Today I want to bring you my guide to Christmas things to do in London. The city is one of the most festive places in the United Kingdom in the run-up to December 25th, and there’s lots to entertain locals and visitors. From lights to markets and pantos, you’re spoiled for choice. If you want to take advantage of all there is to love about London this Yuletide season, read on for the A Lady in London guide.
Christmas Things to Do in London
The Christmas season is an ideal time to be in London, not least because there’s such a festive feel to the city. London brightens up with lights, decorations, carols, baubles, and other signs of Christmas cheer.
Magic fills the air, and London looks resplendent for the season. Lights go on, trees go up, and streets and squares throughout the city are decked in their Yuletide finest.
The Christmas season in London gets bigger and brighter every year, with an increasing number of Christmas markets, light displays, events, and ice skating rinks throughout the capital. They show off the best of winter in London.
Whatever you choose to do, keep in mind that the weather in London is unpredictable and it can get very cold in the winter months.
It’s a good idea to wear warm clothing and bring an umbrella with you. If you’re in the UK, I recommend this umbrella. If you’re elsewhere, this one is perfect.
My winter packing list can help you, too, and my guide to what to wear in London has great general tips.
Christmas Season in London
So when is the Christmas season? It varies from event to event and place to place, but it generally runs from late October to early January.
Many of the switch-on ceremonies for London’s Christmas lights take place at the beginning of November, and a lot of the city’s Christmas markets are open by the middle of the month.
Ice skating rinks can pop up as early as late October and run through late February. Big events like Winter Wonderland tend to launch towards the end of November and last for around a month.
If there’s something specific you want to do or see, you can check dates ahead of time. Many places have information on their websites and social media.
If you want to browse the most famous London department stores at Christmas, some open their festive shops as early as August. From Harrods to Liberty and Fortnum & Mason, you’ll find all kinds of gifts and decorations well before December 25th.
1. See the London Christmas Lights
First on my list of Christmas things to do in London is see the lights. The festive lights in the UK capital are nothing short of magical, and there are a lot to admire. They make London one of the best places to visit at Christmas in the UK.
From the famous light displays on Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Bond Street to the local ones in Marylebone, they’re worth seeking out.
The lights on Carnaby Street change every year, so it’s fun to go back again and again. They’re a must on any London Christmas itinerary.
In fact, the Christmas lights are such a big deal that many streets hold ceremonies where celebrities switch them on. It’s worth doing some research and timing your visit to coincide with the illumination of the bulbs at the start of the season.
There are also special annual lights to enjoy at popular attractions like Kew Gardens. Pop-ups in spots like Berkeley Square add to the festive entertainment as well.
If you want to know more, you can read my blog post about the best Christmas lights in London. It has all the top places to see them.
If you want a guided tour, you can take a Christmas walking tour, bus tour, or black cab tour to see the lights. You can look at options and book one here. They’re easy ways to take in the highlights of the festive season.
2. Visit the London Christmas Markets
Another of the best Christmas things to do in London is go to the city’s festive markets. From Leicester Square to the South Bank, Trafalgar Square to London Bridge, more of these seasonal specials pop up every year.
London’s Christmas markets are a treat to stroll through and browse for gift ideas. From beautiful handicrafts to fun ornaments, there’s a lot on offer in the wooden chalets.
And then there are the food and drinks. Both are an integral part of any good Christmas market, and London’s have a lot of options. From classic mulled wine to hot chocolate and sizzling sausages, you’re in for a delicious time.
If you’re interested in knowing more, you can read my blog post about the best Christmas markets in London. From big ones in central London to smaller events in places like Belgravia and Richmond, they’re worth seeking out.
3. Go Christmas Shopping
Next on my list of Christmas things to do in London is shopping. From large brands to independent makers, there’s a lot of variety when it comes to gift giving.
The same goes for presents for loved ones of all ages. From toy stores with children’s gifts to grown-up shops for friends and family, there’s a place to find a meaningful gift for everyone in your life. This is one of the best cities in the UK for shopping, after all.
As far as when to go, there’s no such thing as it being too early to go Christmas shopping in London. In fact, the earlier you start, the fewer crowds you’ll encounter.
As I mentioned earlier, many of London’s big department stores open their Christmas shops as early as August. You’ll still manage to avoid the throngs if you shop at off-peak times in October or early November, though.
