Christmas Day in London is quieter than the build-up, but there’s still plenty of festive cheer to be found in the city. This guide covers the best things to do and tips for visiting London on Christmas Day.
Christmas Day in London is spent indoors eating far too much and then falling asleep, still grasping the last mince pie.
Fortunately, if you’re visiting London and are looking for things to do on Christmas Day, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. It’s also a lovely time to visit when the city is quieter than usual.
Most shops, tourist attractions, and restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day 2024, so forward planning is necessary.
But fear not; there are still cosy pubs, fancy cocktail bars, quirky events and much more to keep you entertained.
If you’re in the city over the festive period, our 4-day London Christmas itinerary includes the best Christmas activities and attractions.
WHAT IS CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
All the events in our guide to London at Christmas are closed on Christmas Day.
Additionally, all the museums, tourist attractions, shops and most pubs will be closed.
West End theatre, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and the London Pantomimes also take the day off on Christmas Day.
All the good Ice Skating Rinks are closed for the day.
Supermarkets will be closed; however, some local convenience stores will be open. Deliveroo will be running all day on Christmas Day.
WHAT TO DO ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN LONDON?
Although the city is mainly locked away on Christmas Day, there are still plenty of great things to keep you occupied. Here are a few suggestions from Mark and me.
1. WATCH THE PETER PAN CUP
The Peter Pan Cup is a swimming race held in the Serpentine in Hyde Park. The race has taken place every year since 1864 (except for 2020, when it was cancelled due to Covid).
It’s one of London’s quirkier traditions, and it’s fun to go and see—much more fun than braving that cold water, in our opinion.
The race starts at 9 am.
2. GO FOR A WALK
Christmas Day is a great time to go for a stroll in the city.
You could do our Christmas Light walking route through central London to get in the festive spirit.
Alternatively, our Royal Parks & Palaces walk collects some of London’s grand addresses. The walk starts in Hyde Park, so you can time it to watch the Peter Pan Cup.
We have a detailed guide with plenty of other walks in London.
3. ATTEND A CHURCH SERVICE
London’s churches are very welcoming to visitors of all faiths during the Christmas period. Attending a church service is a great way to access some of London’s main attractions free of charge.
St Pauls – St Paul’s has a Christmas Day Evensong at 3 pm, which is free and unticketed.
Westminster Abbey – The Christmas Evensong at Westminster Abbey also starts at 3 pm and is free to attend.
4. GO TO A PUB
Most pubs in London will be shut on Christmas Day. The ones that are open will have limited hours, so check before you set off. Here are some pubs we know will be open on Christmas Day 2024.
The Owl And Pussycat—This cosy pub in Shoreditch oozes atmosphere. It offers great pub food, a beer garden, and an impressive cocktail list.
The Anchor Bankside—The sole survivor of riverside pubs from Shakespeare’s time, this Southwark institution offers a delightfully historic pint.
The King’s Arms—This traditional pub in Chelsea has local craft beers and great British pub food.
5. CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH IN LONDON
The traditional Christmas lunch in England is roast Turkey with all the trimmings. But you can find a range of options for a special Christmas Lunch ranging from a cosy pub to a 5-course bonanza.
It’s important to remember that most pubs and restaurants will be closed, so you should book ahead if you’d like to go somewhere for lunch.
Here are some great Christmas lunch options.
The Spaniards Inn – Select from a 5-course menu that culminates in an excellent roast turkey.
Duck & Waffle – Enjoy the views from the 40th floor as you sample their innovative take on Christmas lunch.
The Flask – This beloved old pub does a famous Christmas lunch beside a roaring fire.
Bob Bob Ricard – This iconic and elegant restaurant features British and French classics, but it’s famous for pouring more champagne than any other restaurant in London.
Mayfair 34 – We like the food here, but Christmas Day is really about the extravagant decorations that fill the space.
Guinea Grill – Eating in one of London’s most historic pubs is an experience in itself, but Christmas starts with oysters and champagne, and it’s all up from there.
Claridges – Recently spruced up, Claridges remains the classic high-end London establishment for fine dining.
6. EAT IN CHINATOWN
As a different option, most of the restaurants in Chinatown will be open on Christmas Day. You could stroll around Gerrard Steet and see what takes your fancy from what’s open.
Alternatively, you could try the excellent Thai food at Speedboat Bar or book a secluded space for Dim Sum and/or cocktails at Opium.
7. HAVE A DRINK IN A HOTEL BAR
Hotel bars are a good bet for Christmas Day because you know they will be open. Fortunately, you don’t need to head into the first open venue you find; there are some very cool hotel bars worth checking out on Christmas Day.
Long Bar, Sanderson Hotel – Step into one of the chicest venues in Soho and order a superb cocktail at the 80-foot bar.
Thirteen London – The cocktails and Japanese-inspired small plates at Thirteen in Chateau, Denmark, are backed up by seriously good beats.
Seed Library – The stripped-back classics in the very cool bar of the One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel are a perfect way to round out a Christmas day in London.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON CHRISTMAS DAY
It’s important to know that tubes, buses, trains and trams do not run on Christmas Day. This means you’ll need to get around via taxi, foot or bike.
Hiring a bike is a great way to get around on Christmas Day:
Forest – Forest is the cheapest of the e-bikes and the only one to have a zero-emissions fleet. They offer 10 minutes free every day, then 19p per minute after that.
Santander Bikes – Transport for London’s official bike provider. A day pass costs £3 and gives you an unlimited number of 30-minute journeys, or you can hire a bike for £1.65 for 30 minutes.
If you have your own car, the Congestion Charge does not apply on Christmas Day, but the ULEZ is charged as usual.
IS LONDON QUIET ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
Not really. London’s streets used to be blissfully quiet on Christmas Day. This isn’t really the case anymore, and you’ll probably find other tourists out having a slow amble or locals getting some fresh air to combat overconsumption.
Also, with most things being shut down, people tend to be concentrated on the streets.
None of this should put you off getting out and about on Christmas Day, but don’t expect to be the only one there.
WHAT TO DO ON BOXING DAY IN LONDON?
Many Christmas activities in London are back up and running on Boxing Day. You can book a West End Show, see a Pantomime, visit Winter Wonderland or head out to Kew Gardens.
Our guide to the best things to do for Christmas in London has the full list of events running on Boxing Day.
The most popular thing to do is hit the Boxing Day Sales. All the major department stores will be open for you to snap up a bargain, but they are generally pretty packed.
Public transport will operate on Boxing Day, but services will be reduced, so check with Transport for London.
Museums, galleries and tourist attractions remain closed on Boxing Day.
MORE GUIDES TO PLAN YOUR LONDON CHRISTMAS
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