London in December: Weather, Outfits & Things to Do (2025)

SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT KEW GARDENS

• Kew Gardens Opening Times: 10 am – 6 pm every day
• Kew Gardens General Tickets: GBP 20-24 (depending if you buy it online/in person and if for weekday or weekend)
• Christmas at Kew: 14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026, tickets: GBP 28-34 (USD 36-44). Student and family tickets are available.

The Kew Gardens is the largest botanical garden in the world and it is transformed into Christmas magic during winter.

The Christmas at Kew includes a 3 km trail in the botanical garden that has Christmas lights and illuminations set up. It is all throughout December and it is really nice to get into the Christmas festive mood.

There are also cafes, restaurants, and food stalls selling Christmas food and drinks and overall, it is really such a nice place to be!

The Christmas trail takes around 2 hours to walk and as it is cold in December, make sure to wear warm clothes, and a waterproof jacket and shoes.

GO ICE-SKATING

• Glide at the Battersea Power Station : November to early January every year
• Somerset House Ice Skating: Mid-November to mid-January every year
• Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink: Mid-November to early January every year

During winter London has many ice-skating rinks are set up and most of them are open from mid-November onwards until early January.

Ice-skating is fun with friends and family and it is a cool activity if you are visiting London in December. Even if you are not so good at ice-skating, you can go and just give it a try.

Some of the best ice-skating rinks in London are at the Somerset House, Battersea Power Station, and at the Hampton Court Palace.

If you are looking for a unique place for ice-skating, check out the one at the Battersea Power Station. The power station was out of use for a long time, and I even visited it during a special event when they organized tours inside before it was renovated.

Since the renovation of the power station, it now has lots of shops, restaurants and bars, and in late autumn/winter, it has ice-skating rinks set up!

SEE LONDON WITH THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON

London is so beautiful during Christmas as the city is decorated with Christmas lights. They start to put up the lights in November, and by December, many places in the city center is decorated.

For the Christmas decorations, you can check out places in the city center such as Regent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Parliament Square, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.

The city center and shopping streets can be busy with people on the run up to Christmas, but I have always found it really has a proper Christmas vibe.

VISIT THE LONDON ZOO’S CHRISTMAS EVENT

• London Zoo Opening Times: 10 am – 6 pm
• London Zoo Entry Price: Weekday: GBP 27-31, Weekend: GBP 33
• The Magic of Christmas: usually from late November to early January

The London Zoo is almost 200 years old and you can see animals like lions, tigers, penguins, and baby gorillas. It’s one of the best activities if you are travelling with kids!

To see the whole zoo, it can take up to 3 hours to cover the whole area. Plus, if you have free time, the best is to visit the zoo on a weekday, as it can get very busy on the weekends.

Every year there is a Christmas event organized at the London Zoo, the Magic of Christmas. It’s great for families with kids, as they have crafts for kids, Santa, treats, and many other events.

WATCH THE NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS

London organizes fireworks every year for New Year’s Eve and tt takes place in the city center, near the London Eye.

You have to get a ticket to get the best spots to see the fireworks, but generally, if you find any spot in London from where you can see the London Eye, then you should be able to see the fireworks too.

You can usually get the paid tickets on ticketmaster up until the beginning of December, when the final tickets go on sale. It costs around GBP 20-50 (USD 26-64).

To see the fireworks for free, some good places are Cannon Street, Waterloo Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Victoria Embankment, Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill.

Alexandra Palace and Greenwich Park are also good options to see the fireworks, but they are further out from the city center.

GO SIGHTSEEING

Visiting the historic landmarks is a must, especially if it is your first time in London! Many of the famous attractions are close to each other, so it is great to explore London on foot.

If you go to the area around Waterloo and Westminster, you can check out the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, St. James’ Park, and the Buckingham Palace (+ watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony).

In and around the West End, you can explore Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Leicester Square, and the British Museum is also nearby.

The area around Tower Bridge (including the Tower of London) can also be explored in one go as they are located close to each other.

The weather is cold in December, so make sure to wear warm layers, a winter coat or waterproof jacket, waterproof shoes, and an umbrella.

December (especially the second half) is high season, so it could be a bit crowded with tourists, but nevertheless, sightseeing is a nice to learn more about the history of London.

HAVE BRITISH FOOD

The food scene in London is very diverse and you can find many restaurants that serve various cuisines from all around the world, such as Indian, Italian, Mexican and more!

If you are visiting London around Christmas, you can try some of the Christmas dishes.

Some of the traditional Christmas dishes include roast turkey, Yorkshire Pudding (pastry served with gravy), cranberry sauce, Pigs in Blankets (small sausages wrapped in pastry), and Christmas pudding.

