It’s that time of year again when everyone starts humming Michael Bublé and walks around with a slight spring in their step.
The nights are getting colder and we start consuming hot chocolate by the gallon!
Christmas is what brightens up the world and brings places alive with twinkling lights, shop window decorations and notorious decorative coffee cups.
And London is no exception to this Christmas magic!
With an array of festivals, ice rinks, and traditional markets all poised to give you a taste of the Christmas spirit.
Want to know what the best things to do in London at Christmas are?
Well, look no further because this guide will help you celebrate Christmas in London in style!
1. Go ice skating at Somerset House
Address: Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Phone number: 020 7845 4600
There’s no shortage of ice skating rinks in London, but the most beautiful place to pirouette has to be Somerset House.
Somerset House is a large famous Neoclassical complex situated on the bank of the River Thames.
This year, they will be transforming their spectacular courtyard into a fabulously festive destination in partnership with Switzerland Tourism.
Expect all the Swiss chalet vibes!
As well as the incredible skating rink, you’ll find pop-up bars, restaurants, and stores, as well as lots of live music.
So if you’re not a fan of sliding up and down on the ice, you can get a glimpse of all the sparkling action with a drink in tow instead.
Alternatively, if Somerset House doesn’t take your fancy, you can also head to Glide at Battersea Power Station, Queen’s House Ice Rink, or Ice Rink at Winter Village, Westfield.
2. Get festive at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Address: W2 2UH
Price: From £5 to £7.50
Established in 2007, this classic Christmas event sees over two million visitors a year.
One of the best things to do in London at Christmas, you can’t experience Christmas in the capital without taking a trip to Hyde Park.
Winter Wonderland runs from mid-November to early January and features festive markets, over 100 rides, a giant wheel, live shows including figure skating and a circus, live music as well as numerous bars and restaurants.
Entry ranges from £5 to £7.50 and it’s worth booking ahead so you don’t miss out.
However, you can get your entry for free when you book in advance and spend £25 on rides, attractions, games, or food packages.
If you want a fun place to drink try the Winter Wonderland bar where everything is made of ice including the chairs, tables and cocktail glasses themselves.
In the Bavarian Village, you can enjoy the many chalets that make up the Christmas markets.
And in the Bavarian Hall, you can dance until your heart’s content with live music and DJs all day and night long!
3. Drink at Miracle at Henrietta Hotel
Address: 14–15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QH
Phone number: 0203 794 5314
Miracle at Henrietta Hotel is easily one of the best things to do in London at Christmas.
It runs each year from mid-November to the days before Christmas, and it’s the perfect way to get in the festive spirit.
You’ll find it hidden away on the mezzanine, decked out in nostalgic festive décor that will transport you back in time to Christmas past.
Here you can enjoy delicious Christmas cocktails in a 70s-inspired Christmas home with all the retro decorations you could dream of.
Bookings last for an hour and 45 minutes, with five slots each day.
Sip on a Christmapolitan or enjoy a festive take on the classic old fashioned at this wonderful winter wonderland in the heart of the capital.
Trust me, you’re not going to want to miss this bar this Christmas!
4. Wander around Kew Gardens
Address: Richmond TW9 3AF
Phone number: 020 8332 5655
Price: £22.50 off-peak, £29 peak
Kew puts on a stunning array of light and sound displays that can be marvelled at as you walk around the Christmas trail.
Along this two-kilometre trail, you’ll find around one million lights twinkling in the tree branches and a glittering tunnel of bells.
There are mini doughnuts and marshmallows to munch on along the way, as well as cakes, roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate.
Aside from the lights, there are also vintage fairground rides and of course Santa and his elves!
This gorgeous botanical world is filled with seasonal cheer between mid-November and early January each year, and it’s an absolute delight.
You can even try this one out on Christmas Eve – what better way could there be to get in the Christmas spirit?
This really is a highlight of the UK festive calendar, and it’s totally unmissable.
5. Attend a Christmas by Candlelight concert
Address: The Grand Temple, Freemasons Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, Holborn WC2B 5AZ
Price: From £25 per person (£20 for concessions)
For a beautiful festive experience, there’s nothing better than a Christmas by Candlelight concert.
The concerts take place in the stunning Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall, and it’s easily one of the best things to do in London at Christmas.
Each concert brings London’s finest musicians to the stage, so if you love a bit of Christmas music, then there’s no better activity than this.
From Vivaldi’s wonderful music to classic Christmas carols, there’s something for everyone.
