See the best of Christmas in London. Dazzling decorations, soulful musical events, world-class entertainment and neighbourhoods full of festive cheer. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in London for Christmas 2024.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
Christmas in London is magical.
As the temperature drops, winter gloom is interrupted by the glow of lights over regal streets and iconic buildings.
There are a host of fantastic things to do in London throughout the year, but over Christmas, it has an unrivalled energy.
Listen to the hum of carols on neighbourhood streets. Attend a Christmas concert in a grand hall. Stroll majestic plazas with magical lights. Sample seasonal fare at street food stalls and impromptu igloos.
Mark and I update this guide regularly as new events get added to the Christmas repertoire, so keep checking back for more great things to do.
To help you put your trip together, we have a detailed 4-day Christmas itinerary for London, which you could also do in less time.
WHAT TO DO IN LONDON OVER CHRISTMAS?
1. SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
London is the perfect canvas for festive lights. Seeing the historic city streets on show is one of the best ways to start your London Christmas.
Mark and I firmly believe London is one of the top European cities for Christmas Lights. There’s nowhere quite like it.
Some of the streets we recommend visiting are New Bond Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street.
We have a full guide which covers all the best London Christmas Lights.
Self-guided walking tour – If you’re looking for a great walk through the best of them, we have developed a DIY Christmas Lights walk of London. The route includes the best lights, famous landmarks, and a follow-along map.
2. ENJOY THE SINGALONG CAROLS AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Royal Albert Hall is one of the most distinctive buildings in the UK, located on the southern edge of Hyde Park.
They put on a programme of heart-warming live events each year, but the ultimate is Carols at Royal Albert Hall.
This is the one Christmas event in London that Mark and I look forward to the most.
In spectacular surroundings, you’ll enjoy one of the finest sing-a-long carol events of the season. The event includes the Royal Choral Society, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a special British Imperial Military Band appearance, and solo performers.
It has become a beloved tradition in London with an unashamedly joyful vibe.
- Dates – Carols at the Royal Albert Hall run from December 14 to December 24.
- Tickets – Book tickets from Royal Abert Hall as early as possible as they sell out fast.
- Our tip – Book a seat in one of the boxes for the best position in the hall (you don’t need to book the whole box).
3. BE AMAZED BY A PERFORMANCE OF LA CLIQUE
La Clique is a spectacular night of unbelievable acts. It features mind-blowing circus skills, outstanding cabaret performances, and award-winning entertainment.
Expect to see comedy acts, scantily clad acrobatics, gymnastic ability, soulful singers, and plenty of joy.
La Clique is held in Spiegeltent, a large travelling entertainment tent in the Leicester Square Christmas Market.
Naughty by nature, La Clique is restricted to 16+, but it’s a fun thing to do at Christmas in London for a night out without the kids.
I first saw La Clique in Australia about 15 years ago, and Mark and I have been going each year since. For us, it marks the start of London Christmas.
- Dates – Performances run from November 6, 2024, until January 5, 2025.
- Tickets – Book your tickets directly on La Clique The Show.
- Our tip – Leicester Square can get rammed at Christmas, so head into nearby Chinatown for a cocktail at Opium after the show.
4. PICK UP A TRINKET AT THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
It wouldn’t be a London Christmas without a visit to one of the city’s Christmas markets.
The best thing about the London markets is the huge variety. You can find trinkets and souvenirs, but the markets also bring together some of England’s best producers.
Many markets have artisanal crafts, local produce and excellent gift ideas.
While some markets can get very crowded, a few, such as the Fleet Street Market and Columbia Road, are still relatively quiet.
Our detailed guide covers all the best Christmas Markets in London with helpful tips for visiting.
Dates – The markets generally start around mid-November.
5. ATTEND CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT AT ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS
St Martin-in-the-Fields is a beautiful neoclassical church in Trafalgar Square.
It has been featured in TV and film, including Notting Hill, Doctor Who, and Sherlock, thanks to its beautiful façade and central London location.
The church has a bumper catalogue of Christmas events each year with some of the finest classical ensembles from across the country.
Last year, Mark and I went to the Carols by Candlelight event. The music was predominantly Baroque, which is not our favourite, but the overall atmosphere was amazing with the church lit by candles.
This year we’re thinking “The Joys of Christmas by Candlelight” which includes the brass band and resident choir belting out Christmas classics.
- Dates – Most concerts start around the first week of December.
- Tickets – See the selection of events on the St Martin-in-the-Fields website.
