southwark or Blackfriars; map). In 2007 the timings are 11am-9pm on Friday, 10am-9pm on Saturday, and 10am-6pm on Sunday. For full details, see: http://www.visitsouthwark.com/bankside-frost-fair-2007 * Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/FrostFair |
 Frost Fair: music on stage |
 Snowman |
| Mon 17 Dec | Christmas last posting day: second class letters, UK
If you want to send Christmas cards from the UK to another address in the UK using second-class stamps (this is cheaper), you are recommended to post them before this date. They should be delivered before Christmas Day. For details of other last posting dates, see: http://www.royalmail.com. * Post in the UK: Life/Post |
| Mon 17 Dec - Sat 22 Dec |
International Showjumping, London A top showjumping event at Olympia, Hammersmith Road (horses jumping over fences, inside a hall). See: http://www.olympiashowjumping.com. There are also some events for dogs and ponies. Highlights are shown on BBC television. * Equestrian sports in the UK: Life/Sport/Horse |
 Showjumping |
| Thu 20 Dec | Christmas last posting day: first class letters, UK
The last chance for you to send a Christmas card to another address in the UK and be confident that it will be delivered before Christmas Day - but you must use first class stamps. For details of other last posting dates, see: http://www.royalmail.com. * Post in the UK: Life/Post |
| Fri 21 Dec | Christmas holiday period begins, UK Trains and buses will be very busy during the afternoon and evening, as many people will travel to their families for the Christmas holiday. It may be wise to book in advance any long-distance train or coach travel at this time of year in case the services are full. * Transport information in the UK: Travel/Transport |
| Sat 22 Dec | Shortest day of the year (Winter solstice), UK If you are depressed by how soon it gets dark, this will slowly get better from now ... The shortest day has been important since early times: many standing stones and stone circle are aligned with the sun on either this day or the summer solstice (the longest day of the year). * British weather: Britain/Weather |
| Mon 24 Dec | A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Cambridge At 3pm at King's College Chapel in Cambridge is a traditional carol service called "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols": the carols are sung by the famous King's College choir. You can listen to the service live on BBC Radio 4. Alternatively, you can watch "Carols from Kings" on television on BBC2 (this is recorded a few days earlier). People in Cambridge who wish to attend the service usually start queuing before 8am. |
| Mon 24 Dec | Christmas Eve, UK Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in the UK, but many people will not work a full day because they need to travel to their families. Public transport services may finish earlier than usual. Many Christians go to a midnight service in churches to celebrate the start of Christmas Day. |
| Tue 25 Dec | Christmas Day, UK This is a public holiday in the UK. Christmas Day is when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, so many people go to local church services. Most people spend the day together with their families: they talk, exchange presents, eat and drink, and watch television. The Queen's Christmas Message is broadcast in the afternoon - it is a tradition for many British people to watch this. Most shops, restaurants and places of entertainment are closed. Hotels, pubs and some Indian restaurants may be open, but you may need to book in advance if you want a meal at one of these. Most public transport services do not operate (apart from the Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express train services). If you are not with your family this can be a lonely time. You may try to arrange to get together with some other friends who don't have a family here and live nearby, or stay at home and watch TV. Some universities organise some activities for international students who are living on campus. Another possibility is to join a tour over the Christmas period (for details of tours this month, see: Travel/Tours/Dates/December). * Christmas celebrations in the UK: Ideas/Album/Christmas |
 Presents |
 Christmas crackers |
 Roast turkey lunch |
| Wed 26 Dec | Boxing Day (bank holiday), UK A public holiday in the UK. Some shops start their post-Christmas sales now (people sometimes queue up early outside department stores in the hope of getting a good bargain). Most transport services are working, but have a reduced service and may start later in the day than normal. There are some sports events, including football and horse racing. |
| Wed 26 Dec - Wed 2 Jan |
Hanukkah Jewish festival. Each day one candle on an eight-stemmed candelabra (called a Menorah) is lit. |
| Thu 27 Dec | Start of the January sales, UK Many shops start their sales today, trying to clear the unsold stock which they bought before Christmas. Sales often last for several weeks until late January, but the best bargains may be found at the beginning so people sometimes queue outside top department stores before opening time. * January sales: Ideas/Gifts/JanuarySales |
| Fri 29 Dec | Torchlight procession, Edinburgh A traditional part of the early Hogmanay (New Year's) celebrations in Edinburgh is a procession leaving Parliament Square. People carry torches and are accompanied by bagpipes and drums. The procession ends at Calton Hill, where a Viking long-ship is burnt and there is a firework display. See: http://www.edinburghshogmanay.org/whats-on/torchlight-procession * Pictures from Edinburgh Hogmanay: Ideas/Album/Hogmanay |
 Torchlight procession |
| Sun 31 Dec [details to be confirmed] |
New Year's Eve, UK Many people in the UK stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve so that they can celebrate the start of the New Year. As midnight approaches, British people traditionally watch Big Ben (the bell in the Houses of Parliament), and celebrate after it strikes for the 12th time: this is shown on television. It is traditional to make a New Year's Resolution (a promise to start doing something in the new year). You may be invited to someone's New Year Eve houseparty. Many pubs and clubs have special events. Check what transport is available in the area where you live to make sure you can get home. You may find it difficult to get a taxi unless you have pre-booked (for your own safety avoid using unlicensed minicabs). Do not drink if you will be driving, and do not drink on public transport. In crowded areas please be careful about pickpockets and avoid carrying glass bottles. Check your local weather forecast before going out. Outdoor events may be affected if there are strong winds and/or heavy rain. In London, people often gather in the area around Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Parliament Square from about 10pm until the early hours of the morning. The fountains in Trafalgar Square will be turned off. The sound of the chimes of Big Ben will be heard through speakers along the Embankment (between Westminster and Jubilee Bridges) on the South Bank (on Belvedere Road) on Trafalgar Square and on Parliament Square. There will be a 10-minute firework display at the London Eye starting at midnight - the best place to watch this is from Victoria Embankment, between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, but this area may be closed once it becomes crowded. The fireworks will also be shown live on large screens in Trafalgar Square, and on BBC1 television. A special free overnight Tube service is provided, from 11:45pm until 4:30am. Note that Westminster, Embankment, Leicester Square and Embankment Tube stations will be closed for part of the evening/morning. Bus services may start/terminate at Aldwych, Green Park station, Hyde Park Corner, Lambeth North or Marble Arch, because roads will be closed between about 7:30pm and 1:30am in the West End and around Waterloo (between Oxford Street in the North, Lambeth Bridge in the South, Blackfriars Bridge in the East, and Park Lane in the West). For full details of public transport services during the night see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk. For further information see: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/newyearseve. For a 24-hour weather forecast for London, see: here. In Edinburgh there is a street party and fireworks (you need to have bought tickets in advance to attend the street party). There are a number of tours from London to Edinburgh at this time (see: Travel/Tours/Dates/December). Scotland is famous for its New Year's celebrations (the event is called Hogmanay). For a 24-hour weather forecast for Edinburgh, see: here. * Pictures from Edinburgh Hogmanay: Ideas/Album/Hogmanay In Cardiff there will be celebrations in the area around City Hall (the event is called Calennig). For details see: http://www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com. For a 24-hour weather forecast for Cardiff, see: here. |
 Big Ben: the end of the year |
 Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh |
 Firework display at the London Eye |
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