Things to do in London at Christmas 2023
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
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
Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial christmas card in the mid 19th Century. The card was illustrated by John Callcott Horsley and showed a family drinking wine. He sold out of his first 2000 print run.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... If you received all of the gifts in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, you would receive 364 gifts. It would seem quite a challenge to deliver 12 swans a swimming.
Many London stores open late in the run up to Christmas, and some of the smaller boutique stores actually hand out free drinks and cakes to get everyone into the festive mood. The tradition of giving away glasses of mulled wine has almost disappeared in London due to a crackdown on serving alcohol from unlicensed premises!
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.
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The Christmas Blog
Christmas Music
I think everyone should have a Christmas album in their collection. In fact, way more than one. It’s perfect listening for the festive season. Who can resist Bing Crosby singing ‘White Christmas’?
by Mr B
see all xmas blog posts
You May Not Know
If you're interested in seeing some sport at Christmas in London, Boxing Day (26th December) always has Premiership and League football games - the biggest London clubs are Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs and West Ham United, but there are many others in the lower divisions where ticket prices will be less.