Festive things to do in London in December

If there’s one thing London does well, it’s Christmas! If you’re visiting in December, there are loads of festive things to do to get you in the Christmas spirit. And best of all, many of these activities are free!

Christmas at Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a must at any time of year but they really do go all out at Christmas. And most years, the decor changes too so if you come to London every year in December, there will be something new to see.

The market itself is so beautiful and charming but at Christmas it’s extra special. Most of the shops are decorated with lights, wreaths and baubles and then of course there are the huge Christmas decorations that hang from the market ceiling.

And of course in the main square is the huge Christmas tree, which stands at 60ft tall and is decorated with over 200 baubles and thousands of LED lights. Around the square are plenty of festive photo opportunities, from a forest of Christmas trees to Christmas market style food and drink chalets. One year they even had igloos!

Christmas tree and market in Trafalgar Square

The Trafalgar Tree in Trafalgar Square stands at over 20 meters tall and is over 60 years old. It’s a symbol of friendship from Norway, as Britain gave the King of Norway refuge during the second world war.

The tree is a Norwegian Spruce and comes from a forest in Oslo. You can watch the annual lighting ceremony for free on the first Thursday in December, which takes place from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. There is also carol singing and poetry readings. Also in Trafalgar Square is a Christmas market which runs from early November to early January.

Visit Fortnum and Mason for festive cheer

Fortnum and Mason is an iconic London store, loved by the Royals. Every year, the outside of the store looks like an advent calendar and the shop windows are beautifully decorated.

Don’t just admire it from the outside. Be sure to step inside to see the stunning spiral staircase and watch the show, which happens on the hour. This year it was silver pine cones but in previous years it was Christmas puddings! They move up and down in time to the music.

Admire the Christmas shop displays on New Bond Street

New Bond Street is home to luxury stores such as Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Dior, Cartier and more. At Christmas time they go all out with their displays. Forget window displays… they take up the whole building!

Every year they change the displays so it’s definitely worth going each year. It’s very close to Fortnum and Mason not far from Trafalgar Square so you can make a whole afternoon of it. It can get very crowded though so go early just as it gets dark, at around 4pm in December, or late at around 10pm to avoid the crowds.

See the West End Christmas lights via the 139 bus

Oxford and Regent Street are very popular to see the Christmas lights but it gets very busy and crowded. Want a way to see them without crowds and you’ll stay warm (and dry if it’s raining)? Get the 139 bus from outside Selfridges, or around the corner at Orchard Street, and enjoy the Christmas lights as it heads down Oxford Street, then turns on to Regent Street. Stay on the bus to go past the Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square or hop off to see it in person.

Annabel’s Holiday Façade

Every year Annabel’s, the private members club in the swanky neighbourhood of Mayfair, unveils its Holiday Façade in mid/late November to early January.

You may not be able to get in to Annabel’s itself, but you can certainly admire it from the outside. Every year, the display gets better and better!

Go ice-skating

London has so many ice-rinks across the city to choose from for a session of festive skating. Most of them open mid-November until January but do check their websites for dates beforehand. They are also really popular so be sure to purchase tickets in advance or you may be disappointed. Some of the ice-rinks in the city include Somerset House, Canary Wharf, Battersea Power Station, Tower of London, Hanover Square in the West End and for skating a bit further afield, there is Hampton Court Palace. Get your skates on!

Support a charity’s Carol Concert

Many of the big charities in the UK have Carol Concerts where they sell tickets to raise funds for their charity. Often there will even be celebrity readers, such as famous actors and musicians. You may be able to find details on Timeout London but you can also keep an eye on the charity’s own websites and social media channels. Some of the charities that have Carol Concerts every year are the British Red Cross, Macmillan Cancer Support, Dementia UK and Maggie’s.

Another charity that hosts a few Christmas concerts throughout December is St Martin in the Fields, which is opposite Trafalgar Square.

Meet Santa and his reindeer at the Chelsea Barracks Winter Fair

A fun, free, festive activity, especially if you have young children is the Chelsea Barracks Winter fair in South Kensington, near Sloane Square station. Meet Santa in his grotto and say ‘hello’ to his reindeer! Note that it’s only on for a weekend at the beginning of December so don’t miss out!

There is also a small artisan’s market where you can pick up some beautiful Christmas gifts for friends and loved ones. Take a look at their website in November to see the schedule of entertainment, such as choir singing so that you can plan your visit accordingly.

Watch A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic

Definitely not free but worth every penny! A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, near Waterloo Station, is truly a magical, immersive experience. You will LOVE every minute – trust me. It will really get you into the Christmas spirit! Tickets go on sale from early November and performances run from mid-December to the beginning of January. Note that it’s suitable for ages 8+.

You’re not allowed to take photos during the performance but you can at the end – so this is a photo of the amazing cast celebrating the fabulous orchestra. Note that tickets sell out very fast so be sure to book early.

Enjoy a Festive Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea is such a British tradition so if you’re visiting London in December, why not try a festive afternoon tea? We went a few years ago to a festive afternoon tea at The Landmark, a luxury hotel near Marylebone Station. It was wonderful! The hotel was decked out in Christmas decorations, with a gorgeous Christmas tree, making it truly festive. The cakes were all Christmas themed too!

Christmas at Kew

Christmas at Kew Gardens runs from mid-November to early January. It is hugely popular and usually sells out so make sure you book your tickets early when they go on sale. It’s a great activity for the whole family but wear comfortable shoes as there’s 3 kilometers of the botanical gardens to explore. And wrap up warm as it’s all outside.

There are over 20 installations as well as sparkling tunnels and colourful lights illuminating buildings and trees. You may even spot Father Christmas!

So are you ready to get festive?

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