10 top things to do in london at christmas
Guest travel tips

Top 10 things to do in London this Christmas

Written by City Relay


There are many ways to enjoy the festivities during your Christmas holidays in London, but here’s some inspiration – our top 10!

 

#1 Explore London’s Christmas magical markets and fairs

There’s no better way to get a glimpse of London’s Winter atmosphere! All over the city, some of London’s best spots are transformed with Christmassy stalls, filled with mulled wine and festive street food! 

Image result for london christmas markets

 

 

#2 Skate on London’s best ice rinks

In the Winter, there’s plenty of opportunities to go ice skating in London – so get your skates on! London’s most beautiful courtyards, like Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace or the Natural History Museum are hosting stunning ice rinks for the season!

 

 

#3 Sing Traditional Christmas carols

This is a great way to be immersed in one of the oldest British tradition whilst enjoying London’s best historic monuments and venues. The sound of Christmas carols rings out everywhere, from Trafalgar Square to St Paul’s Cathedral and Royal Albert Hall to St Martin-in-the-Fields Church!

 

 

#4 Admire London’s Christmas Lights

It might seem obvious, but Christmas lights in London are worth a visit!

To enjoy the city’s atmosphere to the fullest, don’t forget to stop by the most sparkling areas during your sightseeing!  Marvel at the splendid mistletoe chandeliers at Covent Garden, admire the 300,000+ Christmas light above Regent Street, be dazzled by the twinkling lights along the South Bank and look for London’s biggest Christmas trees!

 

 

#5 Go to a London Christmas Show

Be enchanted by the beautiful Christmas spectacles taking place in London’s best venues! This year there are many contemporary shows to add to our list, including Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake with its all-male cast at Sadler’s Wells, or Circus 1903 with incredible acrobats, contortionists and trapeze artists. We are also keen to see a classic like The Nutcracker performed by the English National Ballet or Snow White at the London Palladium.

 

 

#6 Watch a Christmas movie at a pop-up cinema

This Winter, screens pop up everywhere in London!  Snuggle under blankets at St Katharine Docks’ Christmas Floating  Film Festival and snack on popcorn at the Luna Winter Cinema at Kensington Palace! If you’d like to embark in other movie adventures, you can also drink a hot mulled wine in front of a classic Christmas film at Cinema in the Snow and find your way through the Christmas Labyrinth at Backyard Cinema.

 

 

#7 Snuggle in a winter pop-up

What if you could warm-up in a rooftop? We love how London’s best spots put on their wintery costumes for the festive season! There’s plenty of choice for fun and unusual seasonal pop-ups, whether you’re tempted by a heated igloo with a view of Tower Bridge at Coppa Club, a gingerbread cabin at York & Albany or an alpine-themed rooftop in The Chalet at Madison. For those who’d like to return to childhood, gambolling in an adult’s playground at Winterland might be the best option!

 

 

#8 Enjoy a London Christmas concert

Whether you’d like to see a superstar on the stage or hear some Christmas classics, you can always find the right concert to add a festive touch to your Christmas holidays! For masterful classical concerts, watch out for the Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival at the Barbican. You can also enjoy the variety of concerts, recitals, and services in London’s most beautiful churches and buildings such as Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral or Royal Albert Hall. But let’s not forget Mariah Carey’s legendary tour “All I Want for Christmas Is You” playing at the O2!

 

 

#9 Go Christmas shopping

Going Christmas shopping is the best excuse to browse London’s gorgeous department stores! Discover gourmet Christmas treats and hampers at Fortnum & Mason, be dazzled by the spectacular window displays at Selfridges and admire the baubles in Harrods and Liberty! If you’re a bookworm or you’d like to discover London’s gorgeous bookshops.

 

 

#10 Enjoy a quirky Christmas event

If you want to go off the beaten track, you can find many surprising and eccentric events all over town! Top of the list, The Great Christmas Pudding Race takes place in the iconic Covent Garden on Saturday 8th and helps to raise vital funds for Cancer Research in the UK! This is no doubt one of the most exciting events of the season, where teams in fancy dress costumes race to complete the festive course whilst carrying a pudding. And what’s more, you can take part in it!

But if you prefer to be a spectator, watch swimmers brave the icy waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park on the 25th of December to compete in the Peter Pan Cup, an old tradition that dates back to 1864!

 

 

Looking for the perfect home for your Winter holidays or wishing to learn more about our services? Get in touch with us and let us know how we can help.

Share post:
CityRelay

Subscribe today

Sign up to City Relay and be the first to hear about new content and upcoming events.

I'm a

View related articles