Lady’s 11 Things to Do in London at Christmas

Today I want to bring you A Lady in London’s guide to things to do in London at Christmas. If you want to take advantage of all there is to love about the UK capital this season, read on for the best of it.

Things to Do in London at Christmas

This is a great time of year to be in London, not least because there’s such a festive feel to the city. From late October to early January, London comes alive with lights, music, decorations, food, and other Christmas cheer.

There’s magic in the air and London looks bright for the season. The trees are up, the lights are on, and streets and squares across the city are looking their Yuletide best.

The season gets bigger and brighter every year, with an increasing number of Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and lights throughout the capital. There are a lot of great things to do in London in winter.

1. See the Christmas Lights in London

First on my list of things to do in London at Christmas is see the lights. The festive lights in the city are magical, and there are a lot of places where you can admire them. They’re a must on any London Christmas itinerary.

From the classic lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street to the seasonal specials on Carnaby Street, they’re worth seeking out. They make London one of the best places to visit at Christmas in the UK.

In fact, they’re such a big deal that many streets hold ceremonies where celebrities switch on the Christmas lights. It’s fun to go out and watch as the bulbs are illuminated at the beginning of the season.

There are also special annual lights to enjoy at venues like Kew Gardens. Pop-ups in places like Berkeley Square add festive fun, too.

If you want to know more, you can read my blog post about the best Christmas lights in London.

2. Go to the Christmas Markets in London

Another of the best things to do in London at Christmas is visit the city’s many Christmas markets. From Hyde Park to the South Bank, Trafalgar Square to City Hall, more of these seasonal beauties open every year.

The Christmas markets in London are fun to walk through and browse for gift ideas. From bright stars to shiny ornaments, there’s a lot on offer in the wooden chalets.

And that’s to say nothing of the food and drinks, which are an integral part of any good Christmas market. London’s have a lot of options, from mulled wine and cider to sausages and chocolate.

If you’re interested in knowing more, you can read my blog post about the best Christmas markets in London.

3. Visit the Shopping Arcades in London at Christmas

Visiting the shopping arcades is another of the top things to do in London at Christmas. These historic spaces are decked out with seasonal cheer each winter. They come alive with trees, tinsel, and twinkling lights.

The Royal Arcade is my favorite, but there are lots of others around Piccadilly, St James’s, and Mayfair as well. They’re great places to get into the festive spirit and pick up gifts for friends and loved ones at the same time.

If you want to know where to find them, you can read my blog post about the best shopping arcades in London at Christmas.

4. Take in the Christmas Decorations in London

One of the most exciting things to do in London at Christmas is see the decorations.

All across the city, buildings, facades, and public spaces come alive with seasonal decor. From giant snowmen to larger-than-life mistletoe, there’s a lot to stand in awe of.

The shopfronts in Mayfair go all-out with huge decorations, as do the ones on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia. Over in the City of London, Leadenhall Market always dazzles at Christmas.

But my favorite place to see Christmas decorations in London is Covent Garden.

The area around the covered piazza comes to life each winter with a giant Christmas tree, festive lights, decorations suspended from the ceiling, and annual Yuletide displays.

If you want to see for yourself, you can take a look at my blog post with photos of Covent Garden at Christmas.

5. Go Ice Skating in London

One of the most adventurous things to do in London at Christmas is go ice skating. There are seasonal rinks all across the UK capital, and it’s fun to lace up skates and glide across the ice.

From Battersea Power Station to Somerset House, Winter Wonderland to Greenwich, there are a lot of beautiful places to ice skate in London this season.

And it’s not just skating, either. A lot of the rinks have huge Christmas trees to admire, mulled wine and hot chocolate to drink, and general seasonal cheer to enjoy. It’s fun to go and watch the skaters even if you’re not planning to try it yourself.

If you’re curious, you can take a look at my blog post about ice skating in London.

6. Go to a Performance

And speaking of watching, there are a lot of great performances to watch in the city at the moment. One of the most enjoyable things to do in London at Christmas is go to a show or concert.

London has an abundance of events on offer, from traditional pantos (British musical comedy stage productions) to puppet shows.

The West End has a lot going on, Royal Albert Hall is magical, and there are loads of stage acts to see in lesser known venues like Wilton’s Music Hall.

And don’t forget the carol concerts. From squares to theaters and churches, carolers entertain locals and visitors with the classic songs of the season.

7. Get Cozy at a London Pub

When the weather gets cold, there’s no better place in London than a pub. One of my favorite things to do in London at Christmas is cozy up by a fire in one of the city’s best watering holes.

The Holly Bush in Hampstead is my go-to for this. Not only does it have great historic interiors, but also warming fireplaces and lots of atmosphere.

But there are plenty of other pubs where you can enjoy a mulled wine or Winter Pimm’s this season.

There’s practically a pub on every corner in the city, so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to places to warm up and have a tipple.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can take a look at my blog post about my favorite pubs in London.

8. Take in the Christmas Trees in London

Back outside, one of the top things to do in London at Christmas is admire the trees. There are a lot of gorgeous ones around the city at this time of year, and it’s fun to walk around and see the best of them.

I always enjoy the one at St Pancras, where the tree is a different eye-catching creation every year. The traditional ones in Covent Garden and at Somerset House are exciting to see, too.

The trees are great symbols of the season, and make for exciting photos. There are a lot indoors and tucked away in hidden courtyards, too, so make sure to keep your eyes out for the less obvious ones.

If you’re interested in finding out more, you can read my blog post about the most beautiful Christmas trees in London.

9. Go on a Christmas Walk in London

With all the Christmas trees, lights, decorations, skating rinks, and other festive fun in the city, one of the best things to do in London at Christmas is take a walk.

I’ve compiled a list of my self-guided London walks for Christmas so you can find them all in one place.

It includes the best walks for the season, and you can use them to explore the city on foot and discover the highlights. There are maps, too.

10. Have a Christmas Afternoon Tea

With all the walking, it’s easy to work up an appetite. Which is why one of the most enjoyable things to do in London at Christmas is go for afternoon tea.

Many London hotels and restaurants offer special afternoon teas during the winter season.

In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find one that doesn’t have some kind of Christmas afternoon tea. It’s a great way to indulge and get into the festive spirit at the same time.

11. Enjoy the Season

Above all, the top thing to do in London at Christmas is enjoy it. There’s so much to love about this time of year in the UK capital, and taking it all in is exciting and inspiring.

Whether you like seeking out the most festive facades in Mayfair or gliding across the ice in South Kensington, there’s something that will make you fall in love with the city this time of year.

Best Things to Do in London at Christmas

I hope you’ve found inspiration in this blog post and that you’re able to enjoy all the amazing things to do in London at Christmas this year or in the future. Whatever you do, have a very merry Christmas!

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