11 festive Christmas in London activities
Are you planning a trip to experience Christmas in London?
London is a great place to visit with kids or your significant other and at Christmas it’s even more exciting.
You’re in luck because we have the best things to do in London at Christmas. From ice skating in London and caroling to seeing Santa Claus, there are so many fun activities for all ages. We even have some great tips on where to stay during your visit!
London is an iconic Christmas destination 2nd only to New York City at Christmas. People come from all over the world to see the shop windows, Christmas lights, and visit all of the Christmas Markets.
Whether you want to see the traditional holiday lights or go shopping for presents, our guide has everything you need. It’s packed with ideas that will make sure your trip is unforgettable.
Christmas in Covent Garden
‘Tis the season to be jolly”, and what better place to experience Christmas cheer in London than at Covent Garden?
Beautifully decorated in festive decor, the Covent Garden piazza is the perfect place to watch the world go by. Whether you’re looking for family entertainment or a festive treat, Covent Garden has it all.
With over 100 stalls selling Christmas gifts and decorations, there really is something for everyone! From handmade truffles to Christmas puddings, lavender bags to fairy lights, you’ll find everything you could want at Covent Garden.
If you are after some Christmas shopping inspiration, be sure to check out the Apple Market and the Jubilee Market for artisan gifts and homewares.
Make sure you visit the Christmas Tree in the centre of the square. The tree stands at 60ft tall and is covered with thousands of lights, ornaments and bows, making it a stunning icon this season.
Covent Garden has many restaurants where you can enjoy delicious festive dishes. Alternatively, enjoy the buskers or carol singers while enjoying a hot chocolate at one of the cafes in the Apple market, they are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Covent Garden hosts a number of food traders such as the traditional roasting chestnut sellers and hot chestnut carts. Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the sweet smell of roasting chestnuts, so why not grab a bag and enjoy!
The Royal Opera House is also located on the square, where you can attend traditional seasonal opera or ballet throughout December.
Make sure to wrap up warmly as much of Covent Garden is open air and can be particularly chilly in the middle of the UK winter.
By Tracy at Tracy’s Travels in Time
Southbank Christmas Market
If you’re searching for the best things to do in London at Christmas, then you have to add Southbank Christmas Market to your list. Located right next to the London Eye, here you will find delicious festive food and drinks, with one of the most iconic London sites as your backdrop.
For anyone visiting London in winter, popping by Southbank Christmas Market is a must. With its strong Christmas vibe, it’s a great way to celebrate the Christmas season. You can easily spend a few hours walking around the market, sipping on mulled wine and nibbling on pretzels while checking out the stalls selling souvenirs and Christmas gifts.
The market usually runs from the start of November to the start of January, and is open 10AM to 10PM daily. The easiest way to get there is to take the tube or train to Waterloo Station. From there it’s a short 5-10 minute walk.
Southbank Christmas Market is also home to the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge. This huge section of the market comes with a big central seating area. That way you can purchase food from different stalls, but still sit together with your friends and share this lovely London Christmas experience.
With its wide shopping, food and drinks offering, as well as its iconic London location, it’s easy to see why Southbank Christmas Market is one of the best places to visit in London at Christmas.
Submitted by Greta of Gretas Travels
See Christmas Lights all around London
One of the magical things you can do at Christmas in London is to see all the beautiful Christmas lights. If you’re lucky enough to be in London towards the end of November, you will also be able to see the official switch-on event too, which is often accompanied by live music, food stalls and performers. The dates are different every year, and they don’t all switch on at the same date. The Christmas lights are on every night between the switch-on date and into the beginning of January. You could spend several evenings wandering about the city enjoying the different displays.
Every shop front will be adorned by lavish Christmas displays, iconic shops such as Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Hamleys always put on impressive Christmas light displays, often lighting up the entire building.
It’s not only the buildings that compete for the best illuminations. Stunning displays crop up in Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Covent Garden. However, one of the best displays is along Carnaby Street.
