The winter break offers a great opportunity for LFA students to relax and reflect on a busy and incredibly productive first term. Adapting to life in London and at LFA can be an overwhelming experience, and it’s important to unwind and experience some of what London has on offer during the holiday season.
If you’re looking for some of London’s classic seasonal mainstays, like ice skating at Alexandra Palace or fireworks by the river on New Year’s Eve, you can check out our blog on budget-friendly festive things to do over the winter break.
Here, we’ll walk you through a few events coming up in the next few weeks in London that will help you get in the seasonal spirit.
Indulge in the Prince Charles Cinema’s Christmas film season
Every year at the Prince Charles Cinema, they go big with their seasonal offering of classic and cult Christmas favourites – and this year is no exception. Aside from cultural touchstones like It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, and Gremlins, the iconic Leicester Square cinema is going all in with some less conventional options. Boogie Nights, Fargo, Tokyo Godfathers, and The Apartment are just some of the options over the next few weeks in their season of over thirty films, with numerous screenings of each. The Prince Charles is also bringing back its Christmas Pyjama Party, and the most die-hard festive film fans are invited to stay overnight and enjoy a back-to-back slate of four Christmas classics. Grab your comfiest slippers and a big flask of hot chocolate and enjoy with your LFA course mates.
Get dazzled by the lights with Christmas at Kew Gardens
Just a quick tube trip from LFA, Kew Gardens has been completely transformed for the Christmas period and may well be the most picturesque spot in London. With huge light installations, interactive dance floors, and over a hundred illuminated lilies floating around the pond, Christmas at Kew Gardens is the perfect way to spend an evening wandering around and getting lost in the lights. Bring along a camera and get a few photos to capture the magic of winter in London.
Peter Pan Cup: watch a 160-year-old tradition unfold on Christmas Day
Fancy a Christmas Day morning to remember? Then head to Hyde Park and watch Londoners go for a race with a freezing-cold twist. Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club have been competing in the Peter Pan Cup every Christmas Day since 1864, and the quirky tradition is set to continue this year. Bring gloves and a cup of coffee and watch the race unfold from the comparably warm banks of the Serpentine Lake.
Experience different events every day at the Coal Drops Yard winter market
If you’re looking for the classic winter market experience but hoping to avoid the more hectic crowds at Covent Garden and Southbank, look no further than Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross. Adorned in bright lights and more spacious than other markets, Coal Drops Yard is offering a wide variety of free and paid events in the run up to the New Year, all situated around the Lower Stable Street Christmas Market. If festive drinks, competitive curling, and live choir performances are your thing, look no further.
However you’re spending the winter break, we at LFA wish you a lovely time off after a busy term of filmmaking. This period is for you to relax, take stock on your journey so far, and spend time with your loved ones. We wish you a happy New Year, and we’ll see you in January – rejuvenated and ready to get back on set.