It’s impossible not to get swept up during the holidays. With everyone hunting for gifts in Covent Garden and endless lines of people checking out the lights on Oxford Street, it’ll seem like you’re missing out on the fun.
But the thing is, it’s sometimes better to miss out on a few activities and reserve your time for ones that are worth trying. And as your local Londoner guide, I have a couple of tips here that’ll make your Christmas celebration more fun.
Be prepared for the season by adding these activities to your bucket list!
1. Join the Christmas light bus tour
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Website: https://christmasbustour.com
Address: 11 Rue Auber, 75009 Paris, France
Price: $$
If it’s your first time spending Christmas in London, you can’t miss joining a Christmas light bus tour. It’s the perfect activity for a family who just wants a chill celebration – all aboard a Routemaster bus.
In this tour, you get 75 minutes of sightseeing on the top deck. You’ll be treated to views of some of London’s most iconic landmarks. Don’t worry – there will be a live tour guide, providing background and history to each stop.
All ages are welcome too. What’s great is that kids under 5 years can tour for free, given that they sit on an adult’s lap. Pets are, sadly, not allowed. Service animals can board, though, as long as you have a permit.
Pro Tip: Arrive early because it’s on a first-come, first-served basis! You can’t book a seat in advance, and you can’t choose a specific seat prior to the tour. Every seat is a guaranteed top-deck seat, though.
2. Christmas at Kew, Royal Botanic Garden
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Website: https://www.kew.org/
Contact Details: +44 20 8332 5655
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Price: $$
The Royal Botanic Garden isn’t just an ideal place to visit during bloom season; it’s also a fantastic spot during the Christmas season. When the festive period comes, the place is transformed. It’s strung with lights and filled with jolly decorations.
If you get cold, you’ll find plenty of hot chocolate stands along the way. Now, if you need some bites with that, you’ll find a few street food options there too. For something heartier, there’s a food court by the Temperate House where you can sit down.
Take note: there’s limited capacity for Christmas at Kew, so it’s best to secure tickets early whenever they become available. The gate closes at 10:00 PM, but the last entry is accepted by 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Pro Tip: Become a member and you’ll enjoy exclusive discounts on other events, unlimited visits to the garden, and a 10% discount on shops. You can also grab the VIP Early Entry experience if you want more perks.
3. Explore Windsor Castle
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Website: https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Address: Windsor SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 303 123 7304
Operating Hours: Thursday – Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Price: $$$
Windsor Castle is an iconic spot to visit all year round, but is definitely not to be missed during the winter season. You can walk around the castle while enjoying the dancing lights and take pictures as your keepsake.
The place is massive, so it’ll take a while before you actually absorb every little detail. Visitors often advise wearing comfortable shoes if you’re planning on spending an hour or two at the grounds.
For a more exclusive experience, you can book a private Christmas nighttime tour. You’ll get to know more about the castle’s history and enjoy the views of the surrounding alleys that match the theme. Sadly, you can’t take pictures inside the castle!
Pro Tip: Bringing the entire fam? Don’t worry – the place is very accessible with a pram. There’s also an audio guide that even kids can enjoy.
4. Watch a show at Shakespeare’s Globe
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Website: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
Address: 21 New Globe Walk
Contact Details: +44 20 7401 9919
Operating Hours:
Price: $$
You can never go wrong with a fun show at Shakespeare’s Globe. Some shows in the past include Hansel and Gretel and The Fir Tree – both staged and presented to be enjoyable for audiences as young as 6.
To score comfortable seats, you can get tickets for the middle gallery, as it has cushions. It’s easy to see all the action from this section too. But if you’re keen on saving, getting general standing admission tickets isn’t too bad.
Reservations are recommended, and depending on the time of your arrival, you may wait for about 10 minutes before the start of the show. It’s best to feed the kids prior to the show, so they don’t get cranky while waiting!
Pro Tip: The venue features a lot of shows throughout the winter season, and it’s best to explore their website to find something you’re interested in. You can also simply book a tour of the globe if the shows aren’t for you.
