Chelsea, one of the most stately and wealthy neighborhoods in London, south of the Thames
Chosen as a place of residence for celebrities and artists (living and dead) such as Mick Jagger, Lily Allen, Roman Polanski, Eddie Redmayne, Bryan Adams, Oscar Wilde, Eric Clapton, or Hugh Grant , Chelsea is a unique place where the most traditional Christmas is lived, with ecclesiastical choirs, garlands under the trees in the squares and fir trees in any worthwhile corner. Do we live Christmas here? Grab paper and write down on your calendar, there are many things to do.
Chelsea sounds like Christmas carols
DUKE OF YORK SQUARE, AT SLOANE SQUARE
This square is a respite from the tremendous rhythm of the English capital with a clear advantage: you don't have to leave the center. Duke of York Square embodies the most select consumerism, with more than 30 boutiques and prestigious brands, but it is also the home of the iconic ** Saatchi Gallery ** in London, which houses the best of contemporary art. The gallery exhibits until February 28 an exhibition entitled: "Painter's Painters" and described as an exhibition of “artists of today inspiring artists of tomorrow”. It focuses on nine different current artists who are characterized by their declining interest in art. Ironic, right?
On the streets of Chelsea, Christmas is lived like never before
From very early in November, they light up in the square the Christmas lights , creating a warm atmosphere where you can spend your time sitting on one of its plaster benches watching people come and go with shopping bags and fur coats. During these dates, the little ones can also visit the Santa's house . Santa Claus welcomes in his magical grotto until December 23. Children will have the opportunity to meet the Christmas man and his accomplices, the elves.
** KENSINGTON PALACE AND A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS**
Kensington Palace, located in the gardens of the same name, was once the official residence of Diana, Wale's princess . Long before, it was also the childhood home of Queen Victoria of England, in the 19th century. Now, this construction is open to the public and you only need to have a bit of imagination to be transported back to the victorian era , a time when, by the way, Christmas began to be celebrated as we know it today. How can that be? So late? It turns out that after the Protestant Reformation, many churches banned the celebration of Christmas because they considered it a "Papist trap." By the end of the 19th century, this celebration was dying out, until, in the 1820s, when the atmosphere was more relaxed, some British writers began to worry about the disappearance of this holiday and its traditional values (oh, family). . Charles Dickens played an important role in this Christmas claim with his famous publication a christmas tale in 1843.
Every year, starting in November, the palace dresses up for the occasion. The Christmas decoration of Kensington Palace is inspired by the diary of Queen Victoria. The tables are filled with royal Victorian cutlery and gifts from the time, poinsettias bloom in the gardens and in some of its rooms they give talks about the origin of Christmas Eve dinner with their Tasty Talks , Christmas stories are read and the little ones are invited to stay doing decorative crafts.
Kensington Palace: Victorian Christmas
CHELSEA SOUNDS LIKE CAROLS
We have already said that Christmas in this neighborhood is one of the most traditional in London, so you cannot miss choirs in churches singing what they call here 'carols' - or what we know as Christmas carols. Although the successful Spanish “Bell on bell” or “Arre borriquito” are not in the repertoire, the truth is that it is worth attending at least one of these events of the many that we propose.
POP CHRISTMAS WITH THE ROYAL PHILARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Come on, let's get more popy, like Mariah Carey with 'All I want for Christmas is you', or like Wham!, with her 'Last Christmas'. At least these are some of the Christmas carols that will be played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and will be sung by vocalists Anna-Jane Casey and Graham Bickley in a concert they have called Christmas Crackers. You can get tickets from 18 pounds (21€), although we wouldn't risk waiting until the last minute.
Where: Cadogan Hall . Sloane Terrace, 5.
When: December 18 th. 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
_ THE SNOWMAN & WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNTING _
Or something like the snowman and us let's go bear hunting . Although a somewhat murky title, it is a animation film whose music will play live thanks to the Orchestra of St. Paul. The perfect event to attend as a family. Tickets cost between 15 and 42 pounds (children half price) , that is, between about €18 and €49.
Where: Cadogan Hall. Sloane Terrace, 5.
When: December 17.
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