One of the most beautiful and exciting seasons of the year has just arrived! Read to make unforgettable Christmas memories in London.

Being in London during the Christmas season is really a magical experience. As Christmas comes, the city’s often dreary vibe is replaced with amazing lights and exciting events, transforming it into a really magical place. Whether you’re interested in classical events, fun activities, Christmas markets, ice skating, or just a feel-good holiday dinner, Christmas in London offers it all.

Shortly, there are lots of things to see but this guide to the best things to do in London at Christmas will take you to all the cool activities and locations.

Here are the favorite things to do in London during Christmas, which would get you in a festive mood.

Top Tips

• Warm up: British weather is unpredictable, with high winds one minute and rain the next (sometimes both at the same time). Don’t forget waterproof layers.
• Book in advance: Some popular attractions can be highly busy, make sure that you book in advance and plan your day.
• Keeping out shopping madness: Avoiding Christmas crowds is predictable, you may reduce stress by planning ahead, avoiding peak hours, and shopping early in the day.

1.Take a self-guided tour to see Christmas lights

One of the best ways to start Christmas in London is the dazzling festive lights with historic architecture and iconic streets. Many are within convenient walking distance of the city center of London. You can start at Oxford Street, a place where the night sky is illuminated by five thousand LED stars, next head up Regent Street to see the dazzling angels, and then drop into Carnaby Street to be stunned by the multicolored displays.

Also, there is another magical place that gets more popular every year, Kew Gardens. It is one of London’s most beautiful locations at any time of year, but during Christmas, it really becomes alive with more than a million illuminated lights and displays. Thus, Christmas at Kew is the favorite of all Londoners, especially families with children. Check the official website to get more information.

2. Explore Christmas Markets

Christmas markets in London are the best places if you want to have a lovely day filled with delicious street food, boozy pop-up bars, and sparkly souvenirs. While exploring the markets, it is highly recommended that giving in to the tempting aromas (fresh churros, spicy bratwurst, and handmade mince pies, to name a few) wafting from the many foods stands. Also, hot chocolate and mulled wine can keep you toasty as you peruse the gift booths filled with unique Christmas treasures. Here are some of the best markets in London:

Covent Garden Christmas Market

Festive music, people selling Christmas wares, and plenty of treats to eat and drink

Here, you can see beautiful decorations, including huge baubles, over 30,000 lights, mistletoe chandeliers, and also its legendary 60-foot tree, surrounding the covered market and plaza.

When: From 8 November 2022, open seven days a week

Address: Covent Garden, The Market Building, London WC2E 8RF

Website: https://www.coventgarden.london/christmas-in-covent-garden/

Price: Free entry

Southbank Centre Winter Festival

Stroll down the Thames when it is lit up, indulge in delicious cocktails and mouthwatering street cuisine, browse gifts and decorations from independent sellers, watch joyous shows in east Tennessee, and explore exhibitions.

When: From 3 November to 26 December 2022, Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm

Address: Southbank Market, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 8XX

Website: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/winter-festival

Price: Free entry

Christmas By The River

Discover fairy-lit wooden cottages, market vendors selling a variety of handcrafted goods as well as holiday fayre along the River Thames with the iconic city skyline, and enjoy interesting restaurants, pubs, cafés, and stores.

When: From 15 November 2022 to 2 January 2023, Sunday-Wednesday 11 am-9 pm and Thursday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm

Address: London Bridge City

Website: https://londonbridgecity.co.uk/events/2022/november/christmas-by-the-river-2022

Price: Free entry

Leicester Square Christmas Market

Explore the traditional market’s wonderful selection of crafts and delectable delicacies, have a joyful time, and then go to the Belgian Spiegeltent to see La Clique play.

When: From 9 November 2022 to 8 January 2023, check the website for different times

Address: Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LU

Website: https://www.christmasinleicestersquare.com/

Price: Free entry

3. Spend an evening in Winter Wonderland

Another of the best thing to do for feeling the Christmas spirit is to visit London’s Hyde Park to take part in Winter Wonderland, a delightful family event. From ice skating and circus performances to a Christmas market and live music, there is more than enough activity to last all day and into the night. Check the official website to get more information about attractions and plan your day.

When: From 18 November 2022 to 2 January 2023, Monday-Sunday 10 am-10 pm

Address: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Price: Check the website for different ticket types and times

Top tips for Winter Wonderland:

Book your ticket and buy attractions in advance

Pick the best time according to different ticket prices

Make sure to wear warm clothing for this outside attraction

4. Go Ice Skating

During the holiday season, one of the city’s most popular activities is skating on the temporary ice rinks that appear in prominent locations all across town. Check out London’s top outdoor ice skating rinks, which range from gorgeous historic settings to contemporary settings. Here are the top ice skating rinks in London listed below.

Somerset House Ice Rink

One of the most well-known skating rinks in London is located at Somerset House. You can enjoy a midday skate session around the neoclassical courtyard and its magnificent Christmas tree, or a nighttime skate with DJ music playing above. After that, you can warm up with some Hotel Chocolat’s decadent hot chocolate or a drink from the Moët & Chandon Skate Lounge. 

It will be open from 16 November 2022 to 15 January 2023.

See the official website to get more detail about times, tickets and special events.

Glide Ice Rink

In 2022, Battersea Power Station will host the city’s first and only riverside ice skating rink. It is definitely worth seeing out this latest Glide Ice Rink placed against a spectacular background of the city’s greatest historic buildings and centered around a 30-foot Christmas tree.

See the official website to get more detail about times, tickets and special events.

Canary Wharf Ice Rink

Enjoy a fantastic ice-skating experience among dazzling lights at Ice Rink Canary Wharf. The rink, which is surrounded by some of London’s highest buildings, is open for a far longer period of time than other ice rinks, until the end of February. You may get a drink at the bar right next to the rink, or you can visit one of the many popular restaurants or pubs in the area.

Also, you can explore the Greenwich Christmas Market just three stops away.

5. Christmas Carols at St Paul’s

Christmas Carols at St Paul’s is the ideal event for you if you want to experience the Christmas spirit at one of London’s most historic locations. Family-friendly services and a night of instrument carols produced by French composer Olivier Messiaen are just two of the many free, unticketed events that take place at the iconic London landmark every year. Clearly, it is one of the most festive feelings and special events you can experience with the backdrop of Sir Christopher Wren’s architectural marvel.

See the website to get more information about events and tickets.

6. Christmas Shopping

One of the best things in the holiday season is making your loved ones happy with incredible gifts and London has lots of iconic places to do Christmas shopping.

London hotspots like Oxford Street, Bond Street, and Regent Street are great places to start, but you can also find heritage brands in Carnaby, boutiques in Covent Garden and Seven Dials, and bespoke clothing in St. James’s, or you can shop at one of Westfield’s two sizable malls all under one roof.

As evening approaches, you may also go to Knightsbridge to view the famous department store Harrods shining with more than 12,000 lightbulbs and to peruse the store’s enormous Christmas shop, which is stocked with luxury decorations, premium Christmas crackers, and designer gifts.

Merry Christmas!