A local’s guide to the best things to do during Christmas in London – from shops to cafes and Christmas decorations, these are must-visit places in the winter!
I don’t need much to feel joy.
Give me lights and colors, and I’ll be good for a while.
I guess this explains why spending Christmas in London has always been something I’m fond of.
Another reason might be that the first trip to London I took, back in 2014, was right at Christmas time.
That was also right around the time when I discovered the TK Maxx shops, and figured out that London was an overly colorful city, much more than what I’d seen online before my first visit there.
I also understood that if you want to discover something fresh and new, London will always, always deliver.
Whether it be an immersive experience, a Harry Potter spot or even an Alice in Wonderland-themed cafe or restaurant, there’s something to do for everyone.
Christmas in London: Light Trails, Things to Do and Shops
I’ve told you in the past about some of London’s poshest areas, historical sites and other secret spots to visit when you feel you’ve already seen it all.
Today’s guide, however, is a bit more mainstream, let’s put it that way.
Worry not, though.
If you’ve been here before, you know I’m all about hidden gems.
That’s why I will share with you some of the places that bring me endless peace and excitement whenever Christmas comes around in London.
What to Do During Christmas in London: Attend a Masterclass or a Workshop
I’ve always felt like London at Christmas is especially magical in that anything feels possible – so why not attend a unique workshop while you’re in the city?
Granted, like most places, December 25 and 26 will see just about no one out, but you can book the days before and after; plus, a workshop makes for a really thoughtful, once-in-a-lifetime gift!
Whether you want to learn the baking basics at Bread Ahead in Borough Market or try your hand at flower arrangements at Roseur in Coal Drops Yard, there’s something for everyone in London!
What to Do During Christmas in London: Get a Tasty Bite at Rustic Bakeries and Cafes
There’s a handful of wonderful, historic bakeries in London I love to get a bite at whatever the time of the year, but places like Beigel Shop on Brick Lane feel especially lively to me when Christmas comes around.
When it comes to rustic cafes and bakeries, I find they often offer more authentic pastries and cakes like croissants, chunky cookies or even simple doughnuts.
There are also lots of cafes in London with Christmas decor as early as end of November – Dalloway Terrace is a great example, as is Minnow in South London – both gorgeously decorated in the winter!
What to Do During Christmas in London: Go Souvenir Hunting
You will definitely find lots of things to buy in London – you don’t even have to look that hard to find a little trinket to bring back home.
While I’m mostly interested in cheap souvenirs from the city (at least for the months in the year when I don’t live there), pretty much anything can be a souvenir.
Stop at British shops like Whittard of Chelsea to get a box of chocolate-covered coffee grains or an Alice in Wonderland tea set.
For the eternal second hand book lovers, you’ll find lots of amazing charity shops in the city (Oxfam shops are my favorite for used books, especially the Oxfam Bookshops).
Anyhoo – there are lots of huge shopping streets in London, so you’re definitely bound to find a department store or a concept store for the perfect souvenir!
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Christmas at Kew Light Trail
If the Richmond area is already perfect to visit all year round, what with being one of London’s cutest villages, there’s something even more exciting to see there when Christmas comes around…
The Christmas at Kew light trail.
The Cathedral of Light, a tunnel adorned with thousands of LED lights, is probably one of the most famous photo spots of the light trail.
Interactive displays, colorful light projects at the Palm House, and, of course, hot chocolate and street food stalls all make the Christmas at Kew light trail a must-visit.
If you’re visiting London on a budget and are only looking for free things to do, this might not be the experience you’re after.
Yet, with the trail winding through no fewer than 300 acres, it is very much worth every penny.
Read: The Most Historic Neighborhoods in London
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Department Stores’ Christmas Shop Windows
If you’d like something a bit more mainstream, a bit more Christmassy, or just have the time to roam around Central London, then a visit to decorated department stores is a must.
Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly offers some of the prettiest shop windows, as does Harrods, illuminated every year with thousands of small lights falling onto the front of the department store.
Selfridges and Fenwick, on New Bond Street, Mayfair, are also two places to check out for Christmas window displays.
And of course, to shop for high-end gifts, from perfume to makeup, and from clothing to accessories.
Read: 15 Historical Places to See Ruins in London
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Christmas Lights and Decorations
I’ve written a few guides to Christmas lights and decorations in London, in which I’ve included some of my favorite festive spots.
Well, whenever winter comes ’round, London dresses up in lights in pretty much all areas.
Covent Garden, magical Covent Garden, is one such gorgeous neighborhood in which you’ll find baubles galore and a huge Christmas tree right by the famous Apple Market.
Leicester Square, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Trafalgar Square, all very central areas, also dress up nice and brightly from end November.
But, if you would like to find even more magical Christmas decorations, do check out Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Kensington and Mayfair.
These are all posh areas that go all out with lights, mistletoe and other Christmas trees.
Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Multicolor Places in London
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Attend a Nutcracker Ballet at the Royal Opera House
When I moved to London back in 2019 and actually started living and feeling the vibe on the daily, what I wanted more than anything was to keep dreaming.
I wanted to keep seeing London as that touristy place I’d loved so much during my first trips.
Working and living in London can get really tough on your mental health.
And so, I evaded one evening into a Nutcracker performance, that of the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
While this is definitely not one of the cheapest experiences in London, it is one of the best memories I have from the beginning of my life in the city.
