The Best Christmas Things to Do in London: An Ultimate Guide [2022]

Romantic things to do in London at Christmas

Lights, music, mulled wine - London’s got all the ingredients for the perfect Christmas date set-up. If you’re after something different, we’ve hand-picked a few of our favourites and popped them below.

1. Visit Kew Gardens in its Christmas glory

Kew Gardens is fantastic all year round, ablaze with seasonal colour, years of fascinating heritage, and some of the world’s most innovative conservation efforts. It’s well worth a visit at Christmas, when sparkling tunnels, dancing lakeside reflections, and dazzling jewel-like colour bring the garden to life in a whole new light.

2. Ice skate at Somerset House

It’s almost a prerequisite for festive romance at this point - ice skating at Somerset House has become something of an essential winter activity for locals and tourists alike over the years. The ice rink is arguably the best in London, transforming the famed Neoclassical courtyard into the city’s ultimate Christmas destination. They’ll be partnering this year with Moet and Chandon, so there’s plenty of festive sparkle on all fronts.

3. Window shop at some of the world’s most iconic stores

From Harrods to Liberty, Selfridges to Harvey Nichols, there’s a reason London is touted as one of the world’s finest shopping destinations; and no more so than at Christmas, when these time-honoured institutions go all out on the window festivities. You don’t need to spend a penny to enjoy the glitz and the glamour that exudes from the storefronts here - though you can never go wrong with a Fortnum’s advent calendar or a tree bauble from Liberty.

4. Enjoy big-screen Christmas classics at Backyard Cinema

When the vast majority of its reviews include the word ‘magical,’ you know you’ll get what you came for. London’s Backyard Cinema (officially opening on the 1st of October) is the perfect spot for a movie night with a difference, where Christmas classics are screened amidst a winter-themed wonderland. Immersive pre-show theatre, market food stalls, and plenty of mulled wine are all order of the day here.

5. Get tickets for The Nutcracker

You don’t need to be a ballet aficionado to enjoy The Nutcracker; exquisite sets in snow-kissed Edwardian London, dream-like, ethereal choreography, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score are as enchanting to the newcomer as they are to seasoned patrons. Its enduring popularity means it’s quick to sell out, so book your tickets well in advance at the London Coliseum or the Royal Opera House.

6. Enjoy a lingering pub lunch over a roaring fire

One of life’s simple pleasures - hunkering down in a traditional British pub, warmed by a roaring fire, mulled wine and delicious food. Hampstead Heath’s The Holly Bush lives up to its reputation as London’s cosiest Christmas digs; if you fancy something different, try the Cutty Sark Tavern, or The Churchill Arms, dubbed the city’s most festive pub, thanks to its glorious Christmas displays. Alternatively, book ahead for a Sunday Roast with all the 5* trimmings (and a Bloody Mary) at Conrad Hotel’s Blue Boar Pub.

7. Indulge in time-honoured tradition with afternoon tea

The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, Harrods, and beyond - when it comes to afternoon teas, the city’s sheer scope makes it an unrivalled destination. At Christmas, things are kicked up a notch. We’d recommend going for one of the classics here - they’ve been doing Christmas cheer for a long time, and it’s plainly apparent they know what they’re doing. If you fancy something alternative, though, make a beeline for B. Bakery’s Vintage Tea Bus Tour, where you can dine on sweet and savoury treats with a festive twist, all whilst enjoying the sights of the capital from a double-decker Routemaster bus.

8. Experience Hogwarts in the snow

If the Warner Bros Studio Tour has been on your list of things to do for a while, Christmas is the perfect time to do it. It’s fast become one of London’s best-loved tourist destinations, and over the festive period, the wizarding world gets a winter makeover: the Great Hall is transformed with icy silvers of the iconic Yule Ball, the Gryffindor Common Room is dressed for the occasion, and snow blankets the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and Hogwarts.

9. Visit one of London’s stately homes

If you’re not sure where to start, make your way to Chiswick House, where Christmas adds an extra touch of splendour to this already rather magnificent home and gardens: expect carols, markets, festive treats and lights that rival the best of them. For more inspiration, check out this guide on Christmas in London from the National Trust.

10. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Richmond Park

Cheap and cheerful, it ain’t - but if you’re looking for something extra-special to mark the festivities together, you can’t go wrong with this one. A 60-minute carriage journey through London’s sprawling Richmond Park, accompanied by mince pies and mulled wine, and finished off with a visit to the Stables: this is London romance at its finest.

Free Christmas things to do in London

When you’ve got a city like London at your disposal, you don’t need to splash the cash to enjoy Christmas in all its sparkling splendour. Free Christmas events are dotted across the city, but you could just as easily spend the day wandering the streets and enjoying the lights and sounds of the nation’s capital imbibing the festivities. Here’s our pick of the best free Christmas events in London this year.

11.  Take an atmospheric winter walk - Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park top the list here, or follow the Thames path for an easy amble with river views stretching out across the city.

12. You can enjoy Christmas carols for free at plenty of London venues; St. Paul’s Cathedral doesn’t require payment for many of its services, though you may still need to book in advance. Trafalgar Square carols are a favourite amongst locals and tourists, too - just turn up and join in. 

