Christmas in London England is truly the most wonderful time of the year. And if it’s your first Christmas in London, then watch out because you might fall in love and never want to leave. From palace ice skating rinks to magnificent displays covering London like a white blanket of snow, here are 18 things you really must do in London at Christmas time.
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5 Fun Facts About Christmas In London
Before uncovering what to do, did you know that:
- The first Christmas in London happened in 1038.
- Seeing a Christmas pantomime dates back to 1829 when a wager was put forth to find the most entertaining in East London.
- Selfridges has been putting on extravagant window displays at Christmas time since 1909.
- Tom Smith, a London confectioner, was inspired by his exposure to Christmas crackers while in Paris and so created the first one for Londoners in 1847.
- Behind a visit to Santa Clause himself at the Village in Lapland, Finland, London is the 2nd most desired city to spend Christmas.
18 Things To Do In London At Christmas Time
Although I won’t be visiting London this Christmas, I’m reminiscing about each of these 18 things to do that I truly miss. Whether it’s your first time or your 100th, prepare to fall in love with London all over again.
1 – Christmas at Kew Gardens
Magnificent tunnels that illuminate pathways, light displays synchronized with music like the water fountains at Vegas’ Bellagio, and trees dressed in lights from head to toe on every turn through the gardens, the Kew at Christmas time is pretty spectacular. And everyone in London knows it!
When Kew Gardens tickets go on sale, they sell out. If you’ve never been, get this one on your Christmas in London list first!
Kew Gardens Christmas magic
2 – Somerset House Ice Skating
The Somerset House near The Strand offers ice skating with a gorgeous tree decorated with Fortnum & Mason for that family holiday photo. Perfect conditions for ice skating are at dusk when the light starts to change, and the colors are brilliant for taking the Christmas vibe in.
The kids can navigate the ice with the penguin-helpers while you grab a hot drink. Even if you don’t like to ice skate, it’s just too pretty to not go at Christmas time.
Ice Skating at The Somerset House
3 – 34 Mayfair
8,400 Christmas baubles! Lobster Mac and cheese with truffles! Need I say more?
34 Mayfair London is a bauble heaven!
4 – Mayfair Storefronts at Christmas
Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Fortnum and Mason, Annabel’s…
You don’t need to spend any money. By all means, there are so many lovely British Christmas things to buy in London or to gift your American friends. But you don’t have to spend much or anything at all to love London at Christmas time.
Simply look around and prepare yourself to be stunned by the incredible displays that Mayfair shops and businesses put on for their fellow Londoners and visitors from everywhere.
Cartier Christmas!
5 – Regent Street Christmas Lights
Regent Street is about 10 times wider (probably more actually) than 99% (guessing) of roads in the UK. Then imagine white angles flying over it.
Regent Street is to be walked, not driven, to experience all its angelic wonder at Christmas time.
Regent Street Christmas Angels
6 – Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Busier than Regent Street at Christmas time (or so it feels because of the architecture), Oxford Street won’t be missed if you’re planning on a Selfridges Christmas visit.
With Christmas lights strung from one side of the street to another starting from Oxford Junction on, you might enjoy Oxford Street simply for the stunning lights over the reason that might have originally brought you to Oxford Street in the first place; Christmas shopping at Selfridges.
Christmas messages are cast up and down Oxford Street
7 – Liberty London Christmas Shop
Liberty London is known around the world for its bold print and floral fabrics, but during Christmas, it is THE place to shop for the perfect glittery bauble. But beyond the baubles, Liberty London always puts on a multi-story holiday display within the atrium.
From the teal and pink bonsai tree in 2019 to the hot air balloon featured in 2021, it feels more like a Christmas museum than a fabric store.
Libery London always has a gorgeous holiday display
8 – Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
For a Christmas Carnival experience in London, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is where to be. Equipped with rides from winter-themed roller coasters to a traditional British Helter Skelter, Hyde Park is the best place in London at Christmas time for a myriad of outdoor activities.
My favorite part? The cozy fire pits and browsing the Christmas market stalls with a warm beverage in hand.
In order to secure a Winder Wonderland visit, tickets have to be purchased in advance.
9 – Covent Garden Christmas Tree
Covent Garden is a must in London at Christmas time because it’s beautifully decorated with the most magnificent Christmas tree. This is where you snag a London Christmas tree postcard photo to share with all your friends back in America.
Plus, if mince pies at Christmas are on your mind, Covent Garden is a place to try them.
Get your own “With Love From Covent Garden” by the tree
10 – Christmas Pub Lunch
Eat Christmas dinner at the pub on Christmas Day. It’s entirely mind-blowing for any American, but it really is a must-do while living in England. The whole English tradition is contrary to how Christmas Day is spent in America, but that’s what makes it so exciting. Besides, when could there ever be a better time to try Christmas pudding?
