From lights to ice skating rinks, shop windows to festivals, London is one of the best places to be at Christmastime. I’ve spent the last month Instagramming the festivities, and today I bring you the highlights of Christmas in London.
Christmas in London
I love living in London, but winter can be tough. Cold weather, gray skies, and early darkness always make me want to travel somewhere sunny.
But London knows winter’s not its natural strong suit, and the city more than makes up for it with its Christmas spirit. If you’re looking for the best of Christmas in London, read on.
Christmas Lights in London
One of the top things to do in London at Christmas is see the city glowing with seasonal lights.
The famous annual Oxford and Regent Street Christmas lights make the streets glow as shoppers gather gifts for friends and family.
Add to those the soft bulbs lining the exterior of Harrods and the bright ones covering the facade of Peter Jones, and there’s no shortage of Yuletide cheer in the UK capital.
Fortnum & Mason at Christmas in London
And speaking of shops, the interior of every store in London is brimming with Christmas decorations. My favorite place to witness this phenomenon is Fortnum & Mason, another of London’s famous department stores.
The iconic building on Piccadilly is full of pretty Christmas trees, ornaments, and lights, and its famous dome and windows feature seasonal decorations each winter.
Christmas Markets in London
Not far from Fortnum & Mason is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, a Christmas market and carnival that has gotten bigger and better every year I’ve lived in London.
Along with the South Bank Winter Market and the Leicester Square Christmas market, Winter Wonderland has given Londoners a reason to get outdoors and into the festive spirit.
And that’s to say nothing of the markets in Trafalgar Square, London Bridge, King’s Cross, Richmond, and other parts of the city.
Hotels at Christmas in London
But there’s lots of Christmas excitement indoors, too, and one of the best places to see it is at London’s luxury hotels.
The Dorchester features its annual decorations in the lobby, and Christmas trees fill the foyers of many of its counterparts throughout the city.
Best of Christmas in London
All these things have put a huge smile on my face every time I pass by, and every subsequent sighting has made me even happier to be in London at Christmastime.
It may not be the warmest, lightest, or sunniest time of year, but it is certainly the brightest. Happy Christmas!
Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!
New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.
Pin it!
16 Comments on Lady’s Christmas in London Guide
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
One correction and common mistake: the statue in Piccadilly Circus is not actually of Eros. It is of his twin brother Anteros, the god of requited love.
Interesting. I’ve only ever heard it referred to as Eros.
I love your selection! My favourites are Fortnum & Mason and the giant snow globe at Piccadilly Circus, neither of which I have seen yet as I’ve been crazy busy with my pesky work life and studies.
I’m just loving Christmas this year and can’t wait for some time off next week.
Aw, I hope you’re able to see them! Both are amazing!
London sure knows how to celebrate Christmas – what wonderful photographs!
Thanks Rachael!
This is exciting to see! I go to London in 2 weeks. Any suggestions on a good place to go for NYE? I want to see fireworks, but knowing its cold, maybe there is a really good rooftop bar you could recommend. I think I may fall in love with London. Defintiely going to the Shard around 4 so I can get pics of the city lit up.
Would you recommend the Shard or the London Eye?
That’s great that you’re heading to London! For New Years, you can do the fireworks on the river, which I’ve heard are fun. Not sure about any roof bars you can see them from, but there might be one or two (probably very expensive for tickets, though!). I’ve never been up in the Shard, but the London Eye is fun!
I love England, and of course London at Christmastime. It’s so festive! I can just hear the crackers popping…Love your photos!
Thanks Corinne!
Love the photos… they are so pretty. Great photography skills! 🙂
Thanks Donalyn!
Agree with you, Christmas-time in London is very special. You have managed to catch the magical spell with your photos – great!
Thanks!
These pictures are amazing! so jealous of all the places youve been too, great post! x x
Thanks!