I was dying to visit London during the festive season! And oh my, it didn’t disappoint.
London becomes a magical city during the holidays and it’s the perfect European escape during the season. It’s an amazing way to celebrate the Christmas spirit, indulge in a shopping spree and marvel with the Christmas lights!
Before your trip
Before your trip, I’d highly recommend booking the following in advance:
- Stay connected: Use the code DIANAMIAUS for a 5% OFF on the best e-SIM on the market.
- Stay safe: Get a 5% OFF on your travel insurance for the United Kingdom
- Book here your London airport transfer in advance.
- Plan your trip ahead and book your preferred tours in advance:
Check the information below before your trip to London:
- 50 instagram spots in London
- Instagram spots in Notting Hill
- 10+ pretty pink places in London
- 10 amazing rooftop bars in London
- Staying at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London
- Afternoon tea at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Tips to visit London in Christmas
- Book your fights & hotels as soon as possible, prices skyrocket last minute!
- Most of the Christmas markets, trees and lights are up from the second half of November.
- You will walk a lot and it will get cold: make sure to pack your comfiest shoes and a good coat!
- You can use your wallet on the subway / buses, there’s no need to buy the Oyster card.
Where to stay in London during Christmas
London has so many options to choose from! However, finding affordable accommodation during the festive season might be tricky.
The best thing you could do is book your hotel in advance, and find a hotel near a centrally located station.
These are the hotels I’ve personally stayed at that I can truly recommend:
These are amazing options, all of them featuring with spacious rooms, breakfast included and an unbeatable location, next to central stations.
Covent Garden, the most beautiful decorations
Covent Garden is one unmissable place to visit in London during Christmas.
This is one of the coolest areas in London all year round, but during Christmas, it becomes one of the most festive locations in the city!
Highly recommended visiting day and night, the Apple market is the cutest and they install a giant Christmas tree in the square.
Besides, there’s artificial snow falling every hour from noon!
Leadenhall market
Another Christmassy spot you can’t miss is Leadenhall market.
Leadenhall market is a covered market with wonderful Victorian arches, full of shops and pubs and some beautiful decorations, including a gorgeous Christmas tree.
You will feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas postcard.
Fun fact: this location appears in Harry Potter.
Christmas at Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew is one of the best activities you can do in London during Christmas.
The Kew Gardens are completely transformed during the festive season with illuminated trails with twinkling lights, and you can even get to meet Santa during your visit!
You will experience the holiday magic at Christmas at Kew, walking through illuminated trails, glowing trees, and cool installations, in one of London’s most famous gardens.
Here’s everything you need to know:
- Dates: from Wednesday November 13th to Sunday January 5th
- Schedule: from 4:20pm to 10pm
- Tickets prices: around £30 (they vary depending on the selected date)
- Official website: Christmas at Kew
Things to keep in mind:
- Book your tickets in advance since they sell out pretty quickly!
- Tickets are sold exclusively on their official website. Third-party tickets are not accepted. Avoid scams!
- There are 3 different entrances. Make sure to book your ticket at the right day, time slot and entrance!
- The location is a bit away from the city center. Keep this in mind to calculate travel times.
- The trail can take 2 hours to complete, even more if you want to stop for drinks along the way or if you’re visiting with kids and want to stop at the attractions.
Marvel at the Christmas lights
As soon as the sun sets, London turns into a festive wonderland, with hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights!
Get ready to feel the holiday magic as London lights up with its amazing Christmas displays, the city is perfect for a night stroll and soaking in the festive vibes.
No Christmas trip to London is complete until you follow the Christmas trail!
Save these spots for the best Christmas lights in London:
- Covent Garden
- Seven Dials
- Bond Street
- South Molton
- Regent Street
- Oxford Street
- Carnaby Street
Too tired or too cold to walk? You can join a Christmas lights bus tour – make sure to book it in advance!
Keep in mind: the lights at Regent Street are on until 11pm only, and the lights at Carnaby Street are on until midnight.
Visit the Christmas markets
There’s no shortage of Christmas markets in London!
The Christmas markets are the best way to immerse yourself in the magic of the festive season. Expect twinkling lights, cozy chalets, unique gifts and mulled wine! These markets are the perfect blend of tradition and excitement to get you into the holiday spirit.
These are the markets you might want to visit:
- Leicester Square market
- Southbank Winter Festival
- Winter by the River market
- Trafalgar Square market
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – you need to pay a ticket to access here!
Go shopping
One of the best things you can do in London is shopping! Even if you don’t want to buy anything, the visit to these shops and shopping malls are absolutely worth it. The decorations are amazing!
These are the shopping malls you can’t miss during your visit.
- Fortnum & Mason – make sure to visit at night, too!
- Liberty London
- Harrods
- Bond Street
- Selfridges
- John Lewis
- Hamleys
- Lego store
Marylebone Village, a well kept secret during Christmas
Just steps away from Oxford street, Marylebone Village is still a well kept secret and not so many tourists venture to go. This area is really pretty and festive, full of Christmas lights and decorations, and offers a relaxed, local vibe with plenty of seasonal cheer.
Plus, it’s not as crowded as the previous spots!
These were my favorite locations you shouldn’t miss here:
- The Ivy Cafe
- The Cavendish Pub
- Daunt Books
Cafes & restaurants with outstanding Christmas decorations
If you’d like to enjoy the festive spirits non-stop, London has pretty cafes and restaurants ready with outstanding Christmas decorations.
Whether you’re indulging in a seasonal treat, sipping on hot cocoa, or enjoying a festive meal with friends, you will find the perfect setting to relax and soak up the Christmas vibes.
These are the ones you don’t want to miss!
- Ralph’s coffee
- Peggy Porschen
- Koyn
- Clos Maggiore
- Coppa Club igloos
Tip: make sure to book in advance to secure your spot!
Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station is another local spot that most tourists miss out.
The iconic Battersea Power Station comes alive every night with festive lights, iceskating rink and seasonal installations.
The shopping mall features an amazing variety of shops and restaurants, so it becomes the perfect spot to enjoy a festive day out.
Ice skating rinks
Embrace the festive season by gliding across some of London’s most magical ice skating rinks.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or if you’re just looking to have some fun!
Here are some of the top ice skating rinks in London during Christmas:
- Somerset House
- Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park
- Canary Wharf
- Battersea Power Station
- Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich
Thank you for this beautiful guide to Christmas in London! I love how you’ve captured the festive charm and shared so many amazing activities to enjoy during the holiday season. Your tips make planning a visit so much easier, especially for those looking to experience the magic of London at Christmas. I’m excited to explore the city using your recommendations!