The city of London is transformed into a winter wonderland as the temperature drops. You witness sparkling London Christmas lights illuminating the streets. Also christmas markets in London selling your favorites around every corner, and top restaurants serving their winter-warming delicacies. The city is no exception and is sure to come alive with a variety of activities to partake in and soak up the festive vibe. You will never be more excited to celebrate Christmas elsewhere because Christmas in London is an experience that everyone should have.
Christmas in London is all about the feeling of togetherness, love, and happiness, and London has plenty of surprises in store for everyone this year. You can explore the best Christmas restaurants and hotels in London, which cater to the whims and fancies of every traveler of all ages. Prepare to enter a magical winter wonderland during the best time of year in London, Christmas!
Popular Christmas Markets In London 2022
These magical Christmas markets in London offer much more than just gifts and stocking stuffers. Find the perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones and enjoy plenty of street food, twinkles, and entertainment at the most popular ‘’Christmas markets London’’ throughout the festive season. The locations listed below host some of the best Christmas markets in London 2022 which are open until the New Year.
Southbank Centre Christmas Market
The South Bank’s riverside will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with global cuisine and an artisan Christmas market, for the Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival. Amble past the traditional wooden chalets that line the Thames’s banks and pick up beautiful stocking fillers from the Winter Market, or tuck into cheese-based food, cocktails, and mulled wine.
There are rides and carols singing to keep the whole family entertained, in addition to an endless selection of homemade crafts, warm beverages, and German snacks. What better way to spend Christmas in London
- Where: Southbank Christmas Market
- Cost: Events are either free or charge a fee. For more information, visit the website.
- Website: Winter Market 2022 | South Bank London
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Christmas in Leicester Square transforms the home of blockbuster film premieres into a yuletide wonderland. Explore the traditional market, which is filled with a wonderful selection of crafts and tempting treats. After that, head to the Belgian Spiegeltent for a fantastic lineup of comedy, cabaret, and magic shows.
- Where: Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA
- When: Dec, 1 – Jan – 3
- Cost: From £11.50 for adults
- Website: https://leicestersquare.london/
- Tips: Go early to avoid the crowds, which build up in the evening
Greenwich Christmas Market
The only market in London set within a World Heritage site is open seven days a week. It is brimming with the kinds of unique gifts friends and family love to find under the tree: vintage maps, creamy linen, and genuine antiques sit alongside original fashion and jewellery both classic and modern. Greenwich is technically not a Christmas market because it is open all year, but it is one you won’t want to miss, especially after the Christmas lights are turned on on November 17th.
- Where: Greenwich Town Centre, SE10 9HZ
- When: Open every day
- Cost: Free
- Website: Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights On, starts at 4pm | Greenwich Market
Christmas By The River At London Bridge City
Christmas at London Bridge by the River City is set against stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, with wooden huts filled with unique gifts, handmade crafts, and a variety of delectable snacks. Enjoy delectable food from a variety of pop-up stalls while sipping a steaming cup of mulled wine and admiring one of London’s most iconic skyline views.
- Where: 2A More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB
- When: Mid Nov – Early January
- Cost: Free
- Website: Christmas By The River London
- Tip: With older kids, try late-night shopping til 8 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Winter Wonder Market
Follow the lights to Hyde Park and enjoy the festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland, one of London’s largest Christmas markets. Discover over 100 wooden cabins brimming with fantastic gifts, including handmade crafts and stunning jewelry. It also has the largest outdoor ice rink in the UK, a Giant Observation Wheel, and top Winter Wonderland Christmas shows.
- Where: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
- When: 18th November 2022 — 2nd January 2023. Closed Christmas Day
- Cost: Free to enter but tickets must be booked in advance. Rides can be expensive.
- Website: Home – Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Popular Places To Find London Christmas Light Displays
See the world-famous London Christmas lights as the city is gloriously decked out for Christmas. From the twinkling Oxford Street Christmas lights to the beautiful Christmas decorations illuminating Covent Garden and the shimmering spirits on Regent Street.
From November to early January, the locations listed below usually host some of London’s best Christmas lights.
Oxford Street Christmas Lights
Admire some of London’s most spectacular Christmas lights and seasonal window displays on Oxford Street. Oxford Street Christmas lights illuminate the skies above the famous street with rows of sustainable shining stars. Beginning on November 2nd,
Kew Gardens Christmas Lights
This Christmas, Kew Gardens is putting on a magical, twinkling lights trail, and they’re going big as usual. One million lights are used to transform the UNESCO World Heritage Site into a dazzling wonderland. It is complete with fire gardens, larger-than-life illuminations, and plenty of independent street food vendors to keep you fed and warm along the route.
Lightopia Christmas Lights
Lightopia, a Christmas light walk that will transform Crystal Palace Park into a winter wonderland of illumination, aims to bring the park’s history to life. From Thursday, November 17, you can see the Crystal Palace Park dinosaurs like never before, as Lightopia London brings their own dinosaurs to this Christmas light trail.