- Our tip – If you do go to St Martin’s, dress warmly as the church is pretty chilly.
6. WALK THE AMAZING LIGHT TRAIL AT KEW GARDENS
Christmas at Kew is a magical, illuminated stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens, a must-visit if you are in England at Christmas time.
The gardens are transformed into a winter trail that brings the spirit of the festive season to life. As you move through the gardens, an incredible sound and light show creates a rousing display.
Bop along to Christmas pop tunes, admire whimsical arrangements of classics and be delighted by this unique horticultural take on Christmas.
The highlight is the Temperate House, which is the canvas for a high-tech sound and light spectacular. We were mesmerized.
The trail is 2.7 kilometres on good paths, but the surface is slightly uneven in places. There isn’t an opportunity to cut the distance down, but you’ll find delicious snacks, beer, mulled wine and cocktails to keep you going along the way.
- Dates – Christmas at Kew runs from 13 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.
- Tickets – Timed tickets need to be booked in advance at Kew Gardens.
7. TRY A FESTIVE RESTAURANT OR PUB
A few London restaurants pull out all the stops when it comes to setting a festive mood. Here are a few great places to eat with Instagrammable Christmas decorations.
Mayfair 34 – 14,000 decorations help set the mood in this high-end eatery in Mayfair with a steak-heavy menu.
Balthazar – Classic French bistro dishes in a chic environment in Covent Garden with superb decorations.
Old Compton Brasserie – A charming and affordable restaurant in Soho with an excellent cocktail list and a lovely festive spirit.
The Sherlock Holmes – The are more than a few pubs called Sherlock Holmes in London but the one in Trafalgar Square is packed with atmosphere.
The Little Scarlet Door – Trendy bar food in a beautifully decorated Soho townhouse from the people behind one of our favourite Notting Hill Brunch spots.
8. SEE A FREE EVENT AT THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER FESTIVAL
Each Christmas, the Southbank Centre runs a Winter Festival, which includes Christmas shows, pop-up bars, art exhibitions, and free events.
Some of the events for Christmas 2024 include:
- The Winter Market – Wrap up and enjoy a toasty evening in one of the festive chalets.
- Nutcracker in Havana – A Cuban take on the classic.
- Christmas Classics – Sing along to a selection of traditional classic Christmas Songs.
As part of the festival, the Southbank Christmas Market has pop-up bars, street food, and, of course, plenty of mulled wine.
Dates—The winter festival runs from 1 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. Visit the South Bank Centre’s official website to book tickets and see what else is on.
9. COLUMBIA ROAD CHRISTMAS WEDNESDAYS
The Sunday flower market at Colombia Road is one of the best free things to do in London.
Over Christmas, the traders remain open from 5 pm to 9 pm on Wednesdays from late November and December to fill the streets with Christmas cheer.
Unfortunately, there’s no carol singing or entertainment this year. But, you can enjoy some late-night shopping, mulled wine and minced pines in a lovely local neighbourhood without the crowds.
Christmas at Columbia Road will take place every Wednesday from 27 November 2024 to 18 December 2024.
While in the area, you might be interested in our Shoreditch street art walk.
10. SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE
Skate at Somerset House is the best ice skating event in London.
The neoclassical courtyard is transformed into a winter wonderland with a 40-foot Christmas tree. There will be great food, chalet-inspired bars, and a vintage boutique.
The in-house skate school is great for beginners, and there will be sessions with reduced capacity on weekday mornings.
Ringside DJs will provide tunes at Skate Lates with Rock Angel, or you can have a drink with a view of the rink at Skate Lounge by Whispering Angel.
- Dates – Skate at Somerset House runs from 13 November 2024 to 12 January 2025.
- Tickets – Tickets are not available yet, but they will soon be on sale at somersethouse.org.uk.
11. SEE A MATTHEW BOURNE BALLET AT SADLER’S WELLS
Matthew Bourne, an English choreographer, puts on a Christmas ballet with a modern twist every year at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
The 2024 season will see a return of one of his most popular productions, Swan Lake.
You can expect a visually arresting show featuring an audacious take on Tchaikovsky’s classic and an all-male menacing ensemble.
Mark and I have seen most of Matthew Bourne’s productions, and Swan Lake is still up there as one of the best.
- Dates – Performances run from 2 December 2024 to 26 January 2025.
- Tickets – Tickets can be purchased online via the Sadler’s Wells website.