5. Enjoy the Potted Panto
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Website: https://www.pottedpanto.com
Contact Details: [email protected]
Price: $$
West End’s longest-running pantomime? You sure can’t miss that! Potted Panto is an award-winning show made for watchers of all ages. It’s funny, enjoyable, and actually downright sensational because the actors are amazing.
In 80 minutes, Potted Panto brings 7 classic pantomimes. It brings you on a ride with many best-loved characters, whether beating the time to get Cinderella to the ball or rubbing Aladdin’s lamp in a double-act dash.
Pro Tip: The show’s scheduled dates vary from time to time. Follow their social media accounts to be updated with the latest show stops and date schedules. As of recently, their latest show runs from December 3, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
6. Tour the Kensington Palace
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Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/#gs.mcgyig
Address: Kensington Gardens
Contact Details: +44 333 320 6000
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: $$
You can’t say you’ve been to London without at least seeing some of our palaces, and this one is an ideal spot for Christmas. If you wanted to see decorations inspired by the life of Queen Victoria during her princess years, add this to your itinerary.
You can reserve a ticket to the Luna Cinema and enjoy a show. Then, walk inside the palace, checking out lunch specials and even high tea. Last time, there was turkey and soup, so it’s a hearty combination.
Some rooms have information you can read, or better yet, rent an audioguide for a better experience. The staff are friendly and approachable too, and they’ll be happy telling you more about the place if you have questions.
Pro Tip: You can book a special tour during Christmas that focuses on Queen Victoria’s time. You also get to see Princess Diana’s dresses, which is a treat if you’re a fan.
7. Visit the Tower of London
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Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
Address: London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 333 320 6000
Operating Hours: Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Price: $$
This historic structure is a favourite for those who want to relax and just have a nice walk in the afternoons. There are many things to see here too, including the Traitor’s Gate and the Beauchamp Tower.
During the Christmas season, there will be a nearby market where you can score all kinds of holiday goods. It’s a nice spot to drop by for some quick gifts, though it can get crowded at night.
You come here and simply enjoy the decorations, basking in the cold winter air with your loved ones. For a bit more fun, you can also book the Yeoman’s guard tour. This one runs from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, enough to kill some time.
Pro Tip: The place isn’t too busy during lunch time, so plan your trip around that time if you want to avoid the crowds (downside is that you won’t enjoy much of the decorative lights). At least, you can secure a spot in nearby cafes easily.
8. Take a trip to the Hampton Court Palace
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Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/
Address: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU
Contact Details: +44 203 166 6000
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Price: $$
Hampton Court is a favourite among tourists and locals. The buildings and gardens are beautiful, complete with a nice maze to kill time. The Palace itself is majestic, perfect for those killer IG shots of your holiday.
Around Christmas time, there are plenty of things to see. There will be musicians playing in designated rooms, so do check those out if you prefer a more relaxed stroll. In general, though, you can spend about 3 to 4 hours here.
There will also be a Christmas market, so you can unleash your shopaholic spirit with your fam. Just take note that it does get crowded – normally I’d advise coming early to avoid the crowd, but that’s part of the vibes here!
Pro Tip: Book a reservation in advance – tickets tend to go out fast! Take note that prices also change from time to time, so secure one at the earliest possible day when it’s normally cheaper.
9. Walk through the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
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Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/
Contact Details: +44 333 320 6000
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Price: $$$
If you love looking through holiday displays, you can’t miss Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Take the Twelve Days of Christmas trail and you’ll be treated to some of the most festive and fun displays for the season.
With your little one, you can even do a mini game of spotting the snowman as they’re beautifully placed around the area. There are also plenty of staff in costumes, which usually elicit giggles from the kiddos.
If you ever feel tired, don’t worry – there’s a cafe nearby where you can sit, rest, and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. There’s a gift shop on location too, so do take home a souvenir or two to remember the day.
Pro Tip: Tickets here lean more towards the expensive side. If you’re treating the entire fam or a big group of friends, you may want to budget in advance.
