Things to do at Christmas in London 2023

Christmas in London is really wonderful. Stunning christmas lights on many of the busiest streets, festive events, christmas markets with treats, gifts and delicious seasonal food - and of course lots of places to hang out with friends and family to soak up the atmosphere. This site covers all the best things to do during Christmas in London 2023.

We have organised the site into (hopefully) helpful sections, with the most popular pages including christmas markets, christmas hotels and things to do with kids at xmas. If you are looking for something a little different to do over the festive season, take a look at the cryptically titled unusual. It's all about what to do at Christmas in London (mainly November and December).

The Heart of Christmas

Christmas in London Trafalgar Square is generally considered not just to be the heart of London, but the focus of the whole of London at Christmas - every year a tree is gifted by Norway to the UK.

Trafalgar Square has also become a huge focus for New Year's Eve where thousands of people celebrate at midnight. Last year was crazy, and we imagine 2023 will be exactly the same.

In recent years the area has become more pedestrianised so it's much better to walk around, and if you do find yourself there during the day, we recommend visiting the wonderful National Portrait Gallery on the North side.

Key Dates for Christmas 2023

Christmas Eve 2023 is on a Sunday (December 24th)

Christmas Day 2023 is on a Monday (December 25th)

Boxing Day 2023 is on a Tuesday (December 26th)

New Year's Eve 2023 is on a Sunday (December 31st)

New Year's Day, January 1st, 2024 is on a Monday

Christmas Insights

In the UK the 'Christmas number one' is the highest selling single in the week before Christmas Day. Traditionally novelty songs, charity songs or songs with a Christmas theme have often been at the top of Christmas charts but recently songs from TV talent shows like the X-Factor have taken over.

Santa is a relatively new name for the fellow who brings presents - he was previously known as Old Father Christmas, Sir Christmas, and Lord Christmas. Originally he was pictured wearing a green costume but he was re-branded at the start of the 20th Century and is now generally seen in red.

Charles Dickens wrote 'A Christmas Carol' in just six weeks. It's not clear whether Ebenezer Scrooge was based on a real character, but his transformation from miserable miser is echoed in the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

London and Christmas go hand in hand. The beauty of the Christmas lights, great shopping for those amazing gifts and the fun of walking around the the world's greatest city soaking up the festive atmosphere. England is a perfect place to spend a christmas holiday - you get all the tradition and the appropriate weather.

Share this page

The Christmas Blog

Christmas and Childhood
I remember back as a child my three brothers and I all being loaded into our slightly too small car for our annual Christmas trip to London. My parents both worked there when they were younger...
by Hellibot

see all xmas blog posts

You May Not Know

If you're looking for information about Christmas in London 2023, then you're visiting the right site. And don't forget to read our blog. Obviously London is an amazing place for Christmas shopping, but it's also home to amazing parties, great carol singing and all kinds of festive fun. We know what to do in London at Christmas! The first artificial christmas trees were made from goose feathers, and then painted green. Today artificial christmas trees are available in a myriad of colours including white, silver and gold - and can be made from pretty much anything from cardboard to real gold.