Updated October 2025 for current dates.

Experience the magic of Christmas in London! It is one of the most magical cities in the world for celebrating the festive season. Sparkling light displays (some of the best in the world), heartfelt musical events, Carol singers, world-class entertainment, and neighbourhoods full of festive cheer.

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London in December is the most magical time to visit the capital city. The lead-up to the festive period is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit London, when the gloomy winter is interrupted by the glow of lights over regal streets and iconic buildings.

From the classic Covent Garden with its golden bells and popular Santa’s Sleigh to the iconic Angels over Regents Street, which people come from all over the world to see.

London is a really popular destination at Christmas time, therefore, making it VERY busy at this time of year. Because of this, start the festive season early and visit in November instead. Most of the Christmas decorations usually go up from mid-November, with some London Christmas lights switched on from the first week of November. To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the festive fun, we recommend visiting towards the end of November to experience Christmas in London once all of the decorations are up, but not all of the crowds have arrived yet, like they have towards the end of December.

Below, we’ve put together a Google map with every location pinned that you’ll need to spend a wonderfully festive London in December. Make sure to save it so that you can find all of the locations when it’s your turn to spend Christmas in London!

Our guide on the best Christmas things to do in London, 2025.

Christmas in London 2025 Google Map

Here’s a map of all of the spots (and more!) that I talk about in this post to help you locate them:

Is Christmas the best time to visit London?

We love London (it’s why we moved here!), but London in December, or mid-late November, is without a doubt the best time to visit the city.

The whole place really comes alive with festive décor, world-famous light displays (think Oxford Street and Regents Street), and special events including numerous Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and shows like “The Nutcracker” at the Royal Opera House. Pubs and restaurants really come into their own, offering seasonal menus, steaming mugs of hot mulled wine and incredible decor. The hotels in London also go all out, with some of the best Christmas trees and decorations that we’ve ever seen.

What is the weather like in December in London?

London in December is typically cold and damp. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get magical, festive weather like snow and northern lights as some other cities do around the same time. But what it lacks in magical weather, it more than makes up for with festive displays and cheer.

When planning your trip, pack accordingly, as temperatures, on average, range from 4°C to 9°C (39°F to 48°F) throughout the festive period. December weather in London, UK, also sees a lot of rain, so it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella or waterproof clothing.

When it’s not raining, expect crisp mornings and chilly evenings, perfect for enjoying London’s famous Christmas lights and holiday markets before dashing inside a cosy pub to warm up by the roaring fire with a glass of mulled wine.

Where to stay in London for Christmas

Christmas London Markets dates 2025

Find out the dates for the European Christmas Markets here.

Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park)
Dates: November 14th 2025, to January 1st, 2026
Location: Hyde Park
It is one of the largest markets with over 100 stalls, featuring rides, ice skating, and festive food.

Leicester Square Christmas Market
Dates: November 1st 2025 – January 4th 2026
Location: Leicester Square
A smaller Christmas market right in the heart of London, with handmade goods, street food, and live performances.

Covent Garden Christmas London Market
Dates: November 12th 2025 – January 3rd 2026
Location: Covent Garden
Filled with holiday decorations, lights, and unique shopping opportunities.

Winter by the River (London Bridge)
Dates: 13t November 2025 – 4th January 2026
Location: London Bridge
Set along the Thames with picturesque views of Tower Bridge, this market focuses on artisanal gifts and food.

Spitalfields Christmas Market
Dates: November 22nd – December 2rd, 2025
Location: Spitalfields Market
Known for vintage and handmade items with festive food and drink options.

Greenwich Christmas Market
Dates: November 19th 2025 onwards
Location: Greenwich
This Christmas London market features crafts, artworks, and festive lights in a historic setting.

Kingston Christmas Market
Dates: November 13th – 28th December 2025.
Location: Kingston upon Thames
Offers a riverside holiday experience with cosy cabins selling crafts and gifts.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Dates: November 9th 2025 – January 2nd 2026
Location: Trafalgar Square
A central market surrounded by iconic landmarks, with a famous Christmas tree and carol singers.

