There is something special about London at Christmas time. The crisp December air, the bright festive lights and the seasonal jingles everywhere you go. These all build up to produce a Christmassy feeling which certainly gets me in the mood for the 25th! If you are planning a trip to the city over the festive period, then keep reading. I have put together an ultimate guide of what to do in London at Christmas time.
What to do in London at Christmas Time
Check out the lights
You can’t visit London in December without a stroll along Oxford and Regent Street to see the beautiful light displays. The streets become strewn with magical twinkling lights and create a glittering backdrop for shoppers. Be sure to check out the displays in the many department stores en-route, especially John Lewis and of course, Selfridges!
Ice Skate in beautiful surroundings
Ice skating has become one of London’s favourite winter pastimes, for both locals and visitors. As Christmas approaches, it provides ‘kids’ young and old with a break from, or end, to the mundane shopping trip. You can also chose from a range of many stunning backdrops. This includes Somerset House, the Natural History Museum and even the Tower of London, to name just a few.
Stroll along Southbank
A whole bunch of exciting festivities occur along Southbank during the winter months. Traditional wooden huts border the River Thames for the annual Christmas market at Southbank Centre. There you can find everything from individually crafted gift stalls to a variety of food huts offering up an assortment of sweet treats. These include churros, lots of chocolates, cupcakes as well as rather more filling options such as hot dogs and those mouth-watering hog roasts.
Check out Covent Garden’s decorations
Each and every year Covent Garden delivers a beautiful Christmas display and 2024 does not disappoint. This year the decorations continue from 2023 and feature over 40 gigantic bells and bows. These all decorate the beautiful original market building and are definitely one of the best displays in London.
Browse Borough Market
Indulge your senses with a stroll around Borough Market where you will find all sorts of seasonal produce. You can find hot mulled cider, nutmeg jam, gingerbread… The list goes on. What’s more, local community choirs provide beautifully sung festive songs and carols, adding to the atmosphere and tempting the passer-by to join in.
Visit the Christmas markets
In most corners of the city there is one Christmas Market or another taking place. To the west, head to Winter Wonderland, or if you’re based in the east, why not discover Winterville in Victoria Park. Both offer something for everyone; from fun fair rides and ice skating, to food stalls, as well as the more traditional market stalls.
Join in with some Christmas carols
Why not join in with a festive sing-song in the Royal Albert Hall or alternatively in Trafalgar Square beneath the lovely Christmas tree. From Good King Wenceslas to Ding Dong Merrily on High, a variety of sweet sounding voices sing to raise much needed cash for charity. Warming refreshments are also on hand so all the elements are in place to start the countdown to that perfect and magical Christmas.
See the Christmas lights at Kew
To escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, make your way out to Kew for a truly magical experience. The world-famous botanical gardens gets a Christmassy makeover in December. After dark, it is illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights, covering the buildings and trails as well as the shrubbery and plants. The sparkling mile-long paths lead you through the gardens past fountains. You’ll see their lights flicker and dance in the evening gloom, holly bushes, transformed into a choir, and a host of decorated Christmas trees.
Sit back and take in a Musical
In London the place to take in a Musical is the West End. With shows such as Elf or the Nutcracker to chose from everyone can find something to suit their taste, so take your pick and get in the mood. Or, why not watch a modern classic such as Hamilton, or even Stranger Things.
Enjoy a festive afternoon tea
It wouldn’t be Christmas without lots and lots of food! Before you get started on the turkey with all the associated trimmings, get into the festive mood by treating yourself to a Christmas-themed afternoon tea at a London hotel.
Whilst personally I haven’t managed to do this yet (but it is on my list), I have been informed that the following hotels/ establishments provide the visitor with a wonderful experience and delicious food; Conrad St James, Victoria; Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge; Lanes of London, Mayfair; The Georgian at Harrods.
Put the finishing touches to your Christmas shopping
Whether your Christmas shopping is complete or not, it is always worth a trip to the city’s big department stores during the holiday period. Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty are always exquisitely decorated and I love checking out their wintery window displays. After that, get lost in the range decorations in their Christmas section. Plus who knows, maybe you’ll find the perfect last minute present.
See London’s lights from the Shard
This Christmas the Shard has been transformed into a winter wonderland by the innovative British experience designers Bompas and Parr.
Travel 800ft up into the heavens to the open-air Level 72 Skydeck and enter a world of frost and ice-crystals to experience a truly exceptional display of theatrical wonderment. You’ll see plenty of modern effects and lights, which, when combined with that unique feeling of being atop Western Europe’s tallest building, provide the visitor a not-to-be-missed sensory journey.
Final Thoughts | What to do in London at Christmas Time
I hope that you found this guide useful for planning your Christmas trip to London in 2024. Whilst I’ve covered my favourite things to do, there is a never-ending amount of fun to be had in the British capital during the festive season. Let me know if you have any questions or if you think I have missed anything. I always love hearing from you.
2 comments
I was just in London but didn’t have time to see it all as was dashing around meeting up with friends – but I made it to some! This is a great list!!
Hi Julie, thank you so much for your kind comment! Yes, that always seems to be the case in the run up to Christmas – so many things to do but not enough time! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!