22 best Christmas tours in London

See the sights this festive season as you discover London and beyond with these top Christmas tours and day trips.

Discover the best Christmas London tours and day trips for 2024, from seeing the Christmas lights illuminating the city or day trips to iconic destinations to tours on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Top Christmas tours in London

Take the Christmas Bus Tour to see London's top attractions. Image courtesy of London & Partners/Michael Barrow.

Experience London glowing with twinkling lights as you catch a festive glimpse of some of the city's most famous landmarks on the open-top Christmas Lights London by Night bus tour. Sit back and take photos from the top deck as you learn plenty of history on this tour that runs throughout the festive season, including Christmas lights tours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Thames Christmas Party Cruise. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Get into the Christmas spirit with a three-hour festive cruise along the River Thames. Choose between a lunch party cruise or a dinner party cruise, each including a delicious meal, on-board entertainment, festive refreshments and an opportunity to see the city's top sights from the comfort of your seat. 28 Nov-20 Dec

Christmas Eve tours in London

See the famous angels of light and other Christmas decorations on Oxford Street- © Shutterstock

Marvel at the glimmering streets of central London on Christmas Eve with the Illuminations of London tour. Witness London's landmarks and monuments dressed in their winter coats during an enchanting journey around Britain's capital, from Parliament Square to Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square to the Tower of London.

A ceremony in St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Image courtesy of Liam Bailey.
Celebrate Christmas Eve in London by taking in the city's sparkling sights and savouring a sumptuous three-course dinner before attending the Midnight Mass at iconic St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
Explore the historic St Paul's Cathedral, and walk in the footsteps of great historical figures. © London & Partners/Michael Barrow
Take a whistle-stop tour of London's most iconic monuments this Christmas eve. Discover the history of St Paul's Cathedral and City of London, followed by a trip along the Thames on a river boat ride.
Discover the historic treasures within Leeds Castle. ©Nigel Walsh/Unsplash.
Enjoy a festive adventure out of London on this Christmas Eve tour as you discover four exciting UK destinations. Explore the history of Leeds Castle, pick up gifts at Canterbury Christmas Market, marvel at the beauty of Dover and see the architectural masterpieces of maritime Greenwich. 

Christmas Day tours in London

Celebrate the festive season at other iconic UK destinations with these Christmas tours from London. From the beautiful Cotswolds countryside to the enchanting city of Bath, these Christmas day trips from London make for a memorable day out with friends and family.
Hop aboard the London Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus tour and admire the best sights of the city such as St Pauls Cathedral. ©London & Partners/Michael Barrow
See the sights on Christmas Day with this hop-on hop-off bus tour with optional lunch. Take your seat and relax as the bus navigates streets that are unusually quiet on Christmas Day. Take the opportunity to hop off at regular stops to spot key landmarks and sights, including Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge on a snowy day. ©Robert Bye/Unsplash.
Enjoy seeing London on Christmas morning when it's unusually quiet during the three-hour Sights and Sounds of London Christmas Day tour. Sit back and relax on this panoramic coach tour while spotting the likes of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. Alternatively, join an afternoon tour departing at 2pm.
Discover plenty of attractions along the river Thames © Shutterstock. Image courtesy of Shutterstock / Photos.london.
Celebrate Christmas Day in style with a one-hour trip along the river on a Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise! Take your pick from a spot on the lower or upper deck and soak up London's landmarks as you enjoy the live on board commentary.
Admire London's urban landscape, with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament bordering the River Thames. Image courtesy of London & Partners.
Spend a blissful Christmas Day spotting iconic London landmarks on a Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival before sailing down the river Thames on an enchanting scenic cruise. Sit back, tuck into a delicious four-course Christmas lunch and sing along to festive carols during a Christmas Day to remember.
Tower Bridge and the Thames © visitlondon.com/Antoine Buchet.
Spend Christmas ticking off London's top sights on a panoramic tour through the city as you see the city's lights sparkle from the comfort of a luxury coach. Afterwards, you take to the water for a relaxing Christmas Day Lunch Cruise while tucking into a delicious roast dinner. 
Windsor Castle in winter. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Combine a royal town, a university city and an ancient stone circle on this magical Christmas Day tour from London. Explore Windsor and Oxford on foot with guided walking tours, see the mysterious circle at Avebury and be treated to a traditional Christmas lunch in a British pub.
Stonehenge in winter. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Explore two World Heritage Sites plus historic towns and cities on this fascinating Christmas Day trip. Discover the beautiful architecture of Salisbury Cathedral and spot the ancient Stonehenge monument before tucking into a three-course Christmas lunch. Once you've had your fill, finish your day with a walking tour of Windsor.
Tudor buildings in Stratford-upon-Avon. Image courtesy of VisitBritain.
Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare, Anne Hathaway and C.S. Lewis this Christmas Day. Indulge in a three-course lunch after seeing the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, wander through quaint towns and explore unspoilt alleys in Oxford. Uncover the history behind these spots and make the most of the tranquillity of Christmas Day.
Walk the historic grounds of the Old Royal Naval College and hear all about Greenwich maritime legacy. ©London & Partners/Michael Barrow
Discover London and beyond on this day-long bus tour on Christmas Day that's filled with historic spots, maritime neighbourhoods and natural wonders in south-east England. Attend the Sung Eucharist service at Canterbury Cathedral, see the famous White Cliffs of Dover, drive through historic Greenwich and feast on a traditional Christmas lunch.