Borough Market at Christmas
Dates: December 1st 2025 – January 6th 2025
Location: Borough Market
A foodie’s paradise offering festive treats and gourmet products.

Christmas Light Display Switch on in London, Christmas 2025

Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Date of switch on: Monday, November 3rd 2025
One of the most iconic spots in London for Christmas lights, featuring gorgeous energy-efficient LED lights weaving their way across the shops.

Regent Street Christmas Lights
Date of switch on: Thursday, November 6th 2025
Regent Street will feature its classic trumpet-playing angel display, with thousands of LED lights.

Carnaby Street Lights
Date of switch on: Thursday, November 6th 2025
This year, Carnaby Street will offer the “All is Bright” theme, comprising chunky, star/cracker-shaped lights that will radiate in a multitude of bright colours.

Covent Garden Christmas Lights
Date of switch on: Wednesday, November 12th 2025
Covent Garden’s decorations include 140,000 LED lights, a 55-foot Christmas tree, and large baubles throughout the area.

I went to this last year and couldn’t recommend it enough. The evening was so much fun, from watching the lights come to life, the snow falling, and the shows from the choir and West End stars. If you’re able, it’s a really great evening!

Marylebone Village Christmas Lights
Date: Wednesday, November 12th 2025
The evening features live entertainment, a Christmas market with local vendors, seasonal crafts, and late-night shopping.

Kew Gardens Light Trail
Dates: The Christmas at Kew light trail for 2025 will run on selected dates from Friday, November 14th 2025, to Sunday, January 4th 2026. Taking place from 4:20 PM to 10:00 PM.
This enchanting light trail winds through Kew Gardens’ beautiful landscapes, perfect for a festive stroll.

Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights
Date: November 14th, with the 18-foot Christmas tree being unveiled on Thursday, November 13th.
A stunning display featuring a large central tree and LED garlands throughout the historic market. One of our favourite spots in London, and Christmas time is no different.

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
Date: Thursday December 4th 2025
The famous Norway spruce, gifted annually by Norway, will be illuminated with hundreds of lights.

London Christmas Lights Tours

A great way to see all of the Christmas lights is to go on a Christmas Lights tour to see the city’s iconic Christmas lights. Tours include London open-top bus tours, black taxi tours, guided walking tours, and more. It’s a great way to see the lights if you’re short on time or don’t know your way around London. (Or, it’s just a fun way to see the lights!)

The Best Festive Restaurants in London at Christmas 2025

Restaurants in London really come alive in December. They go all out with festive decorations, Christmas menus, and specially made cocktails. But some restaurants really top the list for the best restaurants to visit in December in London.

Here are the ones that I recommend visiting:

Daphne’s
Location: 112 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea
Opening Hours: Daily from 12 PM to 10:30 PM
Located in Mayfair, Daphne’s offers upscale Italian dining with a festive twist.

34 Mayfair
Location: 34 Grosvenor Sq, S Audley St, London W1K 2HD
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12 PM to 11 PM
A glamorous setting in Chelsea for British-European classics, with an opulent Christmas décor.

Duck & Waffle
Location: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 12 PM to 11 PM; Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM
Famous for its panoramic views and all-day festive menu, it’s perfect for Christmas dining.

Coppa Club Tower Bridge
Location: 3 Three Quays Walk, Tower Bridge
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Dine in igloos overlooking the Thames with a cosy holiday atmosphere.

The Landmark
Location: 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:30 AM to 11 PM
This historic hotel offers festive afternoon teas and luxurious Christmas menus.

The Langham
Location: 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
Opening Hours: Daily from 12 PM to 10 PM
Known for its iconic Palm Court, offering festive dining and world-class service.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Location: 197 King’s Road, Chelsea
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM
A Chelsea staple, beautifully decked out in holiday lights, perfect for Christmas lunch.