Each year, the streets have a different theme, most of the larger streets tend to focus on a more traditional style of Christmas lighting, however, Carnaby Street often push the boundaries with their theme, such as the ocean and the human impact on the environment. One of the most memorable displays in recent years was the giant illuminated whale, surrounded by glistening jellyfish.
Whichever Christmas lights you visit, be prepared to be in awe.
Submitted byBy Becki from Meet Me In Departures
Visit Father Christmas in London
One of our family’s favorite traditions for Christmas in London is visiting one of the special Christmas Grottos, where kids can meet Father Christmas. When we lived in London, my three kids were so excited for this special experience, because unlike in America where the tradition is more of simply sitting with Santa Clause for a minute to take a photo, Christmas Grottos are often an experience.
Many of the Grottos have whole areas dedicated to Christmas. Sometimes kids get a story read to them by Father Christmas and the one we visited near Notting Hill, each child was given a book by the magical guy himself! Christmas Grottos are very popular and take some planning, so definitely plan ahead and book your appointment, get your kids ready in their best jolly outfits, and plan for a special day. Often there are tickets that need to be purchased in advance.
Some of the best ones in London (and very popular) are meeting Father Christmas at Hamley’s Toy Shop, Santa Land at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Christmas Festival in Leicester Square, at Fortnam and Mason, and at Harrod’s. There is a Victorian Grotto at the Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands and one of our favorites is at Westfield Mall in Shepard’s Bush.
By Keri of Bon Voyage with Kids
Fireworks on New Year’s Eve
The show lasts roughly 15 minutes and shows a beautiful display of about 70,000 fireworks! Everyone crowds around the Thames riverbank as Big Ben begins the countdown to midnight. The fireworks begin and all the millions of people stare up into the lit-up sky.
Whilst the show is going on, the most popular songs of the year will play in the background. Then, when the show is over the chorus of Auld Lang Syne is played and everyone sings along. It creates such an amazing atmosphere and it is a brilliant experience.
If you are going to be in London for New Year, seeing the fireworks is something recommended by many. It unites 3 million people together to celebrate the new year. Something most people need after the last couple of years.
by Alice at Adventures of Alice
Visit Fortnum & Masons
The Christmas window display at Fortnum & Mason’s department store is a London Christmas must-see. This iconic department store has been delighting shoppers (and passers by) with its decorative window displays for over 300 years – so it really is worth stopping by to see them.
Each year there is a new design, which gets revealed at the end of October or early November. The designs vary in theme, but they are typically traditional in style and craftsmanship – and often elaborate. In 2020, the displays were recreations of historic windows that made a splash in previous years from 1930 to 2015.
Of course, if you make it all the way over to the store on Piccadilly, you might as well go inside. On the ground floor of Fortnum’s is its renowned Food Hall, where you can pick up Christmas treats like indulgent hampers, biscuits in beautiful tins and handmade chocolates. A word of warning: it gets very busy in the Food Hall during the Christmas season, so you might want to come early or be prepared for crowds.
If you want a break from the throng, consider sitting down to a bite to eat. Fortnum’s is famous for its afternoon tea, which is served in the magnificent Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. There’s also a restaurant at the back of the department store, 45 Jermyn Street. And if you want something more low-key, there’s a wine bar in the lower level of the food hall. Whichever you prefer, do book ahead, as all of these destinations are popular!
by Martha from May Cause Wanderlust
Visit the Christmas Displays Around London
One of the best things to do for Christmas in London is checking out the decorations and Christmas lights that are in a lot of parts of the city. The Christmas lights make the city’s atmosphere amazing when doing a trip to the city. One of the best places to see decorations is Leadenhall Market.
This is one of the oldest covered markets in the city, with its history dating back to the 14th century. When it’s Christmas here, there is a large Christmas tree in the middle of the market. This Christmas tree in combination with the history of the market makes this place perfect to visit.
Another one of the best places to see the Christmas lights in the city is Oxford Street. There are thousands of lights in this street. Furthermore, many of the shops on Oxford Street have special Christmas displays.
