Shopping in December lets visitors enjoy the Christmas lights

Your Complete Guide to London in December

By Ian Packham

If you thought London was a city solely for the summer months, think again. Because London in December sees the British capital at probably its most colorful of the year. Few can avoid getting in the Christmas spirit, before turning their attention to the south bank of the River Thames and the nation’s foremost fireworks display to bring in the New Year in style.

With all that in mind, here’s your complete guide to what’s going on in London in December, so you don’t miss a thing.

Shop till you drop

Image of Person, Walking, City, Pedestrian, Path, Adult, Female, Woman, Road, Street, Urban, Bag, Handbag, Coat, Pants, Sidewalk, Backpack,

Forget what you’ve seen in the movies, you’ll need to be lucky to encounter any snowfall in London at Christmas. With average December lows of 5°C, snowmen are more likely in February. But this takes nothing away from the Christmas atmosphere, which sweeps across the capital’s streets and storefronts from the end of November.

From Abbey Road to Lambeth Palace, Carnaby Street to St Katharine Docks, London’s sidewalks are bright with an array of lights, adding a further attraction to the window displays of shops big and small.

Not too far away, London’s largest Christmas tree – an annual gift from the Norwegian capital topping out at around 20 meters high – takes center stage in Trafalgar Square. Christmas markets occupy other well-known spaces, including Leicester Square and the riverbank in front of Tower Bridge and City Hall, where last minute gifts and traditional festive treats jostle for attention.

Never one to rest on its laurels, as soon as the big day is over, the focus moves to the Boxing Day sales of December 26, which has been a date to circle in the diary long before the advent of Black Friday. Aim to get there before sun up for the very best deals.

Enjoy the capital’s historic attractions in a new way

Image of Person, Handbag,

Even if you’ve visited London before, December offers many new experiences at some of the city’s most famous sites. The UNESCO-enshrined Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew puts on a dazzling display of lights and colorful projected images every evening from dusk.

Hyde Park becomes the location of a huge combined fun fair and Christmas market, perhaps best taken in from its dedicated observation wheel. Alternatively, you might prefer to cheer on the brave souls who take part in the Peter Pan Cup. A swimming competition in Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake, it has taken place on Christmas Day since 1864 in one of the capital’s stranger traditions.

If you prefer your water even colder, look no further than the temporary outdoor ice rinks that appear at many of London’s most-loved attractions during December. Kensington’s Natural History Museum, The Strand’s Somerset House and even Hampton Court Palace provide extraordinary backdrops to a quick spin on the ice followed by a warming mug of hot chocolate.

Experience the UK’s top Christmas events

Image of Person, Bus, Church, Landmark, St. Paul Cathedral,

Christmas in London sees Christopher Wren’s masterwork, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the thousand-year-old Westminster Abbey both present a series of traditional carol services which fill their august spaces with stunning vocals. The Royal Albert Hall has an equally impressive program of concerts, ranging from Christmas classics played by big bands to performances of Handel’s Messiah.

Heading to a ballet performance is another popular London December tradition. Shows with winter themes such as The Nutcracker grace the stages of several major theaters, and are bound to bring back a sense of childhood glee. For an altogether less-serious evening out, it has to be a panto performance, filled with slap-stick comedy, audience participation and men dressed in drag.

But don’t be misled by the brash colors and fairy-tale plots, there’s serious acting going on here, with everyone from Sir Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings’ Gandalf) to Hollywood ‘giant’ Mickey Rooney having taken to the pantomime stage. Oh no they didn’t – oh yes they did!

But when it comes to events in London in December, few can compete with the capital’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Launched from barges on the Thames and the 32 pods of the London Eye, the display takes eight technicians a week to wire up the seven tons of explosives needed for the 10-minute show. Dazzling audiences since its inception in the year 2000, it can be enjoyed from various high points around the city, as well as the river bank and the comfort of sofas in well-heated bars just about everywhere.

Eat, drink and be merry

Image of Fun, Party, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Female, Woman, Head, Face, Happy, People,

With 60-plus Michelin star restaurants at your fingertips, London’s food scene takes some beating. Even if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to beef aged for 90 days in Himalayan salt chambers and desserts decorated with 24-carat gold leaf, you’ll still find plenty of choice.

