London at Christmas becomes, in one simple word, magical. The sun sets early (as in 4:30pm early), leaving plenty of time in the evenings to walk around and soak in all the beautiful Christmas lights.
It’s also a city full to the brim with Christmas markets, where you can find holiday themed food and drinks, go ice skating, and shop for gifts for everyone on your list. The only problem will be how to fit everything in your suitcase for the trip home!
Here’s my list of the best things to do in London at Christmas.
See all the Christmas lights
The easiest way to see the London Christmas lights is with a Christmas lights bus tour. See the lights of Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus as well as the Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
The tours are between an hour and a half and two hours long depending on traffic.
To see the lights from the best vantage point book a seat on the open upper deck.
Visit Hogwarts in the snow
The Warner Brothers Studios are always one of London’s top attractions, but they’re even more popular at Christmas. The Harry Potter movie sets are decorated for Christmas, complete with flaming Christmas puddings in the Great Hall.
See Diagon Alley dusted in snow, or the Forbidden Forest at its winter best. Through the rest of the studio you’ll see fires roaring in the fireplaces, and Christmas trees decorating the dormitories and the Gryffindor common room.
Enjoy one of London’s many Christmas markets
London is full of beautiful Christmas markets, each with its own unique ambience. You can also visit one of London’s regular markets, like Borough Market near London Bridge or Covent Garden in central London, and see them all dressed up for the holidays.
Discover London’s best Christmas markets
Or you can go to a London Christmas market that’s only set up for the holidays. One of the best is the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which I think has London’s best Christmas market. Over 100 wooden chalets sell all kinds of holiday foods and gifts at the Hyde Park Christmas market.
Many markets will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Most London Christmas markets remain open until the first week of January.
Go ice skating in London at Christmas
One of the easiest skating rinks to get to is at Somerset House on the banks of the Thames. Enjoy the neoclassical courtyard and beautiful Christmas tree as you take a spin around the rink. Afterwards you can warm up with a hot chocolate. Or for something more grown up, indulge in a cocktail at the Moët & Chandon Skate Lounge.
If you’d like to experience the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink, head to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Enjoy live music while you skate under the many fairy lights and soak up the holiday spirit.
Shop ‘till you drop
London is always an excellent shopping destination, but it’s even more so during the Christmas season.
Stroll through Covent Garden and Seven Dials to experience some of London’s best (and most Instagram worthy!) Christmas decorations while shopping for brands like Malone and Tiffany & Company.
Oxford Street and Regent Street are year-round shopping destinations, but at Christmas they’re lit up with spectacular holiday displays. Take some time to admire the window displays at Selfridges while you’re in the area.
Make sure to stop by Fortnum & Mason in Mayfair and spend some time exploring their food hall. Christmas puddings, mince pies, and Christmas hampers provide Christmas cheer for even the most discriminating tastes.
You’ll also want to head over to Knightsbridge after dark to see Harrods. One of the world’s most famous department stores, it’s a delight sparkling with over 12,000 lightbulbs. Their giant Christmas shop is also a great place to find those quintessential British Christmas crackers and beautiful ornaments.
Have a festive afternoon tea in London at Christmas
Tea in London is always an experience, but during the holidays it’s even better. Many of London’s classic hotels, like the Langham, The Four Seasons, Claridge’s and The Lanesborough have Christmas afternoon tea with festive menus that they only offer in November and December.
The best afternoon teas in London
Enjoy seasonal savories and sweets, holiday-themed cocktails, and a proper British cuppa, while taking in the beautiful seasonal decorations and listening to Christmas carols.
The bottom line: Things to do in London at Christmas
With so much to see, it’s easy to spend a weekend or even a week experiencing all the Christmas wonder and festive cheer that the holiday season in London has to offer.
London at Christmas becomes, in one simple word, magical. The sun sets early (as in 4:30pm early), leaving plenty of time in the evenings to walk around and soak in all the beautiful Christmas lights.
It’s also a city full to the brim with Christmas markets, where you can find holiday themed food and drinks, go ice skating, and shop for gifts for everyone on your list. The only problem will be how to fit everything in your suitcase for the trip home!
Here’s my list of the best things to do in London at Christmas.
See all the Christmas lights
The easiest way to see the London Christmas lights is with a Christmas lights bus tour. See the lights of Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus as well as the Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
The tours are between an hour and a half and two hours long depending on traffic.
To see the lights from the best vantage point book a seat on the open upper deck.
Visit Hogwarts in the snow
The Warner Brothers Studios are always one of London’s top attractions, but they’re even more popular at Christmas. The Harry Potter movie sets are decorated for Christmas, complete with flaming Christmas puddings in the Great Hall.
See Diagon Alley dusted in snow, or the Forbidden Forest at its winter best. Through the rest of the studio you’ll see fires roaring in the fireplaces, and Christmas trees decorating the dormitories and the Gryffindor common room.
Enjoy one of London’s many Christmas markets
London is full of beautiful Christmas markets, each with its own unique ambience. You can also visit one of London’s regular markets, like Borough Market near London Bridge or Covent Garden in central London, and see them all dressed up for the holidays.
Discover London’s best Christmas markets
Or you can go to a London Christmas market that’s only set up for the holidays. One of the best is the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which I think has London’s best Christmas market. Over 100 wooden chalets sell all kinds of holiday foods and gifts at the Hyde Park Christmas market.
Many markets will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Most London Christmas markets remain open until the first week of January.
Go ice skating in London at Christmas
One of the easiest skating rinks to get to is at Somerset House on the banks of the Thames. Enjoy the neoclassical courtyard and beautiful Christmas tree as you take a spin around the rink. Afterwards you can warm up with a hot chocolate. Or for something more grown up, indulge in a cocktail at the Moët & Chandon Skate Lounge.
If you’d like to experience the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink, head to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Enjoy live music while you skate under the many fairy lights and soak up the holiday spirit.
Shop ‘till you drop
London is always an excellent shopping destination, but it’s even more so during the Christmas season.
Stroll through Covent Garden and Seven Dials to experience some of London’s best (and most Instagram worthy!) Christmas decorations while shopping for brands like Malone and Tiffany & Company.
Oxford Street and Regent Street are year-round shopping destinations, but at Christmas they’re lit up with spectacular holiday displays. Take some time to admire the window displays at Selfridges while you’re in the area.
Make sure to stop by Fortnum & Mason in Mayfair and spend some time exploring their food hall. Christmas puddings, mince pies, and Christmas hampers provide Christmas cheer for even the most discriminating tastes.
You’ll also want to head over to Knightsbridge after dark to see Harrods. One of the world’s most famous department stores, it’s a delight sparkling with over 12,000 lightbulbs. Their giant Christmas shop is also a great place to find those quintessential British Christmas crackers and beautiful ornaments.
Have a festive afternoon tea in London at Christmas
Tea in London is always an experience, but during the holidays it’s even better. Many of London’s classic hotels, like the Langham, The Four Seasons, Claridge’s and The Lanesborough have Christmas afternoon tea with festive menus that they only offer in November and December.
The best afternoon teas in London
Enjoy seasonal savories and sweets, holiday-themed cocktails, and a proper British cuppa, while taking in the beautiful seasonal decorations and listening to Christmas carols.
The bottom line: Things to do in London at Christmas
With so much to see, it’s easy to spend a weekend or even a week experiencing all the Christmas wonder and festive cheer that the holiday season in London has to offer.