11 – Maddox Gallery Christmas Display
Home to contemporary and modern art, the Maddox Gallery puts on a stunning storefront display for major events throughout the year. However, Christmas time at the Maddox Gallery may simply be its best.
Maddox Gallery in London in December
12 – Watch A Christmas Panto
For a hilarious take on a classic broadway show with a Christmas twist, you must buy tickets to see a Christmas pantomime, or “panto”, in London. This is another Christmas British tradition different from America, that every visitor should see at least once. And the kids love it!
Visit the London Timeout for a list of Christmas pantos in the London theatres.
13 – Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
Every year since 1947 the city of London receives a 50-60-year-old Norway spruce from Oslo to decorate and display in Trafalgar Square. This 20-meter tree is an annual gift from Norway for British support during World War II. The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree serves as a popular Christmas caroling spot every year.
While it’s not my favorite decorated tree in London, this tree is by far the most significant and should be on everyone’s first time list of things to do in London at Christmas.
14 – Support A Christmas Charity
If there is one thing to observe in London at Christmas time beyond the Christmas lights, is the charitable giving by the British people. There’s nothing more meaningful than choosing and supporting a UK charity for your first Christmas in London.
And if you’re not in London long enough to do so, consider buying Christmas Charity cards to support a cause of your choice. M&S are easily accessible stores throughout London and sell the best!
Support a charity like Rennie Grove Hospice Care
15 – Mulled Wine @ Leicester Square
Christmas at Leicester Square in London offers Christmas Stalls, including one of my favorite London blogger’s products by A Lady In London, ample hot chocolate, mulled wines, and of course, Santa’s Grotto.
Leicester Square is the perfect choice for a taste of the Christmas spirit in London prior to seeing a theatre show.
16 – Skate at Hampton Court Palace
Technically located in the London Borough of Richmond, Hampton Court Palace is not only a destination for Henry VIII’th fans but a stunningly special location for Christmas ice skating. The royal colors cast upon Hampton Court Palace reflect across the ice and sky in every direction, making this Christmas ice skating rink a place you’ll never forget.
Skate like a royal at Hampton Court Palace
17 – Harrod’s Christmas Window Displays
For seeing designer brands like Tiffany’s or Christian Dior shine in a Christmas light, the window displays at Harrod’s draw quite a crowd. In fact, it’s the outside of Harrod’s that may steal the spotlight far more than the inside at Christmas time. You can scan a QR code to watch the Christmas display come to life at Harrod’s.
And if you’re lucky, might even witness a live modeling shoot take place outside a Harrod’s Christmas window display – even on peak Black Friday weekend.
18 – Father Christmas at Hamley’s, Selfridges, or Harrod’s
If you’re visiting London for the first time at Christmas with little kids, then a visit to see Father Christmas should be on the list. Although Hamley’s Father Christmas experience didn’t blow my own kids away, it may be the highlight for toddlers. Which Father Christmas to see in London? Selfridge’s. Read about London with kids at Christmas for why.
Tips For London At Christmas Time
With 11+ million people visiting London in December, it’s an understatement how busy and crowded the streets are. The crowded nature of London at Christmas time is a nuisance, but also totally worth it if it’s your first time.
To minimize waiting in long queues or feeling overwhelmed by the volume of people that take to London’s popular streets in late November and December, consider the following:
- Book tickets for all venues requiring tickets as soon as they become available to the public. Start checking for tickets as early as October 1st. And don’t hesitate to buy immediately because otherwise some venues will be sold out by November (like the Kew).
- Plan all activities in London, where possible, first thing in the morning.
- Avoid shopping in London on Saturdays and Sundays, particularly Harrod’s and Selfridges. If you have any claustrophobia at all, avoid the weekend evenings in London altogether.
- If London becomes “too much”, cut bait and choose a venue that will be less of a crowd focus but amazing to see at Christmas time, like the Sherlock Holmes Pub.
Based upon experience with family, my cousin preferred the less busy but equally fun Christmas activities of St Albans over the crowds at Harrod’s on Saturday afternoon Black Friday weekend. It was so overwhelming that we simply chose to leave and camp out in a cozy London pub instead.
Felt London ornaments perfect for your 1st Christmas in England
Another way to see the best of London without all the people is to visit on Christmas Day. Shops are closed, public transport is off, and as a result, the city is incredibly quiet compared to the Christmas lead-up. This gives the perfect opportunity for capturing photos without all the people and taking the traditional English park walk.
Final Tips For Your First Christmas In London England
Since London is a massive city and Christmas points of interest are spread out, be sure to plan daily activities based upon proximity and accessibility of getting around London. While you can do all of these things during your first Christmas in London England, the reality is if you don’t plan far enough ahead, it may take a few years…but all the reason to go back.
Looking for winter travel ideas?
- 8 Things To Do In Paris With Kids In Winter
- Things To Do In La Clusaz For A Family Ski Holiday
- Things To Do in Zurich With Kids At Christmas
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