- Afters – After the ballet, walk down to the nearby Exmouth Market for a post-show dinner from one of the great restaurants lining the market street.
12. ATTEND AN EVENT AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Westminster Abbey has been a place of history in the UK since the 1st century. Today, the mostly Gothic building is one of the most notable buildings in the world.
Listening to carols resonate around the exquisite building is an uplifting Christmas experience in London.
Each year, the abbey holds several paid concerts, or you can attend a service free of charge.
The first Christmas services start on 1 December 2024, and various carol services take place over Christmas week.
See the full schedule on the Westminster Abbey website.
13. HAVE A PINT AT THE CHURCHILL ARMS
The Churchill Arms is a local pub in Kensington that does Christmas in an epic way.
They add a whopping 22,000 lights to their already elaborate façade, turning the pub into a box of shining cheer.
Getting a shot of the magic from outside is a popular thing to do. Having a pint in the charming pub is a soul-reviving London Christmas activity.
Nods to Britishness and Winston Churchill are crammed under hanging pots and ceilings draped with greenery.
- Dates – The Christmas lights are now up and running.
- Our Tip – The kitchen at the Churchill Arms serves delicious and authentic Thai food. Bookings are essential.
14. TRY THE RIDES AT WINTER WONDERLAND
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a theme park-style Christmas event.
Skate on the UK’s largest ice rink, visit the Ice Kingdom, an immersive sculpted ice experience or test your nerves on one of the many adrenaline-inducing roller coasters.
In terms of activities, there are ice sculpting workshops, a high-energy circus, plenty of bars, Christmas markets, and a host of street food options.
Winter Wonderland is a massive event, and it can get busy, especially in the evenings.
You’ll find it much quieter if you can go during the day. We recommend around 1:30 pm after visiting Harrods on our itinerary for Christmas in London.
- Dates – Winter Wonderland is running from 21 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.
- Tickets – Entry is free during off-peak times, but online bookings are required for all entries.
15. SEE THE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year has been an annual event for Mark and me for around ten years now.
The winners from the photography are exhibited in the Natural History Museum.
It’s a wonderful thing to do when you’re looking for a change from the usual Christmas activities.
- Dates – The exhibition runs from 11 October 2024 to 29 June 2025.
- Tickets – Timed entry tickets must be booked in advance on the National History Museum website. Tickets also include entry to the regular museum, and you can skip the queue.
- Our tip – After the Wildlife exhibition, check out the Urban Nature Park at the Natural History Museum, which is a biologically diverse green space. The gardens are free to visit, and you don’t need a ticket.
16. SEE A LONDON PANTOMIME
For the benefit of international readers, Pantomine is a musical stage comedy based on a fairytale or nursery story. It features slapstick, a man in drag, audience participation, and mild innuendo to make the adults giggle.
It’s embedded in British culture and a great thing to do in London at Christmas. Here is what’s on for 2024:
DICK WHITTINGTON
Clive Rowe stars as the damme Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington, the classic rags to riches tale about a man and his journey to becoming the Mayor of London.
Dates – 23 Nov 2024 – 5 Jan 2025 | Theatre – Hackney Empire | Tickets – hackneyempire.com
JACK & THE BEANSTALK
Jack and The Beanstalk is set to be a huge production with plenty of special effects and the regular audience participation. Alexandra Burke stars as the villainous Mrs Blunderbore.
Dates – 7 Nov 2024 – 5 Jan 2024 | Theatre – New Wimbledon Theatre | Tickets – atgtickets.com
ROBIN HOOD
An all-star cast including Jane McDonald and Julian Clary are putting together the biggest spectacle on the London Panto circuit. Expect stunning sets, special effects and rip-roaring innuendo.
Dates – 7 Dec 2024 – 12 Jan 2025 | Theatre – London Palladium | Tickets – palladiumpantomime.com
17. CATCH A FESTIVE FILM
Catching a nostalgic film in an atmospheric location packed with festive charm is one of the London Christmas highlights.
LUNA CINEMA
Watch your favourite holiday film in style at Luna Cinema. With a programme packed full of feel-good favourites and a bar stocked with Christmas-themed treats, it’s a wonderful festive experience.
They have one location at Kensington Palace in the stunning Pavillion and a second at the Battersea Arts Centre.
Check the schedule at The Luna Cinema.
PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA
Every year, the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square presents a Christmas schedule of festive and not-so-festive classics.
For 2024 you can catch The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Holdovers, Love Actually, In Bruges, and It’s A Wonderful Life, to name a few.
