Visiting London at Christmas is among one of the most remarkable experiences you can have. The city changes right into an enchanting environment of fairy lights, cheery spirit, and pop-up bars with boozy warm delicious chocolate and road food. London commemorates the Christmas period much better than many various other cities in Europe.
The quantity of cheery points to do in London for Christmas is big sufficient to tear you off your couch and far from all those back-to-back Christmas movies. Whether you head to Tower Bridge to take a look at its Christmas market or to among the skating rinks populated around the city, you’ll have a lot enjoyable. London illuminate right now of year with a lot consuming, alcohol consumption, enjoyable, and buying.
Festive Things To Do in London at Christmas
In this overview, we’ll inform you whatever you require to learn about the very best tourist attractions and tasks to check off when seeing London at Christmas. From Christmas lights to boozy warm delicious chocolate and searching for handmade presents, these are the very best points to do in London this December.
1. Covent Garden
There’s no much better location to commemorate a London Christmas than Covent Garden. Covent Garden is among one of the most renowned locations in the city. It is an elaborate buying and home entertainment facility in London’s theatrical West End area. At Christmas, however, this wonderful location changes once more, organizing a tiny Christmas market, countless cheery lights and decors, and also phony snow flurries in between 12 pm and 9 pm every day. The phony snow gets on the hour in West Piazza – you won’t miss it.
Covent Garden is among the very best locations for covert Christmas buying and a trusted white Christmas.
2. Try Mulled Wine
Another point you can’t have a London Christmas without is reviewed a glass of wine. Luckily, there’s no lack of this delicious cheery beverage in the city. You can locate tasty mulled a glass of wine around London. The beverage is simply piping warm merlot with seasonings like cinnamon. You can locate it at pop-up bars and developed alcohol consumption openings like The Hawk’s Nest in Shepherd’s Bush. Mr Fogg’s Tavern is likewise a fantastic place for tasty mulled a glass of wine. Wander with the Christmas markets and see if you can identify some to takeaway, or go to a comfortable seat inside among the London bars.
3. Hogwarts in the Snow
Everyone understands about London’s Harry Potter workshop experience. But did you understand it organizes a Christmas unique? Hogwarts in the Snow is a method for followers to commemorate Christmas in the wizarding globe and runs kindly in between mid-November and mid-January. There’s whatever from Christmas trees in the Great Hall and Yule Ball dancing lessons. Of program, you’ll see phony snow almost everywhere – a precise plus with London’s hit-and-miss white Christmases.
You need to schedule tickets beforehand, which sets you back around $60 each. And it may be best to schedule a led trip that consists of transportation, due to the fact that the workshop is found north of the town hall, and is challenging to get to without a cars and truck.
Guided Tour: Warner Bros Studio from London
4. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a Christmas location in its very own right. Seriously, this location is huge. If you intend to accept the Christmas spirit in main London, this is among one of the most desired and popular cheery occasions to do so at. It changes Hyde Park right into a Bavarian-esque winter months paradise, with big camping tents offering Christmas alcoholic drinks and German beer, a fairground, food stalls, and rustic pop-up stalls offering handmade presents and wonderful deals with. And that’s and also its large ice bar and skating rink. Everyone mosts likely to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, however you can see why.
For a little cheery joy, you can’t fail. Remember to publication beforehand (straight on the main site to stay clear of rip-offs), as it offers out promptly.
5. Go Ice Skating
Speaking of cheery joy, what concerning going skating as a standalone task? Ice rinks are conveniently among one of the most timeless cheery tasks. When in London, you’ll have loads within your reaches. There’s the apparent option of the ice rink in Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. But there’s likewise the Canary Wharf Ice Rink, JW3 Ice Rink, and also one at the foot of Battersea Power Station. When we state London has great deals of ice rinks, we truly imply it. Pick one (or 2) and obtain your skates all set.