Don’t get caught out though – many restaurants (and attractions) close their doors on Christmas Day to give their staff a well-earned rest. Even those that do open – and Chinatown is always a good bet – get booked up early and can be difficult to reach without London’s usual transportation options, which also cease for the day.

Roast turkey has been the Christmas Day meal of choice since at least the time of Henry VIII, and will be served with ‘all the trimmings’. These include Brussel sprouts, honey-roasted parsnips, sage and onion stuffing, pigs in blankets (that’s sausages wrapped in bacon) and roasted potatoes.

Traditionally made with suet, Christmas pudding is another must try, being loaded with dried fruits, spices and a liberal quantity of alcohol before being served with hot custard (crème anglais). You’ll find mince pies (which are nothing to do with ground beef) dusted in icing sugar and on display at pretty much every bakery, café and supermarket in the capital in December.

Many Brits, Londoners included, then head out for a post-meal walk, which may involve a stop off at a local pub. Whether they’re open or not will largely depend on where you’re located – central London takes on the air of a ghost town on December 25. Those on popular walking routes are more likely to be open than those on streets like The Strand, although probably for no more than a few hours in the afternoon. Hotel bars are likely to remain open for longer.

Save on London December attraction admission

Admission to many of London’s top attractions and activities can be enjoyed at a reduced rate with Go City. Our Explorer Pass includes admission to a range of London attractions, while giving you the flexibility to do what you want, when you want, without having to make any decisions beforehand. If London’s December weather lets you down, there’s no need to rearrange the plans for your entire stay. In fact, with Go City you don’t need a plan at all.

Continue reading

King's Cross Square London
Blog

Things to do in King’s Cross London

Don’t let fans of the wizarding world of Harry Potter hear you say it, but there are many more things to do in King’s Cross London than attempt entry to Platform 9 3⁄4 for the Hogwart’s Express... No longer an area to be avoided, a huge amount of effort has gone into making King’s Cross a London neighborhood where people want to live, work and relax. Long before Google and Microsoft, one of the earliest institutions to recognize the potential was the newly formed British Library. But beyond its exhibition space you’ll also find a refreshed canal side and plenty of places to enjoy a cup of tea or pint of ale with new friends. Let’s take a look at London’s King’s Cross in a little more detail. Delight in being bookish Much to the amusement of passing commuters, there’s always a steady stream of people having their photograph taken as they push a trolley through the wall to Platform 9 3⁄4 – which sadly doesn’t lie between platforms 9 and ten but beside a small supermarket. Book fans of all kinds can also delight in the miles of shelving which makes up the British Library – permitted by law to collect one of every book published in the English language. It is also responsible for looking after some of the most important documents in British history. Displayed in its ground floor exhibition hall is a Shakespeare first folio and an original copy of Magna Carta. Agreed by King John in 1215, it prevents unlawful arrest and was the start of trial by a jury of peers. Other important artefacts include the hand painted pages of the Lindisfarne Gospels and Beatles’ lyrics in the writing of Paul McCartney. Check out the King’s Cross museums The temporary exhibitions at the multi-million-dollar biomedical research establishment the Crick Institute are no less insightful, helping to bring to life advances in the understanding of the way our bodies function that are resulting in new and better treatments for the world’s biggest health risks. The nearby Foundling Museum was created to help tell the story of the Foundling Hospital. Set up by a wealthy philanthropist in the 1730s, it became the first home for