London within the chilly, gray depths of winter may not be everybody’s concept of the proper journey vacation spot. However London across the holidays? Nicely, that is one thing else completely. London at Christmas is absolute magic, and I would encourage you to expertise it no less than as soon as in your life when you can!
Within the weeks main as much as Christmas, London transforms right into a metropolis of twinkling lights, mulled wine stands, and cheery store home windows. Pop-up markets seem, theaters placed on vacation classics, and you’ll’t flip a nook with out coming throughout some kind of festive show. Add to this all the comfortable pubs, historic websites, and afternoon teas that London is already recognized for, and also you get a very wonderful vacation journey vacation spot.
Final December, I headed to the UK for 10 days, spending 1 week simply in London with a purpose to take in all of the festive vibes I presumably might. And the festive vibes have been positively vibing!
I went Christmas light-looking, had themed afternoon teas, noticed vacation exhibits, shopped in any respect the well-known shops and markets, plus heaps extra. I simply stuffed up my time in London *simply* doing Christmassy issues!
10 Christmas issues to do in London
Of all of the issues I did throughout my vacation journey, these are those I believe are the perfect and most unusual issues to do in London at Christmas. (And sure I personally did each single one among these myself!)
1. See all of the Christmas lights
London is well-known for going all-out with its Christmas lights and decor, so you will positively need to spend a while light-looking across the metropolis. And, because the days are quick in December (it tends to get darkish in London round 4 pm!), meaning there’s loads of time to do it!
There are a number of important methods to see numerous Christmas lights and decor in London. These embrace:
- Happening a tour – In case you’re overwhelmed on the considered discovering all the perfect lights by yourself, you then would possibly need to take into account occurring a Christmas lights tour. You are able to do this by bus in an open-top bus (this nighttime bus tour is the preferred one, and has a dwell information), or you possibly can strive a strolling tour like this one (I did this one final 12 months), or this one that has a silent disco facet with Christmas tunes. All of those choices will make it easier to see numerous lights in a single go!
- Using the general public bus – If you wish to save a bit of cash and see lights by yourself time, you possibly can stand up shut and private with the lights on Oxford Avenue and Regent Avenue by driving one among London’s double-decker public buses. The 139 line is the perfect one for this, and most of the people will inform you to get on it on the BZ cease (Orchard Avenue / Selfridges cease) going in the direction of Waterloo. However when you get on right here, it should be crowded and also you seemingly will not have an opportunity of sitting up entrance for the perfect views. If you need that entrance row seat, get on additional up the road – I acquired on at a cease on Park Highway (nonetheless the 139 in the direction of Waterloo) and had my decide of seats.
- To experience buses in London, you solely should “faucet in” with a bank card once you board, so they might not be simpler to experience! Use an app like Google Maps or Citymapper to test bus occasions, although this one runs about each quarter-hour.
- Simply wandering round on foot – And naturally you possibly can simply put collectively an inventory of must-see spots and go to all of them by yourself on foot, too. Lots of the finest mild shows are in Soho, Mayfair, Marylebone, and Covent Backyard, that are all shut to at least one one other.
If you are going to go in search of Christmas lights and shows at night time by yourself, listed below are a few of my favourite spots:
- Regent Avenue for the angels (essentially the most iconic road in London at Christmas)
- Oxford Avenue for the celebs and Selfridges home windows
- New Bond and Outdated Bond streets for the designer retailer shows like those at Cartier and Dior
- Carnaby Avenue (although I wasn’t tremendous impressed by it final 12 months)
- Apple Market in Covent Backyard
- The outside of iconic procuring facilities like Harrods and Fortnum & Mason
- Burlington Arcade
- Ever After Backyard in Grosvenor Sq. (a phenomenal area of lighted roses devoted to family members misplaced to most cancers)
- Annabel’s (exterior solely, as it is a personal membership)
Professional tip: I extremely suggest doing all your light-looking on this a part of London on a weeknight versus a pre-Christmas weekend night time. Oxford Avenue on a Saturday night time is NOT a pleasing place to be.
