Where to spend Christmas in London
You’ve heard travel stories, watched countless romantic Christmas movies, now it’s time to experience the allure of celebrating Christmas in London. Ice skating rinks, giant Christmas trees and winter markets to stock up on all your festive treats, if you’re looking for places to spend Christmas in London, read on!
1. Carnival fun at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland
Immerse yourself in all things festive at THE most spectacular Christmas destination in London! An array of excitable activities await as you step into Hyde Park! New to the Winter Wonderland this year, take a ride on the world’s TALLEST transportable Observation Wheel to fully soak in the ambiance of Hyde Park, lit by thousands of sparkling lights!
Hyde Park is also home to the largest open-air ice rink in the UK, the Circus MegaDome and Bar Ice! You can also pick up some last minute Christmas presents and souvenirs to take home at the largest Christmas market in the city – SantaLand Winter Market, which is situated inside the park.
2. Christmas shopping at Oxford Street and Carnaby Street
We can guarantee you that London does Christmas best – including Christmas shopping. Be sure to drop by popular shopping areas such as Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street, Piccadilly and Carnaby Street to pick up some last minute presents or souvenirs to take home! During this time of the year, these areas are all decked out in Christmas decor – which is enough reason for you to visit, in our opinion.
If you’d like to check out the rest the many illuminations around the city, this London Christmas Lights and Markets Tour will take you all over London’s dazzling streets and Christmas markets!
3. Marvel at the stellar window displays around central London
London is known to have the most glamorous window displays during the Christmas season – think 3D installations, a building wrapped in red ribbons, and dramatic light shows! Visiting the streets of Oxford, Brompton Road, and King’s Road to name a few, for the window displays is still considered a common holiday tradition for many of the locals – and it’s no wonder why!
Department stores like Selfridges, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Fortnum & Mason dominate the window display game during the holidays, so be sure to drop by to take a peek!
4. Be dazzled by the illuminations atKew Gardens
Be prepared to get lit as you follow the fantastical trail at the Kew Botanical Gardens. This year, visitors will be brought along a different route from previous editions. Expect to be enthralled by the beautifully decorated garden, catch a glimpse of folkloric illuminations of mythical fairy creatures and get blown away by hyper-realistic laser projections.
From award-winning pies to sourdough pizzas, choose from a selection of street food options as you go along the trail.
Where: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE
When: 20 November 2019 – 5 January 2020
Operating Hours: 5am – 10pm (advanced booking only)
Admission: Adult: From £18, Family: From £52, Child 4 – 6: From £11, Under 4: Free
5. Glide through the ice at Somerset House with Fortnum and Mason
Centered around a 40ft tall Christmas tree, the ice rink at Somerset House is one that’s hard to miss! Spend the day skating within the posh facade of this iconic neoclassical building. Head over to the Fortnum’s Lodge after your session to get your serving of winter classics like raclette, mince pies and mulled wine. On selected nights, the rink even transforms into an open-air party destination with DJs dropping their beats from a rink-side booth!
Book your Skate at Somerset House tickets with Klook and enjoy FREE Ice skate rental and the use of 1 locker
6. Take an ice-y stroll with your loved ones at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink
With one of the longest ice skating sessions in the city (50mins), we recommend visiting the Natural History Museum ice rink which is always the first to open for the season! Work your magic in this spacious rink and take a few Instagram worthy snaps while you’re at it.
7. Share a bottle of mulled wine with friends at Covent Garden
Photo by Garry Knight on Flickr
London’s most popular market gets a makeover for the holidays, making it a go-to spot for locals to hang out with friends and family before Christmas. With a number of restaurants and shops, you’ll definitely get your holiday shopping and gathering done in this one area! Be sure to check out the local delis for Christmas-special munchies and more!
8. Enjoy a festive tipple at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub!
There’s a reason why this was Charles Dickens’ favorite pub! Have a couple of festive drinks with your friends before the holidays at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, one of the oldest pubs in the city. Apart from its century-old charm, the cheap pints keep people coming!
9. Meet and Greet Santa Claus at the London Zoo
A wholesome trip with the family to the zoo to learn about different animals, and you see a reindeer? If you’re visiting the London Zoo on the weekends this December, you might just see some familiar faces there – particularly one with a long white beard and a big ole tummy! Be sure to have those wish lists at the ready!
#Klooktip: For something extra special, book your child in for a VIP experience where you will enjoy pre-entry into the zoo before it opens to the public. You will even get to have breakfast with Mrs. Claus before meeting Father Christmas himself!
Where: Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY
When: 7 – 24 December 2019 (Weekends)
Admission: £12 per child
10. Celebrate Christmas Hogwarts-style with Wizards and Witches at the Warner Bros. Studio!
Calling all Harry Potter fans, this one’s for you! All dressed up in Christmas decorations, take a full-day tour to Warner Bros. Studio where all 8 Harry Potter films were produced! Feel the nostalgia hit as you explore the authentic sets, props and costumes that were used in the movies.
With it being the festive period, enjoy seasonal specials like having Christmas dinner in Hogwarts Great Hall or other iconic sets!
Booking your Warner Bros. Studio Tour London with Klook would save you the hassle of arranging for transportation to the studio as a Round-Trip transport service would be included in the package.
Enjoy Christmas in London with Klook’s Holiday Sale!
With Klook’s Christmas Promo, there’s no better time to Klook away all those exciting travel adventures. Be sure to Klook all your Christmas activities on Klook to get a Php 1,000 cashback for every PHP 5,000 spent on our available Christmas Special activities using the promo code <HOLIDAYAWAY>. Additionally, you can enjoy an extra treat of PHP 500 off with a minimum purchase of PHP 5,500 on ANY Klook product using the promo code <KLOOKCHRISTMAS>!
