Brace yourselves for a festive adventure through the dazzling wonderland that is London during the Christmas season! From twinkling lights to towering Christmas trees, our beloved capital transforms into a yuletide paradise that could give the North Pole a run for its money. So, grab your comfiest scarf, don your cheesiest Christmas jumper, and let’s dive headfirst into the glittering sea of decorations and attractions that make London the ultimate winter wonderland. It’s time to jingle all the way through the city’s festive magic – 2023 edition!

Oxford Street, Soho

Our festive journey kicks off on Oxford Street, where the iconic stars twinkle above, marking the arrival of Christmas. They start to appear in October, but it takes a few weeks before they’re all up and and ready to light up the winter evenings with festive flair. 

Equally symbolic, the the breathtaking angels of Regent’s Street – a twinkling spectacle that has adorned London’s streets for years.

Whilst on Oxford Street, pop into Selfridges. This high end department store has it all. It’s not just a store; it’s a Christmas haven with dazzling decorations and a treasure trove of festive ornaments. Pro tip: if you’re gift shopping, have a look at the fancy chocolates and sweets – the variety is Santa’s workshop level.

Not far away is one of the most famous London’s Christmas attractions – Winter Wonderland. I have a whole blog post dedicated to it, check it out here. 

Other places worth visiting in that area include Liberty London, Carnaby Street and New Bond Street. There was also a Christmassy bar and ice rink on Hanover Square. 

Fortnum and Mason 

For a touch of luxury, Fortnum and Mason takes the spotlight. The facade of this high-end department store transforms into a living advent calendar, unveiling a new number in radiant white every day.

Inside, a mesmerising installation of floating Christmas puddings took to the spotlight in the main staircase. The baubles danced up and down in a synchronised symphony, hypnotising to watch. The store itself is a sight to behold, offering an array of exquisite gifts, including tea, chocolate, and biscuits. It’s like stepping into a festive dreamland.

Trafalgar Square 

Every year, a small Christmas market sets up in front of the National Gallery, treating Londoners to German sausages, mulled wine, and stalls brimming with Christmas ornaments and gift ideas.

The star of the square? A towering Christmas tree gifted annually by the Norwegians since 1947 as a token of gratitude for UK support during World War II.

The chosen tree is felled in an official ceremony in November, and then shipped to London, where it’s put up and decorated with lights hung in the traditional Norwegian way – vertically.

Trafalgar Square trees are often mocked for their appearance (a few years ago a particularly thin and tall tree decorated with green lights was compared to a cucumber!), but the long lasting tradition remains beautiful, withstanding the test of time. 

Leicester Square 

Another small Christmas market can be found just a stone’s throw away. On Leicester Square, you can find winter warmers, lots of food options, and gift ideas too. 

Covent Garden 

The famous Covent Garden, home for numerous high end shops, restaurants, cafes, and markets with unique handmade goods is always spectacularly dressed up for Christmas. This year, the giant mistletoe decorations from previous years were replaced with magnificent bells and bows.

Southbank 

The south bank of the river Thames, around Waterloo bridge area, hosts a Christmas market every year. In the Southbank Christmas market you’ll find a good mix of stalls with street food, winter warmers and gift options. There’s also a traditional carousel for the little ones and adults as well, with a view on the London Eye and Big Ben. Not a huge number of stalls and incredibly crowded in peak times, so keep that in mind. 

Christmas by the River 

Surprising even the seasoned Londoner, the Christmas market between London Bridge and Tower Bridge offers a refreshing deviation from the norm. With a plethora of vendors showcasing an impressive selection of gifts (a rarity in London’s markets usually dominated by street food), this spot stood out as my personal festive favourite. The decorations in Hay’s Galleria were equally stunning, making it a must-visit. If you can, try to avoid the weekend afternoon crowds.

