Christmas at Kew - Seasonal illuminations lighting Kew after dark - 2016

Seasonal illuminations lighting Kew after dark.

Tickets are now on sale.

There’s something for everyone at this festive time of year as our one mile sparkling path winds its way through the Gardens in a magical after dark experience.

A botanical wonderland awaits, with brightly coloured laser beams dancing over water, a Tunnel of Lights, scented Fire Garden and fairy-tale avenues of flora. Santa and his elves will be in the North Pole village, plus favourite vintage rides, Christmas gifts and traditional festive fare.

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Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree - Started its Journey on the 16th Nov - Lighting Up Ceremony 1st Dec 6.00PM

Every year, since 1947, the people of Norway have given the people of London a Christmas tree. This gift is in gratitude for Britain's support for Norway during World War II.

About the tree

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is usually a Norwegian spruce (Picea abies) over 20 metres high and 50-60 years old. It is selected from the forests surrounding Oslo with great care several months, even years, in advance. The Norwegian foresters who look after it describe it fondly as 'the queen of the forest'.

The tree is felled in November during a ceremony in which the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the British ambassador to Norway and the Mayor of Oslo participate. It is brought to the UK by sea, then completes its journey by lorry. A specialist rigging team erects it in the square using a hydraulic crane. It is decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion, with vertical strings of lights. Energy-efficient light bulbs are used.

The lighting ceremony

Don’t miss the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas tree on 1st  December 2016 in Trafalgar Square at 6pm. The 25-metre high tree is a gift from the people of Norway to London, in thanks for Britain’s support in World War II. This historic tradition has happened every year since 1947, and signals the countdown to Christmas in London.

Recycling the tree

The Christmas tree remains in Trafalgar Square until just before the Twelfth Night of Christmas, when it is taken down for recycling. The tree is chipped and composted, to make mulch.

Blessing of the crib

4th  December, 5.30pm

Join a special blessing of the crib ceremony on Sunday 4th December 2016 in Trafalgar Square.

The event will begin with a torch-lit procession at the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields led by the Salvation Army Band with the church’s choir and clergy. The crib is designed by Tomoaki Suzuki with figures inspired by Londoners from around the world. It will be on display in the square throughout December. Find out more at www.london.gov.uk/events

Carol singing

5 - 23 December

From Monday 5 to Thursday 22 December (except Saturday 10th & 17th December) over 40 carol singing groups will gather beneath the famous Christmas tree to entertain visitors to Trafalgar Square. Why not come along? Performances take place from 4-8pm on weekdays, and from 2-6pm at weekends. Find out more at www.london.gov.uk/events

Click the button underneath to view the schedule of performances and find out when each group is performing and which charities they are fundraising for.

The Journey Began 

Dulwich Picture Gallery - The Master Draughtsman & A Dulwich Christmas | December What's On

Meet Van de Velde the master draughtsman Even the most prodigious of child prodigies need to hone their skills and Adriaen van de Velde was no exception. In our new video, join exhibition curator Bart Cornelis as he talks through Van de Velde's meticulous working process using his masterpiece 'The Hut' as key example. Watch The New Video See the exhibition: Adriaen van de Velde: Dutch Master of Landscape Until 15 Jan 2017  £12.50 / £11.50 / £7 Be transported to the sun-drenched landscapes of the Dutch master, Adriaen van de Velde (1636 – 1672). Fancy a late view? See the show as part of Winterlights 6 – 18 December, 6pm – 9pm (a £5 upgrade ticket to the exhibition will apply on the night).  Book Tickets The reviews are in...   Time Out      The Telegraph      Evening Standard December highlights... A Dulwich Christmas: Winterlights & Artisan Market 6 - 18 December  This December, see the Galley and grounds lit up with a dazzling winter lights trail, enjoy festive classics from pop-up choirs and browse the stalls at our free artisan market to nab those last minute gifts! Learn More & Book Am I Rembrandt? 8 Nov - 5 March 2017  £8 / £7   Am I Rembrandt?, the final display in our Making Discoveries series, brings the Dutch Master’s reattributed Self-Portrait, Wearing a Feathered Bonnet, 1635, (on loan from Buckland Abbey, National Trust) to London for the very first time. Learn More Gallery Film: Carmen Jones (1954). 12 Dec, 7.00pm. £9 / £7 Follow the story of vixen Carmen Jones as she lures young soldier Joe into an intolerable love of tragic consequences.  Learn More Lectures and Talks: Magna Carta and the Fight for Freedom 13 Dec, 10.30-11.30am. £12 / £10 Join Christopher Lloyd on an epic ride through 800 years in the fight for freedoms and liberties - from the sealing of Magna Carta by King John in 1215 to the present day. Learn More Practical Art for Adults: Book Making 3 Dec, 10.00am-3.00pm, £100 / £95 Using a range of simple techniques including concertinas, stab stitch, instant books and envelope books, design your own books as gifts, sketch books or journals. Learn More Competition time! Wrap up warm with a limited edition lambswool scarf by designer duo Wallace Sewell. Just share and comment on our Facebook post to be in with a chance of winning! Enter Competition We Recommend... Detail from Orlan, Strip-tease occasionnel avec les draps du trousseau, 1974–1975 © Orlan /  DACS, London, 2016/ The SAMMLUNG VERBUND Collection, Vienna Feminist Avant-Garde of the 1970s Works from the Verbund Collection  7 Oct 2016 - 29 Jan 2017 The Photographers' Gallery This exhibition celebrates the groundbreaking practices that shaped the feminist art movement. With artists as diverse as Valie Export, Cindy Sherman, Ana Mendieta and Sanja Iveković, the exhibition reflects a moment during which gender equality and civil rights protest became part of public discourse. Find Out More London Art Fair 2017 18 - 22 Jan 2017 The 29th edition of London Art Fair, the UK’s premier Modern British and contemporary art Fair, takes place from 18-22 January at Islington’s Business Design Centre. Featuring 129 galleries from over 15 different countries; the Fair presents the very best in Modern and international contemporary art. The Lightbox, Woking, is the museum partner of London Art Fair 2017, presenting major works from The Ingram Collection in a unique exhibition ‘Ten Years: A Century of Art’, at the Fair. Book Now

