Christmas in London 2016: The best alternative ways to celebrate across the capital

London has plenty for those who want a quirky Christmas, says David Ellis
Side splitting: La Soiree
David Ellis @dvh_ellis7 December 2016

For more classic Christmas fun, read our guide to traditional celebrations across the capital.

Make sure to see one of the city’s best winter rooftop bars, where everyone’s in seasonal spirits, but nothing is too twee. Our favourites include the Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop, transformed into a Nordic Viking stronghold, complete with long boat and a feasting hall. The extravagant Kensington Roof Gardens are always worth seeing, too.

If you’re looking for something a little more full throttle, there’s the chance to ride on the world’s largest travelling roller coaster, which has made its London debut in Hyde Park as part of Winter Wonderland. Munich Looping generates G-forces of more than 5G, which is about the same as a Formula 1 driver faces in a Grand Prix. For a classic given a shake up, head to the Nutcracker on Ice for the charm of the original with a slippery twist.

For groups looking to be entertained, try Lucky Voice in Soho for a cocktail masterclass, which includes a full hour of karaoke after you’ve mixed up a handful of drinks. Classes run from now until Christmas.

If that sounds a bit too much like hard work, La Soirée in Leicester Square offers a decadent night of burlesque, cabaret and sexed-up circus acts, and runs until 8 January. Elsewhere, the Christmess Reveillon in The Vaults at Waterloo, until 17 December, promises a 12-course meal and bad behaviour.

If that doesn’t suit, try the Nordic Yulefest in Old Street, until 18 December, which offers booze, banquets and plenty of chances to break the rules. Speaking of food, pop into the Printworks Kitchen in Clerkenwell, where Fat Macy’s Supperclub is hosting Christmas dinners to support the homeless and YMCA projects.

If you fancy a bit of indulgence but aren't in the mood for all the traditional heaviness found in most Christmas cooking, head to the newly opened Mamie's, who've had the top idea to mix crepes with cider. They've the very finest ciders going, with picks from across the world, and the crepes promise to be first rate too.

Christmas Lights in London 2016

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Covent Garden successfully straddles the traditional/alternative divide this year with plenty of goings-on, including its beautiful Christmas lights, winter pop-ups, and even a Lego grotto. The fun comes with the Blippar app, which Covent Garden has teamed up with for frolics including a reindeer treasure hunt.

Nearby, Simpsons-on-the-Strand, where Sunday lunch is a terrific Christmas treat in itself, will be hosting first rank sleight-of-hand artists Tony Middleton ‘Sonic’ and Dominick Zwolinski, who count among them Jim Carey, Simon Callow, Sir Roger Moore and, er, Boris Johnson as fans. Christmas is meant to be magic, no?

Don't forget to read our guide to all the Christmas lights in London, find out all about the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square and be sure to read our advice for surviving the Christmas shop.

If you're looking for the finest festival feasts, be sure to read our guide to the best Christmas dinner menus across the city.

Follow David Ellis on Twitter @dvh_ellis

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