Visiting London at Christmas time is on many travelers’ bucket list. And for good reason : it’s one of the most christmassy cities in the world, you can’t go anywhere without seeing a barrage of lights. Here’s the top 15 places you absolutely must visit during your Christmas tour in London.
I have been to London many times and even worked there a few months back in 2018, but London at Christmas time really is something else ! Surfing between university and night coaches, we planned a crazy 48 hours in London. Here are the 15 must dos during your London Christmas tour.
Is it worth visiting London in December ?
London is a very popular place to travel to during December. Whether it’s your first or tenth time where royalty lives, you will discover the perfect London cliché in all its glory : typical lampposts beaming on the puddles of the English rain, people in suits sipping tea on misty days (or any day), red buses passing next to buskers’ live music in the streets… The cold temperature cannot do anything about what London is notorious for !
Is Christmas a good time to visit London ?
Of course, Christmas is an incredible time to visit London ! In addition to all the attractions and things to do in London all year long, the Christmas celebrations make everything look like a fairy tale. You can go ice skating, wander in the Christmas markets, witness live shows, drink hot chocolates…
There truly are tons of answers to the question “What are the best tours in London?” and you might not want to spend hours to find the right one, so here’s a youtube video that shows off the best 15 things to do in London at Christmas time.
Where should I go in London for Christmas ?
Without further ado, here is the best London Christmas lights tour, including the best places to witness Christmas light shows, to go Christmas shopping in London, to hang out with your friends and family or to eat during your getaway, day off or holidays.
Where are the best Xmas lights in London ?
Kew Gardens Christmas
Trust me when I say Kew is the icing on the cake of your London Christmas lights tour. This marvelous place is a bit far from the city center but it’s an absolute must do if you want to see the craziest Christmas lights you’ve ever seen.
With your £18 ticket, you will be authorized an unlimited amount of time into this lights playground. Trees are literally decorated from head to toe, the Kew Gardens light show is really impressive as it displays hundreds of lights, balls and more!
✔️ Book your ticket here to secure your spot : Kew Gardens ticket.
Here’s just one last piece of information if you were not convinced yet, you will walk under the most unreal tunnel of lights at some point. It has to be the most romantic place because we even witnessed a couple’s proposal there. So yes, the entrance price is quite expensive but in the end it’s very worth it. Plan at least one hour in the park.
Oxford Street and Regent Street
The most known street of London had to be on the list, with her twin sister Regent Street. Why not take a London Christmas lights walk there while doing Christmas shopping ? It’s a win win situation ! You will find all the shops you’re looking for there, and both the roads sparkle for the festive season.
Carnaby Christmas Lights
In the West End of London, the world-famous Carnaby Street is a very nice and cute area to stroll in, especially at Christmas time ! Carnaby is much more than just a shopping street in Soho ; it’s an epicentre of culture and heritage.
Every year, the whole street is decorated with thematic installations. For instance, 2017’s theme was the Carnival. Marvel at the wonderful lights decor while taking a well deserved walk break.
Winter Forest Broadgate
It’s very unlikely you would find this spot in travel guide books because it truly is a secret gem. Hidden behind Liverpool Street Station, this is the cutest little christmas market you could run into !
Be dazzled by the super cool tunnel of lights that shimmers above your head at the entrance. This place will fill your heart with casual magic and maybe even help you find useful travel gifts. So, don’t forget to include this place in your London Christmas lights tour route.
King’s Cross for Harry Potter fans
If you chose to do a London Christmas lights walking tour, or a London Christmas lights bike tour, which I would recommend as the transportation is quite expensive, there’s a very good spot nearby. It’ll keep you in a cinematic mood, especially if you discovered the city of London through the Harry Potter saga.
You just have to cross the street to go to King’s Cross railway and… boom, just like that you’re at the Platform 9 ¾ ! You can immortalize the moment with the suitcase half in the wall and buy souvenirs or gifts at the Harry Potter themed shop.
Bond Street
For anyone looking for a London Christmas lights night tour in 2020, the Bond Street has nothing to envy to the world famous Oxford Street and Regent street ! Indeed, she metamorphosed into a dreamy alley with giant white peacock feathers above people heads.
The various shops of the Bond street also held private in-store events and they are opening late so people can enjoy an evening out, get in the Christmas spirit, buy some gifts for their loved ones before Christmas day, and have a nice meal or drink out.
