Guests seeking ways to enjoy the city on December 25th? Here’s a list of exciting activities and sights to explore—no turkey or Christmas pudding required!
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour by Day
What better way to spend Christmas Day than on a hop-on hop-off open top bus tour of London. This once-a-year opportunity to ride around the capital while most of the other vehicles are not there is something you shouldn't miss. Take your time with a leisurely stroll after hopping off at your chosen stop, or enjoy the whole loop while exploring where to go next. You will see London from a very different perspective on this special day. There will be a live English speaking guide on some departures telling tales about London at Christmas time.
Optional lunch: As you are out enjoying the sights of London, you will notice many eateries are closed. Take the stress out of planning your meal with our optional lunch. Hosted at Browns Covent Garden you can enjoy a traditional hearty meal to warm you up and get you in the festive spirit.
Where: You can join the tour from any Golden Tours stops; each will be clearly signposted Golden Tours Hop on Hop Off/London Tour Bus.
Lunch Venue: Browns Covent Garden, 82-84 St Martin's Lane, Greater, WC2N 4AG.
Price: From £29 child; £59 adult.
Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise
If you're looking for something truly special on the big day itself, ask Santa for a trip on a Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise. Take your place on board for one of the finest festive dining experience you'll find on the River Thames, while viewing London's most iconic sights. Sip a welcome drink then dig into a luxurious 4-course menu with a delightful, seasonal atmosphere with festive decor and entertainment - there's no other Christmas experience like it!
Where: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, SW1A 2JH.
Price: From £159pp.
London by Night Christmas Lights Tour With Live Guide
As the sun descends on London around Christmas time, the city bursts into life with twinkling festive light displays. Iconic landmarks and shop windows are adorned in glittering lights and streets are lined with sparkling festive joy, as twinkling fairy lights cover the city. An open-top bus tour led by an expert guide is the best way to see the cream of the city’s festive light displays.
See the London’s famous landmarks twinkling for Christmas and see the skyline shine against the dark wintery sky. See Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, The Strand and Aldwych, the modern beauty of the London Eye, Tower Bridge and the world famous Christmas lights and extravagant window displays on busy Regent Street.
An expert guide regales you with facts and stories about the city as you pass historical buildings and drive along old streets, teeming with history. Take photos along the way or just sit back and enjoy the sights; it’s the best way to see the city at is dazzling best.
Where: Departs from London Eye, Green Park and Victoria.
Go Ice Skating at JW3 Ice Rink
One of the few ice rinks open in the city on Christmas Day is north London's JW3 Ice Rink. And this year, it will be under the brand-new Dorfman Piazza, so come rain, shine, or snow - they've got you covered! Don't forget, helpful penguin stabilisers or banana toboggans can be pre-booked for less confident little ones to have fun on.
Where: JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 6ET.
Price: From £14 child; £19.50 adult.
Enjoy Walks Through The Royal Parks
Walking through London’s royal parks on Christmas Day can be a magical experience. Hyde Park greets you with peaceful pathways lined with frosted trees and the occasional sound of bells, while St James’s Park offers picturesque views of Buckingham Palace, with flocks of friendly ducks and geese adding charm to the scene.
Kensington Gardens feels tranquil as winter sunlight filters through bare branches, casting delicate shadows on quiet benches. And in Victoria Park, there’s a sense of community warmth among walkers and cyclists sharing greetings. Wrap up and let the crisp air invigorate as you enjoy the natural surroundings.
Watch the Annual Swimming Race in Hyde Park
One of London's quirkiest Christmas traditions is the Serpentine Swimming Club's Christmas Day swimming race, also known as the Peter Pan Cup.
Taking place in the Serpentine Lake, the race is a 100-yard handicap race that begins at 9 AM on Christmas morning.
The race is probably the oldest continuously swam race in the world, having been raced every year since 1864, with only the 2020 race being cancelled due to UK Government Covid regulations.
Where: Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park.
When: Race begins at 9am.
Price: Free to spectate.
Enjoy a Church Service
Your guests can soak up the atmosphere in one of the many Christmas Day services in London’s cathedrals and churches, including the magnificent St Paul’s Cathedral.
Christmas Day Choral Eucharist
The principal service of Christmas Day engaging the senses with sound, colour and music, and with carols for Choir and congregation. You do not have to be a practicing member of the Church of England to attend the Eucharist.
Time: 11am - 12.30pm.
Entry: Free and unticketed.
Christmas Day Festal Evensong
The traditional, famous and uplifting service of Evensong sung by the St Paul's Cathedral Choir.
Time: 3pm - 4pm.
Entry: Free and unticketed.
Christmas Carol Service
The start of the Christmas season with the re-telling of the story of the birth of Christ in words and music at this traditional service of Lessons and Carols, with music from the St Paul's Cathedral Choir and readings given by St Paul's Cathedral Community.
Time: 4pm - 5pm
Entry: Free with ticket.
Join A Guided Walk
Guided walks don't stop just because it's Christmas Day.
Take a Samuel Pepys themed walk based on Christmas morning of 1660, the first time Christmas celebrations were permitted in England for eight years. Or why not join the Christmas Day Charles Dickens walk? The course is set by Dickens’s life and books and influences and, of course, Christmas and Christmas traditions in the magic lantern of his town, his London
Where: Both start at the big Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
Time: Samuel Pepys starts at 11am; Charles Dickens starts at 2pm.
Price: £25 adult; £10 children.
Join the Southwark Cyclists' Annual Ride
On Christmas Day, it's customary for cyclists from London's many and diverse boroughs and beyond to assemble for a cycle tour of some of London's lesser-known, but still, iconic sites.
These include the "Mother Goose" Church, the French Ordinary Court Tunnel, Beehive Passage, Leadenhall Market, Jamaica Wine House, the Old Curiosity Shop, the Upside-down Globe, Seven Dials and, although not lesser-known, The Mall.
No bike? Visitors can rend a bike from several companies including Santander Bikes, Lime Bikes, Tier and Dott.
Once the riders reach Edgware Road, they stop off for lunch at one of the Lebanese restaurants, which are open as normal on Christmas Day.
Where: Southwark Needle, 1 Tooley Street, SE1 2PF.
Time: 11am start.
Note: Everyone welcome. You don’t have to be a member of a club to attend - but it helps.
Chill Out in Chinatown
Whether you're out walking, cycling or just want to give tradition a miss, head to Chinatown to dine or simply enjoy the area while there aren’t as many tourists around.
Many Chinese restaurants in the area are open on Christmas Day, offering an alternative to turkey for the traditional Christmas meal. Some restaurants to consider include:
Plum Valley: A sophisticated restaurant serving a fusion of Chinese, Thai, and Japanese dishes, plus karaoke rooms open until 1.30am.
Bun House: Offers Christmas-themed edible gift sacks containing gingerbread caramel, dark chocolate orange, and white rabbit candy cream buns.
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream: Serves hot chocolate with whipped lilac cream and cookie crumble.
Kung Fu Noodle: Offers soup noodles and dim sum.
Zhang Liang Malatang: Offers hot broth.
C&R Café: Offers Malaysian laksa.
Looking for restaurants open on Christmas Day? Check out our handy guide here.