Apart from Christmas food, British dishes include the English Breakfast, Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, and the Sunday Roast.

The Sunday Roast is a traditional meal on Sundays and it consists of roast meat (beef, chicken, pork or lamb), potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire Pudding (pastry).

The tradition to have Sunday Roast goes back centuries and it started as a meal to bring the family together. Blacklock and Hawksmoor are great places to try Sunday Roast in London.

There is also Secret Food Tour in London where you can have the best British food while also exploring London!

🥘 Book a Food Tour in London here!

WATCH THE NUTCRACKER

The Nutcracker is a classic at Christmas and you can catch a ballet show of the Nutcracker at the London Coliseum.

Watching a ballet show of The Nutcracker has become a popular Christmas tradition, as the play is set on Christmas Eve. The music and ballet performance has a sense of feel good, and  is a nice experience for families during Christmas.

When I was a kid, I used to do ballet and was even part of a show to perform the Nutcracker during Christmas – like a less professional, kid version of it! Since then, whenever I think of Christmas, I think of the Nutcracker.

The tickets for a show at the London Coliseum costs between GPB 15-115 (USD 20-150) depending on the seat. The tickets usually sell out fast, so you should get your tickets as early as possible.

CHECK OUT THE HARRY POTTER FILM STUDIOS

• Hogwarts in the Snow dates: 15 November 2025-18 January 2026

Visiting the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios is a great activity all year round, but it is even better during the Christmas period.

In December, the sets at the studio are transformed with snow and Christmas decorations. It is a fun place for both kids and adults, and is totally worth checking out if you like the Harry Potter books and movies!

The Harry Potter tour takes 7 hours and you get to see the behind the scenes, set and costumes at the Warner Bros Studios in Watford.

Watford is near London and you can plan the trip on your own. The trains go from London Euston Station to Watford Junction. Once you get to Watford Junction, there are shuttle buses every 30 minutes that go between Watford Junction and the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios.

There are also tours organized to visit the Harry Potter Studio, which takes the pressure off organizing it yourself. However, the tours have a set schedule, so you may not have a much time than as if you went on your own.

✅ Book the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour here!

WATCH A PLAY AT THE WEST END

Watching a play at the West End is a great activity all throughout the year, especially in December when the weather is cold outside!

The West End is known for some of the best theatre plays in London and many people come to London just to see a theatre show at the West End.

The most popular shows are Hamilton, Wicked, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and the Lion King.

Generally, the tickets cost around GBP 30-210 (USD 40-270) for a show at the West End. To get better prices, try to book the show well in advance. Sometimes you can also get discounted tickets but they are for less famous shows.

Another way to get a cheaper ticket is to go to the ticket booths in the morning. You might be able to get a discounted ticket for a lesser-known show for the same day, although it is not guaranteed.

VISIT A MUSEUM EXHIBITION

London is so rich in culture and history! It has many museums and galleries, so whether you like art, history, science or fashion, there is a museum for everyone.

The weather is cold in December, so a museum exhibition is great to escape the cold outside and also to learn more about the history and culture of the UK.

London has lots of museums to choose from including history, art, and science. The museums are open all year around, and have both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The best part is that the entry fee is free to most of the permanent exhibitions, and you only have to pay for the temporary exhibitions.

Some of the best museums in London are the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum.

I remember when I used to live in London, I even had a yearly membership to Tate Modern and Tate Britain. Almost all museums in London offer memberships and they are great for those staying in London long-term.

GO ON THE LONDON EYE

The London Eye is one of the most famous attractions in London and even though it is very touristy, it’s still worth to visit.

The queues can be very long, so it is best to get a fast track ticket to the London Eye and skip the queues.

Overall, it takes around 30 minutes for one round. Once you are on the London Eye, you get really nice views of famous buildings in London, such as the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the St. Paul’s Cathedral.

If the weather is bad, you don’t get good views from up top. So in case the weather is bad, it may not worth to go on it, as you won’t get a view of the city.

✅ Skip the queue and book your ticket to the London Eye here!

TAKE A BOAT TOUR ON THE THAMES

A river cruise on the Thames is a nice way to see London from a different perpective! There are many famous buildings along the river, such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye.

The London river cruises usually last between 1-2 hours and includes a guide, so you get to learn about London’s history.

During Christmas, you can also sign up for boat tours that include Christmas lunch, or dinner and drinks. The menu includes a 3-course meal, drinks and also live music.

There are also public boats in London that go through pretty much the same route as the paid cruises.

The public boats are run by the Uber Boats by the Thames Clippers. The public boats are a great option if you don’t want to pay for a river cruise. You get to go on a cruise and see the city for a cheap price.

