London delivers Christmas in style with a host of events, activities, themed restaurants and pop-up venues that celebrate the diversity the city has to offer. This is our to-the-point list of the best ways to enjoy a local Christmas in London.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
Mark and I spend Christmas in London every year.
Usually, we’re having a break from travelling to get stuff sorted at home, catch up with family and start planning some mid-winter sun after the festive season.
So we’ve come to know what’s good and what’s not at Christmas in London.
This is our concise list of the best the city has to offer over Christmas. We’ve curated all our favourite bars, restaurants, experiences, attractions and more in an easy-to-scan list.
For more reading, we have detailed guides on the best Christmas lights, another on the best things to do over Christmas and a handy winter itinerary for London. You can read all our Christmas guides on our London page.
NAVIGATE THIS GUIDE
THE LONDON LIST: CHRISTMAS
Use these links to navigate to the sections in this article. Click the arrow in the bottom left to jump back to the top. Questions? Leave them in the comments.
ABOUT OUR CHRISTMAS LIST
We’ll admit from the offset that London can be very busy over Christmas. Some areas, particularly around Oxford Street and Regent Street, can be a nightmare.
We hope this list helps you explore a more local side of London and try some really great places during your Christmas trip.
The links on this page will open in a new tab on your browser so you can check out the details of each activity we have listed without losing your spot on this page.
TOP CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCES
Over Christmas, there’s always plenty to do. But we’ve picked out some of the more interesting experiences we think are unique to London.
BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS
There are plenty of classy Christmas markets in London, but we think you can do classy throughout the year. Here are the best markets with both artisanal goodies and chintzy stocking fillers.
We have a full guide on the Christmas Markets in London as well.
Leicester Square
Winter by the River
Spitalfields
Winter Wonderland
Battersea Power Station
South Bank
BEST CHRISTMAS POP-UP
London does great Christmas Pop-Ups where extra festive spirit is injected into some of the city’s top venues. Some of our favourites are:
BEST WINTER IGLOO
On a cold winter’s night, there’s nothing better than cosying up in a Christmas Igloo. London has plenty to choose from, here are some of our picks.
BEST FANCY FEAST
Some Christmas meals are meant to be savoured. Here are some of the best high-end restaurants in London that go all out at Christmas.
FESTIVE RESTAURANTS
If you’re looking for a restaurant with the best festive decorations to feed both your appetite and your Instagram, here are some we recommend.
BEST CHRISTMAS SHOWS
It wouldn’t be Christmas in London without hitting up a Pantomime or two. Here are some festive entertainment ideas to brighten up your Christmas in ways only London would dare.
CHRISTMAS DRINKS
London has a great selection of cocktail bars; over Christmas, there’s nothing better than warming up with a cleverly crafted cocktail. Here’s our current selection.
AFTERNOON TEA
Afternoon tea is an English tradition that costs a bomb, but Christmas might be just the time for a splurge. Here are a few different ones we recommend.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
If you’re looking for a break from the Christmas activities, here are some other attractions that are good to do over winter.
We cover a lot more ideas in our London winter itinerary.
ICE SKATING
Mark and I are probably past the best of our ice-skating years, but if you’re not, here are the most scenic rinks in London.
Unfortunately, several ice-skating rinks in London have not reopened this year; however, these remaining ones are thriving and offer stunning locations for skating.
COSY PUBS
You can’t do Christmas in London without enjoying a cosy pub. There are plenty to choose from, but these are some of our favourites after many decades of living in London.
PUBS WITH OPEN FIRES
If the above list wasn’t cosy enough, these pubs all have open fires, making them perfect for a winter-warming pint or two.
ROOFTOP BARS
We usually head to London’s rooftop bars in summer, but these cool venues all do something special over Christmas.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
London is great for shopping year-round, but at Christmas, it’s that little bit more hectic. Here are the best shopping venues in London, but be warned: They can all get very busy over Christmas.
Covent Garden
Regent Street
Carnaby Street
Sloane Square
Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross
Battersea Power Station
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.
