There’s surely something magical about Christmas in London. The city becomes a sparkling wonderland complete with twinkling lights, festive markets, and cozy wintertime experiences. Whether you’re a local hoping to get your fill of the seasonal spirit or a visitor wanting to enjoy the city at its most enchanting, this guide will help you find the best ways to enjoy Christmas in London.
From landmark Christmas lights and ice skating rinks to festive afternoon teas and idyllic winter igloos, London is jammed with activities whereby you can most imbibe this Christmas cheer. This is a guide designed to help you navigate the best that this city has in store, along with a Google Map for easy saving. Here, too, is everything that you’ll need to keep your Christmas in London memorable, whether it’s for a day or a week.
Christmas Lights Locations:
London can get the most glamorous Christmas lights in the country, bathing streets and monuments in magic.
- Oxford Street: Drenched in over a million lights, Oxford Street always attracts attention and is therefore unmissable. Add a hint of shopping while at the sight.
- Regent Street: Regarded for its “Spirit of Christmas” theme, suspended angel lights stretch a spellbinding length across this historic shopping street.
- Carnaby Street: Fab and freaky, Carnaby Street’s yearly festive theme may vary, from sustainable decorations to bright neon installations.
- Covent Garden: The towering trees are sprinkled with thousands of twinkling lightbulbs and mistletoe chandeliers, bringing an aura of romance to the cobblestone square.
- Kew Gardens: Slip away to Kew Gardens for a fully immersive experience, with the shining winter trail winding through incredible light installations.
Ice Skating Rinks:
Ice skating during the winter is a historical tradition; London has some of the most beautiful rinks in the world.
- Somerset House: This rink nestled within a magnificent 18th-century courtyard is a truly spectacular setting for skating. Once you finish, warm up with mulled wine from the rink-side bar.
- Natural History Museum Ice Rink: With its magical setting and a charming tree at the center, fun for families and couples alike.
- Hampton Court Palace: Imagine skating on this ice rink with the poignant imposing Tudor palace behind you; this is truly heartfelt and historic.
- Canary Wharf Ice Rink: Nestled amidst the glistening towers, this rink finds itself perfectly in tune with modern vibes, coupled with the twinkling lights of neighboring trees.
- Winter Wonderland: As the seasonal favorite, the Hyde Park rink is immersed in festive stalls and entertainment, offering an all-in Christmas experience.
Christmas Markets and Window Displays:
The holiday season is scarcely complete without a visit to one of the festive markets to see the extravagant window displays in London.
- Southbank Centre Winter Market: In this wooden chalet-themed market, visitors will find some artisan gifts, festive foods, and mulled wine along the banks of the Thames.
- Leicester Square Christmas Market: Nun traditionally stalls made of wood, there are performances in Santa’s Grotto and festive shows at this cozy Christmas market.
- Greenwich Christmas Market: A great place for artisan gifts, unique decorations, and entertaining seasonal snacks.
Don’t miss the famous window displays at Harrods and Selfridges. Each year, polarized and whimsical yet luxurious designs celebrate the season in these two iconic department stores.
Festive Events and Activities:
London’s festive calendar showcases events that capture the holiday flare.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: A holiday extravaganza featuring amusement rides, an ice bar, live performances, and a Bavarian village. One of the most-loved Christmas attractions in London.
- Pantomimes: No way does a British Christmas go by without a pantomime. Theatres pan around the city, including among others the London Palladium, showcasing performances of classics like Aladdin or Cinderella.
- Carolling: Partake in Christmas singing in either St Paul’s Cathedral or beneath the Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square.
Greatly varied performances range from sing-along concerts to showings of holiday films combined with live orchestration at their Christmas Festival at Royal Albert Hall.
Best Restaurants for Christmas:
Each dining experience is distinctly festive, extraordinary, and magical.
- The Milk Train: Make Christmas an experience that’ll last a lifetime at this candyfloss wonderland restaurant.
- The Dorchester: One of London’s most elegant hotels, where breakfast and afternoon tea are adorned with Christmas spirit.
- Lanes of London: For a classic Christmas lunch, indulge in a three-course festive menu, select from beef Wellington or even nut roast.
- The Montague: For a fun festive dinner, the Montague on the Gardens gives a relaxed buffet in a snowy garden, alongside mulled wine and festive treats.
Christmas Afternoon Teas:
The timeless tradition of an Afternoon Tea, with a little Christmas cheer.
- The Lancaster London: Seasonal treats and delightful pastries are offered during afternoon tea as Britain welcomes the festive season.
- The Connaught: A work of art has emerged in the Connaught, where the very best tea is served with scones, pastries, and savory assortments.
- The Landmark London: The Landmark London has their infamous tea during the festive season, with mulled wine and champagne served next to beautiful selections of cakes and sandwiches.
- Kensington Palace: This is one of the oldest traditional tea rooms with Christmas-themed ambiance.
Photo Spots:
Capture the magic of Christmas in London at these picturesque locations:
- London Bridge: It gives you an up-close view of London Bridge and City Hall while being lit up against the iconic London skyline, probably the most beautiful set up for your Christmas picture.
- The Coach: The Christmas tree, market stalls, and mistletoe chandeliers create a dream setting for many beautiful photo opportunities.
- Somerset House: The team has a free reign in a gorgeous Bakery and Christmas Shop in this fairy-tale-like place.
- Green Park: Green Park is a great spot if you want a bit of a quieter outdoor scene.
- The Churchill Arms: Your Kensington pub engulfed in thousands and thousands of Christmas decorations.
Winter Igloo Pop-Ups:
Get cozy in one of London’s stylish winter igloos.
- Coppa Club (Tower Bridge): The sparkling clear igloos have riverside views across Tower Bridge with a festive menu.
- Aviary: Enjoy rooftop dining inside igloos with sweeping views of the city skyline.
- Jimmy’s Winter Lodge (Southbank): Cozy up in cozy igloos by the riverbanks with cheese fondue and mulled wine.
- Skylight: A rooftop winter village where the joy of igloos is paired with ice skating and festive cocktails.
A Sample One-Day Christmas Itinerary:
- 8:00 AM: Start the day at Covent Garden. Sip on hot chocolate as you wander around the square, admiring the festive decorations and holiday vibes.
- 11:00 AM: Treat your tummy at Borough Market. Make sure you try the iconic Xmas Turkey & Pork Sandwich with mulled cider from The Black Pig.
- 2:00 PM: Spend the afternoon at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park. Ice-skate, walk around the festive market, and enjoy the thrilling rides, before retreating indoors to warm up with a drink at the Ice Bar.
- 8:00 PM: End the day on a Christmas Lights Bus Tour. Relax on the top deck of the bus, enjoying the stunning light displays around the city, including Oxford Street and Regent Street.
Conclusion:
Christmas in London is enchantment; it is when wooden streets light up in festive delight and seasonal traditions, before modern attractions, merge wondrously. Be it marveling at the lights of Regent Street, skating at Somerset House, or enjoying a Christmas-themed afternoon tea, the city has all it takes to celebrate.
The guide will help you in having the full tool kit to get through the holiday season in London. From cozy igloos to bustling markets, every side of this city has something special waiting to be discovered. Plan your adventure, save the Google Map, and soak in Christmas in London.
