Seasonal
Christmas in London: The Best Things to Do
Lights, markets, carols and skating: how to spend Christmas in London, from the grand to the quietly magical.
In short: our top picks are Somerset House Ice Rink, Christmas at Kew and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
There are few better cities to spend Christmas in than London. The lights go up, the markets open, the grand hotels dress their windows, and the whole city leans into it. The trick is choosing well among the crowds. This is how we would spend Christmas in London, from the marquee moments to the quietly magical ones.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset House Ice Rink | Strand | £££ |
| Christmas at Kew | Kew | £££ |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | Hyde Park | ££ |
| Carols at the Royal Albert Hall | South Kensington | £££ |
| Winter Wonderland | Hyde Park | ££ |
-
Editor’s choice
Somerset House Ice Rink
Why we pick itSkating in a grand courtyard around a towering tree; the most beautiful rink in London.
-
Christmas at Kew
Why we pick itAn after-dark trail of light installations through the gardens; magical, and worth the trip west.
-
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Why we pick itThe full festive funfair; go for the rides, the bars and the sheer scale of it.
-
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall
Why we pick itCandlelit carol concerts in a glorious room; the most traditional Christmas night out in London.
-
Winter Wonderland
Why we pick itHyde Park's huge Christmas funfair and market.
Before you book
Book anything popular weeks ahead, especially ice rinks, festive afternoon teas and Christmas dinners. Go midweek for the lights and markets to dodge the worst of the crowds. And build a walk into the evening; half the magic of Christmas in London is the streets between the stops.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Somerset House Ice Rink is our editor's choice: Skating in a grand courtyard around a towering tree; the most beautiful rink in London. Somerset House Ice Rink, Christmas at Kew and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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