What to Know Before Visiting London at Christmas Time

✈️ How to get to London, England

Most international travelers fly into London Heathrow (LHR), which is connected to central London by the Elizabeth line and the Heathrow Express (15 minutes to Paddington). Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton are great budget-airline alternatives, and if you’re coming from Paris or Brussels, the Eurostar drops you right at St Pancras International – home to one of the city’s best Christmas trees!

📅 When to visit London for the Christmas Markets & Festive Decor 

Most of London’s Christmas markets, lights, and festive events run from mid-November through early January. My top tip? Go in late November or the first week of December – everything is open and sparkling, but the crowds are lighter than the weeks right before Christmas.

⏳ How long to visit London at Christmas Time

I’d highly recommend at least 3–4 days to see the lights, markets, and a few ticketed events without rushing. With 5 days, you can add Kew Gardens, a festive show, and a slow afternoon tea at a relaxed pace.

🚇 How to get around London at Christmas Time

The London Underground (the Tube) and red double-decker buses will get you everywhere – just tap your contactless card or phone at the gates, and fares cap automatically each day. That said, central London is very walkable, and the best way to see the lights is on foot!

💷 What is the currency in London and do you need cash for the Christmas Markets?

The currency in London is the British pound (GBP, £). London is almost entirely cashless, and nearly every market stall takes card or Apple Pay – but I always carry £20–£30 in cash just in case a small vendor is card-only.

10+ Magical Things to Do in London at Christmas Time

1. Explore the London Christmas Markets 🎄

You can’t talk about things to do in London at Christmas without the markets! The biggest is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, running 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 (closed Christmas Day). It’s more festive theme park than market – with rides, a 70-meter Giant Wheel, Bavarian beer halls, and the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink.

Good to know: Winter Wonderland now requires a timed-entry ticket for everyone, so book your slot online before you go.

For something smaller and free to wander, I’d highly recommend the Southbank Centre Winter Market along the Thames, the Leicester Square Christmas Market, and the stalls around Covent Garden’s piazza. Grab a mulled wine, a toasty raclette, and wander!

2. See the Iconic London Christmas Decor 🎀

London’s luxury storefronts go ALL OUT for the holidays, and seeing them is one of my favorite free things to do in London at Christmas. A few do-not-miss facades:

• Cartier on New Bond Street – the entire building is famously wrapped up like a giant gift box with an enormous bow. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the city for a good reason!
• Annabel’s on Berkeley Square – this private members’ club transforms its facade into an over-the-top festive installation every year, and the theme is always a surprise.
• •Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly – the famous turquoise building turns into a life-size advent calendar, and the window displays are pure storybook magic.

My top tip: Visit Cartier and Annabel’s right after dark – they’re just a few minutes’ walk apart and look even more incredible lit up.

3. Hunt Down the Best London Christmas Trees ✨

London has some seriously stunning Christmas trees, and seeking them out is the perfect excuse to explore different neighborhoods.

• Royal Exchange – tucked into the grand courtyard of this historic building in the City of London, this elegant tree is surrounded by luxury boutiques and cafés.
• St Pancras International – every year a different brand designs this show-stopping tree under the station’s Victorian glass roof. Even if you aren’t catching the Eurostar, it’s worth the trip!
• Covent Garden – a towering tree sits in the piazza alongside giant baubles, oversized mistletoe, and twinkling lights. This is the ultimate festive photo spot.

Bonus: Don’t miss the tree in Trafalgar Square, which has been gifted to London by Norway every year since 1947 as a thank-you for Britain’s support during World War II.

🏨 Where to stay in London for the Christmas Markets

For first-timers, I’d highly recommend staying in Covent Garden, the South Bank, or near London Bridge – you’ll be walking distance from several markets and right by the Tube.

Budget:

• Premier Inn London County Hall ⭐⭐⭐ – Steps from the Southbank Centre Winter Market and the London Eye
• hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden⭐⭐⭐ – Compact, modern rooms right in the heart of Covent Garden
• Generator London ⭐⭐ – A fun, social hostel near King’s Cross with private rooms available

Mid-Budget:

• The Hoxton, Southwark⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Stylish rooms and a rooftop restaurant, a short walk to Borough Market
• citizenM Tower of London ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Sleek rooms with views of the Tower, close to Winter by the River
• Strand Palace Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Classic hotel between Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square

Luxury:

• The Savoy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – London’s most iconic hotel, and it goes ALL out for Christmas
• Shangri-La The Shard, London ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Jaw-dropping skyline views right above London Bridge
• The Ned ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – A glamorous former bank, a few minutes from Leadenhall Market

4. Go on a London Christmas Lights Walking Tour 💡

London’s Christmas lights usually switch on in early-to-mid November, and Regent Street’s glowing angels and Oxford Street’s dazzling displays are the main event. Carnaby Street also has a fun, quirky themed installation each year.

