London at Christmas: Best Festive Tours and Markets 2026

London at Christmas is genuinely special. The city transforms from mid-November with spectacular light displays, Christmas markets, ice rinks, and festive events. Oxford Street alone has over 1,700 snowball lights. Covent Garden becomes a winter wonderland with a massive tree and decorations. The cold, dark evenings make everything glow warmer. It is one of the most popular times to visit London, and for good reason.

London's Christmas markets offer festive food, mulled wine, handmade gifts, and seasonal atmosphere:

• Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park) - London's biggest Christmas event with rides, markets, food stalls, an ice rink, and a Bavarian beer hall. Free entry, rides are paid. Mid-November to early January.
• Southbank Centre Winter Market - riverside market with Nordic-inspired stalls, street food, and Thames views. Free entry.
• Covent Garden Christmas Market - artisan gifts and decorations inside the historic market building.
• Borough Market - the regular market adds festive produce, seasonal dishes, and Christmas hamper stalls.
• Kingston Christmas Market - a charming market in a Thames-side town just outside central London.

The Christmas light switch-ons happen from early November:

• Oxford Street - the most famous Christmas lights in London, stretching for over a mile
• Regent Street - elegant angel lights arching across the road
• Carnaby Street - creative themed installations that change every year
• Bond Street - luxury sparkle with peacock-feather style lights
• Covent Garden - a huge Christmas tree and thousands of baubles
• Kew Gardens - a after-dark trail of illuminated trees and installations (paid event, book ahead)

The best way to see the lights is on foot, walking from Oxford Circus down Regent Street, through Carnaby Street, and along to Covent Garden. The route takes about 45 minutes.

Outdoor ice rinks pop up across London from November to January. The most scenic rinks include the Natural History Museum rink (skating in front of the museum's fairy-lit facade), Somerset House (the classic London ice rink in a Georgian courtyard), and the Tower of London rink (skating with fortress walls as a backdrop). Book in advance as popular slots sell out quickly.

Several special tours run during the Christmas season:

• Christmas lights bus tour - an open-top bus ride through illuminated London streets
• Thames dinner cruise - festive menus with views of the lit-up riverside
• Pantomime - a uniquely British Christmas tradition; theatrical shows with audience participation, slapstick comedy, and familiar fairy tales
• Christmas carol concerts - free carol services at Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, and churches across the city

Key things to know about Christmas in London:

• Christmas Day: Almost everything closes, including public transport. Plan a quiet day at your hotel or take a pre-booked Christmas lunch.
• Boxing Day (26 Dec): The January sales start. Oxford Street and Westfield are packed but bargains are real.
• New Year's Eve: The fireworks on the Thames are ticketed and sell out fast. Many pubs and restaurants host events. Book well ahead.
• Weather: December averages 2-8 degrees. Dress warmly with layers, a hat, and gloves. Snow is rare but possible.
• Booking: Hotels are expensive over Christmas and New Year. Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices.

For more trip planning, see our best time to visit guide or browse all London tours.