💡 To have a full tour of London at Christmas, you can also book a Christmas light tour with a local guide. How fabulous would it be to see London glowing from a restored 50-year-old Vintage bus?
London Christmas Ice Skating : Where are the best ice rinks ?
Ice skating in London at Christmas time is a magical activity to experience ! Most outdoors ice rinks are open from November to January. You can either go to the Hampton Court Palace ice rink, a very royal place to ice skate with stunning Christmas lights dancing on the rinks as you move. Definitely a spot you want to try out during your London getaway.
You can also enjoy a cool ice-skating experience at Ice Rink Canary Wharf, in between London skyscrapers. Show off your best moves to the spectators passing by !
London Christmas Tour : What are the best places to hang out ?
Camden Christmas
Camden was, is and will always be my favourite place to go to when I’m in London. For an endless number of reasons, including its open mindedness, multiculturalism and the presence of music everywhere. When you’re strolling into Camden Market, you can feel like you’re traveling the whole world at once ! It’s a very eye opening place to discover and rediscover again and again.
During your Christmas tour of London, you just cannot miss Camden. This neighborhood is always buzzing with creative people and places, which never fails to create a unique Christmas atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the magic of the place with the Christmas lights, Christmas shows or even Santa Claus people around you !
Brick Lane
I would call Brick Lane the “new Camden”. It’s a really interesting place to walk in as the neighborhood holds some of the most incredible street art of the city. There are also loads of awesome record stores such as Rough Trade, but also art galleries, restaurants, third shops… It’s the ideal place if you’re looking for Christmas presents or just cool things to buy overall.
Piccadilly Circus
Located in Westminster, Piccadilly is always a great place to hang out at any time of the year. It’s like New York Time Square in some ways : always filled with people, unique architecture with huge advertisement billboards, animated by day or by night. You’ll hear some buskers for sure !
Winter Wonderland
Most London Christmas tours include an evening to the not so famous Winter Wonderland ! I love how London transforms Hyde Park into a huge “Santa Land” every year for the festive season. Tons of attractions, giant observation wheel, food stands, bars and karaokes, lights, Christmas markets, and even better : live music every night at the Bavarian Village.
Nothing will get you more in the festive spirit than listening to a band singing famous songs, surrounded by lots of other people singing their hearts out. It truly creates an amazing atmosphere, and you’ll feel like you’re part of the deep heart of the city.
Where to eat in London ?
The final piece of advice for your London getaway in December is about restaurants ! You want to eat something in a place that changes from the usual? Ok, what would you think about eating delicious french food under a ceiling of wisteria flowers?
Yes, it’s possible at Aubaine Selfridges! This restaurant is located at the second floor of Selfridges in Oxford Street. Although you can’t book in advance, you’ll get a table for two pretty quickly.
The second restaurant I would recommend for brunch or lunch is the Breakfast Club. There are several of them in London but the most known and well decorated is in London Soho. Their pancakes are insanely good and filling. However, if you want to start your London Christmas day tour there, I would recommend going quite early as it attracts lots of people.
Finally, to get in the Christmas spirit even more, you buy seasonal products or have a glass of cider at London Borough Market. It’s located in Southwark and is one of the largest and oldest markets of the city. It kinda looks like a Harry Potter alley too, so even if you’re not intending to buy anything, it’s a nice place to stroll in.
Where to stay in London on a budget ?
PubLove
For your London Christmas tour, you might need cheap accommodation. No worries, London has some of the best hostels in the world ! The one that I used to go to a lot when I was travelling back and forth to London for concerts is PubLove.
An average night in a shared dorm is 14€, the bartenders and receptionists are very nice, you can come in at any hour of the day or night and the breakfast is included. The only down side of this place is that there’s no kitchen to cook your own dishes, but the hostels pizzas are excellent.
Phoenix Hostel
Another great place to stay at is the Phoenix Hostel in Marylebone. We arrived at this one very sleep deprived after a night in a Paris – London coach. The receptionists kindly let us sleep on the sofa while waiting for our beds to be available.
This hostel has everything you could expect from a hostel : a bed in a shared room, showers, wifi, breakfast and a kitchen ! I tried a lot more hostels in London so tell me if you’d like me to write an article about that.
I hope this London Christmas tour guide helps you plan your weekend or holidays to London better. If you have any questions about activities, accommodation or transports, I’ll be happy to answer.
