Embracing Yuletide Magic: A Guide to Celebrating the Holidays in London

London, the cosmopolitan capital of the United Kingdom, is one of those places that can be visited again and again.

On numerous visits to this vibrant city, I discovered that London throbs with varied energies according to the season. While the city becomes dreary during the rains, the summers bring forth mild weather, lush parks and a wealth of events. 

To me, London takes on a fairy tale quality in the festive winter season of Christmas and New Year. The dazzling displays of light, the whimsical shop windows, the joy of Christmas markets and the holiday shows are magical. 

So if you’re planning to visit London in the winter, here are the special things to do with your family.

Enjoying the Christmas Lights and Trees on Oxford Street and Beyond

Begin your enjoyment at Oxford Street, one of the busiest shopping streets in London. It was jam-packed with visitors when we visited on a frigid December evening.

The sparkling lights, the lit-up buildings, and the incredible Christmas shop windows created an enchanting atmosphere. Meanwhile, high up above us, twinkling silver lights reminding me of snowflakes crisscrossed the whole length of the thoroughfare. 

Regent Street, which abuts Oxford Street, was the first area to be lighted up with Christmas bulbs in 1954. The Christmas lighting of Oxford Street began in 1959. Although the lights did not switch on in some years, they became a regular affair since the 1980s, with various celebrity guests turning on the lights.

Today, you can also view the sparkle of Christmas lights and decorations in the surrounding areas. In particular, Bond Street, Mayfair, Piccadilly, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and King’s Cross.

While there is certain excitement in doing a self-guided walking tour of these streets, many guided tours are also available. For a cozy way to see the city sparkle, you can hop aboard a London Christmas Lights Open-Top Night Tour and enjoy panoramic views of the festive displays with a live guide.

Holiday Shopping in the Department Stores

While at Oxford Street and neighboring Regent Street, you have to stop by the many iconic department stores that line these avenues, flaunting their glitzy holiday decor.

We began at John Lewis and Partners, where the entire storefront was decked out in colorful lights.

The Christmas store inside was truly eye-catching with its separate enclosures of trees and displays embodying different themes. The ceiling of almost the entire store was covered with hanging lights, baubles and stars. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. 

Selfridges and Harrods, the two seminal London stores, must be visited during the Christmas season. Selfridges on Oxford Street started its holiday window dressing after it was bought by the American retailer Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1909. 

After admiring the lavish decorations, be sure to stop by and perhaps sample some of the delicious treats at their must-visit Food Hall.

A ride on the London Underground or bus will bring you to Harrods, located in Knightsbridge, for an unforgettable experience.

Founded in 1849, this store definitely belongs to the list of the most famous department stores in the world. You can indulge in luxury retail therapy amidst eye-popping holiday decor. Or, enjoy the fabulous holiday ambience in its special Christmas stores and dining halls.

Read More: Europe’s Most Enchanting Christmas Markets: A Magical Journey Along the Danube

A Wintry Visit to The Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Visiting the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge in the cold winter of December can be a very unusual but exciting event.

The more than 900-year-old Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a breathtaking place to visit and certainly occupies the top spot on a London trip. 

A winter visit to this historic fortress, palace and prison on the banks of the River Thames can make you truly feel the plight of the many people who were imprisoned or executed here. This included notable names such as Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Jane Grey (three queens of England) and the statesman Sir Thomas More.

The trees were bare, giving the castle towers a stark look against the overcast sky. However, in front of us was a twinkling Christmas tree as we made our way to see the famed Crown Jewels in the Jewel House.

We stopped by the White Tower and marveled at the medieval era Romanesque chapel, a place of worship for all the kings and queens.

As we completed the Battlements walking tour, we noticed the Shard Lights. A regular December display since 2013, the top 20 floors of the tallest building of Western Europe are lit up in a dazzling display.

Close and visible from the unreal splendor of the Tower of London is the other icon of London landmarks, the Tower Bridge, which takes on a different hue come Christmas.

