Tick off all those must-buy items on your list during a spot of festive shopping in London at Christmas.
In the run-up to Christmas, the capital's top shopping destinations are as crammed full of festive gifts as Santa's sack, and the twinkling Christmas lights and picture-pretty window displays add a touch of magic.
Flash the plastic at iconic Christmas shopping London hotspots such as Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street; seek out heritage brands in Carnaby, beauty boutiques in Covent Garden and bespoke fashion in St James's; or shop under one roof at Westfield's two huge shopping centres.
Pick up stocking fillers and last-minute gifts at the many London Christmas markets.
Covent Garden and Seven Dials
Wander through Seven Dials, a kaleidoscope of heritage brands, boutiques and beauty stores scattered across seven cobbled streets. Hunt for the latest arrivals at Nudie Jeans or seek out the latest foot-loving designs from Birkenstock.
Discover Covent Garden’s famous piazza a short stroll away. It's home to one of London’s biggest and best Christmas trees, magical mistletoe chandeliers and Instagrammable decorations.
Check out the dazzling array of designer brands, including British style from Hackett, classic jewellery from Tiffany & Co and must-have bags at Mulberry.
For all things beauty-licious, head to Covent Garden’s Beauty Quarter, a cosmetics heaven home to iconic brands including skincare pioneer DECIEM, bespoke fragrances from Jo Malone and the flagship Charlotte Tilbury store.
Oxford Street and Regent Street

Shoppers flock to the shops on Oxford Street and Regent Street all year round, but during the winter months, the grand streets are lit up with spectacular Christmas lights.
Fill your Instagram feed with snaps of the famous Christmas window displays at Selfridges on Oxford Street or venture to nearby John Lewis for even more gift choices and check out the department store's winter-themed rooftop bar while you're there.
Regent Street is also excellent for gift ideas, filled with a range of flagship stores and international brands including Hamleys, Liberty London and the Apple Store.
Get off the beaten track by slipping into St Christopher's Place, where you'll find emerging and established boutiques such as Rituals and L'Occitane en Provence, plus a glut of restaurants.
Re-enact Oasis' (What's the Story) Morning Glory? album cover with a stroll down historic Berwick Street, the place to shop for music fans. Sister Ray and Reckless Records are among the many cool and quirky shops.
Carnaby
The 14 pedestrianised streets that make up Carnaby are perfect for shopping for gifts for that super cool friend or family member.
Carnaby Street is one of London’s trendiest shopping destinations, lined with independent fashion boutiques and cutting-edge brands, including Diesel, Nobody's Child and the quintessentially British Fred Perry. Treat your loved ones to a rockin' Christmas with items from the Rolling Stones' first flagship store, RS No.9 Carnaby.
Mayfair and St James's
No Christmas shopping excursion in London is complete without paying a visit to Fortnum & Mason. Leave plenty of time to discover the delights of the food hall, with Christmas puddings, mince pies, chocolates and Christmas hampers fit for royalty.
Nearby Bond Street is the destination for high-end luxury goods, with big names Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co and more.
Wander just around the corner to South Molton Street to find fashion shops and sparkling jewellery at Monica Vinader.
If you’re on the lookout for gents' gifts, make your way to Jermyn Street in St James’s. Bag a bespoke hat from Bates, stock up on colourfully patterned socks from New & Lingwood or treat him like a king with scents fit for royalty at Floris.
Chelsea and Belgravia
Join the well-heeled Chelsea set and shop in luxury stores along the King's Road, stocked with the latest London winter trends.
Find an eclectic mix of trendy boutiques, unique labels, designer shops and high-street staples, alongside many trendy cafes and restaurants.
Stop at Sloane Square to explore the long-running Peter Jones department store and check out nearby Duke of York Square. Just off the King's Road, this tranquil square is decked out with festive lights for Christmas.
Neighbouring Belgravia has plenty of upscale options of its own. Pick up artisan-made fragrances at Elizabeth Street's pretty Les Senteurs or select timeless nightwear for all the family at Marie-Chantal London on Motcomb Street.
Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross
Around the corner from Granary Square in King's Cross, Coal Drops Yard mixes big brands with emerging craftspeople and designers, and it's a great place to find quality gifts.
Buy indoor plants from Botanical Boys for green-fingered friends. Chocoholics love tasty treats from Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse while fashion-lovers are catered for at Universal Works and American Vintage.
Press pause on your shopping spree to warm up at one of the cosy cafes or restaurants at this shopping destination that was once a Victorian rail yard.