If department stores aren’t your thing, you’ll find lots of fun high street shops and independent boutiques on the best shopping streets in London.
Places like Seven Dials, Marylebone High Street, the King’s Road, Brick Lane, Covent Garden, Camden Market, and Hampstead High Street are some of the highlights.
If you want a classic London shopping experience, you can go to Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Piccadilly, and Bond Street.
If you’re interested in learning more, take a look at my guide to the best places for Christmas shopping in London and my list of the best London department stores at Christmas.
4. Take a London Christmas Walk
Next on my list of Christmas things to do in London is a walk. With all the Christmas trees, decorations, lights, skating rinks, and other festive excitement in the city, walking is a must.
I’ve published a free self-guided Christmas lights walk in London you can take. It will lead you around to my favorite places in the city.
But that’s not all. I’ve compiled a list of my free self-guided London Christmas walks, too. It includes the best walks for the season. You can use them to explore the city on foot and discover the highlights. There are maps, too.
If you want a guided tour, you can take a Christmas walking tour to admire the lights with an experienced local. You can see options and book one here. They’re fun ways to see the highlights.
5. See a Festive Show or Carol Concert
Another fun thing to do in London at Christmas is see a performance. There are a lot of great ones to watch in the city during the festive season.
London has an abundance of performances on offer, from traditional pantos (they’re British musical comedy stage productions if you’re not familiar with the word) to puppet shows.
There are always a lot of shows to see in the West End, Royal Albert Hall is magical during the season, and there are loads of stage acts to watch in local venues like Wilton’s Music Hall in Wapping.
And that’s to say nothing of the carol concerts. From theaters to squares and churches, carolers entertain visitors and locals with classic Christmas songs. There are carolers in Trafalgar Square, too.
6. Take in the London Christmas Decorations
One of the most exciting Christmas things to do in London is see the all the festive decorations. Seemingly every public space in the city is packed with them.
Throughout the season, buildings, facades, and public spaces come to life with cheerful decor. Whether you’re looking for giant snowmen or huge bells and mistletoe, you’ll find it in London.
The shopfronts in Mayfair go all-out with larger-than-life decorations, as do the ones on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia. Over in the City of London, Leadenhall Market dazzles at Christmas.
But my favorite place to see decorations in the city is Covent Garden. The area around the piazza comes to life each winter with a giant Christmas tree, festive lights, decorations suspended from the ceiling, and annual Yuletide displays.
If you want to learn more, you can take a look at my blog post about where to find the best Christmas decorations in London. It has lots of fun ideas for you.
7. Indulge in British Christmas Food
Next on my list of Christmas things to do in London is eat all the good food. And drink all the festive drinks. From turkey dinners to mince pies and mulled wine, there’s a lot to love about the culinary side of the season.
We’ve all seen the British Christmas movies where they gather around the table and tuck into a big feast. If they’ve inspired you to try some of the most traditional foods in the UK, you can do so in London.
Whether you want to go for a festive Christmas lunch or you’re looking for somewhere to have dinner on Christmas day in London, you’ll find it.
Many of the city’s best restaurants, pubs, and bars have seasonal specials throughout the festive period. Just make sure to reserve well in advance, as tables book up quickly.
You can also take a Christmas food tour in London. From Borough Market to the Christmas markets, there are plenty of delicious ones to choose from. You can even enjoy Christmas lunch on a Thames cruise. You can see options and book one here.
If you want to learn more, you can take a look at my blog posts about where to find the best British Christmas food, my list of Christmas drinks, and my guide to British Christmas cocktails. They’re full of delicious treats for your taste buds.
I’ve even published a post with my Scottish grandmother’s British Christmas recipes. If you want to get cooking, it’s a great one for you.
8. See the London Christmas Trees
Next on my list of Christmas things to do in London is admire the trees. There are a lot of festive ones dotted throughout the UK capital at this time of year, and it’s fun to walk around and seek out the best of them.
I always enjoy the one at St Pancras station in King’s Cross. It’s home to a different eye-catching Christmas tree every year. The traditional ones in Covent Garden, Somerset House, and Trafalgar Square are exciting to see, too.
The trees are great symbols of the season, and they make for exciting photos and videos. There are lots of them indoors and tucked away in hidden courtyards, too, so make sure to look out for the less obvious ones.
If you’re interested in finding my favorites, you can read my blog post about the best Christmas trees in London. It will show you a range of them to admire during the season.