St Paul’s 

In the City of London, near St Paul’s Cathedral, two small markets – one by the main entrance and the other in Paternoster Square – add a charming touch to the majestic surroundings. While the stalls focus mainly on street food, festively decorated booths and Christmas trees bring a delightful seasonal flair to the area.

King’s Cross and St Pancras International train stations

King’s Cross train station featured in the famous Harry Potter books. Platform 9 ¾ attracts hundreds of visitors every day, and it’s only right for the saga to inspire the station’s Christmas tree as well. Tall and magnificent, it’s decorated with replicas of a train ticket to Hogwarts.

The neighbouring train station, St Pancras International, has a Christmas tree inspired by a bookcase. Outdoors, in the area of the stations, you’ll find a few pop up markets selling food, handmade gifts and mulled wine.

The most Christmassy pub in London – Churchill’s Arms 

Venturing to Notting Hill in west London, Churchill’s Arms claims the title of the most Christmassy pub in the city, and it doesn’t disappoint. Adorned with festive decorations that have gained quite the Instagram fame, this pub is a visual treat and a must-visit for those seeking an extra dose of Christmas spirit. I hope the publicity helps attract enough visitors to cover the energy bills! 

Greenwich 

Even Greenwich, known for the meridian line and the Observatory, gets in on the festive action with a beautiful Christmas tree and illuminated Cutty Sark.

Kingdom of Winter, ExCeL

ExCeL – an Exhibition Centre in London – is home to numerous events throughout the year. In December, some of its halls turn into a magical, Christmassy village. The event is located entirely indoors, making it a good choice for a festive evening when the weather outside would make a traditional Christmas market visit miserable. It was a rather strange feeling to stroll through a winter village in room temperature, but the atmosphere was still festive and jolly. Think market stalls with food and gifts, an alpine style bar, carousels, rides, and numerous Christmas trees. There was also a cirque, ice rink and ice trail with intricate ice sculptures (the only part of the event kept in sub-zero temperatures, so wrap up!). I went to the Kingdom of Winter in ExCeL on a Monday evening and it wasn’t busy at all – I was able to have a leisurely stroll through the arena away from crowds, which is almost unheard of in London before Christmas… and any time of year, really.

Kew Christmas

In an annual tradition, Kew Gardens after dusk turn into a charming, festive kingdom. The park, usually a stunning botanical garden, hosts a spectacular trail of lights running around the area, with an incredible fountain display accompanied by Christmas songs at the end. A separate post is in the works, but here’s a spoiler: it’s 100% worth the visit If you’re considering going to Kew Christmas next year, keep in mind that tickets sell out quickly. Make sure to regularly check the Kew Gardens website for updates to avoid disappointment. Tickets are typically available for purchase a few weeks in advance.

Other places to visit 

Harrods 

The famous luxury department store attracts oceans of visitors all year round. Harrods own brand chocolates, sweets, coffee and tea make great gifts for the loved ones you want to spoil. From around early October you can start seeing Christmas products and decorations pop up. It’s always a treat for the eyes, too. There are usually festive illuminations outside as well, although they weren’t overwhelming this year, to be honest. 

Westfield London

There are two large shopping centres under the Westfield brand in London – in White City (west London) and in Stratford (east London), the former being the largest shopping centre in Europe, I once read! Although they are simply shopping centres and just that, the festive decorations never disappoint. And what better place for a Christmas shop than a mall with over a hundred shops all in one place, right? Good destination for gift hunting, but try to avoid weekends when it’s packed with visitors. 

Hackney Christmas Market 

One I haven’t visited yet, but I put it on my list every year. Perhaps next time! All I know is that there’s supposedly a small Christmas market in Hackney. Let me know your thoughts if you’ve had a chance to visit it. 

And there you have it – our festive tour through London, adorned with twinkling lights, festive markets, and a generous sprinkle of Christmas magic. Got a favourite spot that screams ‘Christmas’ to you? Any hidden gems I’ve missed? Share the festive love!

Also see:

• Christmas
• Travel