Christmas in London

Top Things to do at Christmas in London

Christmas, the most magical time of the year and what better place to spend it than London?
By Alice PadfieldBy Alice Padfield

London is known for its holiday lights and dizzying array of festive activities, so whether you’re looking to stroll the streets in the crisp winter air or hide away from the British weather, this guide has all the ideas you need and more!

Winter Wonderland

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Winter Wonderland

First up, it's Winter Wonderland. Head to Hyde Park for one of the most popular festive destinations in London. Usually running from mid-late November until early January, Winter Wonderland combines all things Christmas. We’re talking authentic wooden market stalls, all the wintery treats and tipples you could ever want, sparkling holiday lights displays and an impressive array of funfair rides and games. Want to know the best bit? If you book a slot during off-peak hours, entry is totally free!

Kew Gardens

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Kew Gardens

This much-loved London attraction becomes a show-stopping must-see during the holiday season. With a dazzling lights trail through the gardens it is guaranteed to get you feeling festive. The trail features scenescapes inspired by the Kew collections, the 12 days of Christmas tree installation, the Christmas cathedral and loads of other Instagrammable opportunities. Stalls selling everything from seasonal street food, to mulled wines and hot chocolates ensures that everyone is well catered for, and makes this a great choice for a winter’s night.

Please note: general entry to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew is included with Go City but the Christmas lights trail is ticketed separately.

Go to a show

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Go to a show

There’s nothing more festive than a trip to the pantomime, as far as the UK is concerned. Embrace the British sense of humor at its finest and enjoy a fairytale-themed, all-singing, all-dancing masterpiece that somehow manages to get a laugh from everyone. (Well, nearly everyone anyway.)

If we really can’t tempt you with that, how about a night at the ballet? The Nutcracker is always showing somewhere over Christmas in London and guarantees to give you all the festive feels. Or just go for one of London’s many stage shows and musicals. Let's be real, the magic of any show makes it feel like a perfect holiday activity.

Ice skating

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Ice skating

Can you name a more iconic holiday activity... No? Didn’t think so, and London has some of the prettiest and most festive options for you to indulge in the classic Christmas pastime.

The ice rink at Hampton Court Palace provides a regal backdrop for skating as well as a great opportunity to soak up some British royal history. Please note: ice skating is ticketed separately to the general entry included with a pass. And if history is your thing the rink at Somerset House allows visitors to skate inside the 18th-century courtyard.

Or try the Natural History Museum for a picturesque skate, on the doorstep of one of London’s most popular destinations, a great choice for families looking for fun without so much travel. For a more twinkling and modern experience, try the Canary Wharf rink within London’s business district.

Prefer to skate whatever the weather? Then head for the Alexandra Palace ice rink, which has invited Londoners in to be entertained since the late 1800s.

Wherever you end up, for those who love ice skating, Christmas in London offers plenty of picture-perfect locations to get your skates on.

Christmas Lights

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Christmas Lights

Christmas in London is not complete without checking out a few of the magical holiday lights displays decorating the city. This combines well with shopping trips too for those looking to get more done in less time.

Festive exhibits you don't want to miss:

  • The magnificent window decorations at Selfridges
  • The creative and colorful creations above Carnaby Street
  • The twinkling stars and angels of Oxford Street and Regent Street
  • The stunning Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square
  • The giant Christmas tree and sparkling lights of Covent Garden

Christmas Markets

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Christmas Markets

For the European-style Christmas markets, think pretty, wooden stalls, homemade crafts and tasty treats, then try the Kingston Christmas Market or Christmas in Leicester Square. Usually running mid-November through to Christmas Eve, Kingston creates a twinkling festive market in a traditional British market town. While Leicester Square offers a similar experience, right in the heart of London.

The Southbank Centre’s Winter Market has similar alpine-style stalls running along Queen’s Walk. Stroll along the Thames enjoying the wide variety of street food, indulgent festive drinks and lots of holiday goodies on offer.

Christmas Shopping

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Christmas Shopping

Get your Christmas shopping sorted on the famous Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street. From Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road the heart of London’s West End is home to hundreds of well-known brands, flagship stores and award-winning restaurants.

