Christmas in London Itinerary: How to Spend the Perfect Holiday Day in London
Looking to spend the perfect Christmas day in London? From Regent’s Street lights to Covent Garden Christmas trees (and maybe even some hot chocolate too…) here’s how to spend the perfect holiday day in London — from a Londoner.
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Spending the Christmas season in London is truly like stepping into a festive fairytale.
Think city streets filled with twinkling lights, bustling holiday markets, and in English fashion, cosy winter pubs (the best).
In this mini guide, I’ll be sharing how to spend a perfect Christmas-filled day in London to capture the magic of the season. Shall we?
P.S. – If you want your Christmas in London perfectly planned for you be sure to grab my Christmas in London Guide!
Including…
❄️ What to Pack for Christmas in London
🤶🏽🗺️ 5 custom Christmas in London walks and bespoke holiday itineraries, each with a downloadable map to follow along and written step-by-step directions with Christmas cafes, pub, and restaurant recommendations on route
🎄Your ultimate Christmas in London Map (with 100+ recommendations covering the best Christmas lights, markets, festive restaurants, bars & afternoon teas, ice skating, and more for 2024!)
🏨 The Best Christmas in London Hotels & Tours
🎆 Bonus: How to Spend New Year’s in London
Now back to the blog…
The Perfect Christmas Day in London Itinerary 🎄
Morning:
10am: Explore London’s Christmas Shops
London’s department stores are iconic year-round, but especially so in the holiday season.
The heavy hitters are Selfridges, Harrods, Liberty London and Fortnum and Mason each offering a shiny display of Christmas ornaments and baubles, holiday treats, and London gifts that are sure to leave your family and friends impressed.
Each opens at 10am and given the Christmas crowds I highly recommend doing your holiday shopping in the morning to early afternoon to miss *some* of the chaos (otherwise, come right before closing).
P.S. – There’s also cafes in each if you’d like to grab a nibble pre or post shop! ☕️🥐
Afternoon:
2pm: IceSkating at Somerset House
Once you’ve shopped your heart out, don’t drop! It’s time for ice skating at Somerset House.
The ever-iconic Renaissance complex is situated perfectly in Central London with an iconic ice skating rink open all holiday season.
Enjoy an afternoon skate with grand London architecture as your backdrop, and some holiday tunes too!
After you can indulge in some food and drink at their Skate Lounge, Chalet or their onsite cafes and bars.
P.S. – Be sure to book your ticket slot in advance from £12.
4pm: Covent Garden
Post-skate you’ll make your way to the nearby Covent Garden, and its delicious Christmas makeover.
Once you stroll down James Street and the Piazza you’ll be met by an ever-expanding display of cobbled streets adorned by Christmas lights, holiday photo ops and cheerful West End market vendors.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t say the real star of the show is the Covent Garden Christmas tree.
The 55ft-tall Norwegian Spruce sits in the heart of the neighbourhood, and is the perfect place to capture your Christmas in London day.
And once you’ve got your Christmas shots, you can reward yourself with a luxuriously rich hot chocolate from Venchi’s Chocolate & Gelato (inside the Market Building across from the Piazza/Covent Garden Christmas tree).
Evening
6pm: Christmas Lights Open Top Bus Tour
As dusk sets on the city London’s Christmas lights will take centre stage, and it’s time for a Christmas Bus Tour!
Although I highly suggest saving some of your Christmas days in London to do a Christmas walk (especially my custom Christmas in London walks🎄), there is something magical about riding through the city during the holiday season.
This 1.5 hour bus tour will take you on an open-top ride pass Regent Street, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square and more, with a live guide and commentary all along the way.
Given the popularity of the season, I highly recommend booking your tour as soon as you know the date you’ll be in London!
8pm: Holiday Dinner at the Churchill Arms OR Pub Dinner or Sunday Roast at The Old Bank of England
To end your festive day in London I suggest winding down at London’s most famous Christmas pub — The Churchill Arms.
Dripping with Christmas decor it’s truly a sight to see come Christmas in London, with excellent Thai food to match (yes, random…but delicious).
As you can imagine this pub gets super busy during the holidays so I suggest reserving a table as soon as possible.
However, if you’re not keen on Thai you can always tuck in for a pub dinner or Sunday Roast at The Old Bank of England, one of London’s most historic and beautiful pubs and a great place to tuck in for a cosy winter dinner.
P.S. – If you’re visiting The Old Bank of England on a Sunday they close at 8pm, so plan to have your Roast here instead after Ice Skating at Somerset House!
And there you have it! With this itinerary (and my Christmas in London Guide 🎄) you’ll be fully prepared to enjoy a perfect holiday season in London.
Happy Londoning,
About the Author
Hi! I’m Candace, I moved to London at 18 from the US to study (without ever having visited) and have built my life in the UK ever since.
On this blog, I share the best London, UK and Europe travel tips & itineraries to help you experience destinations to the fullest. Happy you’re here 🌏🇬🇧
P.S. – For more London & travel adventures be sure to follow along on Youtube, Instagram or TikTok!
