Christmas in London: 10 Gorgeous Things to Do (2026)

Call me a hopeless romantic, but December is one of my favourite times to visit London. Catch the city on a crisp, bluebird winter’s day, and you really do have a magical experience on your hands. 

Of course, Christmas in London is incredibly busy, but in my opinion, that’s all part of its charm. There wouldn’t be much festive atmosphere if the streets were empty, after all. 

I spend at least one or two weekends in London every Christmas, so I feel confident this blog contains all the most magical London activities in December, while leaving out anything that just isn’t worth it (ahem, looking at you, Winter Wonderland). 

I’ve also included some practical info about where to stay and so on, but if you have more questions, feel free to fire away in the comments! 

10 Magical Things to do at Christmas in London 

1. Take a Christmas Lights Bus Tour 

London is famed for its over-the-top Christmas light displays, and can you really blame us, when the sun goes down at 4pm in December? 

Some of the most famous displays are in the heart of the city, like the Regent Street angels, the quirky, colourful lights on Carnaby Street, and the elegant adornments of high-end boutiques in Mayfair and Bond Street. 

The lights are usually switched on around early November, with the Regent Street switch-on scheduled for 5th November in 2026. And of course, you can see the lights perfectly fine from street level. 

However, the closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded the streets of London become. It was honestly like sardines at about 6pm on Regent Street when I went last December.

That’s why I always recommend a Christmas Lights tour in a vintage open-top bus. Not only can you get up close and personal with the lights this way, but you’re also far from the mayhem of the crowds down on street level. 

It’s a simple but magical way to experience the lights, especially if it’s your first time in London at Christmas, or perhaps you’re travelling with little ones in tow.

Find out more here. 

2. Indulge in an Iconic Hot Chocolate 

Forget afternoon tea; the festive season is all about the good stuff. 

A visit to the iconic Fortnum & Mason department store is a classic part of any Christmas in London itinerary, whether you want to pick up a gift for that special someone or just browse the incredible hampers in the food hall.

But this year there’s another reason to go, and that’s the brand new hot chocolate bar.  

Here you can build your own dream hot chocolate from their signature blends, loaded with toasted Italian meringue and your choice of toppings. The pop-up ends in November, so in case you miss it, here are some other top spots to grab a hot chocolate:

• Knoops, Chelsea or Covent Garden: Year-round hot chocolate specialists 
• Italian Bear Chocolate, Soho or Fitzrovia: Indulgent chocolate drinks from an old family recipe. 
• Mercato Mayfair: Converted-chapel-cum-food-hall with festive Christmas counter for loaded hot chocolates 
• The Montague Ski Lodge, Bloomsbury: Gorgeous Alpine-themed terrace, with priority bookings given to resident guests. 
• Ralph’s Coffee: An iconic designer coffee shop with locations across London, serving a signature hot chocolate with seasonal toppings like gingerbread and toasted marshmallows.

3. Take a Walking Tour of the Top Decorations 

Honestly, one of my favourite things to do at Christmastime in London is to simply wander around and gawp at all the incredible window displays and decorations.

Shops, boutiques, department stores and arcades go ALL OUT here with giant installations and displays – from timeless classics like the Harrods bedazzled facade and Fortnum & Mason’s advent calendar, to designer stores like Cartier, which switch things up every year. 

My top tip for seeing the displays is to head out first thing in the morning, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend. 

The shops can get crazy busy at this time of year, and it’s just not as much fun browsing or even window shopping when you have to constantly elbow others out of the way. 

My favourite route for checking out all the Christmas decorations goes like this:

• Start on New Bond Street for the designer displays
• Grab a coffee from Ralph’s if the queue is not too crazy 
• Head through the Burlington Arcade to Fortnum & Mason
• Walk about 15 mins from here to Covent Garden 
• Reward yourself with a hot chocolate from Knoops or a festive cocktail at Miracle on Russel Street 

4. Go Skating at a Scenic Outdoor Rink

Skating is a Christmas classic in London, and there are pop-up rinks all over the city to choose from. My absolute favourite for the setting alone is Skate at Somerset House. 

As seen in the Movie Notting Hill, this rink is set in the gorgeous courtyard of the former Tudor Palace, overlooked by an impressive Christmas tree and heritage London architecture. 

You can book a timed entry slot in advance (usually 45 mins on the ice), or opt for special extended sessions and occasional evening parties and DJ sets, including Skate Lates with Aperol Spritz. 

Regular sessions are from £11, although you can expect to pay more than double that for peak weekend slots. Book well in advance to secure the time and date you want! 

