Chinese New Year- Year of the Rat

Chinese New Year- Year of the Rat

Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and is the most important date in China’s traditional calendar. Chinese New Year always commences on the lunar new year which, this year, falls on Saturday 25th of January 2020. Celebrations usually last for seven days and this year is the Year of the Rat. The Rat is the 1st animal of the Chinese zodiac. Representing luck and wealth, people born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and 2020. Chinese New Year Parade Location: Chinatown, London, W1D 5QA Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus The parade starts through Chinatown before passing through Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue. .The parade ends at Trafalgar Square with the main stage where spectators will witness the official opening ceremony. Be sure to stick around for  the grand finale at Trafalgar Square and an explosion of Chinese New Year fireworks in London! Leicester Square Family Fun Location: Leicester Square,Cranbourn St, Covent Garden, London WC2H 0AP Nearest Tube: Leicester Square If you stop off at  Leicester Square during the official Chinese New Year Parade, you’ll find plenty to keep the kids entertained while they take part in Chinese cultural activities.Teach your children about the art of calligraphy, dance to Chinese music and watch family-friendly street performances. There’s also the chance to dress up in traditional Chinese attire.If you want to fully embrace Chinese New Year, then take your family to Leicester Square and add a bit of culture to your weekend. Shaftesbury Avenue Location: 29 Shaftesbury Ave, Soho, London W1D 7ES Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus If you take a trip down to Shaftesbury Avenue on Sunday 10th February, then you’ll witness a showcase of...
Festive Fun

Festive Fun

The countdown to Christmas is on and with a few days left till the big day I thought I would put together a list of some last-minute Christmassy ideas to do to get you in the Christmas spirit. I’m sure by now you have been to a few Christmas markets but there is loads of other things to do with loved ones before and after the big day.  Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum Nearest Tube: South Kensington Website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ice-rink.html Skate in the magical atmosphere of the Natural History Museum’s open-air Ice Rink.Nestled in front of the iconic South Kensington museum, the spectacular rink is surrounded by thousands of fairy lights and features a glittering Christmas tree.Visit the museum’s alpine-style Café Bar for winter warmers and watch the skaters glide on the ice from the cafe’s balcony.Tickets range from £8.80- £12.65 so check the website for more details. Heated Winter Igloos at Coppa Club Nearest Tube: Tower Hill Website: https://www.coppaclub.co.uk/towerbridge/ Winter Igloos at the Coppa Club are bringing the woodlands to the heart of London, with candles and cosy blankets, evergreen trees, cruelty-free sheepskin rugs, recycled wool blankets and breath-taking riverside views.Please try book the igloos in advance as they are very popular, however there are a limited number of bookings for walk-ins every day too. They are open from now till the 31st January.If there are cancellations, these will show as free on the website in the booking section. Tables are free to book, tables under 8 people will be shared by others. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park Nearest Tube: Check website for more details Website: https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/ Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is...
Christmas Markets Galore

Christmas Markets Galore

It is only November, but the Festive season is in full swing and I don’t know about you, but I am fully embracing it. The festive lights, the mulled wine and all the late-night shopping. One of the best places to get all your Christmas present and feel very festive is going to Christmas markets which Europe is famously known for. Lucky for us, England offers some of the most magical Christmas markets and I have put together a list of the Top five must visits Christmas markets this year!    Bath Christmas Market  Dates: 28th November – 15th December Website: bathchristmasmarket.co.uk/   Opening hours differ Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be open from 10AM–7PM, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays will be open longer 10AM–8PM while Sundays will be open 10AM–6PM. Bath is probably one of the best know and most popular Christmas Market in the UK , it is the largest Christmas shopping event in the South West. This year there will be over 150 chalets stalls , all selling high quality artisan products and home made British goods. The market itself covers the streets around the Bath Abbey, this is accessible via train or car. Set among the romantic roman cobbled streets it’s easy to tell why the Bath Christmas Market is so beloved. Birmingham Christmas Market Dates: 7th November – 23rd December Website: www.thebfcm.co.uk/ Open daily from 10AM-9PM, the Birmingham city market is known as the Frankfurt Christmas Market, as it is one of the largest authentic German Markets outside of Germany and Austria. This year there will be over 180 chalets stalls offering a wide range of artisan products, don’t miss...
Spectacular and Spooky Halloween Events