Knightsbridge
Head to Knightsbridge as darkness falls to see world-famous department store Harrods sparkling with more than 12,000 lightbulbs.
Explore the department store's giant Christmas shop filled with luxury decorations, posh Christmas crackers and ornaments from top designers. Hunt for presents for family and friends in the 300-plus departments on the other floors.
Walk a few steps to Harvey Nichols, a lavish department store with a fantastic selection of fashion, homewares and Christmas hampers.
Westfield
Finish Christmas shopping in one go at the two London Westfield shopping centres, Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, which offer more than 500 shops between them.
Late-night and last-minute shoppers can breathe a sigh of relief – both shopping hubs are usually open until 10pm in the run-up to Christmas.
Whether you’re buying for parents, grandparents or your best friend’s dog, Westfield offers everything from high-street stalwarts to luxury brands including Prada, Gucci and Jimmy Choo, as well as a mouthwatering selection of restaurants to refuel in.
Grab bespoke fragrances from Penhaligon's at Westfield London or pick up stationery, diaries and more stocking fillers from cult Aussie brand Typo.
Battersea Power Station
Delight in a visit to Battersea Power Station, a landmark on the banks of the Thames that doubles as a thriving shopping and eating destination, the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts while also enjoying some festive food and drink in the Arcade Food Hall & Bar.
Stock up on some staple finds from the likes of Jo Malone, Nike, Mulberry and Ralph Lauren, before searching for something more unique from Aesop, Malin+Goetz and Battersea Bookshop.
End the day with pure indulgence (for you and them) at the Italian Gourmet Chocolatier, Venchi.
City of London
Tick off items from your list at One New Change shopping centre, in the heart of the City of London. Find stocking-sized gifts at Hotel Chocolat, stylish clothing at Oliver Bonas or alternative accessories at AllSaints. Take the lift up to the rooftop terrace for epic views of St Paul's Cathedral.
For an extra touch of magic in the build-up to Christmas, seek out Leadenhall Market, the filming location for Diagon Alley in the first Harry Potter film. It's home to small-scale and independent traders selling everything from watches to wine, with some big-name brands too.
Don't miss charming The Royal Exchange for sweet treats from Ladurée, accessories from Hermès and more unique ideas.
Connaught Village
Find one-of-a-kind gifts in Connaught Village, an exclusive shopping district just a short stroll from Oxford Street.
This hidden gem is full of picture-perfect shops selling unique wares, such as vintage books, antique jewellery and exquisite pieces of art, as well as Instagrammable cafes such as Saint Aymes. Bid for something unique at auction house Lyon & Turnbull and indulge in bold prints at Kokoro London.
Camden
While away the winter days shopping across trendy Camden, with a compulsory visit to Turkish De-Light for festive lights.
Lay your hands on personalised presents found only in Camden. Gift a message in a necklace (on a grain of rice, in fact) from Trinity Camden and pick out modern, striking home decor from Photo Typewriter.
Enjoy late-night shopping at Camden Market on select days of the week before Christmas, just in time to grab unforgettable gifts for that special someone.
Designer outlets
Many of London’s outlet centres are home to high-street and high-end brands which sell heavily discounted goods, so they’re the place to spoil your loved ones with fancy treasures for less. Keep an eye out for Christmas events, offers and decorations over the festive season.
Head to the Icon Outlet at The O2 to pick up Calvin Klein for less, kit out the family at Tommy Hilfiger and shop for luxury leather goods at Osprey London.
Dig through the options at the London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park, the biggest outlet store in London, where you can pick up classics from Levi’s, Guess, Nike and more.
Christmas markets
Find something unique at one of London’s many Christmas markets, from one-off pieces to handmade jewellery and beautiful arts and crafts. These markets are havens for even the most last-minute shoppers.
Christmas markets in London include handmade gifts, stocking fillers and seasonal foodie treats. Head to Christmas by the River at London Bridge City, where you can shop against the iconic backdrop of Tower Bridge.
Away from central London, visit the fashion, crafts and food stalls of Greenwich Market which are given a festive makeover. West of the city, the traditional market town of Kingston upon Thames has an ancient market place that turns into an Alpine Village and features stalls crammed with stocking fillers and unique gifts.
Download the Visit London App to find more festive shopping inspiration.
More Christmas ideas
Find more things to do in London at Christmas with these 101 top festive tips. For more seasonal shopping inspiration, check out London's best winter sales.