9. Check Out the Top London Hotels at Christmas
Another fun thing to do at Christmas in London is walk into the city’s most festive hotels. From the big luxury numbers on Hyde Park to the beloved ones in local areas, there’s no shortage of them.
Each year The Dorchester decks its halls with beautiful decorations. The hotel also offers Christmas lunches throughout the season, a Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day lunch, and New Year’s Eve dinner.
And that’s to say nothing of the Christmas afternoon tea at The Dorchester. It’s a fun way to get into the spirit of the season and take in the hotel’s stunning decorations.
Other hotels go all-out, too. There’s always a unique Christmas tree at Claridge’s, and the lobby of The Langham is decked with decorations. In the City of London, The Ned has stunning trees and festive adornments throughout its restaurants.
Over by Liverpool Street station, The Andaz always has great decorations and food offerings during the Yuletide season. The Andaz is one of the top London hotels at Christmas on a number of levels.
10. Go to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Another fun Christmas thing to do in London is go to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Part Christmas market, part fun fair, and part amusement park, it’s one of the biggest and most festive places in the city during the holiday season.
Winter Wonderland runs for around a month in the run-up to Christmas. It offers everything from wooden chalets selling gifts and food to roller coasters, performances, and rides.
Winter Wonderland is a popular place for visitors and locals to get into the Christmas spirit. Whether you want to go ice skating, see a circus, or eat fondue, you can find what you’re looking for here.
11. Go for Christmas Afternoon Tea
Next on my list of Christmas things to do in London is afternoon tea. This tradition is fun at any time of year, but in the run-up to December 25th it’s magical.
Many London hotels and restaurants offer special afternoon teas during the festive season. In fact, you’ll have a hard time finding one that doesn’t have some kind of Christmas afternoon tea on offer.
Whether you enjoy it at one of London’s famous luxury hotels or at a restaurant, it’s an exciting way to indulge and get into the festive spirit at the same time.
12. Ice Skate
One of the most exciting Christmas things to do in London is ice skate. Seasonal rinks pop up all across the city each year, and it’s fun to lace up your skates and glide across the ice.
From Battersea Power Station to Winter Wonderland, Somerset House to Canary Wharf, there are a lot of beautiful places to ice skate in London this winter.
And it’s not just skating. Many of the rinks have big Christmas trees, mulled wine and hot chocolate for sale, and general seasonal cheer. It’s fun to go and watch the skaters even if you’re not planning to try it yourself.
If you want to learn more, you can take a look at my blog post about ice skating in London. It will show you a few of my favorite places to skate in the city.
13. Walk Through the London Shopping Arcades
Seeing the shopping arcades is another of my favorite Christmas things to do in London. These historic places get spruced up with seasonal decorations each winter. From trees to baubles, tinsel, and twinkling lights, they’re a joy to see.
The Royal Arcade is my favorite, but there are lots of others around Piccadilly, Mayfair, and St James’s. They’re ideal places to get into the festive spirit and pick out presents for friends and loved ones while you do.
If you want to know where to find them, you can read my blog post about the best shopping arcades in London at Christmas. It will show you a range of places, from famous names to less-known ones.
14. Go to a London Christmas Pub
When the weather gets cold (and it always does), one of the best Christmas things to do in London is head to a pub. Warming up by a fire in one of the city’s most festive watering holes is a treat.
The Holly Bush in Hampstead is my go-to for this. Not only does it have great historic interiors, but also traditional fireplaces and lots of atmosphere.
There are plenty of other pubs where you can enjoy a mulled wine or Winter Pimm’s this season, too. The Churchill Arms in Kensington has great decorations on its facade, and lots of pubs throughout the city spice up their interiors for the occasion.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can take a look at my blog post about my favorite pubs in London. It has some of the most atmospheric watering holes in the UK capital.
15. Soak Up the Season
If you only do one thing in London at Christmas, soak up the atmosphere. There’s so much to love about this time of year in the city, and taking it all in is joyful and inspiring.
Whether you check out the festive facades in Mayfair, admire the decorations in Covent Garden, or glide across the ice at Somerset House, there’s something that will make you fall in love with the city this time of year.
Christmas Things to Do in London
I hope my blog post has made you want to enjoy all the amazing Christmas things to do in London this season or in the future. It’s one of my favorite places in the world during the Yuletide season, and it’s worth experiencing in person.
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