Best Things to Do in Christmas in London 2023

Christmas in London is full of twinkling lights, Christmas markets cookies and spiced mulled wine. When it comes to things to do in London in winter, you’ve got so much to choose from it can be hard to narrow down your wish list! So, if you’re looking for Christmas things to do in London in 2023, here’s our guide for your best winter trip in the UK.

These are our favourite festive indoor and outdoor activities that accommodate your holiday no matter how good or bad the weather during your Christmas in London!

1. The London Christmas Markets

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park is back again in 2023 and has always been in the top of the list of things to do in London at Christmas. It’s a great choice for families, with ice skating, ice slides, roller coasters and ice sculpting workshops. Plus, there are plenty of rides and things to do for adults.

Entry to Winter Wonderland 2023 and access to some activities require a paid-for ticket so make sure to check the ticket prices and book your visit in advance to avoid disappointment. Wrap up warm as most of the activities are outside so it can be a bit chilly at times.

Date: 17^th of November, 2023 to 1^st of January, 2024

Location: Hyde Park, London, W2

Christmas Market at Trafalgar Square

Located on the terrace overlooking The National Gallery, this small market is surely a cherished spot to visit in London in Christmas time. Within the stalls, you'll discover an array of festive Christmas ornaments, stylish hats and gloves, an assortment of delectable street food, and an abundance of one-of-a-kind gift inspirations for friends and families. Additionally, while you're here, don't miss the chance to admire the splendid Trafalgar Square Christmas tree.

Yet, what truly enchants about the Christmas market at Trafalgar Square is the remarkable ambiance. The panoramic view of Trafalgar Square, the iconic Big Ben, and the stately Houses of Parliament, are nothing short of breathtaking.

Date: 10^th of November 2023 to 2^nd of January 2024 (close on Christmas Day)

Location: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N

Admission: Free

Southbank Centre Christmas Market

Just steps away from the London Eye, nestled along the banks of the River Thames, lies the Southbank Centre Christmas Market. While this is one of the more compact Christmas markets in London, a leisurely stroll past its handful of shops can be completed in just a few minutes. This market is more about food and drinks rather than purchasing gifts or souvenirs.

Foodies will find themselves enticed by gourmet cheese toasties, truffle-infused burgers, savoury fondue, sizzling bratwurst, creamy eggnog, Dutch pancakes, mince pies, mulled wine, and a host of other festive culinary delights ready to be eaten on the go. Alternatively, consider reserving a heated snow globe for a cosier dining experience.

However, the highlight here is the view across the river to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. If you're planning to take a ride on the London Eye, the quick stroll to this spot is well worthwhile, whether for some shopping or simply to warm up with a cup of mulled wine.

Date: 2^nd of November to 26^th of December 2024 (close on 25^th of December)

Location: Southbank Market, The Queen's Walk, London SE1

Admission: Free

Christmas at Leicester Square

Leading up to Christmas in London, Leicester Square transforms into a vibrant winter wonderland with alpine lodges, bars, pop-up theatres, and a medley of exciting events take residence around the central fountain, creating a lively atmosphere.

The 2023 Christmas Market in Leicester Square promises to be a standout event. Returning this year is the multi-award-winning show, La Clique, housed in a charming German-style 'spiegeltent'.

Although the Christmas Market in Leicester Square may be more modest in scale compared to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, there is much to enjoy here. Just remember to bring plenty of cash or your bank card, as the mulled wine and gifts here can be quite expensive.

Date: 8^th of November 2023 to 7^th of January 2024 (close on 25^th of December)

Location: Shakespeare Water Fountain, 4 Leicester Square, London WC2H

Admission: Free

Winter by the River at London Bridge

With the arrival of Winter by the River Christmas Market, London Bridge City will transform into a hub of excitement, featuring a kaleidoscope of market stalls, themed karaoke rooms, and pop-up bars.

As you make your way through the luminous streets and join the lively crowds, you'll discover a world of delectable culinary delights, brilliant buys, and gifts for good. Musical fun awaits at the Pier with themed karaoke rooms, be captivated by choirs in Hay’s Galleria, and toast the season across not one but two pop-up bars serving up a variety of festive and classic beverages.

Date: from the 14^th of November 2023 to the 1^st of January 2024

Location: 2A More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB

Admission: Free

2. Shopping at London’s Department Stores

While London is already well-known as busy shopping hub all year round, all grand department stores come alive during the winter months. The buildings are all lit up with massive decorations and spectacular lights, where you can soak up the Christmassy spirit or grab a bargain. Otherwise, it is still worth having a gander as kids always love visiting the toy department and it can be a great place for present ideas.