Enjoying the rinks is among the very best points to do in London this Christmas. Here is a listing of every one of the rinks in London this period.
6. Watch a Christmas Concert
You can’t remain in London at Christmas and not take a look at among the Christmas performances. Carol vocal singing and Christmas tunes are the very best means to enter a cheery state of mind. Many of London’s occasions are organized in gorgeous places, like the Royal Albert Hall, which organizes standard performances and Christmas carol efficiencies. St. Paul’s Cathedral is an additional great place for Christmas carols in cheery, climatic efficiencies. Our referral? Plan to participate in at the very least one show when commemorating Christmas in London. The sensational places and standard experience of carol singing make it the perfect enhancement to your cheery plan.
7. Leicester Square
Leicester Square is where to be this Christmas in London. Every year, the square is outdoor decked with an all-action Christmas market that competes 2 months, offering whatever from food to mulled a glass of wine and providing totally free entry. However, we’ll cover Christmas markets in even more information later on.
What we truly like concerning Leicester Square are its road entertainers, which tackle additional cheery motivation throughout December and right into January. Leicester Square is action-packed and significant, and the general public area takes out all the quits throughout the cheery period. If you desire totally free points to do in London this Christmas, seeing Leicester Square must be among your leading options.
8. Westminster Abbey
Everyone understands Westminster Abbey – the home of British national politics and faith, for much better or even worse. You can take led scenic tours with the Abbey throughout the year, appreciating its grand style. However, what’s truly amazing is Westminster Abbey at Christmas.
You can participate in countless totally free occasions at Westminster Abbey in December, consisting of the First Eucharist of Christmas Night and also the Christmas Day Holy Communion. There’s also a Royal Carol Service, where HRH organizes the celebrations. When it concerns Westminster Abbey, you’ve simply reached maintain your eye on its schedule. The Abbey truly goes to community with Christmas occasions in December.
Guided Tour: Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey
9. London Bridge
London Bridge is a legendary component of the London sky line and welcomes a yearly Christmas style. Not just does the popular site run a Christmas market, however the London Bridge Rooftop changes right into an enchanting cheery experience for grownups. The covered venue strikes out DJ collections, reviewed a glass of wine, knickknacks, and Christmas lights – plus a stuffed food selection of cheery alcoholic drinks and dishes. The entire location around London Bridge comes to be a hive of task, so most definitely include London Bridge and its bordering area to your checklist of points to do in London this December.
The 1970s bridge is a traditional little bit of style and an actual center for Christmas joy. You can stroll throughout and admire the cheery lights along the financial institutions of the River Thames. Or you can head to the close-by London Bridge Rooftop and Christmas market.
10. Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is among one of the most popular spots in London and draws in numerous visitors annually. At Christmas, however, there’s a lot more factor to visit. The square has actually changed right into a cheery work of art and presently flaunts a 70-foot tree delivered from Norway. It belongs to a practice that has actually been taking place given that 1947, with Norway gifting London a Christmas tree annually for Britain’s aid in World War II. Because of the Norwegian web link, it is likewise usually enhanced in Norwegian design with upright Christmas lights.
You can head to Trafalgar Square, appreciate the tree, pay attention to the carol vocalists, and enjoy any kind of road entertainers. The tale behind Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree is wholesome and a touching pointer of the disasters of World War II – making seeing among one of the most prominent points to do in London at Christmas. Besides, what’s a London Christmas without a tree or 2?
11. Somerset House
Somerset House is a leading destination in London, and the neoclassical structure in main London residences lots of imaginative and social exhibitions. The most popular of these is the Courtauld Gallery, an art gallery including the respected item Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear by the cherished Vincent Van Gogh. It is a dazzling location to see throughout the year. Still, there’s something concerning art galleries at Christmas that is simply additional unique. Escape from the cool and damp, and take pleasure in considering several of one of the most useful art in England.
