You know the weird in-between time after Christmas and before New Year? Well, it’s called Twixmas – from the word betwixt which is an old-fashioned word for between – and here at Secret London, we’ve put together a guide on how to make it less ‘Meh’ and more ‘hell to the yeah!’. Don’t worry about the post-Christmas blues and the winter sniffles, because there are still loads of opportunities to stretch out the magic of the season that little bit longer (the Christmas decorations are still up on the tree after all). Plus, there are discounts aplenty – don’t say we don’t spoil you!
The Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions have teamed up to showcase an exhibition of epic proportions, spanning 10 themed galleries in the mighty Excel centre. You’ll feel like Alice post-‘Drink Me’ potion, as you explore the gargantuan, 20,000-square-foot exhibition. Disney100: The Exhibition honours and celebrates all 100 years of Disney, meaning you’ll see elements from the adored classics, right up to the modern-day masterpieces; for example, in one gallery, you can admire original artwork from One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), as well as the iconic red dress from Cruella (2021).
Alongside the recognisable films, the eclectic exhibition will also honour the likes of Mickey, Minnie and co; the world-renowned theme parks; and the latest additions to the Disney family – namely characters from Pixar, Star Wars, and MARVEL. There’ll be extraordinary backdrops and photo ops with beloved characters galore, and even better, you can get yourself a discount code on Boxing Day! Winner, winner. Grab your tickets here.
🚨Boxing Day sales alert🚨 enjoy 20% off on all tickets for all available dates by applying the code BOXINGDAY20 at checkout. You must purchase your tickets between December 26 midnight and December 29 midday to benefit from this discount.
You might have come across the gloriously quirky interiors and ice cream-coloured buildings of Accidentally Wes Anderson on an absent-minded Instagram scroll. Now, the account with almost two million followers is stepping things up another notch, with a fascinating photography exhibition which opened on South Kensington’s Old Brompton Road this month. You can explore an extensive collection of over 200 photos in seven different themed rooms, which showcase everywhere from the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps to the turquoise train carriages of Japan, all taken in the distinctly whimsical style of Wes Anderson. It’s an ode to the iconic director, a visual feast and an irresistible bit of travel inspiration rolled into one. Get a hold of your tickets here.
🚨Boxing Day sales alert🚨 enjoy 20% off on all tickets for all available dates by applying the code BOXINGDAY20 at checkout. You must purchase your tickets between December 26 midnight and December 29 midday to benefit from this discount.
3. Pay a visit to Winter Wonderland while it’s still around
If you’ve got a Christmas activities itch that still just can’t be scratched, we recommend heading to this classic winter fairground-style pop-up before it vanishes back into thin air on January 2 for another year or so. From adrenaline-pumping rides to their legendary Bavarian beer hall, there’s plenty to see and do here during the twixmas period.
One thing you can’t miss is a stroll through their Christmas markets section which has over 100 traditional chalets offering charming Christmas decorations, handcrafted gifts and culinary delights from all around Europe. There’s also bars aplenty if you’re still looking for that extra Christmas tipple, as well as the UK’s largest open air ice rink. Due to numbers, make sure you book ahead this year.
Colourful installations, visual effects and moving projections all conspire to create a ‘world of happiness‘ at Dopamine Land; the series of unique and enchanting rooms include a pillow fight room, a digital forest, and a ballpit – to name just three! Here, you’ll get to relive the joy of childhood imagination with interactive photo zones too, unbridled from the confines of realism. We absolutely loved it, but tickets are known to sell out fast as it’s been such a hit with visitors, so don’t miss out! Get a hold of your tickets here.
🚨Boxing Day sales alert🚨 enjoy 25% off on all tickets for all available dates by applying the code BOXINGDAY25 at checkout. You must purchase your tickets between December 26 midnight and December 29 midday to benefit from this discount.
The enchanting Delight Media Art Exhibition has transformed the restored railway arches of Borough Yards in London Bridge. This glorious exhibition brings a plethora of multimedia artworks to the capital – many for the first time. The pieces, produced by Korean artist Gyoungtae Hong, span 12 immersive zones, and incorporate various mediums, including lighting, video mapping, augmented reality, and sound.
There’s over 25 different forms of media content on display, resembling the South Korean city of Seoul, and thanks to floor-to-ceiling projections and the 360-installations, you’ll feel almost as if you’re within the artworks themselves. Cop your tickets here.