2. Covent Backyard at Christmas
Covent Backyard is likely one of the most festive London neighborhoods at Christmas, and I extremely suggest planning to spend no less than a number of hours right here one night.
A important spotlight is visiting the Apple Market, which at all times has unimaginable Christmas decor alongside all of the procuring and eating choices. You will additionally discover pop-up Christmas bars, mulled wine stands, and even heated outside patios right here across the holidays.
Outdoors the Apple Market, Covent Backyard places up a enormous Christmas tree decked out in twinkling lights. You will usually discover buskers performing round this tree, and in December you possibly can catch “snow” falling on the tree each hour! (It is actual, man-made snow, and normally begins across the first weekend in December.)
Close by, I additionally extremely suggest visiting the Seven Dials Market, which is a classy meals corridor that is one among my favourite spots to go for a fast meal. At Christmas, there are dwell musical performances, decorations, and in addition indoor “snow flurries” a pair occasions per night.
3. Go to Christmas markets
Look, I will be sincere with you right here: London’s Christmas markets do by no means examine to the markets you will discover elsewhere in Europe (ahem, like in Germany). BUT, I nonetheless suppose they’re value testing when you’re in London for Christmas.
The very best Christmas markets in London are:
- Leicester Sq. market – This free Christmas market was my favourite, as a result of it offers essentially the most “German Christmas market” vibes with little picket chalets serving up scorching meals and mulled drinks. I acquired a mulled gin drink and roasted some marshmallows right here one night, and it was enjoyable!
- Trafalgar Sq. market – The small market at Trafalgar Sq. can be effectively value a go to, with extra food and drinks stalls, plus good views and the well-known Christmas tree (extra on this additional down in my submit).
- Southbank Centre Winter Market – Stretched out alongside the South Financial institution of the Thames between the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge, this “market” is de facto only a assortment of vendor stalls dressed up with some lights. However you will discover numerous meals, drink, and procuring choices right here.
- Winter by the River – Extra pop-up stalls alongside the Thames, however this time on the Queens Stroll between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Additionally pop into Hay’s Galleria, the place final 12 months that they had a enjoyable chalet-style mulled wine bar.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – Lastly, Hyde Park places on a Christmas competition and “market,” although this one is much less market and extra carnival rides and video games, plus fair-style meals stalls. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is ticketed, and locals usually say they do not suppose it is value going. However perhaps you will need to choose for your self!
London’s everlasting markets additionally dress up for the vacations and serve up Christmas treats. Should-visit spots are:
- Leadenhall Market – I really like this market any time of 12 months, however at Christmas they put up a beautiful Christmas tree and have some pop-up drinks stands along with all the standard eating places.
- Borough Market – This widespread meals market below London Bridge is a should for any journey to London, however at Christmas you possibly can anticipate finding festive decor plus many particular meals choices for the vacations. (The vacation sandwich at The Black Pig at all times attracts crowds.)
- Outdated Spitalfields Market – Within the East Finish, Outdated Spitalfields can be value a go to for all of the procuring and meals.
4. See the Trafalgar Sq. tree
I discussed this earlier, however I need to ensure you know the total story of London’s most (in)well-known Christmas tree, which tends to go viral on-line yearly for all of the fallacious causes.
The large dwell Christmas tree in Trafalgar Sq. is London’s official Christmas tree, and the lighting of it in December annually kicks off the vacation season in London.
The tree is shipped from Norway annually as a unbroken thank-you present to London for taking within the king and authorities of Norway after they needed to flee throughout WWII. The tree is embellished in a minimalist Norwegian fashion with low-energy lights annually – which makes it look a bit naked, however I actually love the story and sentiment behind this.
