Somerset House Ice Skating London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
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Best Things to Do in London England at Christmas

Sherianne Higgins·
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Best Things to Do in London England at Christmas

If you are planning a trip to London England at Christmas and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. London is an amazing city at any time of year, it is magical at Christmas! The city is full of twinkle lights, decorations, carols, Christmas markets, and an abundance of wonderful shows and concerts.  Browse the must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal London England Christmas bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your London England Christmas trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

READ Complete England Travel Guide, What You Need to Know

Oxford street christmas lights London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Oxford Street

Christmas Markets and Fairs in London England

Play, shop, and eat at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland

Spend an evening at the Winterville market and circus

Browse the market stalls at Christmas in Leicester Square

Check out Tudor Markets Christmas by the River at London Bridge City

Enjoy an Alpine Christmas themed market at the Kingston Christmas Market

Check out market stalls before enjoying a sauna at the Wintertime Market, Southbank Centre

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Christmas Lights in London England

See the illuminated sculptures at Chiswick House Christmas Magical Lantern Festival

Follow the twinkle light trail through the Kew Botanical Gardens

Wander under the lights at Syon Park Enchanted Eltham Palace Woodland Garden

Admire the Christmas tree at Claridges Hotel

Check out the lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Seven Dials, Bond Street, South Bank, and Duke of York Square

Regent Street Christmas Lights London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Regent Street

Christmas Events in London England

Visit Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio

Watch a Christmas film at Backyard Cinema Snow Kingdom

See reindeer at the London Zoo

Attend the Hamley’s Christmas Toy Parade

Go on a husky sleigh ride and meet Santa at WWT London Wetland Centre

Go for a Sail with Santa on the Thames River

Check out Santa’s Grotto at Greenwich Royal Naval College

Attend the Christmas Pudding Race for a good laugh

Participate in Santacon

Enjoy a Christmas themed Afternoon Tea

Have a pint in a traditional English pub decorated for the season

Dine in an igloo at Stratford Roof East

Tour Kensington Palace, hear stories of the past, drink mulled wine, and carol under the tree

Enjoy a Very Dickenson Christmas at the Charles Dickens Museum

Check out the Christmas Past exhibit at the Geffrye Museum

Experience an Elizabethan Christmas at Hampton Court Palace

Carnaby Street Christmas Lights London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Carnaby Street

Christmas Shows in London England

Attend St Nicky’s Imaginarium Christmess in the Borough Market

Watch the English National Ballet perform the Nutcracker

Attend the Beauty and the Feast dinner show in the Vaults

Watch the Dick Whittington Christmas Pantomime at the London Palladium

Watch the classic A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic

See the untraditional Meow Meow, Apocalypse Meow: Crisis is Born at the Globe

Watch the clowns perform at Slava’s Snow Show

Watch Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure at The O2

See The Snowman musical at the Peacock Theatre

Watch Nativity! The Musical for a good laugh at Eventim Apollo

Natural History Museum Swarovski Ice Rink London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Natural History Museum Swarovski Ice Rink

Christmas Carols and Concerts in London England

Party at the Jingle Blues Christmas Party Show

Listen to a Christmas Concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church

Attend Carols by Candlelight at Royal Albert Hall

Take a photo under Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree and listen to the carolers

Listen to the choir rehearse for Christmas Service at St Paul’s Cathedral

Attend the Piccadilly Christmas Concert at St. James

Harvey Nichols Christmas Lights London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Harvey Nichols Window Display

Christmas Shopping in London England

Stop in Fortnum and Mason to purchase a Very Berry Christmas Cake and Marc de Champagne Truffles

Visit Santa at Harrod’s and grab a few treats in the Sweet Shop

Enjoy the Hamley’s Toy Store window display

Browse the Liberty’s Christmas Store

Shop the West End and enjoy the window displays along Regent Street

Enjoy the window display and a sweet treat at Prestat’s

Check out the Mistletoe at Covent Garden

Enjoy Cider and gingerbread at Borough Market

Covent Garden London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Covent Garden

Ice Skating Rinks in London England

Skate the Somerset House’s courtyard rink

Check out the Hampton Court Palace ice rink

Go for a skate at the Tower of London

Skate around the Christmas tree at the Natural History Museum

Check out the ice rink at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Skate on the rooftop ice rink at Skylight

Go for a skate under the London Eye

Check out the rink at Canary Wharf

Check the London England Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

Somerset House Ice Skating London England Christmas Things to Do three day itinerary
Somerset House Ice Rink

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13 Responses

  1. London seems so magical at Christmas time, Sherianne. I would love to explore it and spend Christmas there in the future. Thanks for sharing and motivating!

  2. I have to visit London over christmas. This is a pretty exhaustive list of things to do — Skating under the London Eye and visiting the Charles Dickens museum are definitely ones on my list! thanks for the info.

  3. I’ve always wanted to visit London, but was just never sure when I should go. I guess I never considered visiting during Christmas time, but it looks like it would be an absolute blast! I feel like the Christmas carols would be particularly enjoyable. At least where I live in the United States, you don’t really see that anymore. And of course, would love to do lots of shopping in London, Christmas or otherwise!

  4. I went to London years ago, but it looks completely transformed for Christmas. Like a true winter wonderland. Now I definitely need to go back during the holiday season. I’ve always wanted to visit some Christmas markets too!

  5. Oh my goodness! I would love to be there the whole month of December. I know that great cities have wonderful decorations but all those shows too?! How lucky you are.

  6. This is quite a comprehensive list! Have you done all of these things? Sounds like the Tudor Markets Christmas by the River at London Bridge City would be right up my alley for some prime holiday shopping! I’ve always imagined Christmas markets in Europe being filled with hot wine and gingerbread, I’ve got to make a trip someday! Thank you so much for gathering all of the holiday options of London into one post!

  7. You have got me in the Christmas spirit! I love London at Christmas, apart from the crowds! Last year I went to a great pop up Christmas bar and it was so fun! I would like to try a Christmas themed afternoon tea though!

  8. You’ve listed some great things here, you know for me being from Nottingham before I started to travel I used to hate going down to London. However ever since I started to travel whenever I come home to England I love exploring this amazing city. I have never done any kind of Xmas shopping in London, but since I’m home this year I might have to nip down there and this post will come in as a useful guide, I will be sure to experience the winter wonderland in Hyde park if I do 😀

  9. Christmas in my home city is fantastic but would be better if it could snow heavy here over that period (thank you global warming!). My favourite thing is to hang around the Carnaby Street area, a lot better than touristy Oxford Street. A lot more quirky and chick as well 🙂

    1. No! No big snow! I’m a SoCal girl and will be back this year… you can have snow next year 😉

  10. Oh my gosh – there is so much to do?! When I was there I did only the market at Hyde Park and then Oxford street on boxing day (and now I know: hell is real). I particularly would like to do the Carols by Candlelight at the Royal Albert Hall, that sounds amazing! Oh, and: Happy Holidays!

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