London in December, Chrismas themed recs?
Posted by kozzy_90@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 28 comments
Hi!
my mom and I will be in London the second week of December, we both love Christmas time, the lights, the vibes and the festivities. Are there any must see Christmas activities we should include during our trip? We have booked the Christmas lights bus tour, but when it comes to anything else, there seems to be so many fun activities going on and we only have so much time. I have never been to London so there are many non-Christmas related places I would like to see, but if anyone knows of anything Chrismas related that we should check out, I would appreciate the info!
081280@reddit
Kew Gardens light trail
https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas
Salt-Town268@reddit
I came here to say this.
kozzy_90@reddit (OP)
This looks like so much fun! Thank you!
padzster@reddit
ice skating @ hampton court
BastardsCryinInnit@reddit
A lot of UK Christmas is about food, and almost every pub and restaurant will have a special Christmas menu, so it's worth booking ahead for lunches and dinners.
Even the famous Indian restaurant Dishoom has an amazing Christmas menu.
Also, the Visit London website is a great resource, and it has a great list of Christmas markets.
You don't say where in London you'll be around (remember, London is fucking massive) so find things close to your activities or accommodation.
HopefulCry3145@reddit
Great idea! Book a Christmas pub lunch with crackers and Christmas pud etc.
KnowledgeSea1954@reddit
You could go to fortnum and mason which is very traditional and christmassy, it's super busy during the Christmas season though.
You could try mulled wine/or cider, mince pies, Christmas pudding, a Christmas sandwich maybe - they are everywhere around London at Christmas.
You might be able to find some christmassy events online (try Eventbrite or just Google it). There are advent and carol services at the cathedrals. (An advent service is very different vibe to a carol concert) Or Candle lit concerts. You might be able to find things like wreath making workshops or themed afternoon teas if that's your thing. I think the bread ahead bakery does mince pie workshops.
You will sometimes have carol singers in public places like in train stations or in busy shopping areas.
fourlegsfaster@reddit
Pantomimes are insane fun but also pretty incomprehensible to non-Brits. The Old Vic's Christmas show this year is A Christmas Carol.
This isn't all the pantos there are many more https://allpanto.co.uk/panto-in-london/
https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/a-christmas-carol-2024
KnowledgeSea1954@reddit
The old vic Christmas show is A Christmas carol EVERY YEAR 😅 I've seen it and it is a pretty good production though.
kozzy_90@reddit (OP)
This sounds like a fun time, thank you for the recomendation!
081280@reddit
I second going to a panto! The palladium one is always a good bet, very funny and high production value
chequemark3@reddit
If it's your thing there are also carol services at St Paul's and normally the messiah by candle light.
kozzy_90@reddit (OP)
Thank you! St Paul's is actually on my list of places to see, I wasn't aware of the carol service, I know my mom would love that!
chequemark3@reddit
Book the tickets(free) online beforehand as it gets busy busy, but their choir is amazing!
AggressiveRespect@reddit
Seconding this - lots of lovely old churches will have carol services, and quite a few will have concerts by professional and amateur (still very very good!) choirs singing traditional and more modern Christmas themed music. Check them out the ones near where you’re staying and where you plan to be on a given day. I know St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield does free music concerts too, beautiful church.
Sure_Efficiency_3183@reddit
I recommend a day outside of London, you can get to many places on trains within a couple of hours. Somewhere like Bath, Oxford.
FoolishDancer@reddit
Here to second the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park! And be sure to get the mulled cider there. Soooo delicious and much tastier than mulled wine IMHO.
kozzy_90@reddit (OP)
Thank you, I would have probably tried the mulled wine, I appreciate the heads up!
Sardoche320@reddit
Which Christmas Market would anyone suggest? With the dog. Street food and drinks type
Amazing-Tonight-7217@reddit
If you can get up to York for a day it's worth it.
AuroraDF@reddit
I second the Kew Lights trail and a look at Liberties. I've also done the bus lights tour and it's lovely.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is very very Christmassy, but it's the same Christmas rides, food and tat you can get in any UK city with a Christmas Fair, so if you're looking for a specific London experience, I'd avoid.
The market on the south bank is just ok but looks nice and the views are lovely, and there are some rides. Ahd nearby is the London Eye. And if you walk east for long enough (30-40 minutes) you'll also come to winter by the river (another, better market) at London Bridge with views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. And then you can go into borough market which is always worth a visit. And up the Shard, if that takes your fancy. Go in the evening and you'll have a view of every light in London. Lol. But book in advance. Fast track if you can. You probably don't want to waste time queueing.
And a Panto. I'm not a fan but millions are and you can't get much more British!
ikiteimasu@reddit
Walk down New Bond Street for the fancy shop displays
laluLondon@reddit
Ice skating at Somerset House
Stuvid93@reddit
The Christmas shop in Liberty is beautiful
breakfast_epiphanies@reddit
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is always popular. Apart from a bus tour, I used to work in Mayfair and I recommend a walk around that area, ending up on Oxford street - start at Green Park tube and walk to the Ritz. Carry on up Piccadilly to Fortnum and Mason, they always have a good Christmas display and it’s beautiful inside. Turn a little back and walk up Old Bond Street, you’ll see not only the lights but also all the displays in the luxury shops, all the way up to Oxford Street. The bus tour will drive down Oxford Street, but it’s better on foot.
kozzy_90@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
chequemark3@reddit
Liberty's is always very Christmassy, very busy but very festive!
buzu100@reddit
Ice skating at Somerset house is lovely - it can get really busy though, so booking a midweek time is best! https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somerset-house