16 of The Best Things to Do in London at Christmas (2024)

It doesn’t matter who you ask, one of the best things to do in London at Christmas is to see the Christmas lights.

If you’re looking for a unique way to explore London’s twinkling Christmas lights, you need to give this treasure hunt a whirl.

This festive challenge will have you solving clues as you navigate through the city's iconic streets, discovering hidden gems and dazzling decorations along the way. 

Perfect for families, couples, or friends looking for something interactive, it’s a brilliant combination of sightseeing and puzzle-solving – no map-reading skills required!

Growing up British is going to your local theatre at Christmas every year and realising that mum and dad weren’t laughing at the same things as you. 

For the uninitiated, pantomime seems like a ridiculous thing to do. And don’t get me wrong–it is, but that’s the fun of it. 

Pantomime can be traced all the way back to Ancient Greece: etymologically speaking, pantomime means “all-dancing”. It’s a cheesy, cheeky show that seems family-friendly at first glance, but if you really listen to the jokes…well, put it this way, if you have young kids with you, quite a few of the throwaway lines will go straight over their heads, but remain etched in yours forever.

The good news is, you don’t need to splash out on tickets for the West End to enjoy a good panto! London's local theatres are perfect for a classic panto experience, often more affordable and bursting with authentic charm. Expect slapstick humour, outlandish costumes, and a lot of audience participation.

If you need a break from all the tinsel, there’s plenty of non-festive magic in London too. 

One of the best things to do in London around peak Christmas time is to stray a little bit off the beaten track (think Greenwich or Southwark) and do some exploring while everyone else is battling for pavement room on Bond Street.

Self-guided walking tours like these allow you to discover the city’s hidden history at your own pace, solve clues, uncover quirky landmarks, and learn fascinating facts as you wander. 

Perfect for those looking to explore beyond the usual tourist spots and dive into the city’s rich past – no sleigh bells required!

On the other hand, if you’re looking for things to do in London at Christmas that are unapologetically Christmassy, this is for you. 

Miracle at Henrietta is London’s festive pop-up where tinsel meets cocktail heaven. Imagine your gran’s Christmas decorations, but with a boozy twist! 

Festive tipples, over-the-top décor, and enough glitter to make Santa jealous – it's the perfect place to fully embrace the kitsch side of the holiday season.

It’s hard to imagine now, but in June 1647, Christmas was outlawed in England by Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan army. The move wasn’t met with delight: Royalist soldiers even wrote a ballad about it - “to conclude, I’ll tell you the news that’s right, Christmas was killed at Naseby fight”. 

Luckily, Britain’s favourite festive season has been reinstated for some 366 years, and although London is the most religiously diverse city in the UK, you’ll find plenty of places of worship celebrating Christmas their way. 

One of the best things to do in London at Christmas is to make the most of the incredible festivities by going to organised events across the capital, and experiencing the whole world’s take on a popular holiday.

Here are some of my favourites:

📍Westminster Abbey: Obviously one of the most historic and iconic churches, but their carol service is pretty much second to none. 

📍Battersea Christmas Carol Concert at St Luke’s: An intimate and beautiful concert filled with Christmas cheer for a good cause. A wonderful way to give back and ensure that London’s four-legged Santa Claws and Paws enjoy the festive period. 

📍Swedish Christmas Market at Svenska Kyrkan: A Scandi twist on Christmas traditions and a cosy, warm atmosphere to boot. Enjoy some carol singing and grab some Swedish Christmas treats like glögg (spiced mulled wine) and lussekatter (saffron buns).

Even Scrooge admits that London at Christmas is nothing short of magical (that’s why he hates it, after all). 

But even if you’re feeling a bit frosty towards the festivities, there’s an expectation to hang out with friends or family while you’ve got some time off–and this is the perfect time filler.

Treasure hunts like these allow you explore London while it’s alive with seasonal cher and soak it all in. Explore hidden corners and iconic landmarks, solve some cryptic clues, and make the most of the recommended pub and cafe stops for a sip and a bite to eat along the way.

One of the best things to do in London is something that you’ve probably never considered doing before: a ballet show. 

Don’t scroll away yet. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but honestly, ballet is absolutely mesmerising and probably not at all as highbrow as you’d expect. 

Yes, there’s classical music, yes the stories are classic too, but it’s an incredible night out and you get to experience the elegant side of the holiday season – pirouettes and all.

Word of warning to newbies or visitors: not everyone celebrates Christmas in the UK with an excess of alcohol, but a huge chunk of the population do. 

You probably know by now that Britons love their pubs, and to be honest, they’re vital to keeping us warm during the cooler months. The good news is that because many of London’s best pubs are super old, they’re often the cosiest places to seek refuge from the winter chill. 

If you’re not into drinking, grab a seat by the fire, tuck into some hearty pub grub, and soak up the merry atmosphere (but be warned that they will get exceptionally busy during the festive period).