Built in the 19th century, this suspension and bascule bridge with its two towers is lit up every night. 

Visiting the Christmas Markets in London 

When in London in the winter, one has to visit some of the many Christmas markets that dot this city.

You can begin at the Covent Garden Christmas market. Here, three markets are offering a variety of handmade art, crafts and gifts.

The markets begin in November and continue till January, offering special events in different months.

Continue on to Leicester Square Christmas market, near the four movie theaters, the venues of red carpet film premieres in London. The square itself is transformed into a delightful Christmas market filled with wooden chalet booths offering food, mulled drinks and unique gifts.

The Trafalgar Square Christmas market is held under the magnificent setting of the Trafalgar fountains, Nelson’s Column and The National Gallery. After the market, take a stroll down to Big Ben, the Parliament buildings and Westminster Abbey.

But before that, you might want to step inside St. Martin-in-the-Fields, located right next to the square. An architectural jewel from 1726 by James Gibbs, the church also has a Cafe in the crypt where you can enjoy food in the backdrop of vaulted brick ceilings and historic tombstones.

Read More: Europe’s Most Enchanting Christmas Markets: A Magical Journey Along the Danube

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 

After touring a few of the Christmas markets of London, we visited what could arguably be the largest London Christmas extravaganza – the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

Located in the Westminster neighborhood, Hyde Park covers around 350 acres. It is the largest of the Royal Parks, making it a prime destination for tourists and locals. Having visited the park in the summer months, we were completely surprised by its winter metamorphosis.

This Christmas market had a modest beginning in 2006 with an open-air market of stalls. Over the years, it has transformed into a mega holiday spectacle.

We walked in through a series of archways, twinkling with colorful lights on a cold, foggy evening, and stepped as if into a dreamland. Though this market has a ticketed entry, I felt it was money well spent.

There was an overwhelming choice of rides, booths, foods and games and the look was that of Bavarian Christmas markets. My favorite was the Magical Ice Kingdom, a completely new experience for me and my family.

This was a world of ice sculptures. Ice swans were floating on water, horses with riders, deer amidst pine trees, ice chairs to sit on and ice slides to slide down. We stepped out spellbound. 

The English National Ballet

For many families, taking in a show of The Nutcracker ballet is a Christmas ritual and tradition. Based on an E. T. A. Hoffmann children’s short story from 1816, written in 2 acts and scored sublimely by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1891-1892, The Nutcracker has evolved into a must-do Christmas event.

Heading to the London Coliseum to see the grand presentation by the English National Ballet is a must. Revel in the dream world of flowers, fairies, mice and soldiers and of course a nutcracker doll. The nutcracker magically transforms into a prince, and the brave heroine Clara joins him in defeating the evil Mouse King. 

Do not miss clicking a photo with the annual pointe shoe Christmas tree. It is built out of 500+ pointe shoes that are recycled and hand-dyed from the discarded shoes of the dancers. 

Find more info on the English National Ballet. 

Christmas in Chinatown 

For a different winter and Christmas vibe in London, head to London’s small but authentic Chinatown, not far from Leicester Square. It is the perfect place to go to for an alternative to traditional Christmas fare if you so desire. And especially on December 25, when many eateries and restaurants are shut for the day, you will find delicious food here. 

Browse the stores selling Asian cosmetics, products and gifts and stop at the food stores, bakeries and supermarkets to try baked delights like mooncakes, rice balls or mung bean cakes. And definitely avail of the photo opportunity at the monumental Chinatown gate, constructed in 2016 and based on traditional Qing dynasty design. 

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Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:

• Christmas Magic in Hesse, Germany: Exploring the Christmas Markets
• London Explored: 10 Fascinating Facts About the Iconic City

Author Bio: Susmita Sengupta, an architect by background, from New York City, loves to travel with her family. She writes frequently for Go World Travel and other online travel magazines such as GoNomad, Matador Network, Travel thru History, In the Know Traveler and others.

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