11 Things To Book For A Festive Day With Friends
FOR CHRISTMAS MOVIES:
Kitchen at Holmes Festive Cinematic Pop-Up
Kitchen at Holmes offers guests the chance to cosy up on a secret roof terrace that’s been transformed with lights, foliage and decorations. Over the next month, you can book slots to see films like The Holiday, Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street and Scrooged. Tickets include a cocktail and three-course meal with dishes like burrata with oyster mushrooms and squash, and courgette spaghetti with pistachio and basil. Don’t forget to ask for your popcorn to be drizzled with truffle butter or maple sauce.
Tickets: £70pp
108 Baker Street, West End, W1U 6LJ; until 23rd December
Visit DesignMyNight.com
FOR A ROLLER DISCO:
Rollerscape
Rollerscape is the UK’s first immersive roller rink. Set to open on Friday 24th November at Troubadour Theatre Wembley, it’s an indoor rink with sparkling disco balls, a Winter Hall with a giant Christmas tree, and a photo opportunity with Santa’s sleigh. Outside, guests can cosy up on the heated terrace next to the alpine lodge and barrel fire pit – think marshmallow toasting and hot festive drinks. Book a themed ‘90s Night’ or a late-night session on Friday nights.
Tickets: From £14
3 Fulton Road, Wembley Park, HA9 0SP
Visit Rollerscape.co.uk
FOR DRAG BRUNCHES:
Between The Bridges
Between the Bridges has returned to London’s South Bank with a new roster of drag brunches and high-octane entertainment. Upcoming highlights include a Christmas sing-along ‘Massaoke’ with live music and singalong lyrics (Fri 24th Nov, 7pm); a festive drag show hosted by UK Drag Race Season 2 star Tayce (Sat 25th Nov, 11.30am); and ‘Santa’s Sunday Social’ with pop and R&B tunes alongside Christmas classics (every Sunday in Dec, from 4pm).
Tickets: Various shows are free, otherwise tickets from £10
The Queen's Walk, South Bank, SE1 8XZ; until 23rd December
Visit BetweenTheBridges.co.uk
FOR A SPECIAL AFTERNOON:
The Ned
Bring the girls to The Ned for a fun time. With options to suit everyone in the group, and every budget, there are numerous restaurants to choose from – think pizza and prosecco at Cecconi’s or a festive afternoon tea in Millie’s Lounge. Plus, on Sunday 3rd, 10th and 17th December, choirmaster Gareth Malone will perform Christmas classics with his choir, with entry from 8pm.
Tickets: From £45pp
27 Poultry, City, EC2R 8AJ
Visit TheNed.com
FOR A CHRISTMAS MARKET:
Southbank Centre
Not sure where to start the day? Meet your pals at Southbank Centre’s Winter Market where you’ll find alpine-style chalets serving festive street food. Choose from savoury dishes like truffle burgers and molten cheese toasties before moving onto sweet treats like Dutch pancakes and chocolate-covered fruit. Warm up with hot chocolate and mulled wine before visiting the craft stalls for Christmas gifts.
Tickets: Free
Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX; until 26th December
Visit SouthbankCentre.co.uk
FOR CHRISTMAS CLASSICS:
Luna
The Luna Cinema is popping up at Battersea Arts Centre and Kensington Palace. Both venues will be decked out with larger-than-life decorations, twinkling lights and cinema seating. Films on offer include The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Holiday, Elf and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Expect popcorn, festive snacks and hot chocolate.
Tickets: From £15
Various sites; until 23rd December
Visit TheLunaCinema.com
FOR INTERATIVE BINGO:
Hijingo
Hijingo is the fun bingo night to know about. From the team behind Bounce and Puttshack, it’s a high-energy, multisensory experience in Shoreditch with live entertainment, stadium-grade lighting, and music and audio effects to ramp up the drama. Now, guests can book festive packages including a Christmas lunch with seven rounds of bingo, drinks and a sharing selection of festive bites.
Tickets: £35pp
90 Worship Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 2BA
Visit Hijingo.com
FOR A FESTIVE EXTRAVAGANZA:
Bunga Bunga
Bunga Bunga comes into its own at Christmas. Over the next few weeks, its Covent Garden site is hosting various parties, including festive lunches, dinners and shows complete with singing, dancing, live performances and plenty of cheer. A great option for big groups, each experience finishes with limoncello or boozy tiramisu shots.
Tickets: From £35
167 Drury Lane, West End, WC2B 5PG
Visit BungaBunga.com
FOR KARAOKE:
Lucky Voice
End your festive day out with two hours at Lucky Voice, one of our favourite karaoke brands. At four sites across London (Soho, Holborn, Liverpool Street and Islington), guests can book booths for four to 30 people and choose from over 11,000 songs. Order drinks from the bar or order room service – just press the ‘Thirsty’ button to order drinks, Christmas pizzas and other festive dishes to your booth.
Tickets: From £25pp for two hours
Various sites
Visit LuckyVoice.com
FOR IMMERSIVE DINING:
Velvet Pines
This new immersive dining concept by entertainment company Swamp Motel transports guests to a 70s-inspired alpine hotel. Enjoy an evening of cabaret performances and live entertainment while tucking into a three-course meal cooked by MasterChef finalist Omar Foster. Christmas cocktails and 70s-inspired dishes complete the festive extravaganza.
Tickets: From £89.95pp
Visit VelvetPines.co.uk
FOR SKATING & IGLOOS:
Glide at Battersea Power Station
Kensington Palace, Somerset House, Hampton Court… London has no shortage of ice rinks, but we’ve bookmarked Glide at Battersea Power Station this year. Decorated with twinkling lights, the capital’s only riverside rink has been created in collaboration with Jo Malone London. Once you’ve taken your skates off, stop for hot chocolate at The Glass House and snuggle up with cosy blankets and drinks in one of the private igloos.
Tickets: Skating from £12.50
Nine Elms, SW11 8EF; until 7th January
BRENDAN BELL
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