18 Things To Do In London At Christmas 2026

Date post added: 6th January 2026

London at Christmas is pretty magical. London’s best known streets, stores, museums, theatres, venues, gardens and buildings all get into the festive spirit, creating experiences that just don’t exist any other time of year. London’s a wonderful place to be over the Christmas holiday season. From mid-November, our grey city is illuminated by a twinkling light trail and a party atmosphere. That’s the magic of Christmas!

What are the best Christmas activities to do in London? Take a look at our 18 London Christmas experiences to bring on the festive cheer. Whether you’re here for a family day out, a festive holiday or simply want to enjoy the Christmas season, we’ve curated some of the best things to do in London.

1. A visit to the Christmas tree

Is it really Christmas in London without a visit to the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square? The 25 metre high tree is a gift from Norway to London each year, and the lighting of the tree each December is one of the key Christmas events in London. Adorned with Norwegian style Christmas decorations by way of vertical strings of lights, the tree is also the location for carol concerts through the festive season.

2. A Christmas Day Charles Dickens walk

Baskets of chestnuts and hung up mistletoe. Chimneys blazing and snowballs thrown with glee. Atmospheric and evocative, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is surely all that we love about Christmas. So, what could be better on Christmas Day than a walk dedicated to the man himself? The Charles Dickens walk meets at 2 pm by the big Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. You’ll be transported to Dickensian London, deep into the Victorian underworld, with a glimpse of the London that inspired many of Dickens’ great works.

3. Skating at Somerset House

The glorious environs of Somerset House are given a festive makeover at Christmas, with the arrival of one of the best ice skating rinks in London. Skate at Somerset House is such a wonderful, festive experience. Take skate lessons or simply enjoy a rinkside seat with a glass of something chilled. It’s fun for the whole family, regardless of skating ability. Open from 12th November 2025 to 11th January 2026. Canary Wharf provides an alternative ice skating destination with a backdrop of shining skyscrapers. Their season starts on 25th October.

4. Afternoon tea

Many of London’s hotels and cafés put on sumptuous afternoon teas at Christmas time. There are the upmarket offerings from the likes of The Ritz, Claridge’s Hotel and The Connaught. For something more quirky, hop on the Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour from B-Bakery (15th November 2025 onwards) to combine tea and sightseeing. This is certainly one of the tastiest things to do at Christmas!

5. Seeing the London Christmas lights

London’s transformed into a winter wonderland each winter courtesy of its spectacular Christmas lights. Oxford Street’s always festooned with lights galore, as is Carnaby Street, Bond Street, Leicester Square and Regent Street. The illuminations at Kew Gardens are something truly special and worth the train ride.

You could take a wander around some of London’s more upmarket neighbourhoods, like Hampstead, Kensington, Chelsea and Mayfair. There are usually good decorations and light displays on lots of the houses. And, there’s no better way to enjoy London’s Christmas Lights than on our Christmas Lights Pub Walk. Discover London at its sparkly best, along with splendid festive stories and a couple of stops in fine hostelries to add to the merriment.

6. Discover seasonal traditions (and more Dickens)

You can never have enough Dickens and at Christmas time, that’s doubly true! The London of Charles Dickens steps into the heart of the famous festive novella, A Christmas Carol & Seasonal Traditions to the old Victorian City of London. But that’s not all. There will be tales of the origins of the seasonal traditions that we keep alive to this day, from pantomimes to festive food, cards to crackers.

7. London’s Christmas windows

Central London department stores really know how to turn on the festive sparkle – and you can’t get that online. Selfridges on Oxford Street always put on a spectacle with their visual displays. Kids get the wow factor from Hamley’s Christmas windows. For something rather luxurious, visit Harrods on Brompton Road. Fortnum & Mason and Liberty always fill their windows with Christmas cheer tempting us inside for a spot of Christmas shopping too.

8. Carols and concerts

One of London’s most famous landmarks, St Paul’s is a delight at any time of year. But at Christmas, it becomes even more atmospheric. St Paul’s Cathedral hosts Christmas carol services, readings and concerts right through the festive season, including the traditional lighting of the Christmas trees and blessing of the crib. The Abbey Choir also performs Christmas concerts at Westminster Abbey, alongside its Advent and Christmas services.

9. A Christmas Day Samuel Pepys Walk

‘The King’s birth-day. To White Hall, where all very gay; and particularly the Prince of Tuscany very fine, and is the first day of his appearing out of mourning. I heard the Bishop of Peterborough preach but dully.’ Delightfully indiscreet, Samuel Pepys’ diaries present a fascinating glimpse into 17th century life. Royal Navy administrator, MP and Chief Secretary to the Admiralty, Pepys’ diaries mention Royal palaces, kings and queens as easily as drinking houses, cousins and friends. Celebrate the festive season with a unique Christmas Morning, 1660 – Samuel Pepys Walk, stepping back to the Westminster immortalised in Pepys’ diaries. The meeting place is, aptly, the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square – at 11 am. What a way to celebrate Christmas!

10. Go to a pantomime or show

A traditional British festive activity, a ‘panto’, as it is affectionately known, is a fun, family trip to the theatre. Expect audience participation with singalong sessions encouraged, and enthusiastic cries of ‘Boo’, ‘Hiss’ and ‘Behind you!’. Book tickets early as they can sell out fast.

