Christmas in London: There is honestly nothing quite like it. The whole city becomes a frenzy of trees, baubles, lights and general festive paraphernalia, and pop ups celebrating the season start springing up all over town, from hot cocktails and ice rinks to Christmas markets and Bavarian villages (often all of these rolled into one..).
Trying to compile all the wonderfully festive options into one succinct guide is an almost impossible task - there's so many places to visit and things to do around this time, that I could go on for days with recommendations. However I've tried my best to sum up a few of the must-do's, including the best spots for Christmas displays, a spot of shopping, or glugging down a mulled wine with a mince pie or three.
The Best Christmas Displays
If you're looking for festive cheer in the form of baubles and bunting, you don't have to look too hard in London. It feels like every corner is draped in lights come December, making the city feel a little more cosy and providing a brief distraction from the cold.
You haven't really seen Christmas in London until you've seen the lights of Oxford and Regent Streets, both of which boast decadent displays above the heads of weary shoppers. Seven Dials in Covent Garden is another pretty shopping spot decked out for the season, plus the piazza has gone all out with festive installations for the snap-happy Instagrammer. In fact, if your main priority is reeling in those likes, I've written a more in-depth guide detailing the most grammable displays in London. Happy snapping!
Festive Things To Do
Winter Wonderland
Come Christmas (okay, November), London's foremost green space Hyde Park is turned into Winter Wonderland, a mammoth complex filled with amusement rides and games, an ice rink, plenty of drinking spots, a Bavarian village, and a Christmas market. It's a can't miss spot if you're looking to immerse yourself in all things Christmas, such as eating bratwurst, drinking mulled wine, and hoping your fingers don't fall off from the cold. The rides are overpriced and it can get crazy busy, especially on the weekends, but with plenty of on-site bars and eating establishments it's still a fun place to hang out with friends and get yourself in the festive mood.
Ice Skating
As someone with absolute zero balance or coordination, ice skating is pretty much my idea of hell. However, I appreciate that some people enjoy it (weirdos), so I thought I'd include a few places to go if it's your idea of a good time.
The grounds of beautiful London landmark Somerset House are transformed into a major ice-rink every Christmas. If you're going to fall flat on your arse, you may as well do it somewhere picturesque, right? They've also got a cosy Bailey's lodge if you'd rather sit sipping spiked hot chocolate and watching skaters flail in the warmth... The Natural History Museum is another beautiful venue, framed by the gorgeous architecture of the museum and a dinky carousel (it's a popular Insta spot too!).
If you like to do your ice skating sky high, head to Skylight London, where you can enjoy your ice skating with a side of cocktails in one of the cosy igloos.
Christmas Shopping
Harrods
The classic British luxury department store in Knightsbridge is one of my favourite places to go for Christmas. I don't actually do much of my Christmas shopping there (I wish!), but I love the festive displays, the overflowing Christmas section filled with ornaments and children's presents, and the general hustle and bustle that makes the place feel kind of magical. Definitely check out the kids toys section, and the food hall. If it all gets a little exhausting, head up to tech and settle down to watch a film on one of the fancy pants TVs.
Regent and Oxford Streets
Okay yes they're a special kind of hell the weekend before Christmas as literally everyone on the entire planet (or it least it feels like it) descends upon these two streets in a feverish panic of last minute gift shopping. However if you time it right (try a weekday morning, or Christmas Eve tends to be quite quiet), you can soak up the Christmassy spirit, get a snap of the iconic light displays, and hopefully pick up some great gifts. My picks? Try the department stores along Oxford Street (Selfridges, John Lewis etc) for general gifting like food stuffs and alcohol, Regent Street for mid-range options and luxe gifting at Anthropologie, or pop over to neighbouring Carnaby for cool brands and quirky gift shop We Built This City for London-themed presents.
When you're all shopped out, Kingly Street has good dining options, or head to Fitzrovia for a bite to eat and drink (check out my guide!).
Rooftop Drinking and Socialising
London is awash with cosy Winter pop-ups, and classic institutions given a festive makeover. In East London, one of my favourite bars Queen of Hoxton transforms it's rooftop into a Winter hideaway - this year the theme is Wizard of OZ.
There's also Roof East and SFG Club (that's social fun and games for the uninitiated) in Stratford which hosts curling (clearly a popular sport this year!) alongside their usual offering of crazy golf and VR foosball amongst others. There's street food from Jimmy's Lodge including a raclette burger and wild boar hotdog, plus warm cocktails for some liquid courage before hitting the games.
Doing your Christmas shopping in Central London? If you need a break head to John Lewis Roof Garden for a carnival, more curling and diner style food - try the popcorn flavoured cocktails, weird but not unpleasant! Further South the aforementioned Skylight serves up festive cocktails in cosy aprés skate bars with rooftop views of the city. They're also host to a Fentiman's lifesize gingerbread house which is decorated to rake in the Instagram likes.
If four rooftops isn't enough for you, try Aviary (pictured) on the top of the Montcalm Hotel in Shoreditch for a very aesthetically pleasing set of igloos from which to survey the skyscrapers with a warm tipple or three.
Festive Dining
Christmas is all about food, after all. Pretty much every restaurant in the city is doing something special for the holiday season, be it a specially curated winter menu, set Christmas dinner, or an all out festive decoration extravaganza. Of course I focussed in on the latter, because I find food is best enjoyed in Instagrammable surrounds. This season Christmas has officially been won by 34 Mayfair for their "Miracle on 34th Street" display, completely decking out the ceilings and walls in over 8000 baubles. The food is good too, with Christmassy themed cocktails and a solid brunch menu on the weekends.
Festive stalwarts The Ivy have also gone all out for the holidays, decking out their various venues around the UK with flamboyant installations by the Early Hours team. Market Place in Covent Garden (pictured) has gone for the Nutcracker, whilst West Street is flanked by beautifully decorated trees, Soho has a line of bauble towers, and the facade Chelsea Garden has been reworked into a Narnia themed wonderland. Menu-wise you'll find hearty modern British and international favourites alongside a strong cocktail menu - come hungry.