Regent Street Christmas Lights
The Regent Street Christmas lights tradition began in 1954, and the famous Spirits of Christmas will once again fly above shoppers. The 45’s spirits, which use 300,000 lights to dazzle shoppers, are still inspired by the street’s very first display. For a more environmentally friendly display, the lights will only be turned on from 2 p.m. to midnight every day this year. Neighboring St James’ also has some lovely spirits, and it’s a short walk from one to the other.
Covent Garden Christmas Lights
Amble around Covent Garden’s cobblestone streets, which are transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Mistletoe chandeliers, a magnificent Christmas tree, and thousands of twinkling Covent Garden Christmas lights illuminating the 19th-century piazza are all on display. Starting on November 8th.
Popular Christmas Events In London
Christmas in London 2022 will feature a variety of events, including plays, theater, and concerts, as well as special meals, afternoon teas, and tours. This is a very special time of year because London is decked out in iconic Christmas lights. Millions of visitors flock to London during the Christmas season to take advantage of bargain shopping, particularly on Oxford Street. Lunchtime and evening river cruises along the Thames are available. There are a lot of things to do in London at Christmas, and we’ll list a couple below.
Somerset House Skate – Ice skating
Dates: 16 November 2022 – 15 January 2023
Somerset House Skate is always one of the best and most picturesque skating rinks in the city.
This year’s skating sessions are family-friendly and take place in the charming Christmas courtyard (adult tickets start at £10 plus booking fees).
If you don’t want to go ice skating, Somerset House at Christmas is still worth a visit because the historic rooms that surround the courtyard are transformed into Christmas shops and stores. They are decorated with beautiful Christmas lights and traditional decorations.
Book your Skate at Somerset House tickets >
Covent Garden Christmas Village – Christmas tree and Christmas lights
Fact: Christmas in London isn’t complete without a visit to the Covent Garden Christmas tree, which is situated in the middle of the charming pizza.
The Covent Garden Christmas tree will be lit up nightly beginning in November. Grab a pint of beer (or glass of mulled wine) from the Punch and Judy pub and take a seat (and a blanket) on the outdoor balcony for the best views of the Covent Garden Christmas tree.
A Ramsbury Forest pop-up with luxury dining domes/igloos serving a festive menu paired with Ramsbury Single Estate Spirits was seen last year.
Hogwarts In The Snow – Warner Bros Studio Tour
12 November 2022 – 15 January 2023
Harry Potter is magical at any time, but Hogwarts in the Snow this winter in 2022 at Warner Brothers Studio Tour will be even more so.
With a self-guided tour that you’ll enjoy, the wizarding world is transformed into a wintery snow scene. The Great Hall is transformed into the ultimate winter wonderland, complete with snow-covered Christmas trees, ‘flaming’ Christmas puddings, roaring log fires, and a delightful Diagon Alley makeover. In addition, the gift shop will have a fantastic selection of Harry Potter items suitable for anyone’s Christmas stocking.
Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol by Dolly Parton
8 December 2022 – 8 January 2023
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol combines country songs with the traditional Charles Dickens story to celebrate all things wonderful and wintery.
This extraordinary song and dance entertaining night out on London’s South Bank at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall will give any Christmas pantomime a run for its money. Ebenezer Scrooge is relocated to the East Tennessee smoky mountains and features upbeat music and catchy lyrics written by Dolly, THE Queen of Country herself.
Book your tickets for Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol >
Christmas Traditions In London
Exploring another country, its culture, and traditions, especially during such a festive time as Christmas, is one of the most exciting aspects of traveling. Whether you’re spending the holidays in London or at home, here are some time-honored British holiday traditions.
Christmas Poppers
While this seems like something only seen in films, people really do have Christmas poppers every year. When you open them, you’ll find paper crowns that people wear throughout Christmas day (along with terrible jokes), making them entertaining for the whole family. To get into the holiday spirit, they are typically popped during Christmas dinner, and London department stores have a fantastic selection.
Yule Log
Historians debate where the yule log tradition originated, but it is undeniably a part of British culture. The yule log is traditionally kept burning until the Twelfth Night of Christmas. It was said that dragging a decorated log from the forest into your home brings you good luck. There aren’t many British people who drag trees through London’s streets. But there are plenty of people who enjoy creamy chocolate yule cakes.
Midnight Mass At Westminster Abbey
This lovely church has stood in London since 960. The church was rebuilt in Gothic style in 1245 and completed in 1517. You most likely witnessed Prince William and Kate’s wedding, as well as other Royal weddings and ceremonies, at the church.
During a late-night Christmas Eve service, Westminster Abbey commemorates the birth of Christ, the Light of the World. There is carol singing, music from the Abbey Choir, and a sermon lasting about an hour and a half.
London Pantomime
A good old pantomime is a must-see during the holiday season. These lighthearted performances are ideal for a family day out, and you’ll often see some well-known faces in leading roles. A pantomime is a musical comedy stage production. It retells well-known fairy tales through slapstick comedy, singing, and dancing. They are popular with families, especially around the holidays, and frequently include the audience in the jokes.
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Christmas lights up the world and brings places to life with twinkling lights, and the infamous decorative coffee cups. Christmas in London is no exception to the magic!
With a plethora of festivals, ice rinks, and traditional Christmas markets in London. We hope this article got you in the holiday spirit.