Soak up plenty of seasonal cheer with our guide to what to do in London on Christmas Day.
Take advantage of London's quiet streets on a tour of the city's top landmarks, celebrate Christmas with Londoners in cosy restaurants and pubs, wander streets adorned with glittering Christmas lights or take in the festive atmosphere as you wander through the royal parks.
Enjoy a Christmas Day out in London
Make Christmas Day even more memorable with special tours and day trips.
- Experience London’s spectacular Christmas lights and see iconic landmarks sparkle during a Christmas Lights open top bus tour.
- Enjoy a festive feast with a Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise on the River Thames, sipping on sparkling wine and savouring a four-course meal followed by traditional mince pies.
- Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of London during a morning or afternoon tour aboard a luxurious coach. You'll spot iconic spots such as Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square.
- Jingle your way down the river Thames on a circular Christmas Day cruise sightseeing cruise, taking in the peaceful sights of the city in one-hour, with the option of purchasing mince pies and mulled wine.
- Sing along to carols as you sip on bubbly and munch on traditional Christmas lunch in London, on a Christmas Day river cruise and guided city tour.
- Cause FOMO back home with colourful snaps of sparkling London Christmas lights on a Christmas day hop-on hop-off bus tour with the option of a three-course lunch at Browns Victoria.
What is open on Christmas day in London?
Most London attractions are closed on Christmas Day, but some continue to open their doors at this special time of year:
- JW3 ice rink in north London is one of the city's only ice-skating rinks open on Christmas Day.
- If you fancy a family walk, London's Royal Parks remain open during the festive period.
- Or head to The Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, where the tough members of the Serpentine Swimming Club take part in the Peter Pan Cup race every Christmas Day morning.
Christmas Day tours from London
Embark on an adventure with a day trip from London on Christmas Day to picturesque counties nearby:
- Enjoy a Christmas Day trip to Windsor, Oxford and Avebury's Stone Circle with traditional Christmas lunch.
- Make your Christmas Day unforgettable with a guided trip to Salisbury, Stonehenge and Windsor with traditional Christmas lunch.
- Discover Oxford, Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon with traditional Christmas lunch on a day trip from London.
- Experience Christmas Day in Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich with traditional Christmas lunch on this special festive trip.
- Visit Bath or York from London on a Christmas Market day trip by rail and enjoy Christmas cheer as you explore Christmas markets and wander the cobbled streets.
Christmas Day church services in London
- Attend one of the many Christmas Day services in London’s cathedrals and churches, including the magnificent St Paul’s Cathedral.
Remember to check timings with the individual venues in advance and arrive early, as Christmas services can be very busy due to limited space. Some require you to book in advance.
Which restaurants open on Christmas Day in London?
- Check if your favourite London restaurant is open on Christmas Day. Make sure to book well in advance for Christmas Day lunch or dinner in London.
- Head to Chinatown – where some restaurants are open as usual on 25 December – to indulge in a delicious alternative to your traditional Christmas fill.
- If you prefer to nestle in a cosy pub, some London pubs are open for a few hours around lunchtime, but most will be closed or ticketed in the evening – so make sure to check the opening hours.
- Hotel bars are a good bet for a drink on Christmas Day, though it's still best to check with the venue in advance.
Christmas Day transport in London
Just as Santa takes a well-earned rest, so does London’s public transport on Christmas Day, with no services running. But there are alternative ways to explore the city:
- Hop on a Santander Cycle and take a ride beneath the festive decorations lining central London’s nearly deserted streets.
- Walk off those Christmas calories (and make room for more) by exploring London on foot; you’ll have the city’s beautiful architecture, street art and parks largely to yourself.
- Treat yourself to a ride in a traditional black cab or minicab – but be aware, the fares are generally higher than usual.
Things to do in London on Boxing Day
Once the gifts are unpacked and bellies are filled, it’s time for the Boxing Day extravaganza, which is also a public holiday, on 26 December.
In 2023, London Overground services were running across the city on Boxing Day – TfL services for Boxing Day 2024 are yet to be confirmed.
Although many attractions are usually still closed, there are many fun things to do in London on Boxing Day:
- Book tickets in advance for a top West End show or musical, many of which run on Boxing Day.
- Venture outside of London on a day trip, from a morning or afternoon tour of Stonehenge to a tour in Kent taking in Leeds Castle, Dover and Canterbury; a visit to Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle; or venture west of London on a combined Windsor Castle, Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury tour.
- Make the most of the lack of crowds and take a walking tour of London, from discovering historic royal spots to famous film locations.
- Head to Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park and enjoy fairground rides, festive food and drink and live music performances.
- Or spend the day strolling through Christmas at Kew, when the botanical marvel becomes illuminated in lights and lanterns.
- Hit the shops: there’s nothing like a January and Boxing Day sale in London! Check out the unmissable spots to visit on the day.
- Take a spin on one of London's best ice-skating rinks, many of which re-open on 26 December.
Find out more about transport and opening times over the festive season with this essential guide to Christmas and New Year in London and plan your festive break with top tips for Christmas in London.