Boxing Day tours from London

Take a day trip from London to Salisbury and visit the cathedral where the Magna Carta is on display. Image courtesy of Golden Tours/ Photo credit: britainonview.com

Go on a winter adventure as you visit two iconic World Heritage Sites and explore Britain's historic towns and cities on Boxing Day. Wander around the picturesque market town of Windsor before exploring the mysterious Stonehenge monument. Catch a glimpse of the famous Salisbury Cathedral and end the day strolling around the beautiful city of Bath.

Discover the historic treasures within Leeds Castle. ©Nigel Walsh/Unsplash.

Savour some of the south-east's top sights as you mix centuries of history with spectacular natural spots. Wander around enchanting Leeds Castle, shop in charming Canterbury and gaze at the magnificent White Cliffs of Dover. This Boxing Day tour also includes a three-course lunch, or opt for a similar Christmas Eve tour without lunch.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of the English countryside in the Cotswolds and its famous thatched cottages. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Head west from London this Boxing Day to visit Oxfordwhere you can set foot inside Christ Church College as part of a walking tour. Afterwards, travel through charming villages in the Cotswolds before visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. End the day by being transported back to medieval times with entry to Warwick Castle.

More tours from London

Do a spot of shopping in the boutiques in Bath. © Unsplash/Liv Cashman
Enjoy a day-long exploration of some of Britain's most enchanting historic sites on this special tour. See the elegant State Apartments at Windsor Castle, witness the monolithic rocks of Stonehenge and step by in time in Georgian Bath with a visit to the Roman Baths.
Stonehenge on a bright day. Image courtesy of Shutterstock
Visit Stonehenge this festive season and admire this mysterious monument, the subject of many theories. Go on an adventure and, with the help of your audio guide, try to understand how the world-famous 40-tonne rocks of Stonehenge were arranged into this formation.
Panorama of the city of Bath in winter. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Join a full-day tour to visit the historic city of Bath, where you can visit its Roman Baths and marvel at Georgian architecture. Walk Bath's pretty streets on a guided walking tour and enjoy some free time in the city before heading to Stonehenge to see the mysterious and iconic stones.
Windsor Castle and grounds. Image courtesy of Shutterstock / sloukam.
Wander around Windsor Castle and discover more than 900 years of history on this fascinating tour. Next, visit eerie Stonehenge before enjoying one of the most quintessentially English cities: Oxford, known for its enormous Bodleian Libraryon a walking tour.

What is the best Christmas light tour in London?

Marvel at twinkling Christmas light displays on a Christmas Lights London by Night bus tour, one of the best ways to see London's famous lights up close. Drive through the capital's festive streets and be dazzled by Christmassy shop window displays, sparkling fairy lights and famous landmarks lit up on this night-time bus tour.

Where is the most Christmassy place in London?

From Christmas markets and festive light displays to ice skating rinks and Christmas events, there are so many magical spots in London at Christmas. Admire shimmering decorations at Oxford Street and Carnaby Street, or get into the Christmas spirit at Winter Wonderland and Christmas at Kew where stunning immersive installations bring plenty of festive fun.

Find more ways to spend Christmas in London, from the best Christmas things to do in London to shopping at Christmas markets and showing off your skills at the best ice skating rinks London has to offer.