The Churchill Arms
Location: 119 Kensington Church Street, Kensington
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8 AM to 11 PM
A lively pub adorned with hundreds of iconic Christmas trees and lights – one of the most famous pubs in London.

Sketch (Lecture Room & Library)
Location: 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 11 AM to 11 PM
Experience fine dining in a magical, artistically decorated Christmas atmosphere.

The Savoy Hotel
Location: The Savoy Hotel, Strand
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 12 PM to 10 PM
Enjoy classic British cuisine in this iconic, festive London institution.

Clos Maggiore
Location: 33 King Street, Covent Garden
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM
Known for being the “most romantic” restaurant, with a stunning winter garden setting. I absolutely love this restaurant; the menu isn’t as badly priced as you would expect, the food is incredibly tasty, and the setting is just gorgeous.

Claridge’s
Location: Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10:30 PM
An iconic Christmas destination with exquisite seasonal menus and stunning decorations.

Pop-Up Restaurants in London in December 2025

Jimmy Garcia’s Fire and Fromage
Location: South Bank
Opening Hours: 30th October 2025 to 4th January 2026, from 12 PM to 11 PM
A riverside pop-up featuring fondue and holiday treats in cosy igloos.

London Secret Garden (Christmas Igloos)
Location: Kensington
Opening Hours: 10 November 2024 – 1 January 2025, from 11 AM to 10:30 PM
Dine in glass igloos surrounded by twinkling lights in the heart of Kensington.

Coppa Club (Winter Igloos)
Location: Tower Bridge
Opening Hours: 18th November 2025 – 31st of March 2026
Enjoy riverside dining in Coppa Club’s iconic igloos with festive food and views of Tower Bridge.

Miracle at Henrietta
Location: Covent Garden
Opening Hours: November 10th to December 23rd 2025
A Christmas-themed pop-up bar known for its festive cocktails and holiday vibes. Tickets for this sell out quickly, so book your tickets as soon as you can!

Humbug
Location: Brick Lane
Opening Hours: 18th November – 21st December 2025
An immersive Christmas dive bar offering festive games and live performances. I went to this last year, and it was so much fun. A really entertaining evening including a hilarious show, some lovely festive cocktails and even some time to dance after the show.

Club Curling
Location: King’s Cross
Opening Hours: Friday 7 November 2025 – Sunday 1 March 2026
A pop-up venue featuring curling lanes and festive drinks in a lively setting​.

Ice Rinks in London at Christmas 2025

Glide at Battersea Power Station
Open: 7 November 2025 – 4 January 2026

Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Open: 22 November 2025 – 5 January 2026

Ice at Kensington Palace
Not being held in 2025.

Queen’s House, Greenwich
Open: 2nd March – December 31st 2025

Somerset House Ice Rink
Open: 12th November 2025 – 11th January 2026

Skylight Rooftop at Tobacco Dock
Open: Early November – Late December (dates TBC)

Canary Wharf Ice Rink
Open: 25th October 2025 – 22nd February 2026

Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
Open: Year-round

Christmas Window Displays & Shops

London shops really go all out in December, transforming their windows into miniature worlds of magic and festive cheer. From glittering department store façades on Oxford Street to the charming boutiques of Chelsea and Covent Garden, the city is the perfect place to visit to get into the festive spirit. London’s shopping streets are a seasonal tradition in themselves and worth making the trip up to London for, even if you don’t do anything else (although there’s so much we recommend!).

Fortnum & Mason
Location: 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER
Famous for its opulent window displays, Fortnum & Mason exudes classic Christmas charm.

Harrods
Location: 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL
Harrods’ grand Christmas windows are always a highlight of the festive season.

Selfridges
Location: 400 Oxford Street, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB
Selfridges’ vibrant and artistic Christmas displays bring Oxford Street to life.

