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The imminent move in London from lockdown to ‘tier 2’ brings with it the opening of a few fun venues, albeit not with all the fun of pre-COVID-19 restrictions. Nevertheless this presents an opportunity to let off a little steam, and find ways enjoy the build up to Santa’s arrival in socially distanced ways. We at Vada round up what we’re looking forward to most over the festive period across London.
Christmas at Kew
For those unfamiliar, the 132-hectare Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (i.e. “Kew Gardens”) host a Christmas trail each year from November – January (though not opening until December this year), where visitors follow a path after dark, experiencing bursts of colour and enchanting optics, with options of incorporating a dinner service either before or after walking the trail. Internationally acclaimed artists create these decorations and adorn the gardens for Christmas at Kew with a feast of art, light and music at every turn.
This year sees a partnership between Kew Gardens and Montezuma’s, the chocolate company. Montezuma will be bringing a stunning light installation to the trail, bringing a touch of chocolate magic to London’s favourite festive event. And for Instagrammers, this will create the perfect backdrop for a selfie.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Key (“Kew Gardens”) are located in Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE.
For more information and to book tickets for Christmas at Kew, visit kew.org
Skylight Christmas at Tobacco Dock
Known for its panoramic views across the skyline of the City of London, Skylight is offering itself as a rooftop winter destination for the Christmas period. Skylight will host a collection of outdoor and socially distanced festive eating and drinking experiences including:
- A village of igloo bubbles, warmed with mini heaters, alpine decor, faux fur rugs, and thick blankets. Igloos come with full table service, meaning your bubble remains quite literally in its own bubble.
- The Christmas Cocktail Cinema experience, will be adult-only showing back-to-back classic Christmas movies.
- Two new bar spaces in the form of the spacious Après-ski bar, reminiscent of a mountain chalet; and Off-Piste, a secret speakeasy bar.
Menu items include many of the warming winter treats, think Cassoulet, Poutine, and Tartiflette.
Skylight is located at Tobacco Dock, Wapping, London, E1W 2SF
For more information, and for booking (which is essential), visit skylightlondon.com
The Drive In Christmas 2020
For readers who have ventured to an American drive-in cinema, this London-based pop-up allows visitors to relive this already socially distanced experience. The festive line-up sees The Greatest Showman on 3rd December followed by a selection of Christmas movies.
The Drive In requires an FM radio in order to tune in to the locally broadcast audio to hear the film. If your car radio doesn’t have an FM radio, guests are able to purchase portable radios from the event.
Food and drinks can be ordered through the organiser’s app, delivering orders of burgers, beer, hotdogs, popcorn and various other confectionary items directly to your car.
For a listing of films showing, and for tickets visit thedrivein.London
Death Drop – a Dragatha Christie murder mystery
The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race present a crime thriller unlike any other in Death Drop: A Dragatha Christie Murder-Mystery. Courtney Act and Monét X Change lead this outrageous, socially distanced comedy, along with the UK’s very own Vinegar Strokes and many more queens to boot.
The story is set in the early 90s, where Death Drop see the queens attend a party to die for (literally). As each guest starts to reveal their sordid secrets, they start disappearing, until the culprit is finally revealed in this who-done-it.
Death Drop sashays into the Garrick Theatre, London from 3 December 2020 – 17 January 2021.
For tickets visit garricktheatre.org
