15 Things to do in London at Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Where do you think you can see the biggest tree in the world, see beautiful lights, Christmas plays and carols and eat yummy treats? All in London! To help you have a good time, we have listed some of the best things to do in London at Christmas; being one of the most popular cities in the world, there are many activities and Christmas events in London, and we have 15 things we have listed for you.

1. Explore Windsor Castle

The State Apartments of Windsor Castle are always festively decorated for Christmas. The 20-foot-tall tree in St. George's Hall is decorated with hundreds of sparkling lights and decorations and serves as the festive display's majestic focal point. A lavish spread of decorations from the Royal Collection, fruits, and flora will be placed on a big table in the Waterloo Chamber beneath sparkling chandeliers.
You can visit the castle every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

2. See Christmas Lights

London undoubtedly offers some of the best installations in all of Britain, with an amazing variety of light shows. Simply admiring the Christmas lights is one of the fun things to do in London during the holiday season. We recommend you visit these streets.

Regent Street

You can see the majestic golden angels' attracts a large number of people over Regent Street. Regent Street hosts a star-studded switch-on event, which is one of the best things to do in London at Christmas. It's worth keeping an eye out for information on the artists because the street is traffic-free for the rest of the evening and surrounding events held by the businesses.

Oxford Street

If you're looking for some beautiful Christmas lights this season, Oxford Street is a terrific place to start. The busy commercial street is bringing back its previous year's exhibit, which consists of 5,000 dangling stars that make a lovely impact in the night sky.

Carnaby Street

With its quirky theme 'Carnaby Celebrates,' the area is bringing back some of its all-time favourites this year to celebrate 25 years of delighting frantic customers. This is one of the fun things to do in London during Christmas; you can look up to see palm trees, shimmering Rolling Stones tongues, a big snowman, and planets all having a good time in the dark night skies.

Kew Gardens

As you wander around the Christmas trail, you can marvel at Kew's amazing collection of light and sound exhibits. Almost one million lights are sparkling in the tree branches and a sparkly tunnel of bells throughout this two-kilometre trail. Apart from the lights, there are old fairground rides and Santa and his elves!

Check out our blog to learn about the Christmas traditions in the UK.

3. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

This traditional Christmas festival attracts over two million visitors each year. You can't experience Christmas in the city without visiting Hyde Park, which is one of the top things to do in London at Christmas. Winter Wonderland is open from mid-November to early January and includes festive markets, over 100 attractions, a gigantic wheel, live events such as figure skating and a circus, live music, and an array of bars and restaurants.

Here are some top destinations in the UK for your winter holidays.

4. Volunteer to help others

Tis' the season of generosity, and there are numerous ways to help people in need over the Christmas season in London. One of the best things to do in London at Christmas is to help others, which is excellent if you're spending. You may also help the national homeless organisation Crisis operate their programmes and services, or you could simply volunteer to be a good listener for people in need.

Head on over to our blog to check the list of resolutions for students for the new year.

5. Christmas Markets

London's markets are one of the most pleasant places to shop, but they truly come alive around Christmas time with twinkly lights, handmade items, and a liberal sprinkling of good cheer. We've curated a list of some of the best Christmas markets to see in London.

Kingston Christmas Market

At the attractive Kingston upon Thames, you will find the riverfront town's Ancient Market Place for one-of-a-kind Christmas items at the Kingston Christmas Market. The cosy cabins are filled with a variety of homemade arts and crafts, stunning decorations, and stocking stuffers. You can also enjoy some seasonal entertainment while munching on some street cuisine. 

Want to decorate your dorm room? Check out our blog on budget-friendly Christmas decor ideas!

Covent Garden Christmas Market

Hundreds of thousands of shimmering lights cover the Covent Garden, which hosts three daily markets loaded with homemade products and one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts. The Covent Garden Christmas tree, located just in front of the renowned market, is one of London's tallest, standing around 60 feet tall!

Leicester Square Christmas Market

See the home of blockbuster film premieres turn into a Christmassy wonderland at Leicester Square. Explore the traditional market, which is loaded with a superb selection of goods and tasty foods. This Christmas Market will be open till January 8th.

