At this time of year, there are a lot of plans and arrangements to make. I like to get organised for the festive period, well ahead of time, so it means budgeting and planning for gifts, as well as getting ready for days out. Last year, as it was the last one with just two children, we went to Christmas markets and trips to see Father Christmas. Now we’ve got Maso added to the family too, I have already been looking at what to do as a family in the build-up to the big day. We have two December birthdays in the family too, so there is a lot to plan and book.
With the evenings getting darker earlier, I love that there are attractions and things to do that are outdoors, but full of lights. I think that it works so well, especially for a family like ours where we have an eight and ten year old, as well as a baby. We’ll all get different things out of it but all enjoy it. We went to Silverstone last year to do a ‘lap of lights’ so have been looking for something slightly different to do this year.
Lightopia is coming back to London
Lightopia is an award-winning festival of lights event that is returning to London again this year, to the historic Crystal Palace Park. It promises to be London’s finest festival of lights this Christmas. Not only do you get to see the Palace reborn in light, but it is all alongside some incredible installations and routes; just check out some of these images!
The star of the show and a first for Lightopia London, is the illuminated water show! The 40-metre-wide and 15-metre-tall water show over the lower lake is a spectacular visual feast, featuring the beloved Christmas imagery of a giant Santa, Rudolf, Christmas tree and snowflakes. A magical and heart-warming immersive experience which will not be forgotten.
This is definitely on our ‘bucket list’ this Christmas. There is something so magical about these kinds of festivals of light, and being based outdoors, getting to get cosy with a hot chocolate after walking around and enjoying all the festivities, is something that I love about the season.
Not only are there stunning and immersive light installations, but there are also interactive exhibits, and rides (the latter has an advance purchase special offer where for £10, you can get £12 ride tokens to spend on site).
The details:
Lightopia in London is running from 17th November to the 2nd January, from 5pm onwards each evening. Your sessions do need to be booked in advance and there are off-peak pricing times which are most weekdays, and peak pricing days, which are Fridays and weekends (parking tickets are available too, but there are underground and overground stations within walking distance).
Parking is £10 and for a family of four, off peak prices are £59 and peak is £75 (children aged two and under are free). You can save 5% by signing up to their newsletter, but I do think this is pretty comparable to other options that I have looked at.
You can book tickets here: https://london.lightopiafestival.com/book
Have you heard of Lightopia before? Have you got any festive day trips and outings booked? It would be great to hear what you think.
*collaborative post, but all opinions are my own.
