The Ultimate Guide to Christmas in London

Christmas in London

Christmas in London is pretty darn magical. The entire city gets a festive makeover, complete with lights, trees, and baubles galore. Us usually brusque Londoners become more cheerful, fuelled by christmas parties, eggnogs, and the promise off a few days off work. Sure, it's absolutely freezing, ram packed with people, and eye-wateringly expensive, but still... MAGIC.

I've spent my entire life in London - that means 30 Christmases and counting! Every year new activities and attractions pop up, but there's also plenty of classic Christmas traditions that make the experience so special. I've put together this guide with some of my top tips on to how to spend Christmas in London, with some of my favourite festive spots and things to do around the city.

Top 5 Christmas Lights in London

01. Regent and Oxford Streets

The most famous of London light displays, head to Regent Street for the iconic angels. Neighbouring Oxford Street also has a pretty star motif display.

02. Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street has a long history for being one of London's coolest thoroughfares, and as such it's lights are always unique. Expect colour, flamboyance, and lots of fun!

03. Covent Garden

The Piazza is known for it's oversized baubles that adorn the market place, but head to Seven Dials for more festive lights, and maybe even a cheeky spot of shopping.

04. Bond Street

The legendary shopping street looks it's very best at Christmas, with plenty of festive displays from the well-heeled businesses that call it home.

05. Kew Gardens

Christmas at Kew is a major event in London, with the botanical gardens given a light-filled festive makeover.

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Festive Fits

Things to do in London at Christmas

Visit Winter Wonderland: Winter Wonderland is London's biggest festive experience, with a giant Christmas market taking over sprawling Hyde Park. It's filled with shopping, fairground rides and amusements, bars and street food stalls. In all honesty, it's overpriced and crazy busy (avoid weekends and friday nights if you possibly can), but it's got to be experienced at least once!
See the Christmas Trees around town: We go all out when it comes to Christmas trees. Expect traditional iterations at Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, or head to St Pancras International for what is always a quirky take on the classic tree.
Go Christmas Shopping: London's many storied department stores are some of the best places to shop in the run up to Christmas. Harrods' Christmas department is a personal favourite, and Selfridges, Liberty, and Fortnum and Mason are also all great options. If you can't afford the (often fairly eye-watering) price tags, it's good fun to explore nonetheless!
The Southbank Winter Market: The South Bank of The Thames gives way to a Christmas market each year, making it one of the most magical places for a festive mulled wine with a classic London view.
Take to skates at an ice rink: Personally, I have no coordination, so ice skating is my worst nightmare. However, I can appreciate that it brings joy to many (weirdos)! Somerset House, Canary Wharf, and Battersea Power Station are some of the most popular, however these vary every year.
Dine in an Igloo: Igloos? In London? I told you, we really go all out for Christmas! There's actually a number of places that usually host igloos come Christmas. Coppa Club on the banks of The Thames is the best known, but again there are different pop-ups each year.

Restaurants and Dining

The Ivy Chelsea

The Ivy Chelsea Garden is a lavish restaurant on The Kings Road known for it's epic festive displays (pictured).

34 Mayfair

Luxury Central London restaurant 34 Mayfair goes all out with festive decor - past years have included over 14,000 decorations and a bauble ceiling.

Daphne's

Daphne's in Chelsea is known for it's spectacular canopy of baubles that hangs over diners. The menu is Italian, with pasta dishes, meat and seafood.

Clos Maggiore

Romantic modern French restaurant Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden gets an immersive festive makeover each year, making it one of the most popular Christmas restaurants in London.

Bars and Drinking

The Churchill Arms

West London pub The Churchill Arms (pictured) has an incredible tree-bedecked makeover every Christmas - it also serves up some tasty Thai food!

The Dickens Inn

A personal favourite, The Dickens Inn looks mighty fine lit up for Christmas, with a large festive tree taking up the exterior.

The Miracle Bar

The Miracle Bar at Covent Garden's Henrietta Hotel gets glitzily bedecked in all things festive, as well as limited edition Christmas cocktails.

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