If you’re looking for something a little more unique head to the historic Greenwich Market instead. Located in southeast London, it’s home to a large selection of British designer-makers selling everything from arts and crafts to homeware and accessories. This covered market is surrounded by independent shops and bars, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a more individual experience.

For those shopping with kids, you won't want to miss the joy of Hamleys at Christmas. Or do your shopping at Westfield London and treat them to the Kidzania experience while you're there. With a huge range of popular brands and dining options, there’s something to keep everyone happy (not to mention warm and dry if the weather’s bad).

Whether you’re looking to tick off the shopping list with world-class retailers or one-of-a-kind boutiques, London has got it all.

Escaping the crowds

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Escaping the crowds

Christmas in London is beautiful but there’s no denying it can get pretty busy, and this is England so it can be pretty cold and wet too. Make sure to give yourself some snuggly downtime if you need to escape the crowds, warm-up or dry off. Get yourself a Christmassy book and find a cute cozy cafe or coffee shop to soak up the more warming winter vibes with a mince pie or a Christmas coffee.

Top choice: for a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with an expertly curated coffee menu head for Climpson & Sons Café in Broadway Market, Hackney.

Or go for a traditional English pub and sink into a sofa by a roaring fireplace with a warm glass of something, preferably mulled. Either way, take a moment to have a good old people-watch and plan your next activity from the warm and dry.

Top choice: year-round favorite, The Churchill Arms in Kensington becomes a top festive destination from December as they decorate the outside entirely with Christmas trees and a record-breaking number of lights.

Toast the New Year

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Toast the New Year

And finally, what better way to get in the Christmas spirit, than toasting the last year and cheers-ing in the new one. ‘Tis the season after all. Searcy’s Champagne Bar in St Pancras is ideal for those looking for an atmospheric tipple, and with heated booths it's perfect for those cold winter evenings.

Or try the London Calling Bar by Moët & Chandon. Located on the ground floor of Selfridges, this London-themed option takes the form of a good old-fashioned British telephone box, very fitting for a Christmas in London fizz photo.

Save on London attraction admission

Christmas is a magical time to visit London, but the endless activities can become pretty pricey. With Go City® you’ll save on entry to many of London’s top attractions, ditch endless paper tickets and have the flexibility you want for a stress-free holiday.

Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield
Content Executive

Alice is a copywriter in the Content team at Go City®, where she combines her love for travel, literature, food and theatre to craft inspiring content for cultural explorers. From blog articles to TikToks, she creates engaging stories that help travellers uncover hidden gems and must-see spots in every city. Passionate about exploring new destinations, Alice shares her discoveries to help others curate unforgettable itineraries.

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Things to do in Greenwich London

