Christmas in London: The Ultimate Festive Travel Guide 🎄
London at Christmas is genuinely one of the most magical cities in the world. The streets are covered in lights, Christmas markets pop up along the Thames, department stores completely transform, and there is festive food pretty much everywhere you look.
I lived in London for seven years, so I've experienced plenty of London Christmases, but coming back as a visitor made me appreciate just how special the city is at this time of year.
Here are my favourite things to see, eat and do if you're visiting London during Christmas.
🎄 The Best Christmas Markets in London
Southbank Winter Market
📍 South Bank, along the River Thames
This is one of my favourite Christmas markets purely because of the location. You're right beside the Thames with views of the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
It's smaller than some of London's other Christmas markets, which I actually like because it doesn't feel quite as overwhelming. You'll find Christmas gifts, crafts and plenty of festive food and drinks.
What to try: The Dutch pancakes. I've been coming back to these for years. Get them with Nutella, strawberries, white chocolate, or all three.
Winter by the River
📍 London Bridge to Tower Bridge
If you only have time for one riverside Christmas market, I would definitely add this one to your list.
Start around Hay's Galleria and walk along the Thames towards Tower Bridge. The views are incredible, particularly as you get closer to the bridge.
The market itself is much bigger than Southbank, with everything from Christmas decorations, candles and gifts to sweets, chocolates, gingerbread and loads of street food.
What to try: A traditional English sausage with cheese and caramelised onion. Mine had sage in it too, which made it taste even more Christmassy.
Old Spitalfields Market
📍 East London
Unlike many of London's Christmas markets, Spitalfields is open throughout the year. During Christmas, however, it's covered in lights and decorations and many of the stalls introduce festive specials.
This is a particularly good market if you want to shop. You'll find clothes, jewellery, artwork, crafts and plenty of potential Christmas gifts.
It's also brilliant for food. There are cuisines from all over the world, including Ethiopian, Caribbean, Asian and traditional British options.
What I ate: Pork soup dumplings from Dumpling Shack. Not particularly Christmassy, but absolutely perfect on a freezing London day.
🎡 Winter Wonderland
📍 Hyde Park
You can't really talk about Christmas in London without mentioning Winter Wonderland.
Hyde Park transforms into an enormous festive fairground filled with rides, games, food stalls, bars, ice skating and Christmas attractions. It's touristy, slightly chaotic and definitely not cheap, but it's also a lot of fun.
I tried the Giant Wheel, which gives you incredible views across Hyde Park and London, followed by the giant ice slide, which was probably my favourite activity of the day.
If you're visiting with children, there are also plenty of fairground games. Look out for games where you're guaranteed a prize if you don't want to deal with the disappointment of walking away empty handed!
Don't leave without trying: A hot chocolate with whipped cream. Mine was ridiculously good.
Oriana's tip: Winter Wonderland prices, opening dates and entry requirements can change every year, so check the latest information before visiting.
✨ Where to See London's Best Christmas Lights
Bond Street
📍 Mayfair
If you want extravagant Christmas displays, start on Bond Street.
The designer stores go all out for Christmas, with huge illuminated storefronts and installations. Cartier is always one of the biggest attractions, alongside beautiful displays from Dior, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and Ralph Lauren.
It gets extremely busy, especially after dark, so come earlier if photographs are important to you.
Burlington Arcade
📍 Mayfair
Just behind Bond Street, Burlington Arcade is beautifully decorated during Christmas and is worth walking through while you're in the area.
It's also filled with small luxury boutiques, so it's a lovely place for a wander even if you're not planning on buying anything.
Regent Street
📍 Central London
This is probably one of the most recognisable Christmas scenes in London.
The famous illuminated angels stretch above Regent Street and make the entire area feel incredibly festive.
Come after dark to see them properly illuminated, then walk towards Oxford Circus and explore the surrounding streets.
Savile Row
📍 Mayfair
Savile Row is another easy addition while exploring the Bond Street and Regent Street area, with its own festive light displays.
Harrods
📍 Knightsbridge
Harrods is always worth seeing at Christmas.
The entire building becomes part of the display, and during my visit the facade was one of the most beautiful Christmas displays I saw anywhere in London.
🎁 Covent Garden
📍 Covent Garden
Covent Garden is another London Christmas essential.
The enormous Christmas tree, festive decorations and Apple Market make it particularly atmospheric during December. It's also a great place to look for smaller gifts and souvenirs.
From here, you can easily walk to Trafalgar Square.
🎄 Trafalgar Square
📍 Westminster
Trafalgar Square is another classic stop on a Christmas trip to London.
You'll find its enormous Christmas tree alongside a festive market filled with food, crafts and gifts.
It's really easy to combine with Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly and the surrounding areas, so you don't need to dedicate a separate day to visiting.
🍴 Where to Eat in London at Christmas
Sunday Roast at Hawksmoor
If you're in London on a Sunday, you absolutely have to experience a proper British Sunday roast.