The festive season is all about coming together with your nearest and dearest, and there’s no better way to do that than attending a lovely Christmas concert.
Step inside this magical winter wonderland and lose yourself to the sounds of the music, with the glow of candlelight all around you.
6. Explore the Winter Market at the Southbank Centre
Address: Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Phone number: 020 3879 9555
As the days get shorter and the outdoors becomes frosty, the Southbank Centre’s Winter Market transforms its surroundings into a seasonal wonderland, bringing some warmth into the cold and wintry nights.
It’s the place to go to find spiced mulled wine, cinnamon treats and handmade gifts.
Wander between the cosy alpine lodges and have a look at the cute fairy light-lit view.
Most stalls are open until 10 pm, so there’s plenty of time to grab a hot drink and a bite after a long day!
The market is open from the start of November to Boxing Day each year, and there’s plenty of scrumptious street food and indulgent drinks to enjoy.
Entry is free, which is always a plus in my books!
For a truly special Christmas experience, look no further than this.
It will be sure to get you in the festive spirit!
7. Watch a Christmas film at the Luna Drive-in Winter Cinema
There’s nothing better than settling down on a winter’s evening to watch a Christmas classic!
So why not do it in a car?
Located in several arenas around England, Luna Drive-In Cinemas offer a number of movies right from the comfort of your vehicle.
Showing festive favourites such as Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf, and It’s a Wonderful Life, Luna is one of the best things to do in London at Christmas!
If your favourite way to get in the festive spirit is by watching your favourite Christmas film, then this is one you won’t want to miss.
Cosy up in your car with some popcorn and your loved ones and enjoy watching the magic of Christmas unfold on the screen before you.
8. Listen to Christmas carols in Trafalgar Square
Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Phone number: 020 7983 4750
Hear festive songs ring across London with Christmas carols in Trafalgar Square.
Over forty carol groups sing for an hour throughout the build-up to Christmas to raise funds for charitable organisations.
Make sure to wrap up warm and head to the impressive Christmas tree in the middle of the square to get a look. It’s the perfect spot to hear the beautiful sound of Christmas!
A tree has been given to the city of London every year since 1947 by the city of Oslo.
This giant Norwegian gift is given in recognition of Britain’s support during the Second World War.
The tree is usually around 25 metres (82 foot) tall and is dressed with hundreds of illuminating lightbulbs set in a vertical pattern by strings.
You will not miss it!
There are often food and drink stalls dotted around the square.
So why not grab a hot choc, huddle like penguins around the tree and listen to some Christmas carols?
9. See a Christmas show
London is known for its creative scene.
Home to the West End, you’ll not be disappointed by the talent on offer!
Whether it’s A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker, you’re sure to find a festive favourite to entertain you for the evening.
You also can’t miss a Christmas panto in London!
Pantomimes have a long theatrical history in Western culture dating back to 16th-century Commedia.
It is said to have been developed by John Rich known as the ‘father of pantomime’ because he was the first to realise the potential of the Commedia characters.
Today pantomime is based on popular fairy tales or folk legends such as Cinderella, Aladdin and Snow White.
You can often watch a panto at the Palladium.
10. Visit Hampton Court Palace’s Festive Fayre
Address: East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU
Phone number: 0333 320 6000
Price: £29 for adults peak, £26.30 off-peak (concessions for children, students, and senior)
The Hampton Court Palace Festival Fayre is a true winter wonderland.
It’s a place to shop foodie delights and handmade gifts in a unique setting, with plenty to get stuck into ahead of the festive season.
The fayre runs for the first two weekends of December, so there’s plenty of time for you to get stuck into this gorgeous market.
You’ll find Hampton Court Palace’s magnificent courtyards and grounds transformed into a total festive paradise that you’ll be sure to fall in love with.
There are over 100 independent artisan producers to browse, so you’ll be sure to find the perfect Christmas gift for all your loved ones here.
In between delicious craft food and drink, take a break to explore the iconic palace gardens.
Be sure to end your visit with a glide around the ice rink.
It doesn’t get more festive than that!
11. Drink a mulled wine at The Churchill Arms
Address: 119 Kensington Church St, London W8 7LN
Phone number: 020 7727 4242
Arguably the most festive pub in London, The Churchill Arms in Kensington is a popular spot for pictures, especially during the festive season.
It displays over 21,000 fairly lights and has a wonderfully warm and cosy atmosphere.
Built back in 1750, this extravagant pub spends around £25,000 each year on flowers!