Harrods

With over 300 departments, Harrods’s stocked with posh decorations, luxury Christmas crackers and ornaments. The food hall is the perfect place to pick up Christmas dinner goodies.

Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason has been a department store with old-world charm since 1707 featuring luxury items. Their handpicked wicker Christmas baskets are a great choice for those hard-to-buy-for friends.

Selfridges

After picking up some gifts in the bright modern shop with high-end brands, head to Selfridges’s Christmas Market right outside for more festive fun. Don’t forget to take loads of pictures of the famous Christmas window displays.

Liberty

Nestled within a charming mock Tudor building in the vibrant London west end, Liberty is stocked with exclusive items and top-end homewares. Plus, their Christmas shop on the 4^th floor is packed with tasteful decorations.

3. The London Christmas Lights

From late November through early January, London's streets are illuminated and magically transformed with imaginative holiday adornments, featuring twinkling lights and brilliant decorations. Seeing the city streets aglow is one of the best free things to do in London at Christmas.

Conveniently situated in the centre of London, many of these luminous displays can be explored on foot. Here are some iconic spots not to be missed:

Regent Street

Regent Street in London is all lit up for Christmas with a special theme called 'The Spirit of Christmas.' It's like a magical tunnel of sparkling lights that stretches from Langham Place to Oxford Circus and all the way to Waterloo Place. Plus, there are those famous red double-decker buses, and the shops are dressed up in their Christmas best. It's one of the top spots in London to enjoy the Christmas lights.

Switch-on date: 7^th of November 2023

Piccadilly Street

Starting at Green Park and going all the way to Piccadilly Circus, there are shining statues of Anteros, the Greek god requited love, sparkle overhead.

Switch-on date: 2^nd of November 2023

Oxford Street

Oxford Street, a super busy shopping street in London, has hundreds of glowing stars that twinkle overhead. And don't forget to check out the special holiday decorations in the windows of Selfridges department store while you're on Oxford Street.

Switch-on date: 2^nd of November, 2023

New Bond and Old Bond Streets

Overhead, you'll see sparkling crowns and fancy jewellery lighting up the street. But the best part about visiting New and Old Bond Streets in Christmas is looking at the spectacular window displays, some of the finest in London.

Stores like Cartier, Dior, and Tiffany went all out to make their storefronts look really special for the holidays. It's a great idea to take a walk on this fancy street to enjoy the London Christmas lights, and maybe even do a bit of window shopping.

Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street is a trendy pedestrian shopping street in Soho, just a few blocks from Regent Street. The Christmas lights on this street feature a different theme every year. This year, they've announced a dynamic and vibrant display of neon colours and light waves, creating a moving vortex on Carnaby Street.

Switch-on date: 8^th of November, 2023

South Moulton Street in Mayfair

Along this pedestrian street, there are illuminated arches made of blue LEDs. It's a lovely sight to see because it's different than the spirits, stars, and crowns you find on other London streets at Christmas.

Switch-on date: 16^th of November, 2023

4. Go Ice Skating

Just like the Christmas markets, ice rinks pop-up all around London in winter.

One of the top spots for ice skating in London is SKATE at Somerset House. This big ice rink is surrounded by shops and great places to eat. If not everyone in your group wants to skate, they can sit back at one of the restaurants near the ice rink and sip on coffee, mulled wine, or a holiday drink. The SKATE is open from the 15th of November 2023 to the 14^th of January 2024, tickets can be booked here.

The Glide at Battersea Power Station, the first and only riverside ice rink in London, is coming back for its 2nd edition this Christmas. Unlike other singular rinks, the Glide is made up of three interconnecting rinks with a giant 30ft Christmas tree as its centrepiece. After a whizz around the rink, skaters can enjoy vintage-style funfair rides, live entertainment or chill out in the private cosy igloos with magnificent views of the iconic Battersea Power Station. The Glide is open from the 10th of November 2023 to the 7^th of January 2024. tickets can be booked here!

Other impressive ice rinks in London in Christmas are Hampton Court Palace, Winter Wonderland, Canary Wharf, Alexandra Palace, Jw3! Make sure to book tickets in advance for all these!

5. Watch Christmas shows in London

Let your Christmas days be merry and bright with wide selection of holiday-themed musicals and theatre shows come to London. Some are great for the entire family, like Elf or Frozen, and there are also shows for grown-ups, such as La Clique in Leicester Square. Get the listing of what’s on here.