Southbank Centre Winter Market

Check out one of the best things to do in London at Christmas at the South Bank's riverbank, which is transformed into a winter paradise, complete with global cuisine and an artisan Christmas market. Walk past the historic wooden cabins that line the Thames's banks and pick up beautiful stocking fillers from the Winter Market, or tuck into cheese-based delicacies, drinks, and mulled wine. This Christmas Market will be open until the 26th of January.

6. Explore Christmas past at Charles Dickens Museum

If you want to discover history of Christmas in the United Kingdom, you should visit the Charles Dickens Museum, which is housed in the old home of the famed Victorian author, for a glance at fascinating yuletide traditions. One of the best things to do in London at Christmas is you can learn about the inspiration for A Christmas Carol and see performances of it as well as other Christmas ghost stories in Museums. 

Check out our blog on the best Museums in London.

7. Sit by the fire at a London pub

One of the things to do in London at Christmas is exploring the pubs. While we can't promise they'll be affordable, many London pubs offer cozy vibes by the fireplace, with a mulled wine your hand and a book on your lap. In summary, they're ideal for unwinding once the end-of-semester assignments have been submitted.

8. Watch a Christmas play

If your budget allows, it's well worth treating yourself to one of the many theatres shows on offer throughout London during the holidays. Highlights include The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Snow White at the London Palladium, and the multi-award-winning Swan Lake at Sadler's Wells Theatre.

9. Attend the Church Services

Attend a church service at famous sights in London, such as Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, or Southwark Cathedral. Advent and Christmas are remarkable times at Westminster Abbey, and it is one of the best things to do in London at Christmas. There will be traditional songs, Christmas readings, and much more at the services. There are also family events, music concerts, and a seasonal meal from their exclusive restaurant menu.

10. Festive treats at Borough Market

One of the things to do in London at Christmas is exploring the ancient arches of Borough Market, decked out with lights, decorations, and dazzling ornaments. While sourcing some of the best seasonal meals and listening to buskers sing happy tunes through the Borough Market. Attend the Evening of Cheese, a free cheese-themed shopping event organised by the market's network of expert cheesemongers.

11. Christmas films at the Drive-in winter cinemas

Nothing beats snuggling up on a winter evening to enjoy a Christmas classic! Why not do it in your car? Luna Drive-In Cinemas provide a variety of movies from the comfort of your vehicle. Luna is one of the top things to do in London at Christmas, showing holiday classics such as Home Alone, Die Hard, Last Christmas, and It's a Wonderful Life!

12. Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a public space, and you can visit it at any time of day or night to admire the statues and fountains. Throughout December, Trafalgar Square will be filled with carol singers. Every day from 2 pm to 9 pm, approximately 40 choirs sing for their chosen charity. Make your way to the square centre to see the enormous Christmas tree. It's the ideal location to hear the lovely sounds of Christmas!

13. Try Mulled Wine at the Churchill Arms

The Churchill Arms in Kensington, arguably London's most festive bar, is a favourite site for photos, especially during the holiday season. It boasts about 21,000 pretty lights and a fantastically warm and friendly feeling. It boasts a Winston Churchill-themed décor and claims to be London's first pub with Thai cuisine.

14. Go on a Christmas Cruise

One of the best things to do in London at Christmas is to take in all the breathtaking sights it has to offer. If you're feeling frisky, why not treat yourself to a Christmas dinner boat down the Thames? The Christmas Cruises are the ideal way to get into the holiday spirit, whether in the run-up to Christmas or on an actual day! Prices for a one-hour Christmas Day sightseeing boat start at £25 per person.

15. Eat at 34 Mayfair

34 Mayfair is a modern grill restaurant in central London's Mayfair neighbourhood that focuses on meat, fish, and seasonal foods. 34 Mayfair is one of the most unusual locations to eat in London, with one of the most stunning Christmas exhibits ever seen! The Christmas menu at this steakhouse features Japanese Wagyu steak, fontina pizzas, and Peking duck with pancakes. Weekend breakfasts and special dinner parties are also available.

We hope you enjoyed our blog about things to do in London at Christmas. As the festive season approaches, we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to explore London and enjoy the many wonderful things it has to offer. Wishing you a warm and pleasant Christmas!