The Christmas programme runs throughout December. Check the schedule at the Prince Charles Cinema.
18. ADMIRE THE SELFRIDGES AND FORTNUM & MASON WINDOW DISPLAYS
The Selfridges windows have been a tradition of London Christmas since 1909.
The iconic London department store unveils a new and creative Christmas theme each year.
There are 15 windows in total. To see them all, start at the Orchard Street end of the store on Oxford Street and make your way down to Duke Street. Don’t miss the windows around the corner on Duke Street as well.
Selfridges is included on our London Christmas Light DIY walking tour.
19. ENJOY A CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL
London always puts on a good cocktail. But at Christmas, pop-up bars, themed-up speakeasies and classic venues add warmth to your festive drink. Here are some places we recommend for your Christmas cocktails.
MIRACLE AT HENRIETTA
Hidden away on the mezzanine floor of the Henrietta Hotel, Miracle does a classic cocktail with a nostalgic twist. It’s a great place to end up after exploring the Christmas activities in Covent Garden.
Miracle at Henrietta is open from 11 November 2024 to 23 December 2024. Bookings are essential.
DISCOUNT SUIT COMPANY
The Discount Suit Company is a neighbourhood bar with a clandestine speakeasy vibe. It’s one of our favourite cocktail bars in London.
Located in a delightfully run-down building near Spitalfields, in a great place to end up after shopping at the Spitalfields Christmas market.
QUEEN OF HOXTON
The Queen of Hoxton’s Winter Rooftop is the perfect destination for cosy Christmas drinks with views over the top of Shoreditch. The space is fully decked out with Christmas decorations and all the festive cheer you can handle.
If you would like to do something non-Christmassy, start with our Shoreditch Street Art DIY walk and finish with drinks at the Queen of Hoxton.
20. DINE IN A POP-UP WINTER IGLOO
There’s no denying that the reduced daylight and cool temperatures amplify the Christmas vibe in London.
One of the best ways to experience it all is to dine out in an igloo restaurant, where you can enjoy great food and a unique atmosphere.
There are more and more popping up every year in London, but here are a few we recommend:
- Wagtail London Winter Igloos offers a panoramic 360-degree view of the London Skyline.
- Coppa Club Tower has some of the best views over the Thames and Tower Bridge and an extensive menu.
- Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant delivers a snug space on their rooftop terrace, with heaters and fairy lights.
- Fire and Fromage on the Southbank dishes up raclette and s’mores in a thoroughly festive atmosphere.
TIPS FOR VISITING LONDON OVER CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS DAY IN LONDON
If you plan to be in London on Christmas Day, you should know that most shops and tourist attractions are not open.
All the events and attractions we have listed in this guide are closed; however, there are still plenty of other great things to do.
We have a guide about Christmas Day in London, which includes some practicalities, what’s open, and some great things to do.
GETTING AROUND LONDON
Some tube stations in very busy areas, particularly Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, can be extremely busy over Christmas.
At times, the stations may be closed to control numbers.
This can also happen at the tube stations for Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge and Marble Arch.
Most importantly, tubes, buses, trains, and trams do not run on Christmas Day. You’ll need to get around via taxi, foot, or bike.
London has several excellent bike share platforms, which are a great way to get around on Christmas Day. We recommend Forest for its sustainability credentials or Santander Bikes for its large network.
OUR CHRISTMAS ITINERARY
We have put together a Christmas itinerary, which includes many of the events in this guide and regular tourist attractions international visitors will want to see.
The itinerary is 4 days, and we put it together so you can see most of the city on foot. (with a few exceptions).
Read our 4-day Christmas itinerary.
MORE GUIDES TO PLAN YOUR LONDON CHRISTMAS
- To plan your trip, start with our 4-day London Christmas Itinerary, a day-by-day walking plan.
- To book your accommodation, read our guide to the best neighbourhoods in London which includes our hotel recommendations.
- Hit the festive spirit with our guide to the best London Christmas Markets.
- Here are all the best places to see the London Christmas lights.
- Our bumper guide to Christmas in London has the best events and things to do.
- Read our guide to Christmas Day in London to see what’s open.
- Soak up the atmosphere with Christmas in Covent Garden.
- Find the best bars, restaurants, igloos and more in our London Christmas guide.
- Take our self-guided walking tour of the London Christmas lights.
- See what’s on in Leicester Square for Christmas.
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- Paul & Mark.
It’s a well-curated collection of activities that promises a magical and memorable Christmas experience.