10 things to do in London in December

The British capital is a fantastic place to see at any time of the year but London in December has a special charm as the Christmas spirit permeates everything from November to early January and this is the month when the city shines in all its splendour.

Want to know what you can do on a trip to London in December? Check out these 10 fabulous things to do to have a great time.

London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world when winter arrives. Especially at Christmas time when the streets are decorated with all kinds of lights, garlands, luminous figures and Christmas trees.

The city centre is where you can see the most beautiful Christmas lights, either by taking a long walk or by taking a ticket for a Toot bus Christmas lights tour, which takes you around the most important areas and allows you to see winter decorations and the most popular landmarks in the British capital.

Some of the most beautiful areas not to be missed for some spectacular photos are:

• Regent Street and Oxford Street (in the latter, the part between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus is usually the most spectacular).
• Carnaby Street in SoHo. The Christmas decorations have a different theme each year.
• Covent Garden, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, which is even more impressive at Christmas. It has live music and a giant Christmas tree.
• Trafalgar Square, with the biggest Christmas tree in London all the way from Norway.

A fantastic thing to do on a rainy day in London in December is to go and enjoy the West End musicals in the theatre. London in winter is the season for musicals and you can feel it in the air.

Their shows have nothing to envy to those of the famous Broadway. The musical numbers are marvellous and the staging is impressive. Even if you don't speak English, don't be afraid because many of the West End musicals have been made into films before.

During the Christmas season, many people choose to go to the theatre for an enjoyable evening out and to escape the cold, so tickets to London musicals are in high demand.

If you don't want to queue endlessly at the box office and end up with no tickets available, I advise you to get your tickets online in advance of your trip- you'll travel with peace of mind knowing you've got your tickets in your suitcase!

The city's skyline is stunning at any time of year, but the atmosphere in London in December is something special, with all the decorations and Christmas lights decorating the streets and squares.

If you want to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the British capital, you have to climb the London Eye, the highest Ferris wheel in Europe.

What sets it apart from other observatories, such as if you choose to climb The Shard observation deck, is that it is constantly moving, allowing you to see the city from different points and perspectives. You'll also be able to take some great photos of the surrounding monuments such as Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the River Thames, among others.

If you fancy a ride on the world's most famous Ferris wheel, the London Eye's opening hours on New Year's Eve are different from the rest of the calendar as it closes much earlier, at around 3pm. Bear this in mind if you decide to buy tickets for the London Eye on that date!

Here are some options for access, in case you fancy this special plan during the Christmas season:

• London Eye tickets -from AED 152
• Fast track tickets for the London Eye -from AED 244
• London Eye tickets with champagne -from AED 280
• Tour of London and tickets for the London Eye -from AED 558

On this day I recommend you don't stray too far from the area because at midnight there is a breathtaking fireworks display that will leave you spellbound. Head to the banks of the Thames or one of the bridges that span the Thames to enjoy the event up close.

London is a magical city in itself, but if you visit in December, Harry Potter Studios Park is one of the places you can't miss. Imagine seeing Hogwarts at the most magical time of the year!

At Christmas, Warner Bros. studios are especially enchanting. Everything is decorated with typical Christmas motifs for the festive occasion.

For example, the Great Dining Hall is decorated with Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths, as is the Gryffindor Common Room. Other areas such as the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, Hagrid's hut and the Hogwarts Castle model also look very wintry as they are covered in several layers of cinematic snow to suit the seasonal atmosphere.

All in all, Harry Potter Studios Park looks beautiful and there are tours that include a visit and transfer from different parts of the city:

• Harry Potter Studios Park tickets with transfer from Victoria -from AED 547
• Harry Potter Studios Park tickets with transfer from King's Cross-from AED 557
• Harry Potter Studios Park Tour with transfer from Victoria Station -from AED 641
• Harry Potter Studios Park tickets with transfer from London-from AED 591

In the post Harry Potter Studios Park Tickets London: where and how to buy tickets for the park you can find information on how to get them. And if in the end even with a spell you can't get them, in the post Harry Potter London locations you can see some alternatives to enjoy the Potter universe in London.

