20 Christmas Things to Do in London

✨ Searching for the best Christmas things to do in London? Discover the best Christmas activities including things to do on Christmas Day in London and things to do on Boxing Day in London too in our article plus answers to FAQs.

If you’ll be in London during the second half of November, December or early January, then you’re probably going to be looking for Christmas things to do in London!

London is magical during the festive season. There are twinkling lights strung everywhere, markets pop up all over the city and everyone seems to join in with the spirit of Christmas. Visit London at Christmas and it’s a different city to the one you may have already seen in summer.

Our roundup of 16 of the best festive things to do in London at Christmas will help you plan the perfect festive visit! Christmas activities in London are held all over the capital, so whatever you’re into there’s something for you – even if you’re not into shopping.

Staying on for New Year’s Eve? Read our guide to New Year’s celebrations in London

12 of the best Christmas things to do in London

Book a festive photoshoot

Why not capture memories of your trip and organise a festive London photoshoot? There are so many beautiful places in London to capture the perfect images for your annual Christmas card!

Book with Domi of Scalens studio and use code UKTP10 at checkout for an exclusive 10& discount!

Marvel at London’s Christmas lights

• When: 4 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
• Where: all over London
• Open Christmas Day? Yes
• Open Boxing Day?Yes

Seeing the Christmas lights in London is one of the best free things to do in the capital at Christmas.

However, if you are short on time and want to see as many lights as you can, you can book an organised tour to visit the best spots, such as Oxford, Regent, Carnaby, and Bond Streets, Covent Garden, and the Southbank.

Explore 17 top London Christmas lights spots here

Take a Christmas tour of London

• When: throughout December
• Where: all over London
• Open Christmas Day? Selected tours operate on 25th December
• Open Boxing Day? Selected tours operate on 25th December

There are lots of guided tours to take in London at Christmas including on the big day itself or Boxing Day (December 26th). You can choose between walking tours, open-top bus trips, Christmas markets, Thames cruises and even church services.

Click here to read about 22 of the top London Christmas tours.

Head to the Southbank Winter Festival

• When: 3 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
• Where: Southbank
• Closest tube: Waterloo
• Open Christmas Day? No
• Open Boxing Day? Yes

There’s more to the Southbank Winter Festival than just a Christmas market packed with both traditional and quirky gift stalls. You can also expect twinkling lights, street performers, artworks and musical performances. It’s also a great place to try seasonal and street foods from around the world. In 2025, the market will be open every day from 11am – 10pm. 

After your shopping, why not pop into Bar Humbug, a new Bavarian style festive bar opening for Christmas 2025. Bar Humbug, a festive singalong bar with a Bavarian twist. It will host live music, DJ’s and piano-led Christmas sing-a-longs. Both the market and bar are free to enter.

See what the Southbank Winter Festival is all about here. 

Visit Hogwarts in the Snow

• When: 15 November – 18 January
• Where: Harry Potter Studios
• Open Christmas Day? No
• Open Boxing Day?No

If you fancy a break from the packed shops of the capital, head to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter studios for ‘Hogwarts in the Snow.’ The studio sets are adorned with decorations, trees and lights and the Great Hall is transformed into the magical Yule Ball from ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.’ It’s a Christmas must-do for Potter fans.

Read more about Hogwarts in the Snow here. 

Enter Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland

• When: 14 November 2025 – 1st January 2026
• Where: Hyde Park
• Closest tube: Hyde Park Corner
• Open Christmas Day? No
• Open Boxing Day? Yes
• Winter Wonderland is closed on selected dates during the six week opening period. Check online in advance of your visit.

Hyde Park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland every December, and it’s not to be missed! The festive atmosphere is simply magical.

The Wonderland is packed with fun fair rides, gift stalls and food and drink outlets. Plus you can go ice skating, join an ice sculpting workshop, have a drink in the Ice Bar and explore the Ice Kingdom. Plus there’s two circus shows and a Santa’s grotto so there’s something for everyone.

You can buy tickets on the day but you might find popular attractions are sold out so we recommend booking in advance online. Off peak tickets are free but are timed. If you want to stay longer or all day, you’ll need a standard ticket. Individual rides and attractions cost extra but there are packages you can buy online which are cheaper than buying on the day. 

Check out all the options available here.

See the huge Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square

• When: throughout December
• Where: Trafalgar Square
• Closest tube: Charing Cross
• Open Christmas Day? Yes
• Open Boxing Day?Yes

See the vast Christmas tree which Norway donates to the UK every year at Trafalgar Square. Decorated by thousands of twinkling lights, the magnificent fir is more than 20 metres tall and over 50 years old.  

You may get lucky and time your visit for a carol singing choir!

Enjoy Christmas at Kew

• When: 14 November – 4 January
• Where: Kew Gardens
• Closest tube: Richmond
• Open Christmas Day? No
• Open Boxing Day? Yes

Kew Gardens are transformed at Christmas time into a spectacular light show with a magical, otherworldly feel.

As you follow the 2.4 km long trail, you can expect trees and walkways adorned with lights, illuminated displays and a colourful fountain display in front of the iconic Palm House. It’s a hugely popular event with Londoners so make sure you book in advance online. 

Discover Christmas at Kew here.

Go to a Christmas show or pantomime

• When: November to January
• Where: West End
• Open Christmas Day? No
• Open Boxing Day? Yes

Going to the theatre is among the top Christmas in London things to do. All sorts of performances are offered in the West End, around the Shaftesbury Avenue area and beyond. 

If you want to experience Christmas like a Londoner, go to a pantomime (panto for short). A panto is a big British family Christmas tradition, and the most sought-after tickets are often sold for Boxing Day performances. 