at risk children in Britain. But its collection has a far broader remit, containing paintings by some of the country’s most important artists of that time, including William Hogarth, Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds. The upper floor then describes the hospital’s connection with composer George Frideric Handel, who lived in London for many years. In an interesting twist, the house next door would also be occupied by Jimi Hendrix. Another King’s Cross museum worth consideration is the London Canal Museum, whose collection of stories and artefacts help detail the emergence of the capital’s canal network as well as its relatively rapid decline at the hands of the railways. Enjoy nature in the heart of London Stepping out from beyond the red brick edifice of the British Museum or shining glass and steel of the Crick Institute you’ll be mere paces from Regent’s Canal. Reborn as a place to spend your leisure time after a generation of being ignored, its towpath provides an alternative behind the scenes view of the neighborhood, as well as little gems including the Word on the Water floating bookshop. It may not have the physical grandeur of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew but Camley Street Natural Park is one of several pockets of green space you wouldn’t even know existed without being told. The park’s visitor center is worth stopping by, although nothing can beat a pleasant few minutes beside the pond as wildlife envelops you from all around. It’s an all the more impressive feat given the tracks running to London Saint Pancras International – the capital’s Eurostar terminus – run across the back of it. On the opposite side of these tracks you’ll be able to find a similarly idyllic spot, the churchyard of St Pancras Old Church. In its churchyard is the Grade I registered mausoleum to Sir John Soane, founder of the British Museum, which became the unlikely starting point for another recognizable London sight – its red telephone boxes. Meanwhile, on the other side of the canal is Gasholder Park, a small but ingenious reinvention for old engineering. Take in a show Should you get hungry, Granary Square has become a solid choice when it comes to food, with plenty on offer whatever your tastes. A new public square featuring a thousand bubbling water jets that move and light up in different colors, its food options include national restaurant chains like the monolithic Dishoom and authentic British pubs alongside the canal. In the summer months, there’s often a big screen by the waterside showing tennis from Wimbledon amongst other big sporting events like World Cup soccer matches and the Olympic Games. The live entertainment gets even better than that though, with both the Shaw Theatre and the Bloomsbury Theatre only a short distance away. Between them, they host high-quality drama from the UK regions, which often see their way to Broadway and off-Broadway, alongside providing residencies for orchestras and regular live comedy and music nights. The Gagosian Gallery may not have the same heritage, but it does display some of the best 20th and 21st Century artworks outside of a national collection and has shown the works of everyone from Pablo Picasso to Damien Hirst. And if shopping is your raison d’etre, there’s Coal Drops Yard, whose stores are sure to inspire you to get your wallet out. Visit King’s Cross with Go City King’s Cross has moved on a lot since the statue of George IV at a road crossing was removed to build its station in 1845. Having existed in various guises since then, today it’s a neighborhood that has rediscovered its mojo and has become a choice place to spend time in the capital once more. Make the most of your trip to London by traveling with Go City and you can make incredible savings on top attractions such as the Tower of London and the Cutty Sark, the only remaining tea clipper ship of its kind in the world. Be sure to share the resulting snaps with @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook to show us just what a good time you’re having exploring all the things to do in King’s Cross London!
Ian Packham
Revelers at a Pride parade
Blog