The London Palladium has the always naughty Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Catherine Tate in Sleeping Beauty. There’s Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Hammersmith and Cinderella at the Richmond Theatre. The Nutcracker by the English National Ballet is always a special festive experience. It’s also on after Christmas (from 29th December) at the Royal Albert Hall with the Birmingham National Ballet. And one last mention of Dickens – A Christmas Carol is on again at The Old Vic.

11. Fireworks in Hampstead

The most wonderful time of the year doesn’t have to end on Boxing Day as you also have New Year to look forward to! The London Walks New Year’s Eve Pub Walk breaks out from the mayhem and madness of London’s West End. Instead, you’ll see in the New Year on the summit of Parliament Hill Fields, far from the madding crowd. The London Walks crew know just the spot for the best view of the main event fireworks, and all the side dishes from private displays across the city. There may be some rather lovely (and not too busy) Hampstead pubs involved in this walk too!

12. A trip to the Christmas markets

Mulled wine sipped from gloved hands, the scent of warm mince pies, Christmas wreaths and twinkling lights high above, London Christmas markets are a must in the festive season. One of the biggest and best Christmas markets is at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with over 100 stalls to browse. It’s a market with a funfair, outdoor ice rink and oodles of entertainment.

Another favourite, the Southbank Centre Winter Market lines the River Thames. Covent Garden hosts the Holly Jolly Christmas Market brimming with artisanal fare and unique gifts. Horse and carriage rides and street performers provide welcome distractions from Christmas shopping. The London Bridge, Christmas By The River market, offers street food from pop up stalls and chalet vendors. Or head to Greenwich which does Christmas so beautifully, especially the festive market.

13. Tuck into a Christmas dinner

For the best of British food, served in a traditional and authentic fashion, you can’t beat Rules in Covent Garden. At Christmas, the decorations are simply sumptuous and the menu is exquisite. Gather your loved ones for a memorable Christmas dinner, but expect to splurge. Alternatively, book a table at a great London pub like The Mayflower in Rotherhithe, The Flask in Highgate or The Queen’s Head in Hammersmith.

14. A visit to see Santa

Father Christmas pops up across London from mid-November. Little ones can enjoy a day at London Zoo coupled with a visit to Santa’s grotto. Hamley’s in Regent Street hosts a Santa’s grotto that promises to be full of joy. For a touch of luxury, visit the man in red at Fortnum & Mason where they have a storytelling experience. Or how about the enchanting Christmas at Kew Gardens event? The after dark trail through the famous botanic gardens is illuminated with festive light displays. Then you can visit the big man himself in his grotto!

15. A museum Christmas trail

Many of London’s museums get into the spirit of the season with special events and trails for the family. The Natural History Museum is yet to announce its festive offering, but the gift shop usually stocks an excellent selection of Christmas cards and jumpers. The same goes for the V&A.

Last year, The London Transport Museum had a Routemaster inspired sleigh! Then at the Charles Dickens Museum (yes, Dickens again!), you can step into a Victorian Christmas and enjoy live adaptations of A Christmas Carol.

16. A trip to Covent Garden

Covent Garden always feels enchanting. But from 12th November it’s transformed into a magical experience. Over 300,000 sparkling lights bedeck the area. The much-loved gold bells arrive in the Market Building. And the iconic 55ft British-grown Christmas tree rivals the Trafalgar Square one.

This year, the theme is The Theatre of Christmas. Step behind the curtain of Christmas and into an immersive world of festive magic.

With plenty of seasonal pop-ups and an array of mulled wine hotspots to stave off the cold, Covent Garden is a great place for Christmas shopping.

17. Whet your appetite at Borough Market

The Victorian arches of Borough Market are always eye-catching. But when they’re adorned with decorations and lights at Christmas, it looks spectacular. Borough Market is the place to go for delicious treats and foodie gifts. It gets super busy, so you need to sharpen your elbows and forge your own path through the crowds.

18. Head to Hogwarts

Ok, so it’s a little outside London, but it’s worth the journey. The WB Studio Tour is really magical, and over the festive season they run Hogwarts in the Snow. You get to experience the world of Harry Potter at its festive best. It even snows there. And if you’re looking for things to do over the Christmas holidays, you should explore the Harry Potter Filming Locations tour around London with one of our expert guides.

FAQs

What’s the best way to get around London at Christmas?

We always recommend a good walk around London, but it’s a particularly good idea at Christmas. On Christmas Day itself, there’s no public transport in operation. It’s a reduced service on Boxing Day. And on Christmas Eve, it starts to wind down from early evening.

Is Christmas a good time to visit London?

That’s a definite, yes. London does Christmas really well and the streets look particularly pretty when festooned with twinkly lights.

What is the most Christmassy area of London?

Well, the obvious place is Trafalgar Square with the towering Christmas tree. But Somerset House is a favourite place at Christmas. With the festive decorations and ice rink, it feels like a real winter wonderland.

When are London’s Christmas lights switched on?

Oxford Street and Regent Street are yet to confirm the date. Last year it was early November. In Covent Garden, the lights switch on takes place on Wednesday 12th November.

Festive food to go

Our resident food historian, Ann guides a fascinating Eating Christmas walk. Discover how our festive food traditions began, and then shop for treats at Borough Market.