Things to do in London on Christmas Day 2024

The Enchanting Atmosphere of Christmas in London

You can be amazed at every second of Christmas day in London, but we have shortlisted some of the best things to do in London so you can be a part of the celebration and enjoy your moments here.

1. Take in the Christmas Morning Atmosphere

Spend a calm and slow morning on Christmas day to explore some of the best-known sights in London. It seems that today, the city is relatively quiet – it is pleasant to feel the holiday mood, but there are no street crowds.

Westminster: Walk past the majestic Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, both beautifully adorned for the season.
Covent Garden: It is said that this area has the most beautiful decorations and best preparations for the festive season. The big tree and the bright lights make a good backdrop for that perfect photo to be taken at this time of the year.
South Bank: One can enjoy the view of the Holy Thames, London Eye Tower, and other landmarks specially decorated for the holiday.

You should bring your camera because these are some of the world’s famous landmarks that you’ll be seeing in their off-season.

2. Attend a Christmas Service

Christmas service is among the events that are seen to be very important to most people in the Christmas celebrations. Various Churches and Cathedrals in London have special services that combine tradition and beautiful music.

St. Paul’s Cathedral: Amazing architecture and acoustics. This is one of the famous places to attend the service, and you can attend any service conducted here.
Westminster Abbey: Another iconic venue, Westminster Abbey hosts services that often feature choir performances that resonate beautifully within its grand interiors.
Smaller Churches: Consider visiting smaller local churches for a more intimate service experience. Many neighborhoods have charming churches that welcome visitors warmly.

Check service times in advance, as they can vary, and be sure to arrive early to secure a good seat.

3. Join Festive Walking Tours

Guided walking tours that offer insight into London's history and holiday customs continue to run on Christmas Day, even though many sites are closed.

Dickensian London Tour: Visit locations connected to Charles Dickens, whose writings frequently deal with giving and Christmas.
Christmas Lights Tour: Some businesses provide guided tours that take you through neighborhoods like Oxford Street and Regent Street and highlight the city's breathtaking light displays.

These trips are ideal for anyone who appreciates history and narrative and provide a distinctive viewpoint on the city during the holiday season.

4. Experience Unique Events

There are numerous events in London that are unique to Christmas and well represent the feeling of the day.

The Peter Pan Cup

The Peter Pan Cup, featuring brave bathers’ jumping into the icy water of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, is among the unusual traditions of the British capital. You can see this event that is scheduled to start at 9.00 AM, Christmas morning. At times, it is an action-packed spectacle that befits the Yuletide feel that people of London are usually associated with.

Christmas Day Swim at Hampstead Heath

Another lovely event is swimming in Hampstead Heath every Christmas time. Some swim for fun, while others raise funds at this event during cold water temperatures. Therefore, as viewers of this race enjoy hot cups of tea or coffee from nearby stalls, they are free to encourage these brave swimmers.

London Christmas lights bus tour

London Christmas Day 2024 is going big for its Christmas lights decoration so there is a special bus service by Toot Bus. They take you around to some of the most famous places to show the lights and decorations. So you can see the real celebration of Christmas in London.

5. Explore Iconic Landmarks

Few places are accessible for viewing and capturing the memory on Christmas day.

Buckingham Palace: Take a leisurely walk around it; while you may not be able to enter, it’s lovely to see it adorned with festive decorations.
Trafalgar Square: Where the Christmas tree from Norway is located, lights up beautifully during this time. The square has been used in the past for caroling and even spreading Christmas greetings and joy.
Tower Bridge: This famous bridge spans the river and has stunning views over the Thames, especially at night.

When you reach these landmarks, you can appreciate them as marvelous architectural achievements with histories inherent to them.

6. Enjoy a Festive Lunch Cruise

If you want to make the lunch more special, you can always go out for a Christmas lunch cruise that would be on the River Thames. London-based operators such as Bateaux London or City Cruises offer Christmas meals, including traditional food, and you get to see the prime views of London while eating.

These cruises often include live entertainment such as carol singing or jazz performances, creating an unforgettable atmosphere as you glide past landmarks like Tower Bridge and The Shard.

7. Savor a Festive Meal

London Christmas Experiences wouldn’t be complete without indulging in a traditional festive meal. Many restaurants and hotels offer special menus featuring classic dishes like roast turkey with all the trimmings.

Luxury Hotels: Consider dining at renowned establishments such as The Ritz or Claridge's, where you can enjoy exquisite meals in opulent settings.
Traditional Pubs: For a cozier experience, many pubs serve hearty Christmas dinners with all the trimmings. These venues often have a warm atmosphere perfect for celebrating with friends or family.

Make reservations well in advance as spots fill up quickly due to high demand on this special day.

8. Admire Stunning Christmas Lights

London is well known for spectacular Christmas lighting that is installed along major streets in the entire city.

Oxford Street: This is famous for its amazing lights that attract many people from different parts of the world.
Regent Street: It has nice angel decors that make the place lovely for people to be in.
Carnaby Street: It is famous for its themes, and new designs come every year to reflect modern culture.

It is also possible to visit these places on December 25th without crowds and people. This is ideal for a nice walk with your loved ones.

9. Visit Winter Wonderland (Before Christmas Day)

Winter Wonderland starts at the end of November and goes on to January's first week, but it is recommended to visit here on or before Christmas day as the beauty of the place is at its peak.

This festive extravaganza includes:

An ice skating rink
A circus
A Christmas market with food stalls
Carnival rides

This is perfect for having the Christmas buzz before going for more intimate Christmas celebrations on properly.

10. Prepare for Limited Transport Options

Public transport in London operates on a limited schedule on Christmas Day, so planning ahead is crucial:

Walking: A lot of places of interest are located close to each other; using a car to move from one place to another may leave out some of the interesting sites in the process.
Cycling: If you are confident in cycling around the streets, then it would be a good idea to hire bikes from Santander Cycles.
Taxis/Ride-Sharing Services: Taking private taxis or using applications like Uber can easily facilitate your transportation needs.