Christmas in London is a magical experience. Londoners and visitors alike find the city lights up from within with festive warmth and the sheer amount of things to do will keep you busy for the weeks leading up to Christmas day. From fun family pantomimes to drinks in hidden holiday hot spots, there is something for everyone to do. We have compiled the ultimate guide to Christmas in London for you to follow this year to make the most out of the city.
Christmas Shows In London
London Coliseum
This theatre is hosting beautifully performed Christmas shows, from the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker to A Christmas Carol. A fun Christmas night in away from the winter chill. Both shows are available to book now on the London Coliseum site.
The London Palladium
For more family orientated shows, The London Palladium has you sorted. Catering to children in their Christmas shows as in previous years they have had big shows of Goldilocks and The Three Bears to keep the family entertained.
Peacock theatre
The theatre stands on Portugal street hosts a variety of Christmas shows. You can book tickets to their big Christmas show The Snowman here, the show will be running from November 21 to January 3 2021.
Image from SecretldnChristmas Markets In London
Christmas By The River At London Bridge City
If you are looking for handmade trinkets, delicate crafts or a large variety of festive treats, the market by the river has it all. This market goes from London Bridge City Pier to The Scoop at More. You can see the city’s skyline as you walk through the market.
Greenwich market
For those of you who love vintage items, Greenwich market is a must go for you. Full of antiques and delicate jewellery pieces this Christmas market is perfect for finding unique little gifts.
Westfield London
In the heart of the city’s luxury shopping area, you can find a market full of independent retailers from the city. So as well as checking out some of the decorations about, you can also help smaller businesses from the area in Westfields Winter Village.
Image from SecretldnChristmas in Leicester square
Fun for all the family, you’ll find live shows and fun stalls throughout the square and even a grotto to visit Santa in.
Things To Do In London During Christmas
See the lights around the city
Hop on one of London’s iconic buses and just travel around, seeing the city light up. Enjoying what all the different areas look like in the dark, illuminated by Christmas lights.
Visit the Charles Dickens Museum
From watching A Christmas Carol on the stage to Visiting The Charles Dickens Museum. There’s a lot for classic Christmas literature fans to do. Get taken back to Dickensian times with a trip to the museum and witness a historical Christmas home.
Before heading there you can pre-book tickets here. For the time being the museum is taking admissions through their online booking system.
Image from the Charles Dickens MuseumCarolling at St Paul’s Cathedral
Whilst enjoying the city’s landmarks, the Cathedrals are some of the must-visit places. St Pauls is a beautiful cathedral and carolling in it could make a great activity on a day out in London.
Ice Bar
Situated in Mayfair a high-class winter night out could be visiting the famous ice bar. Everything in the bar is carved out of ice, making it a chilly night out but a spectacular experience.
You can make bookings on the ICEBAR London site when they reopen.
Coppa Club
The Coppa Club on Tower Bridge is famous for its igloos. So what better for a wintery day out than to have a festive drink in one of their igloos, overlooking the city.
You can book an igloo for the Tower Bridge location on the Coppa Club site.
Image by Allan StoneFun Places To Visit Around London At Christmas
Kew Gardens
Christmas at the Kew is a must when going around London this Christmas. The Kew Gardens get lit up beautifully. A beautiful display of nature and lights, working in harmony to create a serene atmosphere for all who visit.
When visiting you need to pre-book tickets, which can be done online here.
Image by Jeff EdenWarner Bros Studio Tour
The Warner Bros Studio Tour is magical all year round but during Christmas, you can experience Hogwarts in the snow. Just like Harry Potter did in his first year at Hogwarts.
To see more about this experience, see our post on Hogwarts in the snow. You can pre-book tickets to Hogwarts in the snow here, as they are usually hard to get hold of due to high demand.
Harrods, Fortnum and Mason and Selfridges
Whether or not you need to pick up a few more gifts, walking past these stores is a must. Not only are their lights spectacular but their window displays are immaculate. Finding the stores will take you around London as Harrods is in Knightbridge, Fortnum and Mason is in Picadilly and Selfridges is on Oxford Street. So, you will be able to tour the city a bit when visiting.
Image from Fortnum and MasonHidden Winter Cinema
If you want to get cosy watching Christmas movies with a hot chocolate on your day out, the Hidden winter cinema near Southbank’s centre is the place for you. The cinema shows a variety of films throughout the day, so if you go earlier in the day you will find something a little more family-friendly and then in the evening there’ll be something for those of us older than 16.
Ice Skating Around London
Somerset House
The court of Somerset House is transformed from its iconic water display which you may see during summer to being an ice rink for everyone to enjoy. Illuminated with fairy lights you can skate around with no care in the world and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
Image by James Bryant_0Natural History Museum
Outside of London’s Natural History Museum, a large rink is set up with a gorgeous tree decorated in the centre of the rink. Its perfectly positioned, so that if you want to take a trip to see the interior of the museum you can come out into a winter dream.
Skylight London
Have you ever imagined yourself skating with the view of London around you? Atop a warehouse at the tobacco dock in London, is a rooftop skating rink during the Christmas season.
Whilst on the rooftop skating rink you can book igloos to sit in and enjoy drinks. Bookings can be made through the Tobacco Dock site.
Image from Tobacco Dock LondonWinter wonderland
And last but not least, Winter Wonderland. Hyde Parks annual Winter Wonderland gives visitors a host of activities to do whilst in the city, from ice skating to enjoying rides in the park to experiencing London’s biggest Christmas market. A day trip to Winter Wonderland will have all of the family satisfied or can make for an amazing Christmas date.
Although this year has been a rocky one, all of these experiences happen annually. So you will be able to enjoy the ultimate London Christmas experience this year. Exact details on openings will be updated closer to November as some of these events would start mid-November and continue until the new year.