A panto is a fun, musical theatre performance loosely based on a traditional fairy tale. Audience participation is not only encouraged, it is expected! We guarantee it’ll be one of your Christmas in London highlights!

Explore the options on London Theatre Direct

4 Things to do in London on Christmas Day

As well as the best things to do in London at Christmas listed above, there are some things that are best enjoyed on the big day itself.

Book Christmas lunch at a London pub

Many pubs in Britain open for limited hours on Christmas Day to serve up an enormous festive feast. Expect roast turkey with all the trimmings (potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce and pigs in blankets) plus a starter and a slice of Christmas pudding.

There’s no better place to savour a Christmas Day feast than in a proper British ‘boozer’ and the atmosphere will be lively as everyone toasts the season and socialises with other tables. However, many places are pre-booking only and sell out early – you’ll need to book in around September or earlier before all available spaces have gone.

Attend a Christmas Day service

Christmas Day services will be taking place in churches all over London including St Paul’s Cathedral.

Check timings in advance, and bear in mind that some venues may require a booking. Wherever you go for a Christmas Day service or Midnight Mass, make sure you get there early as seats fill up quickly.

Walk through a Royal Park

The Royal Parks of London remain open during the festive period and are perfect for a Christmas Day stroll. Pick between Regent’s Park near London Zoo, St James’s Park near the palaces, Greenwich Park south of the river or Richmond Park to the west.

Plus there’s Bushy Park, Hampstead Heath, Crystal Palace Park, Lee Valley, Victoria Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park, Clapham Common, Battersea Park and more. Pick one near where you’re staying and off you go!

Watch the Peter Pan Cup Race

Though Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is closed on 25th December, you can witness another spectacle at the park. The Peter Pan Cup Race takes place every Christmas morning at the Serpentine Swimming Club. At 9 am, members take to the water to compete in a 100-yard race – whatever the weather!

Only members can take part, so you’ll only be able to watch, but it’s a long standing London tradition and worth visiting if you can.

4 things to do in London on Boxing Day

On Boxing Day in London (26th December), many of the attractions, shops, and restaurants are open once more and activities will be operating again.

If you’re looking for something special, though, here are some of the best Christmas things to do in London on 26th December.

Dine out in festive style

If you aren’t prepared to pay the eye-watering prices demanded by many restaurants and pubs for a Christmas Day meal, book one for Boxing Day instead. It’s still popular and busy (so book ahead) but prices are a steal compared to the day before!

Join a Boxing Day tradition

Seeing a show on Boxing Day is one of the ultimate things to do in London over Christmas. Snap up your tickets early and you could bag the best seats in the house!

Bag a bargain

The Christmas markets, small shops and major stores are likely to start their post-Christmas sales on Boxing Day. Start early if you want to avoid the crowds and keep in mind that some shops will stay shut on the 26th.  

That said, it’s one of the best times of year to grab a bargain buy, as retailers clear their seasonal goods to make way for new stock.

Christmas things to do in London FAQs

Are London attractions, restaurants, pubs, museums and shops closed on Christmas Day?

• London attractions – While many attractions are closed on Christmas Day, the Royal parks are open. You’ll also be able to wander the city streets admiring the lights and architecture with a fraction of the usual crowds.

• Restaurants – Many restaurants are closed for Christmas Day. Check online if you have a particular restaurant in mind, and book in advance for Christmas Day dinner or lunch. There are often a few eateries open in Chinatown, near Leicester Square. 

• Pubs – Many pubs are open for a few hours on Christmas Day around lunchtime, but then will close for the evening.

• Museums – Most London museums are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day including the British Museum, Imperial War Museum, V&A, National Maritime Museum and more.

• Shops – Closed. A few small privately owned convenience stores may be open and for limited hours.

Is public transport available on Christmas Day in London?

No public transport options run on Christmas Day. However, you can jump onto a Santander cycle or take a black cab. However, taxis will be limited and will charge higher fares. So might want to bear this in mind when booking your London accommodation!

Christmas Day is a great day to walk and to enjoy London when it’s quiet.

Are London attractions, restaurants, pubs, museums and shops closed on Boxing Day?

• London attractions – Some attractions remain closed on Boxing Day so check before you visit.

• Restaurants – Some restaurants are closed on Boxing Day. Check online if you have a particular restaurant in mind, and book in advance for a Boxing Day meal.

• Pubs – London pubs are normally open as usual on Boxing Day, but you’ll still need to book a table in advance if you want to dine there.

• Museums – Most London museums are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day including the British Museum, Imperial War Museum, V&A, National Maritime Museum and more.

• Shops – Some shops are closed on Boxing Day, while others fling open their doors to start their post-Christmas sales. It depends on the retailer, so check in advance if there’s one you particularly want to visit.

Is public transport available on Boxing Day in London?

London buses, trams, and Underground and Overground trains operate a reduced service on Boxing Day. Note that public transport begins to slow down from early evening on Christmas Eve, and there will be no night bus services at all on the 24th or 25th.

Which Christmas things to do in London are for you?

There are so many things to do in London during the Christmas season whatever your age or interest. 

Planning ahead is essential if you’re spending Christmas Day in London. The only transport options are costly black cabs, hire cycles where they’re available and walking. So you may want to plan what to do, and where to stay, with that in mind.

From Boxing Day, many attractions reopen. Some museums, shops, restaurants and attractions are closed, though, so do check beforehand if there’s somewhere special you want to go. Also bear in mind that though public transport is running, it’s not yet business as usual and a limited service will be in operation. 

Which places to visit in London during Christmas are on your shortlist? Whatever it is, we know you’ll love all the Christmas places to visit in London just as much as we do.