I'll be in London the last week of November, and I'm wondering if I'll be there too early to enjoy the Xmas holiday decorations and festivities. Do they start putting up their decorations before December like we do here in the states?
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
The Christmas lights in Regent Street, London, were switched on on 8th November 2011, so it is likely to be a similar date in 2012. British festivals are different from American ones, so our lights do not have to wait until after Thanksgiving. In fact, many shops have Christmas displays from late September onwards.
Posted by
Land of La
9229 posts
Having enjoyed the Christmas Holidays in London more than once I can safely say you'll easily find what you are looking for in late November. This link is useful as well:
http://golondon.about.com/od/christmasinlondon/ss/Christmas-In-London.htm
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
We used to go to the UK every year in late Nov/early Dec. Many of the decorations should be up. Kew Gardens was always lovley at that time of year, and sometimes they had ice skating there. Some Christmas markets will also be up and running. The one in Bath is great (and huge). The one in Cardiff is smaller, but has lots of local craftsmen. Canterburry also had a smaller, but very good market. Windsor has had a French style Christmas market some years. Very small, but great foods. York also has a very good market with local farmers and craftsmen.
Posted by
St Petersburg Florida
951 posts
This is cool because this year I am going to Europe a week earlier than I usually do. I always leave on Thanksgiving day. I have always seen touch of Christmas decor/festivity when arriving to Europe at that time. Except for Italy. We really didn't see anything related to Christmas and we left Dec 8th (although I hear that they decorate late in December). But I am leaving a week earlier than Thanksgiving and am please to know that we may have a glimpse of charming Europe during Christmas time.
Posted by
New York, NY, 10025
392 posts
I was there over Thanksgiving in 2008 and it was all very Christmas-y already. The skating rink at Somerset House was up and running, and Fortnum and Mason and Harrod's had great window displays. I also got lots of great Christmas gifts of tea and chocolate for people. Enjoy!
Posted by
OP
Pleasanton, CA, United States
15 posts
Thanks for all of your replies -- no regrets now about booking my flight for Thanksgiving Day!
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5458 posts
Christmas merchandise starts appearing in the shops not long after the August Bank Holiday. Decorations continue to get earlier and earlier. What was once the beginning of December has become the beginning of November, breaking through the 'barrier' of Bonfire Night (5 Nov) - Oxford Street lights went on last year on 1 Nov. In areas with significant Hindu/Sikh/Jain populations the lights are often turned on first for Diwali and then stay on with specific modifications for Christmas.