Hawksmoor is one of my favourite options. Go for the roast beef with crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and plenty of gravy.
It's comforting, very British and exactly what you want after spending a cold December morning walking around London.
Caviar House & Prunier
For something a little more indulgent, stop at Caviar House & Prunier.
Go for the caviar and a classic prawn cocktail. It's definitely more of a treat, but Christmas in London is the perfect excuse for it.
Christmas Market Food
Part of the fun of visiting London at Christmas is simply eating your way through the markets.
Make sure you try some of the festive classics:
Dutch pancakes at Southbank Winter Market
English sausages at Winter by the River
Hot chocolate with whipped cream at Winter Wonderland
Mulled wine at one of the Christmas markets
Roasted chestnuts from a festive street stall
And if you've had one too many sausages and mince pies, head to Spitalfields and try something completely different.
🛍️ Christmas Shopping in London
Christmas shopping in London is busy. Very busy. But it's also part of the experience, and some of London's most iconic stores are at their best during the festive season.
Harrods
📍 Knightsbridge
Harrods is an absolute must at Christmas. The entire building transforms for the festive season with an incredible illuminated facade, beautiful window displays and Christmas decorations throughout the store.
Head inside for luxury gifts, beauty, fashion and, of course, the famous Harrods Food Halls.
Even if you don't plan on buying anything, it's worth visiting just to experience it at Christmas.
Fortnum & Mason
📍 Piccadilly
If you want traditional British Christmas food and gifts, Fortnum & Mason should be on your list.
It's particularly famous for its hampers, Christmas puddings, teas and festive treats. The building itself is also beautifully decorated at Christmas, making it worth visiting even if you're only window shopping.
Selfridges
📍 Oxford Street
Selfridges really embraces Christmas.
When I visited, there were huge decorations, interactive shopping experiences, a live DJ and even a gospel choir performing inside the store.
Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's worth going in just to experience the atmosphere.
📸 The Best Christmas Photo Spots in London
London is ridiculously photogenic at Christmas, but these are the spots I would prioritise if you want some of the most iconic festive photos.
Ralph's Coffee on Bond Street
📍 Bond Street
One of my favourite spots on Bond Street. Take a photo outside Ralph's Coffee with the Christmas decorations and beautiful Mayfair buildings around you.
You can also grab a coffee afterwards to warm up!
Cartier on Bond Street
📍 Bond Street
Probably one of the most famous Christmas photo spots in London.
Cartier goes all out with its festive facade and it makes an incredible backdrop for photos. Expect crowds, particularly after dark, so arrive earlier if you want a cleaner shot.
Regent Street
📍 Regent Street
You really can't go wrong here.
The huge illuminated angels hanging above Regent Street are one of the most recognisable Christmas scenes in London.
I would come around sunset and stay until it gets dark so you can see the lights properly illuminated.
Burlington Arcade
📍 Mayfair
A gorgeous covered arcade just off Bond Street that is beautifully decorated during Christmas.
It's also a great option if the London weather isn't cooperating!
The Ritz London
📍 Piccadilly
For that classic old school London Christmas look, take a photo outside The Ritz.
The building looks particularly beautiful during the festive season and you're perfectly positioned to continue walking towards Fortnum & Mason afterwards.
Fortnum & Mason
📍 Piccadilly
Another quintessential London Christmas backdrop.
The facade is beautifully decorated during the festive season and works perfectly as a photo stop while exploring Piccadilly, Regent Street and Mayfair.
Oriana's tip: You can do most of these in one walk. Start around Bond Street for Ralph's Coffee and Cartier, walk through Burlington Arcade, continue towards The Ritz and Fortnum & Mason, then finish on Regent Street once it's dark and the angels are illuminated.
🗺️ My Perfect Christmas Day in London
If I only had one full day, I'd start at Southbank Winter Market, grab some Dutch pancakes and walk along the Thames.
From there, I'd head towards Hay's Galleria and Winter by the River, walking towards Tower Bridge and stopping for something to eat at the market.
Later, I'd make my way west towards Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square.
As the sun starts to set, I'd head towards Bond Street for Ralph's Coffee and Cartier, walk through Burlington Arcade, continue past The Ritz and Fortnum & Mason, and finish beneath the angels on Regent Street once it's dark.
If it's a Sunday, I'd definitely fit in a proper Sunday roast at Hawksmoor.
And if you still have the energy, finish the night at Winter Wonderland with a hot chocolate and a ride or two.
🤍 Final Thoughts
Having lived in London for seven years, I already knew how beautiful the city could be at Christmas. But returning as a visitor made me see it with completely fresh eyes.
Yes, it's busy. Yes, it's cold. And yes, you'll probably spend far too much money on hot chocolate, Christmas market food and things you absolutely did not plan on buying.
But there really is something special about London at Christmas.
The markets, lights, food, decorated storefronts and general atmosphere completely transform the city, and if you're lucky enough to visit during the festive season, make the most of it.
Oriana, inspired by travel, made for you.