If Somerset House is fully booked, or not in an ideal location for your itinerary, here are some other pop-up ice rinks I recommend:

• Glide at Battersea Power Station: A riverside rink with a giant tree at its centre, and a 200m skate trail along the Thames  
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Ice Rink: The largest rink, in the middle of the Winter Wonderland fairground at Hyde Park 
• Skate Leicester Square: A tiny, circular rink in the West End; booking ahead essential. 
• Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink: A strong contender to Somerset House, set within iconic palace grounds. 

5. Browse the Riverside Christmas Markets

Visiting the Christmas Markets in London is hardly an original idea, but my top tip is to avoid the obvious markets and head elsewhere instead. 

Most people flock to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland… but honestly? I’m not a fan. This place has evolved from a charming Christmas market into a vast, carnival-like funfair with gigantic neon-lit rides and inauthentic shows and food stalls. 

While it might still be a good spot for children to enjoy the rides, it wouldn’t be my first choice for a classy afternoon enjoying the best Christmas attractions London has to offer. 

Instead, I prefer to take a scenic Uber boat down the Thames to Winter by the River. 

Located right in front of Tower Bridge, this market lines the wide boulevard alongside the river, offering the perfect spot to grab a mulled wine with a view. 

There are also plenty of Bavarian-style food and market stalls to pick up pretty decorations or some of your favourite festive comfort food. On a sunny day, it’s the perfect place to spend the sunset. 

Other options for Christmas markets in London include:

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market: Centrally located, but can get very hectic. 
Leicester Square: A few stalls and a festive bar located by the ice rink mentioned above.
Kingston Christmas Market: A great option a little further out in a traditional market square, with authentic wooden chalets. 
Southbank Centre Winter Market: Similar to Winter by the River, with Alpine-themed stalls alongside the water. 
Victorian Christmas Village at St Katherine Docks: On the other side of Tower Bridge, a smaller market to explore. 

6. Go See a Show on the West End 

There is nothing more Christmassy to me than going to see a West End show. 

Perhaps it’s because that’s what we always used to do when I was a kid, or perhaps it’s because it’s the perfect activity for a cold, dark evening. 

Either way, there are so many options for shows, whether you want to see an iconic pantomime with the kids, or go for something a little more grown-up, like the Moulin Rouge. 

You’ve also got classic ballets like the Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, or Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella for a dramatic re-telling of the famous fairytale in dance. 

And if you want to see one of the year-round West End shows, you can also try and grab cheap last-minute tickets, which is what we did last year, securing tickets for Wicked just a few hours before the show started. 

There’s a ticket booth in Leicester Square which shows what last-minute tickets are available, or you can browse and book online.

But this can be a risky move if there’s something specific or seasonally themed you want to see. So if that’s the case, my recommendation would be to book early instead! 

7. Catch the Snowfall at Leadenhall Market 

Leadenhall Market always makes me think of ‘finance bros’ and the corporate suits of London, because it’s the go-to meeting spot for an after-work drink in the CBD. 

However, come Christmas time, this ornate Victorian arcade transforms into a festive bubble, complete with regularly scheduled snow. Yep, they pump out snow from the rafters here, but you’ve got to get there for 12pm or 6pm sharp if you don’t want to miss it! 

There’s also usually a little market with independent stalls selling handmade gifts like soaps and homewares, so it’s a good place to do a little Christmas shopping too. 

8. Shop for Christmas Presents in Covent Garden 

If there’s one place in London that knows how to do Christmas properly, it’s Covent Garden. 

Every December, the famous piazza is transformed into a festive wonderland, complete with an enormous Christmas tree, giant golden bells, twinkling lights and some of the prettiest shopfronts in the city.

It’s also one of my favourite places to do a little Christmas shopping, particularly if you’re after something more interesting than the usual high-street gifts. 

You’ll find everything from luxury beauty and fashion boutiques to independent shops selling beautiful homeware, jewellery and quirky stocking fillers.

I’d recommend starting inside the Apple Market, where you can browse handmade crafts, artwork and unique gifts beneath the gorgeous historic market roof. Then explore the surrounding streets, particularly Neal’s Yard and Seven Dials, for smaller boutiques and independent shops.

If you need a break from shopping, grab a hot chocolate from Knoops or head to one of the area’s festive pop-up bars for a cocktail. Miracle on Russell Street is particularly fun if you’re in the mood for something a little kitsch, with over-the-top Christmas decorations and seasonal drinks.