What truly makes Somerset House so cheery, however, is its substantial skating rink exterior. You can invest a couple of hours appreciating the art, after that go out to skate and allow your hair down.
Guided Tour: Courtauld Gallery Entrance at Somerset House
12. Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is a location of severe elegance on the borders of London. The arboretum revives every winter months with additional unique functions, consisting of a cheery light route that wows site visitors with intricate light installments. You go through the yards appreciating art functions like a water fountain taking off with illuminated shades or gold light passages. Kew Gardens is a gorgeous location to commemorate Christmas, and going through such innovative display screens during the night is great. There are also suppliers offering warm delicious chocolate and piping warm cheery foods in the process.
You need to schedule beforehand for Kew Gardens as it is – naturally – preferred. However, it ranges from November till January, so you can press in there eventually.
13. Watch a Musical or West End Show
West End plays run throughout the year, however absolutely nothing really feels much more cheery than obtaining spruced up for a West End manufacturing in December. The comfortable and indulgent ambiance is unparalleled. And you can enjoy a sparkling wine and clear up right into a cozy seat while you kick back with a night of home entertainment. West End manufacturings operate on loopholes, with normal programs like The Lion King.
However, you can likewise capture cheery movie adjustments in various other cinemas throughout London, discovering play adjustments of standards like Charles Dickens. If you desire a play choice to a Christmas movie, this is the very best concept for your plan. Check out movie theater efficiencies that accompany the days you see London.
14. Kensington Palace
If you are seeing London at Christmas, you need to visit an imperial home or 2. Kensington Palace is home to Will and Kate and their youngsters, however component of the royal residence is open to the general public virtually everyday. Take benefit of this timeless vacationer destination and peek at several of the grandest Christmas decors in the city.
Kensington Palace likewise opened up the Luna Winter Cinema, which reveals open-air Christmas movies. The entire location comes active with Christmas joy. And for a homely – if very grand – visual, Kensington Palace is among the very best Christmas variations of timeless London tourist attractions.
Guided Tour: Kensington Palace Entrance
15. Hampton Court
Hampton Court Palace is constantly an excellent concept to see in London. The royal residence was really home to Henry the 8th – an incredibly well-known number in UK background. However, it comes a lot more to life each Christmas, with a gigantic skating rink, sensational decors, and a Christmas market with over 100 artisan manufacturers. Hampton Court Palace at Christmas is gorgeous. There are also carriage experiences with shire roughhouse the royal residence premises. And if you capture it on a snow day, simply thank your fortunate celebrities. The red block structure looks beautiful in the snow.
You can get tickets to Hampton Court Palace online. It is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays and is open from Wednesday till Sunday from 10 am till 4:00 pm.
Guided Tours: Hampton Court Palace Entrance
16. Neverland’s Winterland
This bar is the very best in London if you are a grownup however a large child deep down. Neverland London is where to accept your internal Peter Pan, with a man-made coastline club with summertime and a winter months paradise with the cheery period. At Christmas, Neverland changes right into a towering town with igloos, lodges, and also a ski lift that you can eat and consume in.
Neverland is a lot enjoyable, particularly if you intend to take pleasure in alcoholic drinks in vogue. It likewise offers food – a bar-restaurant with a distinction and among the very best points to do in London at Christmas.
17. Rooftop Views Queen of Hoxton
When in London at Christmas, the Queen of Hoxton is a must-visit place. It is positioned in stylish Shoreditch – that doesn’t like this cool London area – and runs a various Christmas style annually. In 2023, this is gothic Venice, and its winter months roof beer and mixed drink yard will certainly be appropriately dressed up.
There’s whatever from gondola seating to Italian light fixtures. If you desire someplace to appreciate the London landscapes and have an expensive beverage, the Queen of Hoxton is the dreamland to see. The club has 3 degrees, plus its sensational roof location.