5. Go to a festive afternoon tea
You KNOW I really like a very good afternoon tea in London, and plenty of locations go excessive across the holidays to supply stunning festive teas.
Final 12 months, I booked the Festive Afternoon Tea at TING, the restaurant contained in the Shangri-La lodge at The Shard. This can be a very fancy (and fairly expensive) afternoon tea, however the meals and repair have been unimaginable, AND you get superior skyline views throughout London. I loved my vacation treats with a view down in the direction of the Thames and Tower Bridge!
Some locations to search for holiday-themed afternoon teas in London embrace:
And if you wish to mix a vacation bus tour with a themed afternoon tea, take a look at B-Bakery bus excursions, that are so enjoyable! They’ve a number of vacation choices annually, together with kid-friendly tea excursions (click on on December to see all of the choices).
(Simply be aware that the majority of those spots will not open up bookings for his or her festive afternoon teas till October or November on the earliest!)
6. See a vacation present at Royal Albert Corridor
After I was first contemplating a Christmas journey to London, I went to have a look at the vacation choices at Royal Albert Corridor, hoping I would perhaps discover a Christmas live performance that will characteristic organist Anna Lapwood (if you have not seen any of her movies on-line, go discover them!).
I didn’t discover such a live performance providing that will work for me, however what I discovered as an alternative was an entire bunch of enjoyable vacation choices. I ended up reserving Residence Alone in Live performance, which I believe they provide yearly. Mainly they present the film, and the orchestra performs the music dwell. It was a lot enjoyable!
I added on a pre-show afternoon tea at Coda Restaurant inside Royal Albert Corridor, which ended up being one among my favourite afternoon teas. The tea was evenly holiday-themed, and the meals was SO GOOD. This makes for a very nice afternoon or night out when you do tea and a live performance.
Take a look at Royal Albert Corridor’s full Christmas lineup right here.
7. Go to a Pantomime or different present
Talking of vacation exhibits, you can too go see a variety of vacation stage exhibits round London in December. However when you’re gong so as to add this to your itinerary, I extremely, extremely suggest going to see a Pantomime.
A pantomime, or “panto” as they’re mostly referred to as, is a really British custom. On the floor, a pantomime is a play normally based mostly on a well known fairy story (the one I noticed final 12 months was Robin Hood), however in actuality it is extra of a spread present with singing, dancing, bawdy jokes, no less than one character in drag, and little or no precise plot.
The viewers normally will get concerned within the present, too, and there are over-the-top costumes and units. It is all very foolish, however VERY enjoyable – you will snigger lots!
Essentially the most over-the-top panto in London is normally carried out annually on the historic London Palladium, so you possibly can’t go fallacious reserving that one. Julian Clary is at all times the star right here, popping out in outfits that solely get extra outrageous because the present goes on.
8. Go ice skating
The Thames might not freeze over within the winter, however there are nonetheless locations in London to go ice skating. My favourite advice is the ice rink at Somerset Home, which is totally stunning and surrounded by spots to seize a scorching drink.
Different enjoyable choices embrace the rink at Battersea Energy Station, and the rink inside Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
9. Do some Christmas procuring
You will most likely need to do some Christmas procuring in London, and there are in fact tons of choices! And I am not speaking in regards to the chain shops alongside Oxford Avenue.
I extremely suggest visiting no less than one or two of London’s iconic malls, that are at all times decked out in vacation decor and enjoyable present concepts. The very best ones are:
- Fortnum & Mason
- Harrods
- Selfridges
- Liberty
And you may also need to store – window or in any other case – on the designer shops alongside New Bond and Outdated Bond streets. Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Dior are all recognized for his or her unimaginable vacation shows.
10. Go to Kew Gardens
I am placing Kew Gardens final on this checklist not as a result of the Christmas at Kew mild shows aren’t value seeing, however quite as a result of tickets for this occasion are inclined to promote out in a short time annually!