You will find plenty of local restaurants offering early bird/pre-theater dinners that are quite cheap, close to the Royal Opera House, with countless budget restaurants from Old Chang Kee to Pizza Pilgrims to fill up before the show.
Read: Dark Academia in London: A Secret London Itinerary
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Get a Bite at Christmas Markets
There are many, many amazing markets in London.
Some of the most famous are Borough Market, Portobello Road Market and Camden Market, but there’s something even more buzzing about the city’s Christmas markets.
When visiting, surrounded by lights and the smell of warm cider and mulled wine, everything feels possible.
My favorite is the Battersea Power Station Christmas market, right outside the shopping center.
We’ve got an ice skating rink, performances and outdoor shops such as Jo Malone, that welcome visitors for a few weeks, close to the water, in one of the prettiest neighborhoods of London.
The Southbank Centre Winter Market, which runs along the Thames River, is one of my personal favorites.
How could it not be, when my favorite area of London is London Bridge?
The Leicester Square Christmas Market, which hides the funky Sculpture Trail with statues of famous movie characters, is another place where wooden chalets and tasty street food can brighten up any rainy day.
In front of the National Portrait Gallery, the Trafalgar Square Christmas Market is another market I hold dear to my heart.
Waffles, crepes, and scorching hot sandwiches can be enjoyed on the stairs while enjoying the Christmas lights and bustling traffic in the distance.
And, should you ever find yourself in the gorgeous Greenwich neighborhood, you will find that the historic market close to the station turns into a lively shopping spot at Christmas time.
It’s a perfect place to buy Christmas gifts if you’ve run out of ideas!
Read: 15 Themed London Itinerary Ideas Off the Beaten Path
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Go Ice Skating in Outdoor Ice Rinks
London gets dotted with many an outdoor ice skating rink when winter comes around.
The Somerset House ice rink, along with that of Battersea Power Station, are two of the most beautiful to visit.
If you’re not acquainted with the Somerset House, it’s one of the most beautiful neoclassical buildings in the city, tucked right off the Strand, close to Trafalgar Square.
Inside, cafes, restaurants and the stunning Courtauld Gallery welcome visitors all year round.
Then, if you find yourself close to South Kensington, you will find that the Natural History Museum also offers a gorgeous ice skating rink around Christmas time.
Depending on the year, you’ll also find outdoor ice rinks in other parts of London.
Last year, Soho had one located just a couple of minutes away from Oxford Street, which made the place feel even more magical, right in Central London.
Read: The Cutest Pink Places in London
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Stroll in Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Where Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park was still free when I first moved to London, an entry fee was implemented after the pandemic, but a visit to this colorful wonderland still makes for a must-do during Christmas time.
Inside, Christmas markets, rides, live music, hot chocolate and ice sculptures all blend to give visitors the most during the festive season.
Great to visit with friends, family, and a top spot to visit with kids as well – simply one of the most magical places in town from end of November.
Read: Where to See Autumn Colors in London?
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Enjoy a Festive Breakfast or Afternoon Tea
While having a festive afternoon tea in London is probably one of the most Christmassy things you could do, I prefer treating myself to a festive breakfast.
And what could possibly be a better spot than a festive breakfast at The Ritz?
A table filled with fresh goodies, from croissants to eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce, fresh juice and countless coffee and tea refills…
The Ritz on Piccadilly, close to Fortnum & Mason, is a place I try to have breakfast at every winter.
Other iconic London hotels like The Langham and Claridge’s also offer themed afternoon teas, lunches and dinners.
Still, I’m yet to find a more aesthetic restaurant than that of The Ritz for a Christmas treat!
Read: The Best Non Touristy Things to Do in London
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Go Christmas Shopping
How could we, really, spend a bit of Christmas in London without going shopping?
Since that’s an activity I happen to do a lot, no matter what my banker says, I’ve written many guides about London’s shopping streets, areas, and other specific shops to pop by at some point.
Whether you’re looking for perfect things to buy in London, vintage shops or shopping courts, London is one city where shopping feels magical.
Visit Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Mayfair for high-end shops and shopping arcades, like Burlington Arcade or Piccadilly Arcade, both located close to Piccadilly Circus.
If you’re looking for something a bit more edgy, Brick Lane and various markets in Shoreditch will give you your fill of vintage and second hand bits and bobs – to treat yourself a little before Christmas, maybe?
Read: The Best Things to Do in London When It Rains
Things to Do During Christmas in London: Hogwarts in the Snow Harry Potter Studio Tour
While I’ve only experienced Hogwarts in the Snow a couple of times, the last one being back in December, I’ve always felt there was something overly magical about this time.
In the event that you would like to visit the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios, I do not wish to spill all the secrets about the moment you’ll enjoy there.
Just know that you literally feel like you’re part of the movies when visiting.
There are a few spots to eat inside the Warner Bros Studios if you get hungry, and if you’d really like to feel the Christmas magic, then that’s a place Harry Potter fans shouldn’t miss.
Read: The Best Free Things to Do on London’s Central Line
Christmas in London: Light Trails, Things to Do and Shops
These are but some of the places to have on your bucket list if you’re planning to spend Christmas in London.
There are so many more, hidden in outer boroughs, but the ones I’ve mentioned today are the first to check out.
More hidden gems can be found in London’s secret neighborhoods, from completely neon places to vintage cafes, all so interesting that you may end up wishing you could spend more time in the city.
For now, since Christmas is lurking around the corner, you have a great start to your time in London, whether you’re spending one day, three days, or ten days in town!