Spectacular and Spooky Halloween Events

As another month draws to a close, it brings us one step closer to Halloween! This day where the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest…and a massive excuse to dress up and go out dancing. A night full of ghouls and scares, be sure to find yourself at the best event this weekend. Have a look at some of the spookiest events in town and be sure to grab your tickets and costume before! Halloween Ball at The Mansion Location: Secret Venue Nearest Tube: Secret Venue Website: www.themansionlondon.com/next-event It’s Halloween, so that calls for costumes, candy and creepy ghouls! Well at the Halloween Ball, it will tick all the boxes! The private venue is top secret and will only be revealed 48 Hours before the event (Easy access within London Zone 2). This quirky venue will have 3 dance floors, 1 art room, 2 lounges and 2 bar areas for you to choose from! If you are looking for something scarier there is a real back yard graveyard! Come dressed to the nines as you could win a flight to New York City for best costume. Book your tickets in advance, you don’t want to miss this party! The Dark Circus Party Location:13 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BH Nearest Tube: Dalston Kingsland Website: www.darkcircusparty.com At the Dark Circus you’ll be in for a real treat with show stopping entertainment acts such as caged curiosities breathing fire and swallowing swords, ethereal silks performances, treacherous trapeze acts and bizarre sideshow oddities. Grab a signature cocktail and enjoy stepping into another world for the evening. Please note there is a strict...
Bank Holiday Fun- 5 things to do this long weekend

Bank Holiday Fun- 5 things to do this long weekend

Another bank holiday is quickly approaching, and if , like me ,you’ve completely forgotten all about it then fear not! We have made a list of some brilliant events and festivals happening over the long weekend, so  you can really make the most of your extra day off. Notting Hill Carnival Location: Main parade Great Western Road finishing at Ladbroke Grove. Website: https://nhcarnival.org/  Dates: 25th-26th August 2019 Nearest Tube: Notting Hill   A free carnival? A free carnival that is also one of the largest street carnivals in Europe. Well it’s a no brainer really. This annual event celebrates London’s Caribbean culture and traditions, which last year about 2 million people attended. This parade takes up 10 neighborhood so please do download the handy carnival app before hand which will have loads of information and handy map and travel information for you! With live music  , floats and gorgeous mas bands dancers you can understand why this is such a renown carnival, a true celebration of culture. On the Sunday they offer a more family friendly day , while Monday will more of a party. There will be traditional food and activities throughout the day so its caters for everyone!     South West 4 Festival Location: Clapham Common, Windmill Dr, London SW4 9DE Website: https://www.southwestfour.com/ Dates: 24th-25th August 2019 Nearest tube: Clapham Common   Ticketed event so be sure to get your tickets in advance, tickets start from £62.50. One of the coolest festivals hosted by Capital FM with names such as basement Jaxx, Craig David, Idris Elba, Mabel and so many more. The line up has over 90 different...
Where to watch Wimbledon?

Where to watch Wimbledon?

The British Summertime has finally arrived, which means the sun is out, the Pimms cocktails are flowing and it’s the start of the Wimbledon Championships! We have put together a list of our favourite London spots this summer where you can enjoy all three. This is the next best thing if you are among the unlucky few that don’t have Centre Court front row seats. St Katherine Docks Big Screen Wimbledon Location: 50 St Katharine’s Way, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London E1W 1LA Nearest Tube: Tower Hill Website: www.skdocks.co.uk/whats-on/st-kats-big-screen-presents-wimbledon Who wants to watch the entire Wimbledon Championship live in comfort of deck chairs in a Marina, on a floating pontoon on a giant screen? Surely Everyone? What’s more, there is free entry (but first come first served) so get there early to nab a good spot!  You can bring your own food and soft drinks and have picnic on the Thames – no alcohol is permitted. However, if you’re in the mood for something different, then you’re spoil for choice with all the restaurants and bars along the Marina Bay.   St James Market Secret Wimbledon Screening Location: 1 St James’s Market, London, SW1Y 4AH Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus (Exit 3) Website: stjameslondon.co.uk/events/wimbledon2019 No tickets needed as its free admission to this wonderful live screening of the entire Wimbledon Championships, it is first come first served so get there early to get a good spot. Situated along the St James Market with a wide arrange of restaurants and cafes nearby for all your catering.   Brown Hart Gardens Location: Brown Hart Gardens, Duke Street Entrance, North Mayfair, W1K 6JQ Nearest Tube: Bond street...