The Best Festive Events and Entertainment

Make the most of the jolly festivities around the world and add some sparkle to your trips with our seasonal entertainment guide. 

FROM THE STAGE TO THE BIG SCREEN

THE NUTCRACKER, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON

It’s not Christmas without The Nutcracker! 2019 is no exception as Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to the Royal Albert Hall following two critically-acclaimed seasons. This enchanting production, featuring Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, is the quintessential festive treat for all the family.

Don’t miss your chance to relive the magic of Christmas, as Clara’s toys come to life at the stroke of midnight. Journey through a fantastical winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy!

THE ROOFTOP WINTER CINEMA, THE BERKELEY, LONDON

For a dash of festive cheer, book a screening for one of the two feel-good favourite festive films of all time – Home Alone (1995) or The Holiday (2006)– being screened every day during the holiday season. 

Mulled wine, mince pies and seasonal small plates bring a touch of Lapland to London, as you cosy up in soft blankets for a Christmas classic. Three menus of winter flavours from around the world are the delicious support acts. Gratinated truffle macaroni cheese. Confit duck croquettes. Wild mushrooms, smoked ham, traditional tartiflette. This is festive fare with a Berkeley twist.

NUTCRACKER ROUGE, THEATRE XIV, NEW YORK

This saucy, sensual and opulent take on the Christmas classic mingles ballet with acrobatics, vaudeville and jaunty pole dancing where Tchaikovsky meets Britney Spears. 

A special New Year’s Eve performance holds nothing back with Company XIV’s signature baroque-burlesque confection. Start the evening with a complimentary ice-cold cocktail served upon arrival and indulge in a luxurious selection of Hors d’Oeuvres throughout the evening. As midnight approaches, enjoy a sparkling wine with the cast of the show before celebrating at an exclusive after-party.

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR: THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER, LONDON

Walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter and explore the wonders of the Wizarding World with a special ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’ Warner Bros. Studio Tour. During this magical visit spot your favourite props from the films, see the intricate details of the costumes up close, discover the secrets of the special and visual effects, learn how mythical beasts were brought to life on screen. 

You can also step on to iconic Harry Potter film sets like the Diagon Valley and the Great Hall, which is lined with glittering Christmas trees, snow, icicles and a yuletide orchestra. 

NYC WINTER LANTERN FESTIVAL, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK

Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow. This holiday season the NYC Winter Lantern Festival is back to transform Staten Island’s Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden into a whimsical world of light. The festival boasts more than 1,000 lanterns sculpted into magnificent figures of luminescent art as well as live cultural shows, interactive exhibits, an ice-skating rink and an abundance of food stools serving everything from grilled pretzels to hot apple cider. 

Marvel at cultural performances that include plate spinning, hoop tumbling, straw hat juggling, a face-changing magician (a sub-genre of Chinese Sichuan Opera), Tibetan folk dancing from artists in vibrant costumes.

PETER AND THE WOLF, BOLSHOI THEATRE, MOSCOW

Boris Pokrovsky directs this symphonic children’s fairy tale at the Bolshoi Theatre, the crown jewel of Russian arts. This fantastical tale tells the story of Peter, a boy who lives at his grandfather’s house surrounded by a wolf-filled woodland. The musical composition, written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, has endured as a timeless classic and a family favourite, especially during the festive season. 

THE BEST OF THE FESTIVE POP-UPS 

THE ELYX CHALET AT ROSEWOOD, LONDON

In the heart of central London, Rosewood London’s courtyard has been transformed into the snowy winter wonderland of Southern Sweden. Expect snow globe-effect porthole windows and flake-dusted fir trees. Make use of the fur blankets and hot cocktails to stay warm; Glögg is Absolut Elyx’s twist on a mulled wine featuring red wine, port and spices while The Nutcracker is all about the spices and peanut butter. 

You can also order a Taiga Old Fashioned with porcini mushroom-infused whisky, oak smoke and black walnut bitters, garnished with fir for the real forest experience.

COPPA CLUB TOWER BRIDGE, LONDON

Whether you want to think of them as festive globes, giant baubles or heated igloos, there’s no doubting that the Coppa Club’s beautiful Thames-side perspex capsules are the hottest tables in town this Christmas. Offering crystal clear views of Tower Bridge and the Shard while keeping you satisfyingly snug, these partly alfresco pods sparkly Christmas lights, fluffy blankets and festive decorations. 

The perfect Instagrammable setting, Coppa Club’s cuisine focuses on thoughtful but unfussy European food with two and three-course Christmas menus with carefully chosen wines, beers and classic cocktails as well as new creations available from the bar.

LODGE D’ARGENT, NO.1 POULTRY, LONDON

What better way to spend a wintry evening than cosied up in an après ski chalet, sipping on Hennessy cocktails and indulging in an array of delicious artisan cheeses. French rooftop restaurant Coq d’Argent is providing picturesque hideaway huts illuminated by glittering fairy lights, snuggly faux-fur blankets, and luxurious Courchevel-inspired interiors. Enjoy an evening delighting in charcuterie platters, whole baked Vacherin cheese, waffles, fondant and chestnut macaroons, or go the extra mile and book the cheese lover’s experience.