My top tip? Visit on a weekday morning if possible. Covent Garden gets absolutely packed in December, particularly on weekends, and it’s much more enjoyable when you can actually browse the shops without fighting your way through the crowds.

9. See the Light Show at Kew Gardens

If you’re looking for something with a little dash of festive magic, I’d highly recommend booking tickets for Christmas at Kew.

Every winter, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens in southwest London are transformed into an enormous illuminated wonderland, with spectacular light installations, glowing tunnels, colourful projections and thousands of twinkling lights winding through the gardens.

Unlike the Christmas decorations in Central London, this is a proper ticketed experience, with a walking trail that takes around two hours to complete. Along the way, you’ll find festive food stalls selling everything from mulled wine and hot chocolate to sweet treats, making it a lovely evening out for couples or families.

I’d recommend booking a slot shortly after sunset, when it’s properly dark but not too late in the evening. Wrap up warm, wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget your camera.

Christmas at Kew runs on selected dates from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and tickets are timed, so I’d book as early as possible, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.

One thing worth knowing is that Kew is quite a way from Central London, so I wouldn’t try to squeeze it into an already packed sightseeing day. Instead, I’d plan it as your main evening activity, perhaps after an afternoon exploring Richmond or enjoying a leisurely dinner nearby.

10. Have Dinner in an Igloo Overlooking the City

One of my favourite things we did in London last Christmas was booking a private rooftop igloo at Florattica, a gorgeous cocktail bar perched high above the City of London.

There’s something so magical about being tucked away in your own cosy, heated igloo, enjoying cocktails and delicious food while looking out over London’s twinkling skyline. It’s such a lovely way to spend a winter evening, particularly if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

Florattica’s Winter Buds are returning for Christmas 2026, complete with panoramic city views, your own music and waiter service at the ring of a bell. They’re definitely more of a special-occasion experience than a budget-friendly dinner, but I’d say they’re worth considering for the setting alone!

If Florattica is fully booked, or you’d prefer somewhere else in London, here are a few other festive igloo experiences I’d recommend:

• Coppa Club, Tower Bridge: Probably London’s most iconic dining igloos, with gorgeous views across the Thames towards Tower Bridge. Perfect for a romantic dinner.
• 1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen, Oxford Street: Heated rooftop igloos above John Lewis, ideal for a festive meal after an afternoon of Christmas shopping.
• Circe’s Rooftop, Waterloo: A more lively option, with heated winter igloos, cocktails and views across the London skyline.
• Aviary, Finsbury Square: Not quite an igloo this year, but its new winter rooftop lodge offers a similarly cosy setting for seasonal food and drinks overlooking the City.

My top tip: Book well in advance, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings. Some venues have minimum spends or require larger groups to reserve an entire igloo, so it’s worth checking the booking conditions before getting your heart set on somewhere.

A Two-Day Christmas in London Itinerary

If you’ve only got a weekend in London at Christmas, don’t worry; you can still squeeze in most of the city’s festive highlights without spending the entire trip rushing between Tube stations.

This is how I’d spend two days in London during Christmas, combining the best decorations, Christmas markets, seasonal treats and a couple of really special experiences.

Day One: Christmas Shopping, Festive Decorations and the West End

9am – Explore Mayfair and Bond Street

Start your morning in Mayfair, where some of London’s most luxurious shops put on spectacular Christmas displays. Wander along New Bond Street to admire the decorations outside Cartier and the designer boutiques, then stop for a coffee at Ralph’s if you can get a table.

From here, make your way through the beautiful Burlington Arcade towards Piccadilly.

10.30am – Hot Chocolate at Fortnum & Mason

Pop into Fortnum & Mason to browse the incredible Christmas hampers, decorations and food halls. It’s one of those places that feels wonderfully festive even if you’re not planning to buy anything.

If the seasonal hot chocolate bar is still running during your visit, make sure you try it. Otherwise, you can save your chocolate fix for Knoops in Covent Garden later.

11.30am – Christmas Shopping in Covent Garden

Walk towards Covent Garden, passing through Leicester Square and the surrounding West End streets.

Spend a couple of hours exploring the beautiful market, browsing the independent shops around Seven Dials and admiring the enormous Christmas tree and golden bells.

I’d recommend grabbing lunch here too, as there are plenty of lovely restaurants and cafes tucked away from the busiest streets.

2.30pm – Ice Skating at Somerset House

From Covent Garden, it’s only around a 10-minute walk to Somerset House, home to my favourite Christmas ice rink in London.

Book an afternoon skating session, admire the gorgeous historic courtyard and enjoy a warming drink afterwards. Even if you’re not particularly good at skating, it’s such a fun, festive experience.