History seeps from every cobblestone street and blade of grass in Greenwich. An area first recorded more than a thousand years ago in 918, it sits on the south bank of the River Thames to the east of central London, stretching around the banking center of Canary Wharf and docklands. Overflowing with royal heritage, and the meeting point of the eastern and western hemispheres, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not to be missed. From its parks to its panoramas of London, here are the top things to do in Greenwich London. Head back in time Standing proud in dry dock close to the entrance of Greenwich foot tunnel, the Cutty Sark was once one of the most important ships in Britain’s merchant fleet – tasked with transporting tea from Shanghai as quickly as the winds would allow. Becoming the fastest vessel to ever undertake the 3.5 month journey, it is the only ship of its kind in the northern hemisphere and provides an immersive way of experiencing what life must have been like on the high seas during the 1800s. Pass through the colonnaded central avenue of the Old Royal Naval College – created so views of the Thames from Queen’s House weren’t obstructed – and you’ll reach the National Maritime Museum. With the navy integral to Britain’s history, the museum has managed to collect over two million objects since it was opened in 1934, including Turner’s largest ever painting and the jacket that Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar. Take in the views Views back towards central London’s neighborhoods aren’t hard to find, with Greenwich Park providing ample. However, Greenwich doesn’t disappoint when it comes to vistas beyond the ordinary either. Those with a head for heights can scale London’s O2 Arena for uninterrupted 360° views not only of Greenwich, but also Canary Wharf and the 2012 Olympic Park – including the AcerlorMittal Orbit Tower. Or you could drift over the Thames with the 10 minute one way journey on London’s only cable car, the Emirates Air Line. But given its naval heritage and being so close to the river, the top way to take in the sights has to be aboard a Thames sightseeing cruise departing from Greenwich Pier. With three additional points to hop-on and off, they provide an alternative route to the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s than the city’s Underground network. Enjoy a park full of treasures Despite this range of attractions, Greenwich is most famous for its Royal Observatory, located within Greenwich Park. Commissioned by Charles II in 1675, it became a major center for astronomy and navigation, before also being designated the site of the prime meridian in the nineteenth century. A plaque and green laser mark the point at which the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth meet. Turn south towards the deer park to take in another of the park’s sights – The Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House. (Forget about any signs to the park’s Roman Ruins, which aren’t visible). The red brick edifice of Ranger’s House, by contrast, couldn’t be a better place to explore the 700 piece collection of Sir Julius Wernher. An extraordinary private collection of paintings, Renaissance jewelry, bronzes and carved ivory, it’s a museum which deserves better recognition than it usually receives. Explore modern Greenwich Walking distance from the main historical sites, Greenwich Market brings additional vibrancy to the neighborhood. Protected from the weather, this covered market contains around 120 stalls loaded with antiques, handmade arts and crafts from local creators and street food picks from around the world, including a good range of gluten-free and vegan options. Whilst some of the dishes these stalls produce are worthy of gallery space, the exhibitions at North Greenwich’s NOW Gallery will impress all the more. Its usual focus is on the area’s diversity, sharing the work of artists, designers and creatives from a range of backgrounds. Contemporary art, fashion and photography are all included. To see the latest in funny, check out the Up the Creek Comedy Club, who combine old and new world beers brewed on a daily basis using batch micro-brewing techniques with some of the UK’s top talent. Blackout nights add a talent show feek to the open mic nights. Its Sunday Special nights have been going strong since 2005, and often sees unadvertised performances from household names including Michael McIntyre and Flight of the Conchords. Get involved with special events Sometimes compared to a riverine version of the London Marathon, the Great River Race sees up to 300 oared craft race each other in a handicapped competition from Greenwich to Ham. Growing in popularity each September, every vessel is required to fly a flag and winners are not just those who cross the finish line first 34 kilometers later, but also those with the best fancy dress. Move over the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race! September also sees the city wide Open House event, revealing usually hidden parts of Greenwich to the general public. Sites that have previously welcomed visitors for this special event have included Joseph Bazalgette’s Pumping Station from 1859 and Nicholas Hawksmoor’s Church of St Alfege. Earlier on in the year, at the start of the summer festival season in June, there’s the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. Celebrating the performing arts, the 10 day event has around 200 different individual performances, from small-scale theatrical shows to huge outdoor acrobatic displays. What to do in Greenwich London When it comes to things to do in Greenwich London, visitors don’t have to look very hard, with the complex of royal museums, park and market providing a worthwhile pull east from the center of the British capital. Travel with Go City and you’ll also get incredible savings on attraction admission for many of the neighborhood’s top sites. That way you can straddle the globe’s hemispheres at the Royal Observatory and enjoy a cruise along the Thames towards the Houses of Parliament safe in the knowledge that you could be saving hour after hour and attraction by attraction.
Ian Packham
People enjoy the dun in St James's Park London
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London in June