6. Attend a service at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is one of London's most popular attractions. It's where kings and queens become kings and queens, famous people are buried, and where weddings happen. Many important people, like Charles Darwin, Geoffrey Chaucer, Stephen Hawking, Mary Queen of Scots, and the old kings and queens of England, are buried here.

Just like many places in London, Westminster Abbey gets all decked out for Christmas. Every December, there are some special holiday events you can attend here such as Christmas carols and concerts. You can also attend mass, which is held every day, or you can go on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

7. Christmas at Kew

Kew Gardens is a huge botanical garden in the west part of central London. If you have a couple of days in your Christmas break in London, it's worth the visit to Christmas at Kew and see some of the best displays of themed Christmas lights in London. Every year, they put up different installation, and light up many parts of the gardens with fantastic Christmas lights. It can take a few hours to see everything. This year event runs from the 15^th of November, 2023 to the 7^th of January, 2024. Tickets can be booked here.

8. Visit the Gingerbread City

This is another very special thing to do in London at Christmas. They put on a display of a mouthwatering and whimsical village that's made entirely of gingerbread. More than 100 architects, designers, artists, and engineers team up to create a city made of gingerbread, icing, and candy. The theme is different every year with numerous little villages, each with a different climate zone.

A trip to the Gingerbread City doesn't take long, around a half an hour or even less. You can find it in Belgravia at 6-7 Motcomb Street. To get details about the hours and pricing in 2023, visit the official website.

9. Have Lunch or Dinner at a Cosy Restaurant

Loads of restaurants in London put up Christmas decorations, but some go all out. 34 Mayfair is one of the jolliest restaurants in the city. They change the decorations a bit each year, but the whole place is covered in holiday decor, from the floor to the ceiling.

Plenty of London pubs also get dolled up with twinkling lights in their windows at Christmas. One of the fanciest decorated pubs is the Churchill Arms. It is one of London's oldest pubs, going way back to 1750. It's named after Winston Churchill's grandparents as they were regular visitors here.

In December, they hang thousands of lights outside, and the inside gets covered in lights too, plus some Christmas decorations here and there. The Churchill Arms is one of the most festive pubs to have a pint of beer. If you're hungry, they serve Thai food.

10. Sing along with the Carols at the Royal Albert Hall

If it’s cold or wet outside, attend an evening of Christmas Jazz or Christmas Carol indoors at the Royal Albert Hall. It is one of the most distinctive buildings in the UK, and located a 10-minute walk away from Fraser Suites Queens Gate on the southern edges of Hyde Park. In the spectacular surroundings of the Carols at Royal Alber Hall, be prepared to immerse yourself in one of the most uplifting sing-along carols in the city. There are lots of great musicians, including the British Imperial Military Band, the Royal Choral Society and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

From  16^th - 24^th of December 2023, with 3 performances per day. Book your tickets here!

If you are not in London in time for the carols, there is a series of events happening at the Royal Albert Hall this Christmas.

11. Go on a Christmas cruise

Experience Christmas lunch or dinner on a cruise down the Thames, especially if you don’t feel like spending whole day outdoor during winter in London when the weather is not always the greatest! Cruising through the heart of the capital is the perfect way to see most of the iconic landmarks of London. While taking in all the stunning views, you can enjoy festive live music and carols, and a bar on board! Price ranges from £26 for one-hour Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruises to £142 for a three-hour Christmas Day Lunch Cruise, options for larger parties are also available. Check this link for ticket prices for a Christmas Cruise!

12. Head to Chinatown

In case you fancy something non-festive to eat, Chinatown is a great place to go for. Nothing like a hot bowl of noodles or spicy hotpot in a cold winter night, is there? Some of the restaurants stay open as usual during Christmas and New Year so it is important to check in advance. Or you can join the Chinese New Year 2024 celebration on February 10^th, 2024.

Where to stay in London at Christmas

It is the most beautiful time of the year and if you are spending Christmas or celebrating New Year in London, why not stay central to make the most out of the festive vibes? Stay at Fraser Suites Queens Gate for your short breaks or Fraser Suites South Kensington for longer stays, and you are just minutes away from the top Christmas attractions in London. Our One-Bedroom Executive and Two-Bedroom Deluxe with a fully equipped kitchen and home entertainment systems are great choice for families looking for comfortable holidays in London central.  

Take advantage of the current offers to save up for your family holiday trip to London. All offers are time limited so hurry up and book while it last!