Christmas markets, light displays around the city, theme parks, decorated pubs and restaurants are some of the many things to see in London over Christmas. This city is one of the best ones in Europe to feel the Christmas holiday and do the shopping for the last presents.
London is magic during Christmas and if you are planning a visit during December, in this guide I cover the best 10 things to do during this festivity.
This guide is perfect for all ages, kids will love the atmosphere, seeing Santa and riding the rides at Winter Wonderland. At the same time, adults will enjoy shopping in the Christmas markets and sipping on mulled wine.
10 best things to do during Chrismas in London
Planning your visit to London during Christmas is probably one of the best ways to end up your year in the best way. So make sure you take notes because you will experience London with the best light just with these 10 best things to do in London during Christmas.
1 – Winter Wonderland
One of my favourite places to go during the Christmas months in London is Winter Wonderland. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park is a massive Christmas amusement park and Christmas market, from mid-November to the beginning of January.
Winter Wonderland has a little bit of everything: there is an ice rink, rides, a Christmas market, a Bavarian village, different shows, the Ice bar, Santaland (where Santa Claus makes his daily appearance) and other attractions to make everyone happy.
People either hate it or love Winter Wonderland since it tends to be crowded and very expensive. As I lived in London for over 5 years and spent all my Christmas time in the city I liked to experience this theme park; mulled wine and the good people to make good memories definitely helped, but if you are not a fan of crowded places maybe avoid to go there during the weekends and after 4 pm.
Do a ride, eat warm churros and sip your hot mulled wine and you will have a good memory of Winter Wonderland.
2 – Marvel Christmas lights around London
As early as the beginning of November, so many streets in London get their Christmas lights on and let me tell you: they are marvellous!
The different displays and lights make this city even more wonderful than actually is and, compared to Winter Wonderland, seeing the Christmas lights is one of the best free things to do in London at Christmas.
Some of the best streets and neighbourhoods to visit in London to see the Christmas lights are:
- Regent Street, from Langham Place, through Oxford Circus, to Waterloo Place
- from Green Park to Piccadilly Circus
- On Oxford Street
- South Moulton Street in Mayfair
- New and Old Bond Streets with the spectacular window displays
- Carnaby Street
So what are you waiting for, jump on a double-deck red bus and wander around these streets just to see these Christmas lights in London.
3 – London Christmas market
In November, Christmas markets pop up throughout central London. There are so many around that you won’t know which one to choose. They are the perfect place to browse for gifts for friends and family, try new food from the many street food kiosks, sip on homemade mulled wine, and buy second-hand clothing and original craft gifts.
As a proper Christmas market, you can find anything that is connected with this festivity: decorations, foods, drinks, clothes, candy and much more. If you love Christmas these markets are definitely a must-see in London.
Here are my favourite Christmas markets in London:
- Christmas Market at Trafalgar Square
- Christmas at Leicester Square
- Southbank Centre Christmas Market
- Borough Market at Christmas
- Christmas at Covent Garden Market
4 – Explore Christmas past at the Charles Dickens Museum
Situated at 48 Doughty Street, Dickens’s London home from 1837-1839 is today a Museum. A middle-class Victorian home, complete with furnishings, portraits and decorations.
If you are not sure who Charles Dickens was, he was a famous English author. He wrote some of the most famous works in the English language, such as Oliver Twist and the novella A Christmas Carol.
To experience the museum in a more particular way, you can buy a ticket for the 24th of December (Christmas Eve) and get a warm welcome into his house with mulled wine, a mince pie and some of the famous Christmas songs played during your visit. To check the ticket price and purchase just click here.
5 – Ice skating
Like the Christmas markets, ice rinks pop up all around London. So why don’t you go enjoy your sunset while you’re Ice skating?
The most famous and the best place to go Ice skating in London during Christmas is Somerset House. The rink is a good size for you and your friends to have fun together and all around, but in case someone from the group is not keen on skating they can rest around the square.
Here you will be delighted with markets, restaurants, cafes and other entertainment such as DJs. Make sure to book your tickets online, especially if you planning to go there during the weekend.
Other places to go ice skating are at Winter Wonderland, the Queen’s House in Greenwich), at Canary Wharf, and at Glide at Battersea Power Station.
6 – See a Christmas play or pantomime
Do you love watching shows and movies during these holidays? Don’t worry, London during Christmas is one of the best places to be if you want to see a Christmas play.
From late November through to early January, enjoy Christmas pantomimes and festive ballets to spectacular Christmas theatre productions and shows. Adults and kids have many options to choose from: a Christmas Carol and the Nutcracker are just two of the many alternatives.
7 – Sit by the fire in a London pub
Living in London for 5 years made me fall in love with the English pubs and the warm vibes during Christmas time.
Since you will need to have a great time in this festive city you can’t miss lunch in a proper English pub, maybe sitting next to the fireplace, sipping mulled wine or a pint of craft beer.
London during Christmas is magical but also cold and with thousands of things to do. As most of the tourists stay out from morning to evening, make sure you find a good pub where you can have good food and cosiness while escaping the breeze for a couple of hours. Pubs in London are literally all over, get inspired and enjoy your time there.
Some of my favourites are Coach and Horses in Mayfair, The Surprise in Chelsea, The Holly Bush in Hampstead, Anglesea Arms in Shepherd’s Bush and the Waxy O’ Connors in West End.
8 – New Year in the Primrose Hill
Getting a little more specific, if you are planning to spend not only Christmas in London but New Year’s Eve too, you have to plan your visit to Primrose Hill.
Just a short distance from St. Pancras International, Primrose Hill offers a breathtaking panoramic view of London. Opposite the London Eye, you will be able to see the fireworks if you didn’t manage to get tickets to the watch from Central (or if you just don’t want to spend money). Make sure to reach the park at least 5 hours in advance as it gets very busy, take with you food and drink but make sure you don’t leave any garbage behind.
9 – Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
As a tradition that has been going on since 1947, a tree is gifted from Norway to Great Britain. The lighting ceremony takes place on the first Thursday of December. It’s a popular event to attend, with Christmas carols and a band.
The tree is decorated in a traditional Norwegian style and around you can find the Chrismas market and the wonderful National Gallery of London which deserve a proper visit.
10 – Have Lunch or Dinner at a Cozy Restaurant
London offers thousands of restaurants and most of them during the Christmas period delight their customers with amazing food and stunning decoration.
You will be impressed by the decorations on the facade and the inside ornament that make you feel like Christmas is here. Not only restaurants but pubs and coffee shops are in love with lights, trees and beautiful Christmas decorations.
Make sure you make your visit to Barkley Square and have a look at the terrific facade Annabell’s will have this year (every year is a different one and they are crazy). Don’t forget to have a pint at the famous Churchill Arm, one of the oldest pubs in London (dated 1750). Winston Churchill’s grandparents were regular visitors here and this pub is decorated 365 days per year with flowers, making it the most photographed pub in London.
What kind of weather should I expect in London during Christmas?
December is one of the cloudiest and rainiest months of the year in London, the average temperature is between 9°C and 5°C so make sure to take extra warm clothes and a rain jacket. The days are short, with sunrise at 8 am and sunset at 3:50 pm. Snow is rare but if you are lucky you will fall in love with this city.
Is it worth it to visit London at Christmas?
Absolutely yes! Even tho is crowded and cold, this time of the year is one of the best times to stay in London. The markets, the displayed lights and the million attractions will make you feel like you are in a movie, your movie!
If you have any more questions about your Christmas in London leave a comment below I will be happy to give you extra advice to have the most wonderful experience in this magical city.