13. Snap some epic festive shots at some of London’s best-dressed Christmas facades: Annabel’s Swarovski Christmas display was one of our favourites last year, but you’ll find them across the city, particularly if you head for the big hitters like Carnaby Street, Marylebone, Belgravia and Covent Garden. 

14. Visit Mayfair’s Garden of Remembrance, where more than 25,000 illuminated white roses light up the heart of the district. It’s free to visit, with dedications starting from £10 to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

15. Visit Selfridges Christmas Market on the Mews. As if Selfridges wasn’t already one of London’s most revered Christmas destinations, they’ve taken the festivities up a notch with their very own Christmas market - back for a second year running. Expect everything from sustainably grown Christmas trees, to a showstopping Helter Skelter, performances from Santa, and top-notch street food. 

16. Marvel at the Nine Elms Advent Calendar. If you’ve not heard of this one before, you’re in for a treat: the entirety of Nine Elms transforms into an enormous advent calendar, with dozens of venues hosting art installations to celebrate the season. 

17. Witness London’s best residential Christmas display at Lower Morden Lane. This is Christmas, American-style - everything’s big, bold and brash: it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t fail to feel impressed that the residents on this street have been putting on a show like this for more than 20 years.

18. Get your Christmas folklore fix at the Electric Elephant Cafe. Talks on traditions, food and merrymaking will take place in this decidedly cosy outpost in Greater London on the 8th December. You can register your interest, or just roll up on the night. 

19. Keep your finger on the pulse for Christmas pop-ups, of which London always has plenty. Whether it’s arts and crafts, trombone performances with a festive twist, or Michael Buble tributes (come on, it’s okay at Christmas), there’s a pop-up for pretty much everything these days. 

London Christmas Markets to Visit in 2022

Thousands make their way to the capital each year to witness the world-renowned array of London's Christmas markets. Here are some of our favourites.

20. Covent Garden Christmas Village. When it’s surpassed market status, and becomes a Christmas Village… you know it’s going to be good. Thousands of glistening lights, a forest of Christmas trees, and bauble-themed domes serving up delicious food and drink put Covent Garden’s Christmas extravaganza firmly at the top of the must-visit list. 

21. Borough Market’s historic arches are the perfect spot if you want to tuck into seasonal food to a backdrop of festive tunes. Each year, they put on special events, too, so keep your eyes peeled for what’s happening this Christmas.

22. Kingston Christmas Market might be a few minutes further afield than London’s big-hitters, but offers the kind of European Christmas market feel that we all pine after - cosy cabins and decidedly traditional decor makes this the perfect spot for gift inspiration, with stalls packed full of delights, plus street food and seasonal entertainment.

23. Winter Wonderland Christmas Market - locals might balk at the prospect, but there’s a reason it’s one of London’s most popular, and Christmas is the perfect time to be a tourist in your own city: Winter Wonderland is the biggest around, with plenty of entertainment for all ages, including an ice rink, live music, rollercoaster rides and festive bars. 

24. South Bank Centre’s Winter Festival sees the riverside location transformed into a winter wonderland, where traditional wooden chalets, delicious food, drink and mulled wine, and artisan stalls make it an all-singing, all-dancing Christmas affair. 

25. The Christmas Market at the Tate Modern is central London’s answer to the traditional German market, where classic Christmas treats (think mulled wine, cider, bratwurst and crepes) are readily available, plus a generous offering of homemade jewellery, holiday crafts and more on offer. When it comes to location and festive ambience, it’s hard to beat.

26. Christmas by the River is a traditional market offering the kind of Christmas cheer that you’d expect, but its defining feature comes with its location, the unbeatable backdrop of Tower Bridge. They even offer weekly film screenings on a Tuesday. 

27. The market at Greenwich is worth a visit year-round, but its festive makeover means the best time to go is Christmas. With live music from brass brands, artisan stalls, drinks and festive decorations galore, it’s one that’s flown under the radar in previous years.

FAQs

Where’s the most Christmassy place in London?

For the best Christmas atmosphere, head straight to Oxford Street, Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square. If you’re looking for something a bit different this year, we recommend making a trip to Lower Morden Lane, where residents have been decking the road in larger-than-life Christmas decorations for more than 20 years.

Is anything open on Christmas Day in London?

Most shops will be shut, but there’s plenty to keep you entertained on Christmas Day in London: from a morning swim at Hampton Pool, to delicious dining at everywhere from traditional pubs to Chinatown. We’d recommend making the most of the empty(ish) streets, and enjoying a wander through the centre, or working up a pre-lunch appetite at Hyde Park or Victoria Park.

Where can I spend Christmas Eve in London?

Short answer: pretty much anywhere you like. Most attractions are still open on the day before Christmas; so visit a market, stop in for a warming pub lunch, or book in for a theatre show if you fancy going all out.

Discover all of our favourite Things to Do in London here, or check out our range of Christmas gifts, where you'll find thousands of unique experiences for everyone on your list.