If hay fever has stopped you from visiting in the past, make sure you visit around Christmas.
At this time of year, they replace the flowers with around 80 Christmas trees.
The pub used to be called ‘church on the hill’, receiving its current name after the Second World War.
It has a Winston Churchill interior theme and claims to be the first London pub with a Thai restaurant.
So if you’re not a fan of a traditional British Christmas dinner, there is always Pad Thai!
12. Go on a Christmas cruise
Address: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH
Phone number: 0207 7400 400
Price: From £26 per person
If you’re feeling boujee, why not experience Christmas dinner with a difference – on a cruise down the Thames?
City Experiences’ Christmas Cruises are the perfect way to get you in the festive spirit, whether it’s in the run-up to Christmas or on the big day itself!
You can sleigh down the river on a sightseeing cruise while taking in all the stunning views that London has to offer.
Prices start at £25 per person for a one-hour Christmas Day sightseeing cruise and rise to £135 for a three-hour Christmas Day Lunch cruise.
This amazing deal includes a glass of sparkling wine, a four-course festive lunch menu, unlimited tea or coffee, festive live music and carols, and a licensed bar on board!
Alternatively, if you’d rather hit the water in the run-up to Christmas instead, they’ve got other offers like their £55 Christmas Lunch Party and £75 Christmas Dinner Party that are just as fun.
13. Grab a festive scoop at Gelupo
Address: 7 Archer St, London W1D 7AU
Phone number: 020 7287 5555
If you’re looking for some Christmas ice cream to satisfy a craving, Gelupo is the place for you!
They serve a selection of festive-inspired ice creams such as Christmas pudding, panettone, clementine, caramel liquorice, and maple pecan.
They’ve also got a delicious hot chocolate menu!
Think traditional, deeply nutty Gianduja milk chocolate topped with whipped cream, and ‘gelato floats’ with hot chocolate poured over hazelnut gelato.
They also serve a traditional Italian hot drink, made with espresso, chocolate and rum.
In my opinion, there’s no better way to get in the festive spirit than with a delicious seasonal sweet treat from Gelupo’s Christmas range.
If you want to get the party started early, Gelupo will make this happen!
14. Wander around Covent Garden
Another London landmark stuns as it lights up for the Christmas season. Covent Garden dazzles as the giant baubles and lights are hung and powered up.
As well as the decorations, it’s home to one of London’s biggest Christmas trees, which tops out at a whopping sixty feet tall.
Keeping in line with royalty, the Christmas tree comes from the same farm that the Queen’s family gets their trees from.
It also wins brownie points for being sustainable, as they plant three trees for every tree cut down!
And at the end of the festive season, they recycle the tree to make woodchips.
Over 30,000 lights and giant baubles are hung on the tree by a team of sixty, taking just over 300 hours to get the decorations sorted!
Good luck trying to capture this masterpiece.
15. Party at a Christmas bottomless brunch
What better way could there be to ring in the holiday season than with bottomless booze and Christmas tunes aplenty?
Luckily for you, there are plenty of great places to go out and enjoy a Christmas bottomless brunch in London.
Whether they come with dancing Santas, Christmas music quizzes, or a festive drag show, they’re heaps of fun.
There are even some brunches that you can enjoy in igloos, ski booths, or on rooftops!
No one does bottomless brunch quite like London does, so you’re in for a treat no matter which one you pick.
Get ready to get boozy with your loved ones and ramp up the festive spirit!
16. Enjoy a festive afternoon tea at Claridge’s
Address: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
Phone number: 020 7629 8860
Price: £105 per person on weekdays, £110 on weekends, £55 for children
The Claridge’s Festive Afternoon Tea is an absolute delight.
They’ve elevated their delicate finger sandwiches for the festive period, which they pair with handcrafted sweet treats that are adorned with charming designs.
You’ll also find an additional celebratory course in the form of the Claridge’s Christmas pudding, which has been stirred to perfection by the whole pastry team in an annual ritual that dates back over 100 years.
This delicious Festive Afternoon Tea runs until the start of January, so you’ve got plenty of time to give this one a go.
Start with a glass of Laurent-Perrier to get the festive feelings flowing, then dig into a delicious selection of seasonal snacks.
The black forest Christmas tree is a personal favourite of mine!
