Battersea Power Station

Returning for its third winter, thisd picture-perfect ice-skating pop-up in the shadow of the rejuvenated Battersea Power Station might well be the coolest (in more ways than one.) Returning to its usual spot right next to the Thames, it offers magnificent views and all the fun of the fair (literally, there’s a fairground right beside it) right next to the landmark. The 30ft Christmas tree that sits twinkling right in the middle of the rink only adds to the stunning scenes here, making this the perfect date night, Xmas party location or a well-earned reward after a day of gift shopping. Opening times: Mon-Fri 11am-9pm; Sun 10am-10pm Price: From £16; child from £10.50  

Battersea Power Station is no stranger to sparkling spectacles. The Grade II-listed Art Deco masterpiece has appeared in Hitchcock films and on the cover of Pink Floyd’s seminal album Animals, and last Christmas featured festive illuminations designed by non other than David Hockney. Now it’s the turn of Aardman – the multi-award-winning studio that created Wallace & Gromit – to bring some festive cheer to Europe’s largest brick building via an animated light show illuminating the Power Station’s 101-metre-high chimneys. Taking place after dark each day until the New Year, the show features a short stop-motion animation crafted from 6,000 individual frames, in which the iconic duo decorate a pair of giant Christmas trees in their own distinctive styles, despite the mischievous Feathers McGraw’s attempts to sabotage their endeavours. Visitors heading to the Power Station for a bit of Christmas shopping will be able to watch the animation from 5.30pm-10.30pm daily throughout December. And be sure to check out the magnificent Christmas decorations elsewhere on the 42-acre site, which include more than 150 Christmas trees lining the Turbine Halls, as well as a 40ft specimen decorated with over 1,500 baubles at the front of the building. It doesn’t get much more festive than that!