The 12 alternative days of Christmas

Shake up your festive season like a snow globe, says Alex Dudok de Wit
Ice-skate like Bambi at Westfield London's indoor ice rink
Advertisement Feature6 November 2015

Tired of turkey? Sick to death of Silent Night? Fear not: you don't need to stick to tradition to have a festive Christmas. From dim sum banquets to husky-driven sleigh rides, our 12 alternative Chrimbo activities will spice up your holiday like a fine mulled wine...

Sample some Christmas spirits

Given that Santa is, strictly speaking, Finnish, a Scandinavian bar would seem the right place to drink to his health. Enter Nordic, a swish West End bar that offers a lively Christmas party venue and killer cocktail menu.

Christmas parties from £15.95 per person

Burn off your Christmas dinner

If you're kept from cycling around London by the thought of getting crushed by a double-decker, there's no better day to start than December 25, when the streets are clear. Every year, dozens of cyclists meet to cycle a 16-mile route around the city.

Free

Meet Santa's big helper

This year, visitors to Westfield's DreamWorks DreamPlace grotto will be treated to a cinematic sleigh ride to the North Pole, in the company of Shrek and Donkey. Whoosh through the skies on a personalised journey, where little ones get the chance to speak to Santa and receive their gift.

From £8 per person, or from £28 for a family of four

Sing like a Muppet

The Prince Charles Cinema updates its noble tradition of audience singalongs for Christmas with regular screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol. If the mood takes you, come dressed as your favourite Muppet – if not, as Michael Caine.

£13.50 per person

Ice-skate like Bambi

Westfield London's indoor ice rink returns to its Atrium. All are welcome, from Olympic-worthy figure skaters to collision-prone novices. If you fall, the live music and family entertainment will have you back on your feet in no time.

From £10 per adult, or £8 for under-12s

Get a sugar rush

If (like us) you'll have gobbled up the entire contents of your advent calendar by December 2, head over to Islington's Chocolate Festival. Among other intriguing events, it features "perfume-chocolate pairing sessions" courtesy of Gorilla Perfumes.

Pre-booked tickets £12 per adult, or £5 per child

Get up close to a husky at the WWT London Wetland Centre

Ride a two-dog open sleigh

Short of jetting off to Norway for the Christmas holidays, a trip to the WWT London Wetland Centre is the best way to get up close to a husky. The centre offers canine lovers the option of a sleigh ride and photo ops aplenty.

Pre-booked admission from £10.43 per adult, or £5.72 per child. Sleigh rides free with admission

Stuff yourself in style

If the thought of yet another turkey and pudding combo makes your stomach yawn, Hakkasan Mayfair has the meal for you. Its Christmas dim sum menus put an exotic spin on classic festive fare.

From £58.88 per person

Swing with the queens

Forget the local school choir: the London Gay Men's Chorus is the final word in festive music. Their annual carol concerts are a hoot, but this year sees them bringing in the holidays with a riotous night of song, swing and dance at The Roundhouse.

From £18.95

Party on the go

With its live choir, free Christmas treats and tour of London's loveliest sights, Westfield's Christmas bus is the venue to beat for all-out festive fun. It certainly trumps a night ride on the 134. Look out for it on 22 and 23 November. Check Westfield’s Facebook or Twitter pages for more details.

Free

Culture the kids

Take children to the theatre and watch a bear hunt for his lost hat in I Want My Hat Back, based on Jon Klassen's adored kids' book. The play is hosted in the National's striking new annex, whose walls are as red as Santa's bonnet.

From £12 per adult, or £10 per child

Swim in the Serpentine

Every Christmas Day, London's hardiest lunatics race 100 yards across the Serpentine Lake in pursuit of the Peter Pan Cup ­- so called ever since it was presented by JM Barrie in 1904. Take part if you dare; cheer from the sidelines if you don't.

Free. Note: you must be a qualified member of the Serpentine Swimming Club to take part in the race

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