Christmas in London wouldn't be the same without Winter Wonderland, the city's largest Christmas fair. A little Christmas paradise located in Hyde Park, London's most popular park.

Inside there are plenty of places to visit and things to do. For example, a large flea market where you can buy various souvenirs or gifts for your loved ones. There are also fun attractions such as an ice rink, a circus, a merry-go-round, a roller coaster or a Ferris wheel from which you will have stunning panoramic views of Hyde Park. There is even a children's area called Santa Land for younger children.

It is open from mid-November to the beginning of January and to access it you need to get a ticket on the Winter Wonderland website.

I recommend going around midday and staying inside the park until dark as you will be able to see the colourful festival of lights that adorns the fair.

One of my favourite things to do in London in December is to go skating at one of the ice rinks that are set up in the British capital with the arrival of the cold weather.

There are plenty to choose from and they're always located at key points around the city, so while you're skating you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and landmarks. Plus, you'll get some great pictures!

Here are some of London's ice rinks to visit:

• Somerset House: Many tourists don't know about it, but during the winter there is a giant ice rink in Somerset House Square. The skating environment is beautiful, with the neoclassical building behind it, the market that surrounds it and the Christmas tree that presides over it - a marvel!
• Winter Wonderland: Located inside this Christmas fair in Hyde Park you can find this great skating rink. You can go at midday or at dusk when the lights of the fair begin to turn on.
• Natural History Museum: This is another one of the most beautiful places to ice skate in London in December, as the rink is located in front of the beautiful Natural History Museum. There is also a beautiful Christmas tree in the centre, which you can spin around.

If you're spending Christmas in London, make a note in your diary for Boxing Day, a holiday that kicks off the sales and discounts in many of the city's shops.

And what a bargain it is! There are places where you can find bargains at 50% off on Boxing Day. Boxing Day is an excellent opportunity to buy some souvenirs and also a few gifts for your loved ones.

Here are some of the best places to shop in London:

• Oxford Street
• Regent's Street
• Camden High Street
• Soho
• Covent Garden
• Portobello Road
• King's Road

So grab a map of the city, open your eyes wide and get your card ready... because it'll end up smoking!

Trafalgar Square is one of London's most famous squares. Although at any time of the year it is usually a very lively and busy place, in winter it is even more so.

Londoners and tourists gather there to take pictures with the giant Christmas tree in front of the National Gallery, enjoy the Christmas lights and also the Christmas carols sung every evening in December by different choirs next to the tree.

The show is free! So if you want to feel the English Christmas atmosphere, I recommend you to go for a walk through Trafalgar Square in London in December.

One of the most beautiful Christmas markets you can visit in London in December is the Southbank Winter Market, which you will find next to the London Eye in Southbank, the promenade located on the south bank of the River Thames.

What makes the Southbank market special is that it is inspired by the typical German wooden markets decorated with garlands and lights of all kinds. The appearance is totally fairytale!

I recommend you to drop by here one afternoon to have a good time. As well as wandering around each stall looking for souvenirs or gifts to take home, you can also take the opportunity to feast at the food stalls in the market.

When you're tired, take a break and sit back to enjoy the atmosphere. The Southbank Winter Market usually also hosts live music and art performances for the general public, and there's no charge.

When you're in London in December, take the opportunity to reconcile yourself with British cuisine. It's true that it doesn't enjoy a good reputation in the world, but they have little things that are very tasty and that will change your mind.

This is the case of mulled wine, a hot drink that is drunk especially at Christmas when it's freezing cold. It is made with red wine, to which pieces of fruit, cinnamon and other spices are added to achieve that characteristic sweet taste.

You'll see how it helps you get your body back in shape on cold days! You can find it in many of the Christmas markets around the city. Don't forget to try it with a mince pie, a fruit cake that's very typical at this time of year - you'll be hard pressed to try just one!