Here’s my self-guided Christmas lights walking route:

1. Start at Oxford Circus and walk a stretch of Oxford Street
2. Head south down Regent Street under the angels
3. Detour through Carnaby Street
4. Continue to Piccadilly Circus and Fortnum & Mason
5. Cut up through Burlington Arcade to New Bond Street to see Cartier
6. Finish at Berkeley Square for Annabel’s

The whole route takes about 1.5–2 hours at a leisurely, photo-stopping pace. Trust me, wear comfy shoes!

Tip: If it’s too cold to walk (or you just want to rest your feet!), hop on a Christmas lights bus tour. Several companies run evening tours on open-top or vintage Routemaster buses, often with mulled wine or hot chocolate included, passing the lights on Regent Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly, and beyond. It’s a cozy, relaxing way to see a lot in a short time – especially if it’s your first visit.

5. Sip a Hot Chocolate at Ralph’s Coffee ☕

With its signature green-and-white aesthetic and cozy, Ralph Lauren–inspired interiors, Ralph’s Coffee is made for a London winter. Duck into the Regent Street location mid-lights-walk to warm up with a rich hot chocolate or holiday latte – it’s the perfect festive pit stop and incredibly Instagrammable.

6. Go Ice Skating at Somerset House ⛸️

7. Go Christmas Shopping at Selfridges & Harrods 🛍️

8. Walk the Christmas at Kew Light Trail 🌟

Christmas at Kew is hands down one of the most magical things to do in London at Christmas. The after-dark trail winds through the Royal Botanic Gardens with glowing tunnels, illuminated trees, and the Palm House lit up in color. New for 2026, expect fresh installations, including a meadow of light-up blooms set to music and an animated willow tree.

The trail runs on selected dates from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 (closed 16, 23, and 28 November and Christmas Day), with entry slots from about 4:20 pm. There are also new adults-only evenings on 3 and 9 December – perfect for a girls’ night!My top tip: Tickets sell out every year, so book as soon as you lock in your dates. Mid-November dates are typically the least crowded.

9. See a Festive Show at the Royal Albert Hall or Westminster Abbey 🎶

10. Grab a Festive Cocktail at a Christmas Pop-Up Bar 🍸

11. Indulge in a Festive Afternoon Tea 🫖

12. Watch a Classic Holiday Film at Christmas at Backyard Cinema 🎬

This is one of the most unique things to do in London at Christmas! In 2025, Christmas at Backyard Cinema transformed a Victorian warehouse near London Bridge into an enchanted indoor forest with live music, festive bars, and a carol-singing procession into a retro cinema where it snows before every screening. Films included classics like Elf, Home Alone, and The Holiday, with tickets from about £26.50.

Tips for Visiting London at Christmas Time

From the glowing angels on Regent Street and the giant bow on Cartier to ice skating at Somerset House and sipping mulled wine at the markets, there’s no shortage of festive things to do in London at Christmas. 

Whether you spend your trip chasing Christmas trees, cozying up with afternoon tea, or catching a snowy holiday movie, London in December is pure magic – and one bucket-list trip you won’t forget!

Now I want to hear from you, Roam Free Fam: which of these festive London experiences is at the top of YOUR Christmas list? Let me know in the comments below! 🎄

Plan Your London Trip

🏠️ Accommodation: Compare London hotels on Booking.com for flexible cancellation options.

🚗Car Rental: Book through Discovercars.com for the best rates.

🎫 Activities:Book Christmas lights tours, Winter Wonderland tickets, and festive afternoon teas on GetYourGuide.

🧳 Packing: Waterproof boots, a warm coat, gloves, a reusable tote, and a portable phone charger

🌍 Travel Insurance: do not skip travel insurance for London! I always recommend World Nomads for adventure travelers and SafetyWing for digital nomads.

📱 eSIM: Always stay connected by using an eSIM! You’ll have access to data WITHOUT having to spend a ton on your at-home plan, change your number, or buy a physical sim. My favorites are Airalo for affordable plans (save with my code “REBECCA3” for $3 off your first eSIM) and Holafly for unlimited data (use my code “ROAMFREEREBECCA” to save 5% on any plan!).

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