Top 10 Christmas Things to Do in London

Last updated: October 2026

Christmas in London means twinkling street lights, ice rinks in palace courtyards, glowing garden trails and carol services in centuries-old churches. From mid-November to New Year, the city shifts into full festive mode.

London is huge, so it helps to plan your festive days by area. This guide covers the top 10 Christmas things to do in London, with practical tips on booking and timing. The official guide Visit London also publishes a festive events calendar each year.

Quick answer: What are the best things to do in London at Christmas? Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, the West End Christmas lights, Christmas at Kew and ice skating at Somerset House are the highlights. Book ticketed events early, and remember there is no public transport on Christmas Day.

Top 10 Christmas Things to Do in London at a Glance

1. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is London’s biggest Christmas event, a huge festive fair with rides, Bavarian-style bars, a large outdoor ice rink, circus shows and an ice sculpture kingdom.

Entry is free on some off-peak sessions but requires a timed ticket, and individual attractions cost extra. Book entry slots in advance and go on a weekday afternoon to avoid the long evening queues. Check the latest dates on the official Winter Wonderland site.

2. See the Christmas Lights in the West End

London’s West End Christmas lights are switched on in early to mid November and stay up until early January. The most famous displays are on Regent Street, with its huge illuminated angels, and Oxford Street, which stretches for well over a mile.

Don’t miss Carnaby Street, which has a different playful theme each year, and the elegant lights on Bond Street and Mayfair’s smaller lanes. Walking from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly after dark is one of the best free things to do at Christmas.

3. Covent Garden at Christmas

Covent Garden has one of the city’s most impressive Christmas trees, along with giant baubles and mistletoe hanging from the market building. Street performers keep crowds entertained in the piazza.

The covered market is full of independent shops and festive food stalls. It’s a great place to start an evening before heading to a West End show.

4. Christmas at Kew

Christmas at Kew is an after-dark light trail through the Royal Botanic Gardens, with glowing tunnels, illuminated trees and a dramatic finale at the Palm House, where lights dance across the glasshouse and lake.

It’s one of the most magical festive events in the city and sells out quickly, especially at weekends. Book on the Kew website as soon as tickets are released.

5. Southbank Centre Winter Market

The Southbank Centre Winter Market lines the river beside the London Eye with wooden chalets selling mulled wine, street food and gifts. It’s free to enter and open daily through the festive season.

Walk along the Thames from Westminster to Tower Bridge for one of London’s best festive walks, taking in the lights reflected in the river. If you want to see London from above, the London Eye is right next door.

6. Go Ice Skating in a Historic Setting

London’s seasonal ice rinks are set in some of the city’s most beautiful locations. Somerset House has a rink in its grand 18th century courtyard, often with DJ nights and a huge Christmas tree.

Other great options include the Natural History Museum’s rink in front of its Victorian facade and the rink at Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s former home. Hampton Court also features in our guide to Britain’s most significant historic sites, if you want to learn more about the palace.

7. Attend a Carol Service

Hearing carols sung in one of London’s historic churches is a festive highlight. St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey both host services through December, and some are free to attend.

St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square runs candlelit concerts throughout the season. Arrive early, as popular services fill up fast. While you’re in Trafalgar Square, look for the Christmas tree, a gift from Norway every year since 1947 as thanks for British support during the Second World War.

8. See the Department Store Windows

London’s great department stores create elaborate Christmas window displays that are free to admire from the street. Harrods in Knightsbridge is lit up with thousands of bulbs, while Liberty on Regent Street has its own Christmas shop inside a Tudor-revival building.

Visit Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly for festive hampers and beautiful windows, and Selfridges on Oxford Street for its bold, creative displays.

9. Enjoy a Festive Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is a very British tradition, and many London hotels and tea rooms add festive menus in December, with mince pies, Christmas cake and seasonal sandwiches.

Classic choices include The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason and The Savoy, while more playful themed teas are offered across the city. Book weeks in advance, especially for dates close to Christmas.

10. Watch the New Year’s Eve Fireworks

London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Thames and the London Eye are among the most spectacular in the world. Viewing areas along the river are ticketed and sell out months ahead.

If you miss out, you can watch from elevated spots like Primrose Hill or Greenwich Park, though views are more distant. If London’s fireworks are sold out, compare other cities in our guide to the best places in Europe to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

What Should You Know Before Visiting London at Christmas?

Book key events early. Christmas at Kew, Winter Wonderland weekend slots, ice rinks and afternoon tea all sell out. Many tickets go on sale in late summer or early autumn.

Avoid Christmas Day transport surprises. The Tube, buses and trains do not run on 25 December, and service is limited on 26 December. Plan to walk, book a taxi or stay local.

Shop early in the day. Oxford Street and Regent Street get extremely crowded on December weekends. Weekday mornings are much calmer.

Use contactless payment. You can tap in and out of the Tube and buses with a contactless bank card or phone, and daily fares are capped.

Pack for rain. London winters are mild but damp, typically 5 to 10°C. A waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes are essential.

Where Should You Stay in London at Christmas?

Covent Garden and the West End put you within walking distance of the lights, theatres and festive markets, though hotels here are the most expensive in December.

South Bank is a great choice for river views, the Winter Market and easy access to the New Year’s Eve fireworks area. Kensington is close to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Harrods and the Natural History Museum’s ice rink, with elegant streets and good hotels.

For better value, look at areas with fast Tube links such as King’s Cross, Bloomsbury or Shoreditch. Staying near a Tube station matters more than staying in the very centre, as the network makes it easy to get around. Remember that on Christmas Day there is no public transport, so if you plan to go out, choose somewhere within walking distance of your plans.

Make the Most of a Festive London Trip

London at Christmas rewards planning: book the headline events, then spend your evenings wandering the lights. It’s a city that really comes alive in the festive season.

Want to see more of the UK in winter? Many of the best UK weekend getaways are easy train trips from London, and several of the UK’s top castles host Christmas events and light trails. Heading across the Channel? The Eurostar puts Europe’s most famous Christmas markets, including those in France and Germany, within easy reach.

Featured image: Photo by Jamie Davies on Unsplash