10 Things You Have To Do in London at Christmas
London is very much like New York at Christmas – simply magical. We are blessed to have such a festive city sitting on our doorsteps but for many, London remains unexplored during this special time of year, despite there being so much to discover. So, to help introduce you to the wonders of the Big Smoke at Christmas time, we’ve picked out our top 10 favourite festive things to do in London and we’re sure they won’t disappoint!
1.
Winter Wonderland
One of the most iconic festive attractions in London – Winter Wonderland is hosted at Hyde Park and is open every day in December, apart from Christmas day.
A winter extravaganza, this huge Christmas village is filled with fairground rides, an ice skating rink, an observation wheel, bars, food stalls, a huge top for live shows and much more.
Admission into Winter Wonderland is free, however the activities have various charges.
2.
Ice Skate at One of London’s Regal Landmarks
Ice skating rinks pop up all around the City of London throughout December, so if you fancy hitting the ice in December whilst visiting the city, just pick which landmark you’d like as your backdrop.
Iconic buildings such as Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London all have pop up ice rinks in December.
3.
Enjoy Carols at St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is a hugely iconic building in the city – where better to get wrapped up warm and enjoy a traditional Christmas carol service?
There are various carol services hosted at the Cathedral throughout December, many of which are for charity, including the Cancer Research UK carol service on the 10th December and the London Fire Brigade carol service on the 17th December. You can purchase tickets for either of these directly from the respective organisations.
The classic St Paul’s Cathedral carol service will be hosted on the 23rd and 24th December from 4-5pm, both of which are free, non-ticketed events.
4.
Discover Hogwarts in the Snow
The Warner Bros Studio Tour is a favourite attraction in London for many, particularly Harry Potter fans, but their classic studio tour takes on much more of a festive feel in December, seeing iconic locations from the Harry Potter films become snow-covered and frosted for the Christmas period.
You can even add Christmas dinner at Hogwarts to your studio experience if you visit between the 9th and 11th of December, dining in the Great Hall and enjoying dessert at Platform 9 3/4.
5.
Explore the London Lights Via Bus
The whole of London is decked with twinkling lights throughout December and it simply wouldn’t be possible to see all the best by foot, so a great way to spend Christmas Eve is on one of London’s classic open-top buses, exploring the most iconic light displays the city has to offer.
Choose from 4 different one-hour tours, starting as early as 5pm, costing £30 per adult and £15 per child aged 5 – 15 years old. This tour will take you past Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Square and many more of the city’s top landmarks.
6.
Shop the Best Christmas Markets
It is a well-known fact that London is the perfect place to shop and Christmas is no different. All of the major shopping areas of the city are lined with Christmas markets during the festive period, so you can grab a mulled wine and Bratwurst whilst exploring all the trinkets and treats that the stalls have to offer.
Southbank, London Bridge, Greenwich and Westfield are all key spots to find great Christmas markets in the city.
7.
Watch a Performance of the Nutcracker
A classic Christmas show performed by the English National Ballet, The Nutcracker is a stunning show that all the family can enjoy and will be running in the city from the 11th of December to the 5th of January.
Hosted at the London Coliseum in the WC2N district of the city, tickets for the show cost between £24.60 and £98.40 depending on your date and seating preferences.
8.
Enjoy a Childish Night Out at Winterland
Winterland, hosted at the Alpine Club in Fulham is a seriously playful night out that you’ll never forget.
As well as being able to enjoy great food and drink, Winterland is designed to keep you entertained for hours with games available throughout the venue such as table tennis, skittles, arcade games and beer pong.
General entry tickets are available or you can opt for more exclusive areas such as the fur-covered sofas or the igloos.
9.
Sing along and Support the Animals
If you want to support our furry friends this Christmas, why not book your tickets to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Carol Concert?
A warming and fun evening of entertainment that aims to raise as much money as possible for the city’s biggest animal rescue shelter, the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home concert will be hosted at St Luke’s Church on both the 5th December and the 13th December.
Tickets are £20 for upstairs seats and £30 for downstairs seats, the special guest line-up including the likes of Katie Marshall, the 18-year-old award-winning soprano.
10.
Attend a Smart Christmas Party
While you’re in the city, why not book your tickets to attend one of the Smart Parties shared Christmas parties?
Our shared Christmas parties are perfect for businesses or groups of friends looking to do something extra special this festive season. Choose from a selection of themes and venues including Christmas in New York at Battersea Evolution, a Dickensian Christmas at Finsbury Square and Après Ski at Magazine London.
A flamboyant night out with great food, drink, theming and entertainment, book your tickets for 8+ guests today and join us to celebrate the festive season this December!
If you’re also in the city for New Year’s Eve, our New Years Eve Ball is not to be missed!
Click here to find out more.
What a wonderful time of year!
So, if you’re lucky enough to be in London in the run-up to Christmas this year, this list should keep you well entertained!
What’s your favourite thing to do in London during the festive period?