Things to do in London for Pride Day

The Pride in London festival is one of the biggest, brightest and best on the planet, with around 30,000 participants and 1.5 million spectators. A month-long celebration of love, diversity and all things LGBTQ+, it comes complete with theatrical cabaret and drag performances, world-class nightlife, LGBTQ+ film screenings and, of course, the all-important Pride Parade that brings the festival to a flamboyant close in late June or early July. Raise your rainbow flag and dive in for our guide to all the best things to do in London for Pride Day. The Pride Parade There are stacks of fun LGBTQ+ events taking place around London in the weeks leading up to the annual Pride Parade. We’re talking community socials, live theater, movie screenings, tours and more. But, by the end of the month it’s all about the Pride Parade, when the West End fills with festival atmosphere, and vibrant, eye-popping floats lead a procession of thousands of revelers through the streets. Here, all roads lead to Trafalgar Square for the biggest party of the year. Find a spot along the (relatively short) route from Hyde Park to watch the floats cruise colorfully by. Expect plenty of dancing, singing and wild, wild costumes at the Trafalgar Square party, accompanied by live shows from some of the planet’s biggest stars – previous performers include Idina Menzel, Rita Ora, and Queen’s Adam Lambert. If Trafalgar Square feels a little too hectic for you (and, believe us, it does get pretty hectic), there are several other satellite events dotted around the West End, including a family area at Victoria Embankment, and revelers tend to spill out into the surrounding neighborhoods (particularly Soho) to keep the party going through the day and indeed well into the wee small hours. Pride in London is a free and unticketed event, but those with deep pockets can choose to book a seat in the grandstand on Haymarket for around £50. You’ll need to book early though – seats are very limited and tend to sell out in the blink of an eye. Find about more about this year’s Pride in London events and timings here. LGBTQ+ Art & Culture There are many ways to spend Pride Day in London without spending endless frustrated hours jockeying for position at overcrowded bars. For example, you could soak up some of that vibrant LGBTQ+ culture in a rather more low-key fashion at the Queer Britain Museum. This excellent Kings Cross museum was established to celebrate Pride’s 50th anniversary in 2022, and its exhibition contains photography from previous parades. There are also talks, workshops and a small shop. Some of London’s more established museums – the mighty British Museum and the Tate among them – also run tours highlighting key pieces of LGBTQ+ art in their collections in and around Pride month. And, if you do happen to find yourself at the British Museum, you’re also just a 10-minute stroll from London’s oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore. Gay’s The Word has been trading here since 1979, and acts as a thriving community hub as well as an outlet for some of the best in new (and old) LGBTQ+ writing. A fine place, in other words, to while away an hour or two, as well as supporting a small LGBTQ+ business during Pride. See London’s Top Sights Hey, just because the streets are thronging with crowds doesn’t mean you can’t also squeeze in a little light London sightseeing while you’re in town. There are some themed walking tours included with attraction passes from Go City, or you can go full Pride and take a Dragged Around London tour, in which a fabulous drag queen, drag king (or other gender-bending performer) will take you on a frankly unforgettable tour of some of the city's sights. Tour titles like ‘West Mincer’ and ‘Wild Wild West End’ should give you some idea of what to expect! Spoiler: high heels, lip-synching and karaoke are all par for the course. There are plenty more attractions worth checking out when in London for Pride Day. Many, including the London Eye, even light up in the rainbow colors of the Pride flag in honor of the festival. You can also save up to 50% on entry to bucket-listers including the London Eye with a London pass from Go City. Other attractions on the pass include: Madame Tussauds London The View from the Shard Kensington Palace, former home of Diana Princess of Wales The fabulous Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Tower Bridge … and many many more! Find out more and get your London attractions pass here. Pride Day Nightlife in London London’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene is a riot at the best of times, so you can only imagine what it’s like with the fun turned all the way up to 11 for Pride Day. Iconic nightlife venues abound in and around the streets of Soho where, handily, many of the day’s scheduled events will also take place. The bars that line Old Compton Street are practically the stuff of legend, and they get even more lively during Pride. Try the Admiral Duncan for one of the most convivial hangouts in town – it’s been around since the 19th Century and a popular LGBTQ+ hangout since at least the 1980s. Mix it up with a hop just across the street to lively Comptons, another fine stalwart of the LGBTQ+ scene that's been trading here since 1986. Later, Soho clubs including G-A-Y, Heaven and the Freedom Bar are just some of the neighborhood’s most popular choices, though there are plenty more within stumbling distance of Old Compton Street should these be too busy. Just south of the river, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern is a grade II-listed former Victorian music hall where high camp and high-kicking drag acts are the order of the day. Expect top live performers and high-energy floor fillers late into the night. The nearby Cock Tavern is another firm favorite with Pride revelers on the big day. Or don your most extraordinary Pride outfit and strike out for East End hipster joints like Dalston Superstore – think vegan food, colorful craft cocktails and contemporary club classics that cater to a slightly younger crowd. And finally (if you have any energy left), there’s FOLD in Canning Town, for dance, electronic and techno beats that will keep your feet moving long after sun-up. Save on London Attractions, Tours and Activities Save up to 50% on admission to London attractions with a pass from Go City. Check out @gocity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
An aerial view of London's Notting Hill
Blog

