Christmas In London

The holiday season is not complete without a visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – it’s a London Christmas experience not to be missed! Full of festive cheer and family fun. Wander through the wooden chalets of the Christmas market, whizz around the ice rink and enjoy all the exciting funfair rides you could dream of. Don’t forget to explore Santaland, which is full of all things merry and bright!

Plus, don’t forget to indulge in amazing festive food and drinks, there will be plenty of food stalls offering tasty treats! Who can resist the delicious churros in a variety of sweet and savoury flavours? For a festive tipple, we suggest you head to the alpine lodge-style ‘Artic Lodge’ bar. Go on…it’ll warm you up! Don’t forget to soar high on the 70m high Giant Wheel or sit on the edge of your seat at the Zippos Christmas Circus!

If you’d like to save a bit, why not opt for the Santaland Unlimited Ride Pass? It’s making its return for 2024 and is perfect for families wanting to maximise their day out. The pass offers unlimited access to over 15 family-friendly rides in Winter Wonderland’s Santaland area for only £25. Passholders also qualify for free entry to Winter Wonderland!

NEW FOR 2024 – you can unlock 20% off selected Magical Ice Kingdom and Ice Skating sessions when you buy an off-peak ticket. Also, you need to visit Voodoo Ray’s Bottomless Pizza for unlimited pizza in brand-new, heated, sit-down dining! Plus, if your child has a Santaland Unlimited Ride Pass, they’ll get one free soft drink to enjoy while dining at Voodoo Ray’s Bottomless Pizza Party! What a bargain.

Enjoy a magical evening of live theatre this Christmas with tickets to Wicked, hailed as “London’s #1 show” by LBC.

Now in its 19th phenomenal year, Wicked is the must-see musical that reveals the untold story of the Witches of Oz. Follow the unforgettable journey of two young women – the beloved Glinda and the misunderstood Elphaba – as they form a remarkable friendship. Inspired by Gregory Maguire’s novel, Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman bring to life a captivating backstory of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, unveiling the choices and twists of fate that lead Glinda and Elphaba to their iconic roles as ‘Glinda the Good’ and the ‘Wicked Witch of the West.’

For an added treat, indulge in a Wicked-themed Afternoon Tea at The Tea Lounge at The Clermont Victoria from November 21 to December 23. Just steps from the theatre, this festive tea includes delights like chocolate & pistachio pebbles, lemon meringue pie, a Wicked macaron, traditional scones with jam & clotted cream, and savoury finger sandwiches.

Plus, they’re holding extra performances for families during the Christmas holidays, so there’s plenty of time to see the award-winning musical!

Christmas at Kew Gardens is an unmissable event; with its ethereal and enchanting light trail, you’ll be fully immersed in seasonal cheer and a kaleidoscope of colours.

Wander along the twinkling light trail filled with a dazzling display of immersive installations and laser shows along the way! Don’t miss the flickering flames in the fire garden and the beautiful Christmas Cathedral display made from thousands of fairy lights- which is a favourite selfie spot!

You’ll find plenty of sweet and savoury treats available too, just make your way to the street food vendor stalls, as you complete the festive trails! Why not take time to enjoy a warming hot chocolate or a mulled wine?

Hands up, who loves afternoon tea? How about one with a festive twist? Check out the Christmas Lights of London while you enjoy a seasonally inspired menu with Brigit’s B Bakery!

The Brigit’s Bus Tour has five daily bus departures, which take a route along Regent Street. You’ll marvel at the scenic Christmas lights while you eat traditional afternoon tea treats like finger sandwiches and handmade cakes. We think you will agree that this is a lovely way to spend a December afternoon!

Psst…they also have Peppa Pig and Grinch afternoon tea buses too!

The Royal Albert Hall has been celebrating Christmas in London for 150 years. Wow! You can choose from Christmas carol concerts, opera singing or festive Jazz band events throughout the year, but this year, they have something special…

The former home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace, provides a dramatic backdrop for ice skating. You can literally skate through history. The spectacular Tudor architecture of the palace lights up after dark in an array of colours, creating a beautiful setting for ice skating under the stars and wintery night sky.

It’s the perfect ice rink to glide to this festive period.

The magic of winter comes alive with the fabulous ice rink at Canary Wharf! Not only do they have 13 daily ice skating sessions, but the ice rink is also covered! Meaning the weather will never have an effect on it and you can skate come rain or shine!

There’s also a winter wonderland at the Oasis Bar & Terrace as it transforms into an alpine-themed destination! Enjoy stunning views of the ice rink on the the terrace and enjoy some festive treats.

Immerse yourself in one of London’s most picture-perfect locations – Somerset House! Which, fun fact, was featured in the festive flick Love Actually!

Enjoy a skate around the ice with a giant Christmas tree nearby, which creates a magical setting. Afterwards, warm up with a hot drink or treat yourself to a glass of wine in the Moet & Chandon Skate Lounge.

The famous lights over Carnaby Street are a must-see during the festive season. The street is well known for putting on spectacular Christmas light displays every year, so you can expect to see lots of colour illuminating those dark, winter nights.

Not to mention, Carnaby Street is an ideal location for some of the coolest shopping in London, with many different boutiques and pop-up shops! So, no need to worry about inspiration for last-minute gifts; because you can find literally anything here.

For a sparkling array of beautiful lights head over to Bond Street! The luxury shopping district has a magical glow during December and is known for decorative peacock lights and stunning luxury boutique windows, as they’re enchantingly dressed for the festive season.

It’s no surprise that Bond Street is one of the most Instagrammable London scenes- so don’t forget your camera!

The iconic Spirit of Christmas angel lights shimmering above Regent Street have appeared every Christmas in London since 1954!

Did you know that Regent Street was one of the first-ever central London locations to have Christmas lights? The iconic angels create a beautiful, sweeping canopy of gold and white lights – an unmissable Christmas light to see in London.

Did you know that since 1947, Norway has gifted a Christmas tree to London every year? It’s the famous Christmas tree you see in Trafalgar Square!

The whopping 48ft Christmas tree is displayed in Trafalgar Square throughout the festive season, and an annual tree lighting ceremony is held by thousands of people! This year it’ll happen on 5th December from 17:30 – 18:30, so don’t miss it!

You’ll also find regular carol-singing events to invoke that festive cheer in those near the tree!

Take a trip to St Pancras Station, where you’ll spot a magical spectacle towering with shimmering lights, enchanting decorations, and a festive charm that fills the station with holiday wonder.

It’s designed by a new collaborator each year, and…..this year, it’s Wicked-themed! Celebrating the upcoming release of the Wicked movie, the iconic St Pancras tree is elaborate and celebrates the glistening Emerald City. Go check it out!