From the popularisation of the Christmas tree to the first Christmas card ever sent, our South Kensington neighbourhood has had links to the festive season since the 1800s! Explore these festive facts about where today's Christmas traditions grew from.
The first Christmas card was sent by Henry Cole, the founding director of the V&A, in 1843. Illustrated by artist John Callcott Horsley, Cole's christmas card featured a design with three generations of his family raising a toast.
While Queen Victoria's mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, displayed multiple Christmas trees at Kensington Palace – one each for different family members or groups – it wasn't until Prince Albert brought the German tradition of decorating the trees with him that it became popular. In 1848, The Illustrated London News shared a depiction of the royal family in front of their decorated Christmas tree, sparking families across England to adopt the trend.
For over 150 years, the Royal Albert Hall has hosted grand Christmas concerts. At the heart of Christmas in London, the Hall has seen the Christmas Day Messiah in the 1870s and whirling dances, joyful carols and more through the years.
Since starting as an open-air Christmas market in 2007 Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has expanded into an extravaganza with ice skating, shows, rides and live music spreading the festive spirit for Londoners and tourists alike.
Starting in 2003, the V&A South Kensington has celebrated the festive period with a Christmas tree installation for the museum's Grand Entrance. Commissioned from a designer, these unique installations liven up the space. This year's All Lit Up! by artist and designer Anna Lomax takes inspiration from the V&A's dome as a column becomes a tree, playfully animated throughout the day.
The new annual tradition at the Natural History Museum sees the life-sized animatronic T- rex in the Dinosaurs gallery sporting a Christmas jumper to kick off the festive season. The 2 kilogram sustainable jumper marks the start of the Museum's Christmas celebration and is on show until January 2025. Watch as the jumper was put on the T. rex last year.
Looking for festive activities this season? Check out our round up of magical Christmas events here. Plus find the best treats to fill your stockings here.
Henry Cole's first Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley, 1843
Engraving of the royal family decorating a tree, 1848
All Lit Up! by Anna Lomax in the V&A South Kensington's Grand Entrance
The Natural History Museum's T. rex in this years sustainable Christmas jumper