We all already know that Christmas this year will be very different. Not only because it is uncertain whether you will be able to see your extended family, but also because many traditions have been forced to be either postponed or cancelled. Christmas in London specifically is a huge event which sees people from all over the country travelling down to see them. One of the biggest is Winter Wonderland which has over 100 rides and over 150 different stalls.
Winter Wonderland first opened in 2007 and since then it has seen nearly 3 million people go each year. However, this year it was forced to be canceled because of the worsening situation of the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. Due to "ongoing health concerns and travel restrictions" organisers said they had no option but to call it off. A statement issued on the Winter Wonderland website said the announcement came "with a heavy heart". It added, "In light of ongoing health concerns, travel restrictions and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and considering the size and scale of this event, we just couldn't find a way to do that without compromising the magical attractions, shows, rides, bars and experiences that make Hyde Park Winter Wonderland so special.”
This won’t be the only iconic Christmas activity closing this year. The Natural History Museum and Somerset House have also both announced that they won’t be able to open their ice rinks this year. As well as this, most of the pantomimes or other Christmas plays have been called off. However, many things will luckily still be open to help get you in the Christmas spirit like the Oxford Street lights or Southbank Centre Winter market. The Kew Gardens Christmas light show was only postponed, but the future is still uncertain.
The closure of many of these events will also damage many shops on the High Street even more than the pandemic already has. Large events in London draw in many tourists who help support small businesses. This Christmas will definitely be a memorable one, but with the announcement of a potential vaccine, the end is slowly in sight.
