40 things to do in London at Christmas – a London Christmas guide

Few places in Europe can capture the imagination at Christmas time quite like London. We have visited London several times at Christmas in recent years and have always found there to be so many things to do and see throughout the city.

This London Christmas Guide will provide you with some of the best things to in London at Christmas. This list of 40 things to do at Christmas in London includes Christmas Markets, Ice Rinks, Festive Pubs at Christmas Lights switch on dates around the city.

We have also included our recommendations for the best hotels in London for every budget for anyone visiting from afar this Christmas.

Where to stay in London a Christmas

Knowing where to choose a hotel in London at Christmas time can be tricky. Naturally prices will go up at this time of the year but you still want to make sure you’re at the heart of the action.

On our last visit we stayed at the The Lincoln Suites and it was perfect for a short visit, with all of the places we needed to go within walking distance. This apartment hotel is right beside Trafalgar Square and you can easily reach Covent Garden etc quite quickly.

It also has lots of shops and food options very close by so it was great for a Christmas Market trip. Equally, it also had kitchen facilities so if you are trying to cut costs you could prepare some of your meals before heading out to explore.

How many days do you need in London at Christmas

We would recommend spending at least 2 days in London at Christmas time to be able to get around the major attractions without rushing too much.

We would recommend focusing one of your days on seeing the Christmas lights displays throughout the city and getting to the best photo spots and Christmas themed bars. On the second day, go on a Christmas Market Tour and test out your ice skating skills (I hope for your sake they are better than mine).

If you plan to stay in London for more than a couple of days we would highly recommend taking a day trip out of the city as well. There are lots of beautiful places like Canterbury and Bath that you could easily reach by train. Or you could also take a guided tour to places like the Cotswolds, Stonehenge or the Harry Potter Studio tour.

Christmas Markets In London

Everyone loves a good Christmas Market and there are several good options for getting your fill of hot chocolate and mulled wine – here are some of the best Christmas Markets in London happening this year. The one we tend to visit and London’s biggest Christmas Market is the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. While it maybe doesn’t fall into the traditional idea of a Christmas Market due to its sheer size, it has all the elements for a great Christmas day out.

This market has a huge range of amusement rides and food stalls, has specific baby friendly areas for families and some great teepee bars for a drink. We took our son here on his 1st birthday and it was definitely a worthwhile experience. The winter wonderland this year runs from 14th November to 1st January with tickets from as little as £5.

The others that we would highly recommend from our experience is Leicester Square, which also has an ice risk; Covent Garden which always has beautiful decorations and Trafalgar Square, which is in a great location for accessing other attractions as well.

Christmas Lights Displays in London

London’s Christmas lights are one of the best in Europe, from Covent Garden to Oxford Street. To enjoy the best of London’s Christmas displays, we would highly recommend taking a guided tour to make sure you get to see all the best locations.

Our favourite place to see the Christmas lights in London is Regent Street, where the street is lined the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ angel lights – expect them to be turned on around the 6th November.

There are also lots of great displays at individual buildings throughout the city including Annabelle’s, Koyn, Chanel, Gucci and Ralph’s Coffee Shop.

Christmas Shopping in London

If you are planning to visit London to do some Christmas shopping then you won’t be short of options. The major high streets like Oxford Street are lined with retailers, as well as having great Christmas light displays as well. Places like Covent Garden and the Christmas Markets will also all have stalls selling ornaments and keepsakes etc.

Alternatively, if you want to see some incredible decorations indoors, check out the display at Fortnum and Mason which goes above and beyond every year. Or if you just want a great shopping centre to get all the shopping done, visit Westfield or we have always liked Shepherd’s Bush as well.

Ice skating rinks in London

Another great activity for Christmas in London is to go ice skating and there are lots of great options. Katie and I have been ice skating at Christmas several times and I have been good at it a total of zero times! But there is something almost nostalgic about the idea of ice skating followed by a hot chocolate at Christmas time.

Christmas themed bars & restaurants

Some bars and restaurants in London go all out for Christmas with some spectacular displays. One of the best restaurants in London at Christmas is Daphne’s in West London. This Italian restaurant has a stunning display at Christmas, framed by their inviting fire in the main dining area, this restaurant is so inviting.

In terms of bars, there are two that stand out from our trips to London. The first is the Churchill Arms in South Kensington, which has a beautiful floral display on the facade throughout the year but transforms for Christmas with trees and lights on every corner.

The second is the Miracle at Henrietta in Covent Garden. Again, this is a great option as it is right in the heart of an area already filled with stunning Christmas displays. This is a Christmas themed bar that goes all out, with themed drinks like the Christmapolitan and a huge array of Christmas decorations throughout. Make sure to book a table in advance to avoid missing out.

Family Activities

Of course, aside from the alcohol related options, most of the activities above are perfect for families in London at Christmas time. But if you wanted to have a few alternative options we would also suggest Hogwarts in the Snow, which runs from November 15th.

Or you could go see a Christmas classic at the Backyard Cinema which runs from November 26th to December 31st and will be showing classics like Elf, Home Alone and Love Actually.

And our final suggestion would be the Kingdom of Winter and the ExCel, which has fairground rides, a circus and ice skating as well. Dates for this have yet to be confirmed but it is another great option for families.

Final Thoughts

London is absolutely worth visiting at Christmas time and the Christmas light displays are one of the best in Europe. We hope you found this guide to things to do in London at Christmas beneficial and you have a great Christmas whatever you decide to do.