The 13 Best Things To Do In London During Christmas

London during Christmas is nothing short of magical. A city transformed by twinkling fairy lights, stunning festive decorations, and unique celebrations that span from mid November all the way to early January. Whether you’re a seasoned Londoner or visiting for the first time, the city is bursting with Christmas tree displays, window displays in boutique shops, annual events, and enchanting attractions for everyone to enjoy.

Perhaps a spot of festive karaoke in a private karaoke room? As Buddy the Elf said 'the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.'

Take a look at our ultimate guide for the best things to do in London at Christmas as we welcome the festive season! Merry Christmas!

Why should you visit London at Christmas?

If you celebrate Christmas, visiting London during that season can be quite spectacular. November is usually when the celebrations begin, and they last until shortly after New Year's Day.

Regent Street, Oxford Street, Marylebone Village, Covent Gardens, Seven Dials, Bond Street, and Chelsea as a whole have some of the most outstanding London Christmas lights and displays in the city. In truth, though, the entire city gets into the mood.

Every year, Trafalgar Square hosts a tree lighting ceremony where the 80-foot-tall Christmas tree, the focal point of central London, is illuminated. This custom dates back to 1947, when Norway gave London the tall Norwegian spruce as a thank you gift for British assistance during World War II. Typically, the tree is adorned in a traditional Norwegian manner.

If you love Christmas traditions as well as unique Christmas activities, and most importantly a tipple or two of mulled wine, London is the place to be!

Christmas Karaoke at Lucky Voice

13 of the best London Christmas activities

Are you ready to spread some festive cheer? We've got all the best Christmas activities to keep you entertained all the way up to Christmas Eve! It's snow joke!

Lucky Voice Christmas karaoke

All we want for Christmas is for you to sing your heart out! With a state-of-the-art touch screen karaoke interface and our famous "Thirsty" button for room service featured in every one, our private karaoke rooms can accommodate four to thirty singers. 

Select from more than 11,000 songs and a variety of unique holiday season playlists for a truly remarkable Christmas Karaoke Experience.

Alternatively, how about a Christmas Cocktail Masterclass? Available at our Soho, Holborn, Liverpool Street and Islington venues, with our magical head bar elves who love nothing more than Christmas and cocktails!

Along with creating and sampling a variety of festive cocktails (and, of course, some mince pies to go with them), the silver or gold packages also include karaoke afterward. We bet you'll be wishing it was Chrsitmas everyday after a festive visit to Lucky Voice!

Whether it’s for a work Christmas party, friends' night out, or a spontaneous singalong, Lucky Voice is the place to unleash your inner Mariah Carey!

Book Your Christmas Party

Winter Wonderland Christmas Market

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is without a doubt the most popular Christmas attraction in London. This yearly festival transforms a sizable portion of Hyde Park with its own Bavarian Village and other seasonal attractions into a world of Christmas delight.

Stroll through the Bavarian Village lined with boutique shops and dazzling festive decorations, get your adrenaline fix on fun rides, or admire the city’s skyline from the Giant Wheel. Don’t miss the delicious Christmas market food stalls and a spin on the huge ice skating rink, the largest outdoor rink in the UK!

Ice Skating

Get cosy for an ice skating session at one of the city's ice rinks to really embrace the Christmas spirit and have some wintertime fun in London. In winter, beautiful ice skating venues can be found in popular destinations including Canary Wharf, Hyde Park, Battersea Power Station, and Somerset House.

Each rink is adorned with fairy lights and festive décor, making them magical spots for a festive selfie.

Christmas Shopping

Make sure you're ready for Christmas Day by getting all your shopping done on time, nobody wants to be on the naughty list!

You can find something for the most difficult people to shop for, London’s shopping scene comes alive every Christmas with fairy-lit boutique shops, iconic designer stores, and world-famous department stores like Harrods, Selfridges, and Fortnum & Mason. Wander through Covent Garden for enchanting window displays and festive decorations, or treat yourself on Regent Street and Carnaby Street to catch the latest Christmas in London vibes.

