Are There Many Events On In London At Christmas?
Absolutely! Christmas in London is a magical time and the perfect time to visit as there is so much going on. Take a walk around the city to see all the best lights and decorations or you could explore it by bus, visit London's famous Christmas markets or attend a classic Christmas carols concert! See below for some of the best Christmas events in London this year.
London's Christmas Markets
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without all of the wonderful Christmas markets, and luckily for you we know the best ones to visit in London! Head on down to the Southbank's Christmas market where you can walk right by the riverside. There's some tasty treats to be had here including grilled cheese and bratwurst and plenty of stalls to keep you occupied for an hour or two. On the other side of the river, is Leicester Square's Christmas market with traditional delicious food and drink as well as handmade gifts for you to grab for your loved ones. Whilst you're in the area, you might as well pop down to Trafalgar Square's Christmas market where the festivities continue and you'll find lots of wooden huts selling you doughnuts, fudge, and decorations! Or for something a little bit different, we've got Selfridge's Christmas market, where you can go on a helter skelter and grab a hot chocolate. We also have some great deals on Christmas market breaks if you fancy a stay in the capital!
Winter Wonderland London
We couldn't make a Christmas events in London guide page without mentioning Winter Wonderland! The event is still ticketed and only certain off-peak sessions are free. With London's biggest Christmas market, rides, attractions, shows, ice skating and an ice bar all in one place, there's no better place to get yourselves into the Christmas spirit! There's also a whole range of foods and drinks to sample from the Bavarian village serving beers and bratwurst to fully loaded fries and warming toasties and hot chocolate, to doughnuts and crepes, there's definitely something here to suit everyone's tastebuds! Your little ones will be kept entertained with rides and games for them to get involved in, and you never know what you might win.
Crystal Palace Lightopia
South London's newest illuminated Christmas festival will return for a third year! Take a stroll through Crystal Palace Park with amazing installations and various routes to take, we're here to light up your world this Christmas! People typically spend an hour and a half following the trail of lights around the park and grabbing some amazing photo and selfie opportunities too. They also have food and drink on site to keep you warm and energised and there are even some rides for you and your little ones to enjoy too! Don't miss the lakeside water show with Christmas themed synchronised dancing lights, amazing music and shiny stars.
Christmas Lights in London
Last year quite a few areas chose not to have a formal Christmas light switch on, but there were still plenty of bright pretty lights to look at all over the city! This year, no exact dates have been released yet, so we're unsure whether they're going to follow the same pattern of last year, but we'll give you some top spots to look out for. With the displays changing every year, you'll never grow tired of marvelling at these impressive lights. We'd recommend checking out Bond Street, Marylebone High Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden and Regent Street, plus you'll also be in the perfect location to get a head start on that Christmas shopping! Most of these locations are within a few minutes walk of each other so you can easily visit them all on foot, and in November it's normally dark around 5pm so you won't have to stay out too late! Just remember to wrap up warm out there!
Christmas At The Tower Of London
Prepare to see the Tower Of London like you've never seen it before with a magical festive display all over the famous landmark! The 12 Days of Christmas will be brought to life in a unique style. Expect festive decorations and illuminations throughout, as the Tower Of London lights up this Christmas! There's rowdy ravens, a Christmas tree for each of Henry VIII's wives and a photo opportunity with life size lions in support of England's World Cup campaign. Don't forget to visit the cafe for a mince pie and a hot chocolate!
Christmas Afternoon Tea In London
Who doesn't enjoy a classic afternoon tea? London is the perfect place to have afternoon tea, and now the ideal place to experience a festive afternoon tea! We've got just the deal for you that will see you tucking into turkey burgers and hot dogs wrapped in bacon, sipping on tea, coffee, mulled wine and prosecco and satisfying your sweet tooth with Christmas themed cupcakes and mince pies. Check out our Festive Afternoon Tea here!
Where To See Santa In London
Getting to meet Santa at Christmas is such an exciting time for children, and this year the visits are just getting bigger and better! Start the journey with a trip to London Zoo and experience the true magic of Christmas, plus there's even an opportunity to have a VIP breakfast with Mrs Claus on certain dates. There is a grotto in Hamleys toy store where your child will have the perfect environment to tell Santa what they want for Christmas this year! If you're spending a day at Winter Wonderland, then you must stop by Santa Land to see the main man himself, and tickets are free for this event. Finally, Santa will be stopping by the Strand Palace Hotel to meet the children and take photos with them, plus Somerset House ice rink is only a short walk away, perfect for a festive day!
Eat & Drink Christmas Festival London
We don't need to tell you that the food and drink is one of the best parts of Christmas, and now there's a whole festival dedicated to it! Spend the day learning new culinary skills, receiving tips on recipes, sample and discover new wines, beers and spirits, find some fantastic fresh produce and be inspired to get creative in the kitchen this Christmas. Don't forget to stop by 'The Great Eat' where you can really indulge in some of the world's finest flavours and be inspired to try something different!