In terms of cities, there are very few competitors in the world that offer up the sheer volume of quality grub from all over the world that London does–and there’s no better time to make the most of it than during Christmastime. 

As much as I’d love to twist your arm into sampling roast turkey with plenty of stuffing and a mountain of roast potatoes, I get that it’s not everyone’s favourite. If you do plan on sampling a Classic British Christmas menu, book ahead (even around October for some of the most popular venues). If you’re looking for ultimate, traditional, cosy vibes then head to Rules Restaurant (it’s London’s oldest restaurant, and it’s just so warm and welcoming during the festive period). 

But, on the off chance that you’re not in the mood for traditional food, the good news is, there’s plenty of other places to tuck into some warm, delicious food from all over the world. 

Here’s where I’d recommend:

• 📍Borough Market: Amazing all year round but at Christmastime, you can get your hands on plenty of seasonal goodies, and in the past they’ve also hosted seasonal “cheese extravaganzas” (exactly what it sounds like), and tasting sessions.
• 📍Maltby St Market: Smaller but equally charming, this market is a hidden gem offering unique, festive bites from independent vendors – a perfect spot for a cosy Christmas treat.

Looking for the best things to do in London at Christmas that the whole family will enjoy? This is for you.

There’s no competition for the world’s best museums, but let’s be honest, London’s museums are definitely up there–no matter the time of year.

The good news is, you can’t really go wrong with visiting any of them (the more unique, the better in my opinion). But if you’re a total museum geek like me, you’ll be pleased to know that a lot of London’s most iconic museums put on a seasonal exhibition to put you in the festive spirit. 

Here’s where I’d recommend: 

• 📍Dennis Severs’ House:
  See what Christmas looked like in the 18th century in this fully-furnished Huguenot home where each room is decked out in traditional Christmas splendour.
  
  
• 📍Natural History Museum: Magical all times of the year but especially good at Christmas thanks to the ice rink and the giant Christmas tree outside.
  
  
• 📍V&A Museum: If fashion, arts and festive historic Christmas card displays are your thing, then the V&A is a must-visit for you.
  
  
• 📍Museum of the Home (formerly the Geffrye Museum):
  Around Christmastime, the rooms are dressed to show how Christmas was celebrated from the 1600s to the present day.

Looking for things to do in London at Christmas that invoke a bit of time travel into the proceedings? Well, probably not–but don’t discount this yet.

Before Home Alone, The Grinch and Elf became “a thing”, the OG character of Christmas was none other than Ebenezer Scrooge, created by legendary author Charles Dickens. 

It might surprise you to learn that Dickens was a huge fan of Christmas, and as such, the curators of the Charles Dickens Museum go all out decorating his former home so you can experience a very Victorian Christmas.

If you’re looking for things to do in London at Christmas that get you immersed in the city streets, look no further.

While these games aren’t strictly Christmas-themed, they’re still a great way to soak in London’s festive spirit. Instead of being locked in a dark room beyond the scent of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts, you and your team will be let loose on the city streets.

Together, you’ll test your problem-solving skills and collective wits as you race against time to crack clues and unlock mysteries, all while exploring London’s quirkiest nooks.

I’m not sure why until last year I’d never had a winter afternoon tea before, but let me tell you, I’m a convert.

Whether you decide to go themed or festive, afternoon tea is always a treat. From gingerbread scones to spiced tea, these themed experiences combine delicious food with season’s greetings.

Sure, Somerset House is iconic, but if you want to try somewhere new (and hopefully a little less busy), I’ve got you:

• 📍Battersea Power Station: I love the blend of industrial with riverside views while you glide around (or attempt to tiptoe around the edge of kids who are whizzing past you).
  
• 📍Hampton Court Palace: Ice skating in the grounds of a royal residence? Yes please!
  
• 📍Canary Wharf: Conveniently located (especially if you work nearby) and fairly reasonably priced (by London standards, anyway!).

I know it’s Christmas time when I start to pester my friends and family to play board games with me, and honestly, it’s a highlight of the season for me–so much so that it’s now become a tradition.

Instead of falling out over Monopoly or whether words like “rizz” really are words while playing Scrabble though, we’ve upped our game by hitting up the board games cafes. 

The benefits are numerous: they have every game imaginable, I don’t have to leave the table halfway through to order another drink, and my (adult) siblings and I don’t end up yelling at each other. A win-win for everyone, tbh.

If board games aren’t really your thing, then check out the many gaming bars and arcades dotted around the city.

If you’re looking for things to do in London at Christmas that max out your Christmas Spirit, this is for you.

The annual Santa Run is one of those things that Londoners take for granted, but you know what, it’s truly a highlight of the year. 

You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to–although you do get a free 5 piece Santa suit if you do. Instead, watch as jolly Saint Nicks dash around Victoria Park, all in the name of charity. 

If nothing else, it’s a sight that’s sure to make you smile and adds a fun twist to your Christmas outings.