June in London is known by its nine million residents for its blend of sunny skies, annual events and warm evenings outdoors. If you’re looking to get a sense of the British capital at its most animated, June is the month to visit. Not only do summer temperatures creep into every aspect of a visit to London during the month, but the city gets all dressed up in its finery for events of international significance – from the Wimbledon tennis championships to Trooping the Colour. Come with us, as we explore the very best of London in June. Soak up the June sun With the bright summer sun warming the streets of London from east to west and south to north, June is perhaps the perfect time to explore some of the city’s hidden green spaces. And that’s exactly what it’s possible to do during London’s Open Garden Squares Weekend at the start of the month. This very special weekend sees usually private spaces opening their gates to the public. Those taking part change from year to year, but have previously included City of London rooftops, a historic garden beside Shakespeare’s Globe accessed via London’s narrowest street and even the rarely-seen lawns of the Prime Minister’s office at 10 Downing Street. Situated among the ancient trees of a Royal Park, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre does nights at the theater like nowhere else in the capital. Its alfresco nature ensures every performance is unique, whilst the company’s artistes are top talents who regularly end up touring shows first-opened just a few hundred meters from the lion habitat of ZSL London Zoo. Pomp and pageantry The massed ranks of the British army put on one of their best performances of the year at Trooping the Colour. Marking the official birthday of the reigning monarch, this June event has taken place since 1908, after King Edward VII got tired of celebrating his natural birthday in the November chill. Dressed in their famous red frock coats and bearskin hats, over 1000 soldiers troop the color – their regimental flag – to the tune of around 400 musicians. It all takes place under the watchful eye of the monarch on Horse Guards Parade. But The Mall provides the best vantage point for the public to watch, since it has the added benefit of lining the route taken by various members of the royal family to and from Buckingham Palace by horse-drawn carriages. If sport is more your métier, head to London towards the end of June for the Wimbledon Championships. Probably the world’s most prestigious sporting trophy, tickets for the show courts are fiercely fought over. However, it’s still possible to take in the atmosphere and look out for the greatest players of the generation with a ground pass. The start of festival season Meanwhile, the London Festival of Architecture spans the entire length of June. The world’s biggest festival of its kind aims to reveal the stories behind some of the city’s best-known structures. Syon Park’s classic car show aims to fulfil a similar role for all things petrol-powered, whilst June is also the start of Pride month. Many of London’s nightspots in Soho and the West End put on special events to get the LGBT+ community in the spirit of the rainbow flag. The spectacle of the Royal Ascot five-day horse race meeting should be the only excuse you need to step aboard a Hop-on Hop-off open-topped bus in nearby Windsor. As well as admiring Europe’s longest-occupied castle, you can take in sights including Eton College and Holy Trinity Church. Observe the longest day of the year Summer nights in London develop an atmosphere all of their own, and this is only ever heightened in the case on June 22, the date of the summer solstice. Various one-off events take place on the longest day of the year, from sunrise yoga sessions to solstice parties at the capital’s top bars and clubs. It’s best to check local press closer to the time for details. It’s in June that London’s rooftop bars also come into their own, with many providing drinkers with spectacular panoramas across the skyline by both day and by night. Admire the historic landmarks which line the banks of the Thames with a city cruise river pass. Between them, the likes of the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament and London Bridge boast over a thousand years of heritage no visitor should miss. The Sunday nearest the solstice is usually the date set for Father’s Day. Those keen to celebrate everything their dad has done for them with a restaurant meal should book early. Restaurant tables get filled quickly with families looking to enjoy dedicated menus put in place just for the day. Experience London’s wildlife havens For a totally different way to see the capital, head west to the pools and ponds which form the London Wetland Centre. Created out of unwanted Victorian reservoirs in the year 2000, this magical space is now visited by some 180 different species of bird, as well as otters and innumerable species of insect. June in London is a good time to plan a visit to attractions with outdoor elements such as Chiswick House and Kitchen Garden too. Finished in 1729, the house is a celebrated example of neo-Palladian architecture. The surrounding grounds are one of the earliest examples of the English landscape style to be still in existence. Alternatively, head back to banks of the Thames and challenge yourself to find your way through the maze at Hampton Court Palace. Its yew tree hedging has been foxing residents and guests since it was first planted in the 1690s. Ways to save on attraction admission The sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to things to do in London in June. The generally fine weather means few of London’s attractions are off limits, although this can soon have a detrimental effect on your wallet. You can save on London attraction admission with Go City. How does it work? Simply purchase a package and start to save! Go to the visitor attractions you had always wanted to explore without losing the flexibility that’s an important part of any vacation!
Ian Packham
A tourist standing outside the gates of London's Buckingham Palace
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How to spend 5 days in London

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Ian Packham

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