Besides that, many other places in the city have beautiful Christmas displays. For example, the private club Annabel’s features a large Christmas tree display on its facade. Also, there are some cute cafes in London with Christmas decorations. For example, Peggy Porschen features winter and Christmas displays that are lovely to see!
Covent Garden is another place that is perfect for seeing Christmas decorations. Covent Garden always has wonderful displays throughout the year that fit the season or other special dates. That’s the same during Christmas when there often are Christmas trees and beautiful Christmas lights.
Submitted by Dymphe of Dymabroad
Get a Cupcake from Peggy Porschen
By Jackie from Jou Jou Travels
Go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
If you’re looking for the go-to place in London at Christmas, then look no further than Winter Wonderland. Located in Hyde Park, this huge market will immediately put you in the festive spirit, with its endless attractions, rides, and of course Christmas themed stalls.
This year, Winter Wonderland is running from 19th of November until the 3rd of January, so you have plenty of time to go. However, make sure to pre-book your tickets!
It is the perfect place to visit for families, groups of friends, or even dates. Some things to do include ice skating, visiting the ice bar, having some street food, watching live performances and much more. Additionally, it’s one of the top destinations for firsttime travelers looking to immerse themselves in a vibrant culture. The unique experiences and activities available make it an unforgettable stop on any travel itinerary. With so much to explore, visitors will find plenty of opportunities to create lasting memories.
Don’t be deceived, however, because the rides are not all for small kids – some of them are incredibly thrilling for adults also! My favourite ride is ‘Wild Maus’, a very fast rollercoaster which will give you the ride of your life.
The best part about Winter Wonderland is that it is open from 10 am until 10 pm. So you can go during the day, and spend as long as you like there. Drink some Bavarian beer, have a hot dog, drink a hot chocolate to warm up and have the time of your life!
Contributed by Anna from nospaceinmypassport.com
Visit London’s Christmas trees
London’s Christmas trees are an iconic part of the city’s winter festivities. From towering firs to knee-high pines, there are plenty of trees to admire and photograph around the capital.
Trafalgar Square is home to the country’s most famous Christmas tree. Since 1947, Norway has gifted Britain with a massive Norwegian Fir each year as a token of thanks for support during WWII. The city holds a lighting ceremony on the first Thursday in December, and caroling groups can often be found performing beneath the 20+ meter tree.
Around the corner from Trafalgar Square stands a very Instagrammable Christmas tree by Sofitel St James hotel. With the right positioning, it’s possible to capture both the tree and a classic red phone box in a single shot.
Just a short walk away lies another gorgeously decorated yet hidden Christmas tree at Berry Bros. & Rudd. Their courtyard tree pops beautifully against the old brick facade.
Covent Garden Market has two well-known Christmas tree displays. The first towers above the marketplace courtyard and sits in a lovely wooden barrel wrapped in a red bow. Just a further bit up the street, a cluster of a dozen or so smaller trees–sponsored and decorated by local businesses–makes for an excellent photo op.
To see a truly jaw-dropping Christmas tree in a stunning Victorian gallery, head to Leadenhall Market. This postcard-worthy display is a favorite among Londonders.
And for travelers willing to get off the beaten path in London, Hampstead Village is an absolute treat this time of year. In addition to the big Christmas tree on the high street, there are numerous little illuminated trees scattered outside the village’s cozy cafes and shops.
By Chelsea from The Portable Wife
Carols at Trafalgar Square
Ride a Double-Decker Bus to see the Christmas sights
Since the tickets are usually valid for 24 hours, you can look at everything you want in peace. The buses leave at regular intervals, so you have enough time at each sight. The best strategy is to start the tour at noon so you can visit the rest of the sights you didn’t see the next day.
I hope you will love your visit to London at Christmas! If you like this post save it for later here.
There may be affiliate links in this post. Read my disclosure policy to learn more.
Fun!!! 🙂