Harvey Nichols
Location: 109–125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Known for chic and avant-garde designs, Harvey Nichols’ windows reflect contemporary festive style.

Liberty London
Location: Regent Street, Great Marlborough Street, London W1B 5AH
This Tudor-style store enchants passersby with whimsical Christmas window displays.

Fenwick
Location: 63 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1S 1RQ
Fenwick’s elegant displays are known for their understated festive beauty.

John Lewis
Location: 300 Oxford Street, Marylebone, London W1C 1DX
John Lewis is renowned for heartwarming Christmas window displays that are family-friendly and festive​

Where To Find The Best London Christmas Trees

St Pancras International
Location: Euston Road, Kings Cross, London N1C 4QP
Famous for its stunning themed Christmas trees, often partnered with major brands.

Trafalgar Square
Location: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
The traditional Norwegian tree, a gift from Oslo, is a yearly highlight.

Somerset House
Location: Strand, London WC2R 1LA
A grand tree, located at the heart of Somerset House’s ice rink.

Shangri-La The Shard
Location: 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
Offering a tree with a breathtaking view over London from one of the city’s tallest buildings.

Leadenhall Market
Location: Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
A classic Victorian market with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

Claridge’s
Location: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
Claridge partners with renowned designers to create one of London’s most elegant trees.

The Ritz
Location: 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR
The Ritz’s luxurious lobby is always home to a lavishly decorated Christmas tree.

Covent Garden
Location: The Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RF
Home to one of the largest and most iconic Christmas trees in the city.

Coal Drops Yard
Location: Stable Street, Kings Cross, London N1C 4DQ
A modern twist on festive decorations with creative Christmas tree designs.

The Connaught, Mayfair
Location: Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL
Known for its iconic tree designed by contemporary artists, located in front of the hotel​

Magical Christmas Activities and Experiences in London

If the above isn’t enough to keep you entertained during London in December, then here are some of the other best things to do in London at Christmas.

Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Experience the magic of Hogwarts as it’s transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas.

See a Christmas Show like The Nutcracker at The London Coliseum
A Christmas tradition, The Nutcracker ballet enchants audiences every year with its festive charm.

Day Trips to Christmas Markets
From London, you can easily reach some of the UK’s best Christmas markets in other cities across England, like Bath, Birmingham, Manchester, Canterbury, Winchester, and Oxford.

Attend a Christmas Concert
Enjoy festive performances from groups like The London Symphony Orchestra, a perfect way to celebrate the season with music.

Watch Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Live
At OVO Arena Wembley, see this iconic film brought to life with a live orchestra and performances.

Participate in the London Santa Run
Either take part or cheer on the runners as they don Santa suits for a fun charity run through the city.

Christmas at Kew Gardens
A stunning light display illuminates the gardens, offering a magical evening walk through glowing, festive installations.
Open: November 14th 2025 – January 4th 2026

London’s Christmas Parade – The Santa Claus Parade
Watch this festive parade featuring floats, Santa Claus, and much more, filling London’s streets with holiday cheer.

Take a Christmas Cruise on the Thames
Enjoy the festive lights of London while sipping mulled wine and cruising down the river.

Visit Buckingham Palace
Marvel at the festive interiors, with beautifully decorated Christmas trees inside the Palace.

Attend a Christmas Church Service
Celebrate the season with traditional Christmas services at Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, or Southwark Cathedral.

Treat Kids to London’s Famous Toy Shops
Take your little ones to iconic toy shops like Hamley’s, the Harry Potter shop at Platform 9¾, or the LEGO store.

Christmas by the River at London Bridge
Stroll along the Thames and enjoy festive market stalls with the stunning backdrop of Tower Bridge.

Final thoughts on Christmas in London

There’s SO much to see and do during Christmas time in London. It’s such a magical place with some of the most iconic Christmas light displays, so many cosy and quintessential restaurants, festive markets, and Instagram-worthy window displays.

There’s so much to take in, so I hope this post helps you plan your trip to London this November or December!