4.30pm – Christmas Lights Bus Tour

Once the sun has set, it’s time to see London’s famous Christmas lights in all their glory.

I’d book an open-top bus tour that takes you past Regent Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and the beautifully decorated streets of the West End. It’s a great way to see the lights without battling the crowds.

7pm – Dinner and a West End Show

Finish your first day with dinner and a show in the West End. Whether you choose a festive ballet, a musical like Wicked or a traditional Christmas production, it’s the perfect way to end a magical day.

If you’re planning to see a show, I’d recommend booking your tickets first and arranging dinner around the performance time.

Day Two: Historic London, Riverside Markets and Christmas at Kew

11am – Explore Leadenhall Market

After a leisurely breakfast, start your second day in the City of London at the beautiful Leadenhall Market.

This ornate Victorian arcade looks particularly lovely at Christmas, with festive decorations, independent shops and cosy places to grab a coffee.

If you’re visiting on a day when the artificial snowfall is scheduled, try to time your visit around the midday display. Otherwise, it’s still well worth stopping by for the architecture alone.

12pm – Head to Tower Bridge and Winter by the River

From Leadenhall Market, it’s around a 15–20-minute walk to Tower Bridge.

Cross the river and spend some time exploring the festive stalls at Winter by the River, where you can pick up handmade gifts, enjoy a mulled wine and check out one of London’s most iconic views.

I recommend grabbing lunch from one of the food stalls and taking your time wandering along the waterfront.

2pm – Take a Scenic Boat Ride Along the Thames

Rather than heading straight back underground, hop on an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers for a scenic journey along the river.

It’s a lovely way to see some of London’s most famous landmarks from a different perspective, including the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye.

You could stop at the Southbank Christmas Market for another festive wander, or continue towards Westminster before making your way west.

4.30pm onwards – Christmas at Kew Gardens

For your final evening, head to Kew Gardens for its spectacular Christmas light trail.

I’d recommend booking an early evening entry slot and allowing around two hours to explore the illuminated gardens, stopping for mulled wine, hot chocolate and festive snacks along the way.

It’s a magical way to finish your Christmas weekend in London, and a lovely contrast to the busy shopping streets and Christmas markets you’ve explored over the previous two days.

My top tip: If you want a more relaxed itinerary, skip the afternoon boat trip and head towards Richmond or Kew a little earlier for a leisurely late lunch before the light trail. Alternatively, if you’re desperate to fit in more London Christmas activities, save Kew Gardens for a separate evening, as it does require a little extra travel time.

Christmas in London, England: FAQs 

When does London decorate for Christmas? 

London usually starts getting into the Christmas spirit in early November, when the famous shopping streets begin switching on their festive lights and department stores unveil their spectacular Christmas window displays. 

By mid-November, areas like Covent Garden, Regent Street, Oxford Street and Carnaby Street are typically looking very festive, with giant decorations, twinkling lights and plenty of opportunities for Christmas shopping.

I recommend visiting from mid-November onwards if you want to experience London at its most magical, although early December is particularly lovely for soaking up the atmosphere without the last-minute Christmas shopping rush.

When are the London Christmas Lights 2026? 

Most of London’s Christmas lights will be switched on during early to mid-November 2026, with displays typically remaining until early January. 

Some of the key dates confirmed for this year include Carnaby Street on 4th November, Regent Street on 5th November, and Covent Garden and Bond Street on 12th November. Oxford Street’s switch-on date is still to be announced.

I particularly recommend visiting Regent Street for its spectacular illuminated angels, Covent Garden for its giant Christmas tree and golden bells, and Carnaby Street for its quirky, colourful decorations. 

What are some good things to do for Christmas in London with kids? 

London is absolutely magical at Christmas for families, with everything from festive fairground rides to spectacular light trails, pop-up ice rinks, and Christmas theatre shows.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is popular with kids for its ice skating, fairground rides and a giant observation wheel, while Christmas at Kew is perfect for an evening exploring illuminated gardens and twinkling light tunnels. Skate at Somerset House also puts on Skate School and Kids Skate Club to help little ones gain confidence on the ice.

For something extra special, I’d recommend Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, where Harry Potter fans can explore the famous film sets dressed for Christmas. Younger children will love visiting Santa’s grotto, watching a festive West End show or simply wandering around Covent Garden to admire the decorations.

For 2026, Winter Wonderland runs from 19th November to 3rd January, while Christmas at Kew takes place on selected dates from 13th November to 3rd January. I’d definitely book popular attractions in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the school holidays.