Christmas is a wonderful time of year to get wrapped up and enjoy some magical experiences. What are the best things to do in London this Christmas? Discover our pick of the top free Christmas and Winter experience offers in London.
From Christmas Markets to Ice Skating in stunning settings, spectacular light displays to snow on demand. England celebrates christmas with style, and the Capital certainly pulls out all the glittering stops. With plenty of free activities and unique Christmas experiences on offer, here’s how you can enjoy Winter in London for less.
From many parts of England, you can jump on a train and be in London in a few hours – the perfect day trip. Or if you live further away, there’s plenty of hotels in London that won’t break the bank for an overnight stay.
Free things to do in London this Christmas
There is plenty of Christmas magic to enjoy in London for free. You could easily spend a whole day in london without it costing you much at all. This is our top 5 experiences
- The best Christmas lights in London Read the article for all the times and locations. Absolutely stunning, you won’t have the time to see them all as there is so much choice.
- A whole day out in Greenwich There are Christmas markets, Illuminations, The Christmas Advent at the Cutty Sark and so much more. There are also activities to book like Carol Concerts and Ice Skating.
- Covent Garden Enjoy the most magical, christmassy place in London. There are hourly snow flurrys, fabulous Christmas lights and decorations, mistletoe chandeliers and even a Lego installation pop-up between 1st December and 3rd January. As well as the Christmas markets and entertainment.
- South Bank Wander along the Thames and take in the sights and smells of the popular SouthBank winter market – open until 24th December until 10pm weekdays and 11pm weekends.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Marketed as The Ultimate Christmas destination in London. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is on from 19th November 2021 to 3rd January 2022. And visiting at off peak time is free. Off peak is generally weekday mornings and you still need to book a timeslot.
And have a read of this fab article for 10 free things to do in London with kids.
Great offers to book in London this Christmas
Some of these offers come with free cancellation so you can rebook for another time if the weather gets bad, or your plans change. Book early though as these Winter only events sell out fast.
- Christmas lights tour of London Capture the magic of the city on a London Christmas lights bus tour. See the famous lights that decorate the iconic streets of London on board The Original Tour’s double-decker buses. Sit back, relax and watch the city sparkling as our tour takes you past the capital’s famous Christmas lights. See Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and more while our live guide entertains you with stories of Christmas past and present. Each ticket includes a complimentary Santa hat on board to get you into the Christmas spirit. Tour lasts around £45 minutes.
- Christmas lights tour of London at Night This is the same tour as above but in the Evening so the Christmas Lights look even more spectacular.
- Christmas with Queen Victoria This is the coolest experience, learn so much with your fab tour guide, did you know that celebrating Christmas was once illegal in the city? Find out who banned Christmas and who brought the celebration back, then visit some of the best displays in the city like the Oxford Street lights and the ice skating rink at the Natural History Museum. Take a Christmas tour through London Professional tour guide. See the city’s biggest and best trees and displays. Meet Santa at the oldest toy shop in London. It’s a 3 hour tour and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Peak time entry. This is the big one and is on from 19th November 2021 to 3rd January 2022. While free to enter at off peak times, peak times are £5 or £7.50 (plus of course whatever rides etc you do there. It is a great fun experience but do plan ahead as the costs escalate very quickly.
- Christmas lights walking tour for kids and families This is a private tour, your local guide, with extensive experience in leading tours for families with kids, knows very well how to keep the young ones entertained as you and your family take in some of London’s most beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. After nightfall, you will be able to admire some of London’s most famous streets and squares illuminated by magical Christmas lights, including Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, and the amazing Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. As you wander through the colourful streets, your guide will describe the background surrounding some of London’s best-known seasonal customs and traditions. Book the later slot if you can as this tour would be even more special when it’s dark. Tour lasts around 2 and a half hours and ends at The Winter Wonderland. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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