10 things to do in London this Christmas

You're in London this Christmas-time and want to get maximum festive cheer. What do you do?

1. Have a cocktail in an Igloo

Coppa Club have erected igloos along the north bank of the Thames, near to Tower Bridge. With up to 8 people per heated igloo you can enjoy cocktails with views of the Thames, the Shard and Tower Bridge. Pre-booked igloos have sold out. But a number are reserved every day for walk-ins.

2. Go to Wonder Noir at Shakespeare's Globe

The candlelit winter season runs from October through to the spring. With standing tickets for All the Angels, and The Little Match Girl at just £10, it doesn't need to break the bank. They are selling out fast though...

3. See London's Christmas Lights

Oxford Street, Duke of York Square, Carnaby Street, St Katherine's Docks, Sloane Square, Harrods, Regent Street, Fizrovia, Bond Street, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden. The list goes on. Don't know know where to start? We've designed a running tour so you can see them all on one beautiful run.

4. Love Dickens

It's hard to spend the festive period in London without giving high-five to the father of Christmas goodwill.

Visit Christmas at the Charles Dickens Museum for an insight into how the great man celebrated yuletide, go on a Dickensian Christmas themed walking tour and (most importantly) join Secret London Runs for our Christmas team challenge event, all based around A Christmas Carol.

5. Embrace the Christmas Message

Christmas is a time for giving. Embrace London's Christmas Charity initiatives such as Borough Market's Together at Christmas Campaign, Haven House's Bucket-athon, Coram's Christmas Celebration or Santa Dash in Battersea Park.

6. Eat Cheese

Christmas is about treating yourself too. I plan to do just that and go to An Evening of Cheese at Borough Market on 14th December.

7. Forget Pop-Up Crazy Golf

It's now all about Curling! Visit Roof East for a night of alternative fun with your friends.

8. Lap up some Christmas Markets

You can't get away from them and yet, sometimes it feels like there's not much to do once you've browsed through the stalls.

However, the Southbank Winter Festival is bringing back its Rekordelig Ski Lounge (big love) and has also introduced a Christmas tree maze for 2016 - I can't wait to get lost in it!

New for 2016 is the Leicester Square Christmas Market - on the square there'll be a grotto, stalls and a wooden hut for performances from the Uderbelly team. Usually I avoid the crowds of Leicester Square religiously, but I'm excited about visiting it and will be trotting through it on our Christmas running tour, Yule Jog.

And of course, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park will always leave you feeling rather Christmassy - another place to lap up on Yule Jog.

9. Get crafty

There's no other time of year where it's more appropriate to get out your card, scissors, glitter and string and get making! I rather like the sound of the Selvedge Advent Festival and Christmas Cracker Making at the Wallace Collection, as well as these great-looking events on Funzing: Origami Christmas Decoration Workshop , Make your own Christmas Wreath and Popup Christmas Painting in Trafalgar Square,

10. Thank our Friends from Norway

Every year since 1947, Norway donate a tree to the people of Britain to thank them for their support in WWII. It is displayed in Trafalgar Square from early December and you'll be able to listen to Christmas carols most nights there. We'll visit this on Yule Jog - our Christmas running tour, along with the markets and lights mentioned on this blog. Can't wait to see you there.