18. Watch or Participate in the Santa Run London
The Santa Run London is among one of the most amusing points you’ll see. Thousands of candidates worn Santa outfits run their means with the town hall on 5k or 10k courses. The entire occasion is created to elevate cash for charity, and the fit among you can participate, while those that choose to enjoy can take pleasure in the phenomenon of countless Santas running about London.
Participating in or viewing the Santa Run London is among one of the most special and amusing points to do in the city at Christmas. You won’t see it on the basic vacationer checklist, however that’s half the appeal. Embrace the British funny bone and obtain included.
There are a handful of Santa running occasions in December, however the major one is around Victoria Park.
19. Hyde Park’s Serpentine
If you are endure, you can join the Peter Pan Cup – a.k .a. a crazy swim around a 100-meter program in Serpentine Lake on Christmas Day- where the champion is granted a prize. The wacky destination attracts the bravest feasible candidates. The initially race was kept in 1864 when the writer of Peter Pan granted the winning prize to the victorious candidate. This is what provides the race its name.
You can complete or, if you aren’t seeming like cold water on Christmas Day, watch from the financial institutions of Serpentine Lake.
20. Thames Dinner Cruise
A Thames supper cruise ship is an additional London timeless. Don’t obtain us incorrect, these run throughout the year. But you can schedule phenomenal supper cruise ship experiences especially committed to commemorating Christmas. These cruise ships have cheery songs blaring, event hats, decors, and standard Christmas food and beverage. This Thames supper cruise ship is precisely what you require on a cheery London plan. And you still obtain all the pleasures of taking in the sights, with the London spots going by your home window.
You can offer it a Google or simply examine the web link listed below to see a fantastic instance of Christmas supper cruise ships in London.
Guided Tour: Christmas Party Dinner Cruise
21. Walk Down Regent Street
Walking down Regent Street is among the very best points to do in London at Christmas. The road is renowned for premium stores like Burberry, and in December, you can appreciate all the decors in Christmas home windows. Regent Street is likewise where you’ll locate several of one of the most significant Christmas lights in the city. As an active, secure location of London, it is perfect for solo tourists to discover and accept a cheery night in the city.
Walking down Regent Street is visual and perfect for final buying. It is a secure and very easy task to press right into also the busiest London plans. Most stores close at 8 or 9 pm, so we recommend heading there around 5-7 pm.22. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is popular. You’ve most definitely come across it previously. It could not have actually struck you as a Christmas destination, however don’t be tricked; this gallery has a lot on its sleeve relating to cheery joy. The Natural History Museum has Christmas and winter-themed workshops and pop-up tasks. Just examine its site to see what’s on when you remain in London.
There’s likewise a Christmas at the Museum occasion on the 22nd of December and Storytelling with Santa sessions from the 11th to the 23rd of December in 2023. The Santa experience consists of a present and a personal photo ops. If you are taking a trip with kids, this is an outright must.
Nothing defeats a Christmas store. With the enjoyment, the songs, the groups, and the Christmas lights, it is one of the most dynamic time of the year to shop. Armed with a lengthy checklist of existing concepts, it is no surprise that individuals like to spend lavishly a lot when buying in London, which has several of the very best stores in Europe. At Christmas, Oxford Street is among the very best locations to head. In 2023, it is enhanced with 300,000 drifting celebrities strung over the road in beautiful zigzags. And you can head to home window store or get hold of final presents under the celebrities.
Oxford Street has additional tourist attractions, like a life-sized snow world you can go within, Santa’s Grotto inside John Lewis, and an immersive art experience showcasing the north lights.
24. Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Southbank Centre Winter Festival is a gorgeous location to commemorate Christmas with great deals of enjoyable. There is – obviously – a cheery market. However, there are likewise choir efficiencies and staged manufacturings like The Nutcracker and Christmas Actually. There are dancing courses, a totally free Winter Light art event, and totally free performances. Southbank Centre truly places the society right into commemorating Christmas. So, if you like anything art-related, simply examine it out. It contains unbelievable tasks, and you can obtain truly embeded.
