12 Best Things to Do in London over Christmas

Christmas in London is full of twinkling lights, Christmas markets, mulled wine and a feeling of unmistakable festive cheer. 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 this year, here’s our guide for your best winter trip in the UK. with most of the city's festive activity running from early November through to December.

These are our favourite festive indoor and outdoor activities to fill your holiday, whatever the weather. Base yourself at Fraser Suites Queens Gate, tucked into a quiet corner of South Kensington within easy reach of Hyde Park's festive markets and the Royal Albert Hall, and our fully equipped serviced apartments give you the space to unwind between everything London has on offer this Christmas

1. The London Christmas Markets

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park returns every festive season 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 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.

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 view down Whitehall towards Big Ben from the terrace is one of the best vantage points in the city, and carol singing around the tree adds to the festive atmosphere.

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 a rotating lineup of street food stalls, from Dutch pancakes and hot dogs to international bites, alongside classic mulled wine and hot cider to keep you warm. The vendors change from year to year, so it's worth checking what's on before you go.

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.

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.

Skate Leicester Square is the centrepiece these days, with skaters gliding around a circular rink in the heart of the square while a seasonal bar serves hot chocolate, mulled drinks and something sparkling alongside the market stalls.

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.

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. The line-up of activities changes each year, past editions have included karaoke at the Pier and riverside curling lanes, so it's worth checking what's on before you visit, and there are always a couple of pop-up bars serving festive and classic beverages.

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’ 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’ 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.

Piccadilly Street

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

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.

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 completely different theme every year, past editions have ranged from neon light-wave installations to illuminated snowflakes and crackers, so it's always worth a look even if you've visited before.

South Molton Street in Mayfair

Along this pedestrian street, there are illuminated arches of fairy lights strung overhead. 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.

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. SKATE typically runs from mid-November through early-to-mid January.

The Glide at Battersea Power Station, the first and only riverside ice rink in London, has become a firm Christmas fixture since it first opened. 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.

5. Watch Christmas shows in London

Let your Christmas days be merry and bright with a wide selection of holiday-themed musicals and theatre shows in London. Some are great for the entire family, like Elf, which returns to the West End most Christmases or Frozen, and there are also shows for grown-ups, such as La Clique in Leicester Square. while there are also plenty of options for grown-ups, from cabaret nights to festive comedy shows.

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 Richmond, southwest 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 a different installation, and light up many parts of the gardens with fantastic Christmas lights. It can take a few hours to see everything.

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 , so no two visits are ever quite the same, with recent years exploring themes like transport and playful design.

A trip to the Gingerbread City doesn't take long, an hour or so with the workshops and activities on offer. It's now hosted by the Museum of Architecture at Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross, having moved on from its original Belgravia home.

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 linked to Winston Churchill's family too, his grandparents, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, were regular patrons here in the 19th century, which is likely where the name comes from.

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 Albert 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.

Carols at the Royal Albert Hall typically runs across several dates in the lead-up to Christmas each December, with multiple performances most days.

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 the 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! Options range from a shorter sightseeing cruise to a longer lunch or evening cruise, with larger parties also catered for.

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. If you're around a little later in the season, Chinatown also hosts lively Chinese New Year celebrations, which typically fall in late January or February each year depending on the lunar calendar.

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 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!

FAQs About Spending Christmas in London

Is public transport running in London on Christmas Day?

No, London's Tubes, buses, trams and most Overground and DLR services do not run on Christmas Day, it's the one day of the year the network shuts down almost entirely. Black cabs and some private hire services still operate, though it's worth planning to walk or book ahead, especially if you're staying central and want to reach carol services or Christmas Day dining.

How many days do you need to see the best of Christmas in London?

Three to four days is enough to cover the highlights without rushing, one day for a Christmas market and the lights, one for ice skating and shopping, and a day held back for a show, a carol service, or a leisurely Christmas dinner. If you're short on time, prioritise the free light displays and a single market, since those give the strongest sense of the city at Christmas for the least time invested.

How can I avoid the crowds at London's Christmas markets and attractions?

Visit on weekday evenings rather than weekend afternoons, when markets and light displays are noticeably quieter and easier to enjoy at a relaxed pace. Ticketed attractions like Winter Wonderland and the ice rinks get busiest between Christmas and New Year, so visiting in late November or on a weekday in early December helps you avoid the worst of the queues.

Is Christmas in London expensive?

It doesn't have to be. Many of London's best festive experiences, the Christmas lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street, window shopping at the department stores, and browsing the markets, are completely free, and it's only the ticketed extras like Winter Wonderland, ice skating, and West End shows that come with a cost. Picking one or two paid experiences and filling the rest of your trip with free ones is an easy way to keep costs down without missing out.

What's the most festive area to stay in London at Christmas?

The West End around Covent Garden and Oxford Circus is usually considered London's most festive hub, given its concentration of lights and markets, though it's also the busiest. Fraser Suites Queens Gate in South Kensington offers a quieter alternative with just as much festive character, from the museums lit up for the season to the Royal Albert Hall's Christmas carols on its doorstep, without the West End crowds.