17. Watch Home Alone and Elf in concert at the Royal Albert Hall
Address: Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP
Phone number: 020 7589 8212
Price: From £25.50 to £90
Home Alone and Elf are undoubtedly some of the most iconic Christmas classics, and now you can enjoy them in concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Elf runs for one night only, while Home Alone can be enjoyed on a double night bill, giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy it.
Whichever you choose, they’ll be sure to get you feeling festive, as there is no place that better captures the magic of Christmas than the Royal Albert Hall.
These incredible Christmas concerts have become a seasonal favourite all around the world, offering heartwarming festive fun for the whole family.
For a truly special festive experience, look no further than this.
It’s completely unmissable!
18. Party at Winterland
Address: Wandsworth Bridge, London SW6 2TY
Phone number: 020 3034 0293
Winterland is a magical Alpine paradise.
It’s a place to escape reality and enjoy fun festive times with your friends.
This is an Instagram lover’s dream, so if you’re looking to capture some great Christmas content, then this is the place for you.
They’ve got everything from Alpine lodges and ski lift bubbles to private chalets, igloos and Bavarian tents, so there’s something for everyone.
Adventure awaits the curious from the moment you step inside this magical winter wonderland to enjoy food, fun and festivities.
Enjoy hot mulled wine around the fire pit or sip on a glass of fizz at the aprés-ski club.
This is easily one of the best things to do in London at Christmas!
19. Take part in the London Santa Run
Address: Victoria Park, Grove Rd., London E3 5TB
Phone number: 0207 424 5533
The London Santa Run is an annual tradition that’s not to be missed.
You can choose between 5km and 10km routes through London’s famous Victoria Park, the perfect activity before you jump head first into festive food at the end.
Thousands of runners dress up as Santa Claus to spread the festive fun in the heart of East London, which is transformed into a festive course for all to enjoy.
You’ll also be running for charity, which adds a touch of the giving spirit to the event and makes it one of the best things to do in London at Christmas.
You’ll be given a free Santa costume before the race or you can bring your own if you’d prefer to play another Christmas character!
There are prizes for the best costume on the day, so be sure to dress to impress!
20. Sing your heart out at Christmas karaoke
Address: Multiple locations
Price: From £7 per person per hour
If you want to sing your heart out this Christmas, then Lucky Voice is the place for you.
You’ll be able to enjoy two hours of karaoke in your very own private room, with rooms ranging in capacity from four to thirty singers.
There are over 11,000 songs to choose from, including a range of special festive playlists to give you an unforgettable Christmas carolling session.
Sing your heart out and press the “Thirsty” button if you fancy a drink.
One of my favourite ways to enjoy Christmas is to sing my favourite festive tunes, so this is an absolutely unmissable experience for me.
Tune your vocal chords and get ready to belt out the sounds of Christmas this season.
Michael Bublé, we’re coming for your crown!
21. Gawp at the Christmas lights
With a stunning array of light displays, London arguably holds some of the best installations that Britain has to offer.
One of the best things to do in London at Christmas is to simply gawp at all the Christmas lights!
Here are some of our favourites:
Oxford Street
One of the best streets that you can find these impressive bursts of sparkle is Oxford Street, London’s most famous lights and for good reason!
This long street displays over 1700 installations to ogle over, not to mention being an ideal place to do some Christmas shopping.
Regent Street
Another one to visit is Regent Street which holds a star-studded switch-on event.
The street goes traffic-free for the evening and nearby shops also hold events so it’s worth keeping an eye out for details about the performers.
Carnaby
One of the coolest shopping areas, Carnaby, lines the street with lots of boutiques.
Each year they team up with a charity to bring awareness to the cause they support.
In the past, they have partnered with Choose Love.
They immersed the street with pink neon lightboxes with positive words on each box in the hope that it would bring some joy and encourage people to be kind to one another.
Bond Street
Finally, Bond Street, London’s luxury shopping district, is known for its legendary peacock-inspired Christmas lights.
Rumour has it that there are around 250,000 individual lights that make up the display.
You may be wondering why they chose a peacock theme.
Well, these twinkling lights are inspired by Bond Street’s vibrant past.
In the late 18th century, young men known as ‘the bond street loungers’, visited the area in overly flamboyant attire.
They soon became the early fashionistas or ‘peacocks’ of their day, inspiring the gorgeous peacock lights we see today.
The extravagant window displays of the designer stores are also worth a look at!
So there you have it – 21 of the best things to do in London at Christmas!
Hopefully, this post has inspired you to indulge in London’s festivities.
There’s truly nothing more magical than spending Christmas in London so I know you’ll have an incredible time.