BBC Audience - Join us for a celebration of Radio 4's St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal

A Service to mark the Radio 4 St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal Every Christmas for ninety years, BBC Radio 4 listeners have donated to this appeal which has helped some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham James is the preacher in a service which is led by the Reverend Dr Sam Wells. Familiar Radio 4 voices join those reflecting on the history and impact of the appeal with music from the composer, Will Todd and St Martin's Voices directed by Andrew Earis. There are also favourite advent carols and hymns as well as this year's Christmas Appeal song, performed by a choir of Radio 4 personalities. Date: Thursday 1 December Venue: St Martin-in-the-Fields, London Doors open: 2.30pm Service starts: 3pm To apply for tickets, visit bbc.co.uk/showsandtours. We'd love to see you there! BBC Shows and Tours Apply Now

Museum of London - A Christmas market and December events

What's on in December? Come one, come all for a festive cheer at the Christmas Fayre in partnership with Crafty Foxon 8 December at the Museum of London Docklands. Our annual night market will have over 60 designers and gift making workshops for all your Christmas shopping needs, as well as a DJ and mulled wine to set the mood. You can still catch our Great fire of 1666 exhibition, Fire! Fire! (closed 24-26 Dec) and families can visit Santa in his secret Grotto surrounded by Victorian carols and bearing gifts this month. DECEMBER EVENTS > More Christmas events

Dickens Christmas walk Sat 3, 17 & Fri 23 Dec, 3pm Starts from Museum of London Explore the Victorian world of Dickens and discover the inspiration behind some of his most memorable characters such as the Artful Dodger on this festive walk. BOOK NOW > Victorian Santa's grotto From Sat 3 Dec, various times available Museum of London  Museum of London Docklands Meet Santa in our festively transformed Victorian Walk at the Museum of London or in Sailortown at the Museum of London Docklands and receive a Christmas gift. BOOK IN ADVANCE > Free family Christmas activities Tue 27 Dec - Sun 1 Jan Museum of London Continue the festive cheer after Christmas Day with Victorian paper craft, celebrating London feasts of the past and a live interactive performance of Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. DROP IN FREE > Frost fair festival Sat 3 - Sun 4 Dec, 12pm Museum of London Docklands For this weekend only we will be transforming the museum into a wintry wonderland of fun and excitement for families where they can explore winter traditions from London and beyond. DROP IN FREE >

December events for adults Tour the Thames: river and fire Sat 10 Dec, 1.15pm Starts from Westminster Pier Take a trip down the Thames and explore how the Great Fire of 1666 shaped London with Meriel Jeater, curator of the Fire! Fire! exhibition and Hazel Forsyth, senior curator of Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeological Collections. BOOK NOW > Feeling the heat: the race to investigate the Great Fire Tue 13 Dec, 7pm Museum of London Prepare for an evening like no other and enter the world of fire forensics to investigate what really caused one of the darkest moments in London's history. BOOK NOW > Religion, myth and superstition Wed 21 Dec, 2pm Museum of London Come face to face with remarkable objects including prehistoric swords and plague remedies and hear the incredible stories behind them on this guided gallery tour. BOOK NOW > December walks and tours  throughout the month Various locations Explore London's history of theatre, discover iconic film locations on the docks or journey around the Roman city of Londinium on one of our winter walks. Take a tour of Billingsgate Roman House & Baths before it closes for the year on 11 Dec. VIEW AND BOOK >