In case you plan forward and are in a position to snag a ticket, although, you will comply with a light-weight path by the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew to see immersive shows and installations. It is actually stunning, and definitely worth the admission value.
Tickets go on sale in January annually (so sure, nearly a full 12 months prematurely!), and the favored days/occasions do promote out effectively earlier than the occasion begins in November. So if you wish to go, you will must e-book tickets early – this is the ticket web page.
Bonus: Hampton Court docket Palace Festive Fayre
Since I spent per week in London at Christmas, I made a decision to dedicate someday to a festive day journey. And whereas there are many good choices, I finally settled on a day journey out to Hampton Court docket Palace for the Festive Fayre.
Hampton Court docket Palace is a former royal palace, most famously the favourite dwelling of Henry VIII. And whereas the palace and its gardens/grounds are value a go to on their very own, annually they host a Festive Fayre over two weekends in December (normally the primary 2 weekends of the month). Since I used to be in London at the moment, I made a decision to go!
Together with with the ability to discover the citadel and varied flats the place you will discover costumed interpreters and have the ability to hear medieval vacation music, in addition they placed on a Christmas market over these two weekends, with 100+ native distributors promoting all the pieces from hand-made items to meals.
I had a scrumptious lunch and a vegan scorching chocolate (lactose-intolerant individuals will perceive how thrilling that was!), and did some procuring from a number of the most unusual stalls. The seller tents are unfold out throughout the palace courtyards and even into the gardens, which is de facto cool.
Your ticket will get you into the palace/grounds plus the market (pre-booking required), after which there’s additionally an ice rink outdoors for an extra price. You possibly can spend about half the day on this journey after which be again in London earlier than it will get darkish.
When to go to London for the vacations
The query of “when to go to London at Christmas” would possibly sound foolish, however I will reply it anyway. *Some* of the vacation occasions in London (just like the Kew Gardens mild present, and most of the vacation afternoon teas) do begin within the second half of November. However MOST vacation issues do not kick off till the primary weekend in December.
I might say the perfect time to be in London to absorb all the vacation issues is in mid-December. Presently, all of the Christmas decor can be up, and there would be the largest variety of Christmas exhibits and occasions to see/expertise.
You CAN go to London within the week between Christmas and New Yr’s, as most of the vacation issues proceed operating into early January, although in fact many issues will shut on the vacations themselves.
I went to London the primary 10 days of December, and located it to be a very good time to be there whereas nonetheless with the ability to be dwelling for the Christmas vacation itself.
Climate in London in December
When it comes to what to put on for a Christmas journey to London, I would positively prep for cold and damp climate – however it may not be as chilly as you are anticipating! London would not actually are inclined to get snow or actually frigid temperatures (particularly not in December), although it may be humid, which might make it really feel colder.
The common excessive in London in December is 47°F (8°C), with a mean low round 40°F (4°C). (Although after I was there, the excessive every day was nearer to 50°F (10°C), and I used to be truly feeling too heat in my heavy wool coat!)
It would seemingly be cloudy, and rain/fog/sleet is definitely potential, so I positively suggest waterproof footwear/boots and an umbrella. I didn’t deliver winter-winter garments on my journey since I am from a spot that is a lot colder than London within the winter.
Most days I wore both denims or corduroy pants with a long-sleeved prime or mild sweater, or a gown with wool leggings beneath. For footwear, I introduced a pair of leather-based sneakers and a few leather-based chelsea boots. And I topped all the pieces with an extended wool coat. I did additionally deliver a hat, scarf, and gloves and a few additional layers for colder nights, although I believe I solely used them as soon as!
London at Christmas map
This is a map of all the foremost Christmassy spots I like to recommend seeing/visiting round London. To save lots of this map so you need to use it later, click on on the star ⭑ subsequent to the map’s title. To make use of it, open Google Maps in your telephone, click on “Saved,” then click on “Maps.”
Have I satisfied you to plan a Christmas journey to London?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!