So many lovely ice rinks pop up around the capital for the Christmas period, and here at Secret London, we’re always sad to see them go – so you’d better get your skates on while you have the chance! One of the most magical is situated right outside Battersea Power Station, which is one of London’s newest icy offerings – and others include the iconic Somerset House rink, the Hampton Court ice skating rink and the one outside the Queen’s House, set amongst the dreamy surrounds of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greenwich.
Many of these fine are here until January, but Canary Wharf’s offering is with us all the way up until February 24, so there’s plenty of time to go and perfect your pirouettes.
After all that ceremonial stuffing your face with turkey, pigs in blankets and mince pies, Twixmas might be a good time to get a head-start on that January fitness regime! Why not wrap up in your warmest outerwear and head out of town to tackle a country walk in the rolling, green hills of England? Top walks include Surrey’s Box Hill hike, the Seaford to Eastbourne ramble – which takes in the famous Seven Sisters cliffs and Beachy Head – and Bodiam Castle, one of Britain’s most evocative castles, characterised by soaring turrets, manicured grounds and an extensive moat.
Channel your inner kid and let loose this winter at an international immersive world that has finally come to London. Following successful stints in North America, Milan and Brussels, Bubble Planet brings its bountiful interactive installation to Wembley. The installation is filled with – you guessed it – bubbles, created using a plethora of techniques. In this space, not only will you encounter regular bubbles, but the experience employs VR technology, interactive elements, and mirrored effects to create something incredibly innovative. Get a hold of your tickets now here.
9. Brave the Boxing Day sales in person or virtually
Ok, so we don’t actually have that much information we can give you about this one, because it turns out most retailers like to keep this part of their year hush hush, so you’ll have to go and visit them to find out what their sales are like. No surprises there. But you could go to the shops if you felt comfortable doing it on Boxing Day or the other days pre-NYE.
Chances are sales will be happening both in person and virtually, so you can still sit with your laptop and a glass of mulled wine and grab yourself some bargains. Camden’s Hawley Wharf is a neat spot in which to shop, and Skyscanner will probably also be offering a few surprise flight deals, so keep your eyes peeled for those here.
Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience is currently occupying The Boiler House just off Brick Lane, welcoming those of you who fancy a multisensory journey into a wondrous world of art. One where 360-degree projections, unique storytelling, atmospheric sound effects and a spellbinding VR experience will bring the historic works of Monet to life – and one where you can create your own masterpiece and see it projected on the walls in all its colourful glory. It’s a pretty magical experience, so if you’d like to discover it for yourself this Twixmas, then get a hold of your tickets here.
11. Indulge in yet more food and drink this Twixmas
It’s not quite January yet, and twixmas is the perfect time in which to fill your boots with yet more food and drink. If you’ve had enough of turkey or nut roast with all the trimmings, why not try one of London’s endless bottomless brunch offerings, including a brilliant one at Boccocino – letting you devour pizza and sink hearty rounds of bubbly.
You could also indulge in a fabulously-festive afternoon tea or do a pub crawl around 40 (!) of London’s best pubs with heated outdoor areas – well some of them, at least!
12. Delve into London’s history under the cover of darkness
London remains one of the world’s most visited cities, and many come for its fascinating and diverse history. Many architectural gems here date all the way back to the mid-16th century, and instantly-recognisable landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and Big Ben are all steeped in legends of days gone by. Go out for a big ol’ explore and see what the city has got to teach you (spoiler: loads).
13. Get preparing for Veganuary
Now, for those that are planning to partake in Veganuary in 2024, this could be done in a few different ways. For one, you might want to eat the meal you’re going to miss the most, be it your favourite London breakfast or your beloved Sunday roast with the family. Or, you could get started earlier, either by diving straight into it after Christmas dinner, or by gradually increasing your number of meat-free meals.
Regardless of your method, you’ll want to be planning what you’re going to eat in January 2024, so it’s fortunate that London is absolutely full to the brim with vegan restaurants. Here’s some of our favourites.
14. End Twixmas with a bang
This part of the year always seems to simultaneously last forever, like time standing still, and go by in a flash. However you spend it this year, there’s one way that scores and scores of us will choose to end Twixmas: taking in the London New Year’s Eve fireworks, which promise to be pretty incredible this year.
Whether you have a ticket to the front, a view from your flat (TV, top floor window or balcony – all are good), or a vantage point from a rooftop London, you’ve got check out the dazzling painting of London’s skyline as it waves good by to Twixmas and ushers 2024 out onto the stage. Showtime.
So there you have it! 14 excellent things to do for Twixmas this year. Whether you’re wanting to get lost in a world filled with bubbles or are wanting to look under the surface of some of our most legendary landmarks, there’s more than enough to keep you busy this year!
