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!
1. Catch a dazzling West End show
You’ve likely done your fair share of entertaining over Christmas so now is your chance to sit back, relax and let some professionals take over. Enjoy a spectacular performance at one of London’s theatres this Twixmas, there’s plenty of West End shows to choose from, whether it’s watching a fashion fiend in killer heels at the Devil Wears Prada musical, witnessing calamity and chaos at The Play That Goes Wrong or finally seeing the fantastical musical behind the new cinematic hit Wicked.
2. Challenge the kids to a round of mini golf at Puttshack
Once the rush of Santa visiting, facing off against family on the Monopoly board and ripping open a plethora of presents dies down, you might be looking for something to keep the kids entertained during the limbo between Christmas and New Years. Puttshack have just the thing – neon-lit mini golf and a special ‘Kids Eat Free’ offer in all branches (Bank, Lakeside, White City, and Watford) during Twixmas. The whole family can show off their putting skills on the high-tech, interactive courses, and then dig into tasty favourites such as pizza, sliders and fries – where, with every adult main meal purchased, kids can enjoy a free main dish and side from the children’s menu. Find out more here.
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 5 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 are 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.
4. Explore the shadowy realm of Batman Unmasked before it closes
The Batman Unmasked exhibition has extended its stay in the city for an additional week, so there’s time for all the family to come and explore its incredible array of original props, costumes and iconic vehicles during the Christmas break. Located just a four-minute wander from Covent Garden underground, the cinematic experience takes you deep into Batman’s world, with nine themed rooms including the interactive Arkham’s Maze, the villainous Rogue’s Gallery and the Vehicle Bunker, the latter featuring the Batmobile from The Batman (2022). Don’t miss your chance to go and grab your tickets now.
5. Score home runs at this immersive baseball experience
Moonshot has just arrived on the scene and is already letting Londoners rack up the points against their groups. The team behind Sixes Cricket have now brought us a baseball experience, allowing anyone from rookie level to Major League champion to step into the cage and swing to their heart’s content. Sip on their cocktails or Moonshot shakes, order giant pizzas & loaded hot dogs, and shoot the breeze while watching live sport with your group in between rounds and you’ve got yourself the perfect outing – from teambuilding socials to birthday parties to spontaneous nights! Find out more about Moonshot and plan your visit here!
6. Wander off that Christmas meal with a countryside walk
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.
7. Delight in multisensory magic at, ahem, Hello, Delight!
The enchanting Hello, Delight! exhibition has transformed the restored railway arches of Borough Yards in London Bridge. The pieces, produced by Korean artist Gyoungtae Hong, span 12 immersive zones, and incorporate various mediums, including cutting-edge artificial intelligence, video mapping, augmented reality, lighting and sound.
This is fun for all the family. You’ll get to see yourself transformed into a K-drama star, delve into Korea’s mythical folklore and ancient constellations, create a moving piece of poetry to be displayed on the wall and use your voice to shape the moon in an interactive artwork.
8. Go for a thrilling Twixmas spin on an ice rink
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, Brent Cross’s first-ever ice rink; Skate Brent Cross, and the one outside the Queen’s House, set amongst the dreamy surrounds of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greenwich.
Many of these rinks are here until January, but Canary Wharf’s offering is with us all the way up until February 23, so there’s plenty of time to go and perfect your pirouettes.
9. Escape reality at the mind-bending Paradox Museum
This is no ordinary museum, far from it actually. The Paradox Museum invites you to challenge your perception with a variety of reality-warping optical illusions and brain-muddling photo ops. Found on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, you can enjoy over 50 immersive paradoxes and travel through rooms where you can experience the curious sensation of zero gravity, camouflage yourself in the walls and walk on the ceilings. A perfect break from everyday mundanity, this is sure to delight your senses. Grab your tickets now.
10. Brave the Boxing Day sales in person or virtually
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.
These are our favourite discounts from our friends at Fever
11. Admire iconic works at the Moco Museum
Feel like you need a culture fix? Put the Quality Street box down for a second and head over to the Moco Museum in Marble Arch to see famous works by the likes of Damien Hirst, Banksy, and Andy Warhol. The fascinating museum is home to one of the world’s leading collections of modern, digital and contemporary art, with over 100 pieces to discover that range from digital immersive installations to masterpieces by modern masters.
Follow in the footsteps of Barack Obama, Serena Williams and Adele, who visited their previous Amsterdam and Barcelona locations, and go see the wondrous works of the Moco Museum this Twixmas.
12. 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!
13. 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, Tower of London and Big Ben are all steeped in legends of days gone by – We all remember, remember the fifth of November. Go out for a big ol’ explore and see what the city has got to teach you (spoiler: loads).
14. Get preparing for Veganuary
Now, for those that are planning to partake in Veganuary in 2025, 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.
15. Whizz around the track at Combat Karts
The adrenaline-pumping experience, Combat Karts, transports players into immersive virtual worlds and have players experiencing a thrill and heart-pounding rush, as they whizz around a real-world go kart circuit. Through state-of-the-art technology the vehicle will interact with other players as well as in-game power-ups and challenges along the way. Whether you’re looking for a casual race or a high-stakes competition, Combat Karts has something for everyone and is the ultimate team activity to take part in this Winter with friends or family capturing the true competitive spirit of Twixtmas. Tickets can be purchased here.
16. 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 goodbye to Twixmas and ushers 2024 out onto the stage. Showtime.
So there you have it; 16 excellent things to do for Twixmas this year. Whether you want to get lost in a world of paradoxes or fancy taking a look under the surface of some of our most legendary landmarks, there’s more than enough to keep you busy this year!