Most occasions at Southbank are totally free, and there is no requirement to publication. But you can take a look at the entrance needs for particular occasions and an occasion schedule with a fast Google.
25. Head to London Christmas Markets
We have actually currently discussed Christmas markets while reviewing the various other ideal points to do in London at Christmas. However, markets are such a large component of the holiday that we simply had to commit a whole area to them. These markets usually compete December, however you obtain the weird early risers ranging from November and laggers proceeding right into January. The ideal markets in London are:
Spitalfields Leadenhall Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland Portobello Fleet Street Covent Garden Leicester Square.
You can get hold of beverages and food from cheery takeaway stalls. Or you can buy craftsmen and handmade presents or decors like hand-painted knickknacks.
26. London Christmas Lights Bus Tour
When seeing London, you need to appreciate the Christmas lights. Dazzling lights and display screens hanging nearby are just one of one of the most popular sorts of Christmas decors and something for the entire family members to take pleasure in. London truly goes to community on Christmas lights. The city almost illuminate with glistening, luxurious, festive-themed illumination decors.
The ideal means to view as a lot of London’s Christmas lights as feasible is with an open-top bus trip. These buses take you with the facility of London, passing one of the most gorgeous lights and offering you the very best seat in your house – viewing the lights pass from a roof perch. The Christmas lights are so close you can virtually touch them, and you’ll reach see whatever without the turmoil of groups on the road degree listed below. If you are mosting likely to do simply something in London this Christmas, this would certainly be our leading referral.
Guided Tour: Open Top Bus Tour
Frequently Asked Questions: Festive Things to Do in London
Spending the Christmas vacations in London suggests you have countless cheery points to do. There are Christmas markets, ice rinks, performances, and numerous buying experiences you can suit a schedule. But prior to you scamper and take pleasure in that, though, take a look at these usual Frequently asked questions.
Is London an excellent location to invest Christmas?
London is an extraordinary location to invest Christmas. There are lots of Christmas lights, beautiful ice rinks, and cheery decors; it has the best cheery visual, and absolutely nothing beats roaming its Christmas home windows on Regent Street and the little Christmas markets.
Is Christmas a great time to visit London?
Christmas is a remarkable time to see London. The cheery occasions and beautiful Christmas visual make it among the very best locations to remain at this moment of year. Yes, it obtains hectic. But that’s the entire factor of Christmas; it develops a cheery and friendly environment. We’d state that Christmas is an ideal time to experience London – simply be arranged and publication whatever beforehand to neutralize the groups.
What should I provide for Christmas in London?
You must see several of the Christmas markets in London and take a bus trip around the city’s Christmas lights. London’s piece de resistances are all gorgeous right now of year, with titan Christmas trees and decors, particularly Hampton Court and Kensington Gardens. There are likewise points like ice skating and the much-adored Winter Wonderland phenomenon in Hyde Park.
What gets on in London for Christmas 2023?
There are tons on at Christmas in London in 2023. Check out the yearly occasions like Neverland and Winter Wonderland. But likewise take a look at approaching West End efficiencies, Christmas movies, and carol-singing occasions. There’s no much better location to commemorate the cheery period than in London, and 2023 is readied to be no various.
There’s no much better location than London to spread out that Yuletide pleasure. There are numerous pop-up occasions and tasks in between the ice rinks and Christmas markets. Ideally, you’d contend the very least 3 days to commemorate Christmas in London. This is lengthy sufficient to venture out on a day journey to Hampton Court or Richmond Park and invest 2 days delighting in markets, performances, Christmas lights, and galleries.
Are you searching for even more London motivation? Check these posts out on the ideal points to do year-round, outing, and ideal London spots. It deserves keeping in mind that London is simply among the ideal locations to see in the UK. Some north cities like York and Manchester are likewise sensational at Christmas, so profit the trains and remain longer.