Santa's Grottos

Visit one of London's many Santa's grottos to meet the big man himself. Before Christmas, the well-known red-bearded man will temporarily set up his shop at several sites. If the kids have been good, they can talk to him and get a little present! Harrods, Hamleys, Winter Wonderland, ZSL London Zoo, Selfridges, Kew Gardens, and other places are among the locations. Reservations need to be booked in advance.

Christmas Afternoon Tea

Having afternoon tea with a festive theme is one of the nicest things to do in London during the Christmas season. Additionally, a long list of locations provides this experience.

Most afternoon tea establishments serve a variety of sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and little cakes and sweets. Naturally, this is served with tea, but you can also order a cocktail or a glass of champagne.

Kew Garden Christmas Lights

Located to the west of the centre of London lies the vast botanical garden known as Kew Gardens.

Seeing one of London's best Christmas light displays is well worth the few extra days on your agenda. Each year, the installations are different, but the gardens are lit up in a brilliant show of Christmas lights that takes many hours to see all of.

This annual event is a must for anyone craving enchanting winter vibes and the beauty of nature transformed by festive lights.

Gingerbread City

This is yet another extremely distinctive Christmastime activity in London. A delicious, fanciful village constructed entirely of gingerbread is on show. Together, more than a hundred designers, architects, artists, and engineers craft an urban Christmas hamlet out of sweets, frosting, and gingerbread.

A visit to the Gingerbread City is quick, taking about a half an hour or less. It is located in Belgravia at 6-7 Motcomb Street.

Foodie heaven at Borough Market

There are a tonne of food trucks, coffee shops, adorable small stores, and pubs in the Borough Market.

This is the ideal spot to grab a hot cup of coffee and enjoy the aromas of warming cuisine, mulled wine and sweets beneath the covered market if you're visiting London in the winter.

Wintertime at the Borough Market means plentiful produce and Christmas products including festive treats, Christmas decorations, and wreaths.

Explore the Tower of London

In the Summer, this is among the most popular activities in London.

But you essentially get the whole Tower of London to yourself throughout the winter! You can wander about and take your time exploring one of the most well-known English landmarks at this time of year.

You can see the Crown Jewels, explore the armoury, and hear gruesome and gory historical tales in the Tower.

The staff are also dressed in yeomen, which are historically accurate attire for the Tower's workers or servants. If you like history, this is a winter excursion for you!

Christmas Concert at Royal Albert Hall

No London Christmas is complete without the magical sounds of a festive concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Every December, this iconic venue hosts a selection of spectacular Christmas shows, from singalong classics and family-friendly performances to traditional carols illuminated by twinkling lights. The soaring architecture and joyful atmosphere make these concerts an absolute must for your Christmas in London experience, prepare to be truly enchanted!

London museums

Tick off must-visit museums like The British Museum, Natural History Museum, and Imperial War Museum. Free to enter and perfect for escaping the December chill.

Pantomimes

He's behind you! It's not a London visit around the holidays if you don't go to the Christmas time pantomimes. Despite its reputation for more serious stage productions, London also hosts a number of pantomimes that include a number of well-known celebrities. 

You have lots of opportunities to laugh, with shows like Elf the Musical, A Christmas Carol, and The Snow Queen, among others. The shows will put you in the mood for the season!

Richmond Park

Take a stroll through Richmond Park, one of West London's most serene and picturesque locations, especially in the winter, to round up your laid-back afternoon. You can't avoid the celebrations entirely because the park is home to 630 deer! For the whole family, taking a wintry stroll in London during this festive season is highly recommended.

Ready for a festive karaoke session in London?

We hope this guide has got you into the festive spirit and you're excited to explore all the wonderful Christmas events this city has to offer!

If you're ready to release your inner Mariah Carey with some Christmas cocktails then get yourself down to Lucky Voice this Christmas!

We can cater to many events with our handy drinks packages and fantastic private karaoke rooms, including, hen nights, birthdays, corporate team building and of course Christmas parties!

Walk in, dance out. Book now for a truly magical Christmas party!