Things to do in Notting Hill London

Famous enough to have a movie named after it, west London’s Notting Hill has become one of the capital’s most respectable neighborhoods and forms part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. But that wasn’t always the case. It was once an area of piggeries and potteries, and went through various incarnations before becoming the attractive neighborhood for families it was always intended to be. Both cosmopolitan and multicultural, things to do in Notting Hill London are as varied as the shades that don the homes of Lonsdale Road and Westbourne Grove. These colorful townhouses have been the backdrop for several blockbusters, alongside a selection of markets, galleries and a world-renowned carnival that will have you coming back for more. We’re sure of it! Party time Europe’s largest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival has been dazzling the crowds since 1965. Taking place over the Sunday and following Monday bank holiday in late August it is led by the neighborhood’s British West Indian community, who club together to create floats and costumes which wow year after year. Ringing with the sound of steel drums and samba come rain or shine, there’s also plenty of Caribbean-inspired food and drink available throughout the two days of the event. At other times of year you can get your fill of the latest beats at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Where once Charlie Chaplin performed you’ll now find listings that include emerging talent and household names despite its relatively limited capacity of 2000. Pearl Jam and the Rolling Stones have both hit the Empire stage at the height of their success. Bag a bargain A great introduction to Notting Hill since it runs on a north-south axis for almost the entire length of the neighborhood, Portobello Road has become synonymous with its market. At its peak on Saturdays, its stalls run for close to one kilometer, which together with shop fronts packed with goodies makes it as stimulating visually as it is culturally and historically. Saturdays sees the antiques stalls joined by a traditional fruit and vegetable market, fashion, vintage items and household essentials, which share a roster of appearances the rest of the week. The closest Notting Hill – and London more generally – gets to a shopping mall is White City’s Westfield. Situated opposite BBC Television Centre it is one of Europe’s largest covered shopping centers, spanning the buyingg experience from the cheap and cheerful fashion of Primark to the high-end couture of Versace and Gucci. Feel the grass beneath your feet Although many of Notting Hill’s homes face out onto small communal gardens – sometimes reserved for residents alone – the neighborhood also includes two publicly accessible green spaces. The first is Holland Park, once the grounds of a Jacobean castle. A mix of landscapes, birds including peacocks delight in its dappled woodland, formal gardens look towards the remnants of Holland House and the Japanese Kyoto Garden adds another layer of interest. The second is Kensington Gardens not far to the east. One of London’s key green spaces, with a children’s playground, statues and duck pond, it is also the location of Kensington Palace. Open to the public since 1899 and a functioning royal palace to this day, it was the birthplace of Queen Victoria and has also provided a home for Princess Diana and Prince William. A design for life It’s worth staying a little longer in Holland Park though, since the Design Museum sits on its southern boundary. Founded by designer Sir Terence Conran in 1989, it reopened in its present location in 2016. A hyperbolic paraboloid roof acts as a further object of wonder beyond the museum’s collection of ‘everyday’ items in its permanent collection, whilst the lower floors are used to host temporary exhibitions on a broad range of design themes. Taking a look at design over the ages from an alternative viewpoint is the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising. Starting in Victorian times – which began in 1837 – the museum explores how consumer culture has changed through displays totaling 12,000 individual items. If you’ve ever wondered how a box of Corn Flakes has altered over the ages, or how Cadbury purple came into being, you know where to head! Let your hair down When it’s in full bloom, The Churchill Arms on Campden Street does a very good impression of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, whilst the festive season results in a look normally only possible after an explosion in a Christmas decoration factory. Unstoppably colorful, its pumps are also a good shout for sampling traditional British warm beer. Consider a pint of London Pride – named after a wildflower that appeared on the rubble of the Blitz. Surviving equally unscathed was the Electric Cinema, so named because it was one of Notting Hill’s first electrically lit and powered buildings. First opening in 1910, it is also one of the UK’s first purpose-built movie theaters, making it one of the most evocative places in the capital to take in a screening. Discover the best art around A one minute walk from Portobello Road, the spelling of Graffik Gallery tells you all you need to know about the sort of art establishment this place is – individual, contemporary and just a little bit edgy. Specializing in high-end street art, its walls display some of the best graffiti artists of the moment – including Banksy. Should the world of the spray can grab you, they regularly host graffiti workshops and private masterclasses. Westbourne Grove’s Maddox Gallery has been successful enough that it’s expanded internationally, though it all started right here in Notting Hill. They too have their finger in the Banksy pie, alongside works by Damien Hirst and Jean-Michel Basquiat, despite only being founded in 2015. Visit the real Notting Hill with Go City You probably won’t find Hugh Grant throwing an orange juice over you as in Notting Hill. Whilst this fictionalized version of the neighborhood has some truth to it – including the upper-class British accents – the only way to untangle fact from fiction is by visiting Notting Hill for yourself. Travel with Go City and uncover the huge range of things to do in Notting Hill London and save big at the same time. From design museums to market banter, Notting Hill has it all.
Ian Packham

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

  • Thick check Icon