25 Days of Christmas in London

As supermarket shelves fill up with festive stockings and novelty Santa hats, London is transforming into a winter wonderland. Fairy lights twinkle along quiet cobbled alleyways, and the streets are packed with puffer jackets puffering en masse.

In the spirit of the Christmas advent calendar, here are 25 things to do in the capital this festive season. Consider this your UK Christmas bucket list.

1. Attend a Carol Concert at St Paul’s Cathedral - Listen to the ethereal chorus of Christmas carols inside one of London’s most beautiful buildings.

2. A Christmas Walk in Greenwich Park – Enjoy the crisp winter air on a stroll through Greenwich Park, then warm up at the Prince of Greenwich pub.

3. Book a Festive Show – Watch The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, catch A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, or try your first Christmas panto. Under 25? Get special £25 tickets at the ROH if you register as a young member.

4. Admire London’s Finest Shop Displays — Is it one big display of Christmas capitalism? Absolutely. But wow, is it pretty. Liberty London’s Christmas shop is bedecked with cosy Christmas charm, while Fortnum & Mason features a herd of adorable animatronic animals this year.

5. Escape to Eastbourne – When the Christmas shopping crowds get overwhelming (and they will), hop on the train and spend a day by the sea. Walk along Eastbourne’s white cliffs, sip a hot chocolate, and watch the waves sparkle under the fairy lights.

6. Watch Christmas Movie Classics in an Enchanted Forest – Explore an immersive magical forest with live music and performances before cosying up with your favourite Christmas movie.

7. See the Christmas Lights – You can’t beat Oxford Street’s iconic Christmas lights, but there’s plenty more to see around the city, from Covent Garden’s theatrical displays to the Southbank Centre’s Winter Lights Exhibition.

8. Visit a Traditional Christmas Market – Shop for handcrafted gifts at Hampton Court Palace, or wander through the golden glass domes of Leadenhall Market, the filming location for Diagon Alley.

9. Go Ice Skating in the City – This time of year, ice rinks pop up like magic across London, from Somerset House to Alexandra Palace.

10. Discover Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland – Love it or hate it, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is a chaotic jumble of rides, stalls, and food, with an ice kingdom, circus, and Santa’s Grotto. It’s the Disneyland of Christmas.

11. Immerse Yourself in Hogwarts in the Snow – Head to Warner Bros. Studio to witness the Great Hall transformed into the Yule Ball and the Forbidden Forest covered in frost. Don’t forget to pick up some exclusive Christmas merch before you leave.

12. Travel by Horse-Drawn Carriage in Richmond Park – Take a winter carriage ride through London’s largest royal park, complete with blankets, mince pies, and a tour of the park’s stables.

13. Go Back in Time at the Charles Dickens Museum – Celebrate the anniversary of A Christmas Carol with a tour of Victorian London in Dickens’ former home.

14. Visit Gingerbread City at Kings Cross – Made entirely out of gingerbread, this miniature city in Coal Drops Yard is a true architectural (and delicious) feat. Stick around for their gingerbread house workshops and take home a treat of your own.

15. Enjoy Festive Drinks at Miracle at Henrietta – Visit London’s kitschiest Christmas pop-up bar for silly decorations and creative seasonal drinks.

16. Check out the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree – See London’s iconic Christmas tree, gifted by Norway every year since 1947.

17. Taste-Test London’s Best Christmas Treats – There’s nothing like a warm pastry on a cold day. Go on a Christmas treat-crawl around London, stopping for festive hot chocolate, gingerbread, and a spiced mince pie.

18. Dance under Fake Snow in Covent Garden – Dreaming of a white Christmas? Covent Garden’s fake snow flurries are back to provide the perfect backdrop for your festive photos. Visit at night to avoid the crowds.

19. Try the Pret Christmas Sandwich – The nation’s beloved sarnie is back: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, crispy onions, and stuffing on soft seeded bread. Plus, a whole lineup of other festive bites.

20. Explore Christmas at Kew Gardens – Kew Gardens transforms into a fairytale world this Christmas with its iconic festive lights display across the botanic gardens.

21. Indulge in Festive Afternoon Tea – From Fortnum & Mason to The Ritz, every restaurant puts its own Christmassy spin on the British royal classic, but The Library at County Hall offers the most themed menu.

22. Belt Out Mariah Carey at Christmas Karaoke — Love to sing but feeling shy? Try Massaoke, a slightly awkward name for a very fun activity: a mass karaoke singalong to all the best festive tunes.

23. The O2’s Snow Globe Climb – Climb all the way to the top of the O2 dome, and until January 4th, enjoy a beautiful snow globe and a glass of mulled wine at the summit.

24. Attend Midnight Mass – Even if you’re not religious, Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve can be magical, with candlelight and carols from 11pm.

25. Watch (or participate in!) the Peter Pan Cup Swim – A long held tradition since 1864, watch London’s bravest plunge into Hyde Park’s freezing lido on Christmas morning at 9am.

🎶On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me...🎶

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