Spotlight on...December
It’s Christmas! December is the month where towns and cities come alive with lights, decorations, music and fun.
Here at MondaytoFriday, we want you to make the most of renting in a different location Mon-Fri, so we’ve hand picked a Christmas event in each of our most popular MondaytoFriday cities. Enjoy!
London
Winterville. Victoria Park. Hackney. Until 23rd December.
For the month of December, a corner of this famous East London park is filled with dancing, eating, drinking, skating and 'The Winter Night Garden' - an enchanted forest hosting film screenings of Christmas classics such as 'The Muppet Christmas Carol', 'Love Actually', 'Home Alone' and ‘Elf’.
There’s a circus featuring performers from The Moscow State Circus and African Whirlwind will offer aerial acrobatics and daredevil tricks. The beautiful ‘spiegeltent’ will provide pantomimes, comedy, cabaret and live music
For shoppers, Bizarre Bazaar return with their charming Victorian-themed market and Pop Shop will provide an Andy Warhol-inspired shopping experience.
For foodies, a heated food hall will host street food from the likes of Mother Clucker, Crabbieshack, Smokestak and plenty more and Bar Humbug will be serving real ale, mulled wine, hot chocolate and lots more.
To top it all off, a 600-square-metre ice rink and fairground, which this year has gained a 35-metre tall big wheel.
Entry is free but tickets are required for the circus, spiegeltent, cinema, and ice rink. Booking is recommended.
Bristol
Bristol’s German Christmas Market. Until 22nd December.
In the heart of the city’s shopping centre, the 38 traditional chalets bring Christmas alive in this vibrant city. Decorated with festive greenery and colourful lights, the Christmas nativity Pyramid, giant advent calendar and beer gardens provide something for everyone.
Der Alpen Klaus is this year’s entertainer and a resident at the famous Munich Beer festival. Delivering Bavarian style music as well as his own versions of popular music.
Visitors are invited to wander around and will find traditional German Christmas decorations, lights, nativity scenes and gifts, including wooden toys, baskets, soaps, lamps and amber jewellery. Delicious festive food and drink is on offer including mulled wine, traditional German sausages, waffles, liquorice, stollen cake, gingerbread hearts and candied fruit. A true sensory delight.
Manchester
Manchester Ice Rink. Until 3rd January.
Manchester Ice Rink is located in New Bailey and is the city centre's largest outdoor ice rink. Festive music from choristers and DJs as well as themed sessions and family entertainment. Junior skaters or wobbly adults can buddy up with Penguin Skating Supports, whilst the helpful staff on the rink make the experience easy, safe and super-fun.
The ice rink is part of a festive hub of activity at New Bailey, including fairground rides and a bar complete with mulled wine and other festive favourites. The ice rink has a viewing terrace for skating spectators, plus a selection of bars, cafés, restaurants and shops.
Open every day except Christmas Day until Sunday 3 January, from 10am until 9pm at weekends and 3pm until 9pm Monday-Friday.
Oxford
Oxford covered market. 10th-20th December.
Oxford’s covered market is located on Broad Street in the heart of the beautiful city centre. A mixture of stalls selling traditional and handmade gifts, food and mulled wine. Festive music, fairground rides and decorations.
Glasgow
Glasgow On Ice. Until 31st December.
George Square hosts outdoor skating, fairground rides, music and festive fun throughout December. The Winter Lodge has a fantastic view over the ice rink where you can sit back and relax with a warming drink. There is a full programme of free entertainment including live music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
Open weekdays 12pm - 10pm.