GO UP THE SHARD

• View From the Shard Ticket Cost: GBP 32-38 (General entry), GBP 45-51 (All inclusive entry)

The Shard is the tallest building in London and the views are pretty great from the top! You get a 360 degree view of London and it is one of the best places to see the sunset.

The Shard is a great place to visit if it’s your only time in London or you want to celebrate a special occasion, like Christmas!

They also have restaurants and bars at the top, and it is open from 11 am to 7-8 pm on most days, except for Saturdays when it is open until 10 pm.

You have to book your ticket in advance for a specific time and date. Make sure you arrive a little bit before your scheduled time as if you arrive late (more than 15 minutes late), they could charge a rebooking fee.

WATCH A BAND PLAY IN A PUB

London is known for its pubs and you can find one just about anywhere! Even if you don’t drink alcohol, you can hang out at one of the pubs in London.

Pubs in London are not just about drinking, many of them also serve food, have live music events, and even comedy shows.

The pubs are very busy in December as lots of people start having Christmas parties from December onwards, so it is a fun time to go out in London.

For pubs in the city center, you can check out the Porterhouse and the The Lamb & Flag – they are typical British pubs near Covent Garden.

For typical British pubs with drinks and bands, you can check out pubs in Camden, East London and Brixton.

If you are visiting Camden, Hawley Arms (where Amy Winehouse used to hang out), Elephant’s Head, and the Dublin Castle are great pubs. They usually also have live music on!

There are also some cool pubs in East London. Pubs in places like Dalston, Stoke Newington and Shoreditch are great, and you can check out the Shacklewell Arms, The Victoria, and The Three Crowns.

SHOP DURING THE BOXING DAY SALES

There are many clothes shops in London, and you can find everything from budget to luxury brands. London is heaven if you are into fashion!

On Boxing Day (26 December), the shops start to have a massive sale on items, and you can get lots of things on a discounted price. It is very crowded in shops on this day, but if you want to get some discounted items, it’s a good time to do so.

The most famous places for fashion in London are Oxford Street and Regent Street. They are right next to each other and there are many fashion brands you can choose from.

Oxford Street is the biggest shopping street in Europe and it has more than 300 shops. Apart from clothes shops, there are also jewellery, electronics and homeware shops.

The Westfield Shopping Center in West London is also a good place for shopping. It is a massive shopping center with various shops and it can get very busy. It is located in Shepherd’s Bush and you can get there by tube.

Free Things to Do in London in December

London tends to be expensive during the Christmas holidays as it is high tourist season. Nevertheless, London is a big city and there are many activities that you can do for free!

London has many museums that have free entry to their permanent exhibitions, some museums with free entry include the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Tate Britain.

London is also decorated with Christmas lights in the city centre and you can just go explore London on foot and see the city with the lights on. Some places with Christmas lights include Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, and Southbank.

The parks in London are also free. December is cold, so dress in warm layers before going to the park. Some popular parks in London are the Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park, and Hampstead Heath.

Public Transport in London

One of the best ways to get around London is by public transport. The main modes of transport include the tube, buses, and trains.

If you are visiting London in December, the public transport mostly runs as usual, except during Christmas:

• Christmas Eve (24 December): transport stops around 8 pm
• Christmas Day (25 December): no transport all day (taxis available)
• Boxing Day (26 December): reduced service
• New Year’s Eve: tube running all night

The public transport in London is safe and easy to get used to, and all tube stations and bus stops have maps for navigation.

To pay for public transport in London, you can use your bank card (contactless payment) or the Oyster Card. If you use your card, make sure that you use the same card when you tap in and tap out.

Taxis in London

Getting a taxi in London is a good option if you want to have some comfort. Taxis in London are safe, although if the traffic is bad, they can take longer than taking the tube.

There are different taxis in London, such as the black cabs, Uber and Bolt.

The taxi prices for Uber and Bolt are generally cheaper than black cabs. Although the black cabs are a bit more expensive, they can go on the bus lane, so they can go a little bit faster than Uber and Bolt.

Overall, London is a safe city and it is safe to take taxis. If you take a taxi alone at night, it is considered safer to take black cabs.

The taxis are a bit more expensive during Christmas and New Year’s, especially on Christmas Day (25 December) as there is no public transport running on that day, and if you have to travel between places, only taxis are available.

Walking in London

London is walkable and it has well-built sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Many famous attractions are located close to each other, so it is great to explore the city on foot.

The weather is is cold and rainy in December so make sure to wear a warm jacket, waterproof shoes and clothes that you can wear in layers.

Events in London in December

• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: from late November until January
• Christmas at Kew: 14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
• Hogwarts in the Snow: 15 November 2025 – 18 January 2026
• Christmas Day: 25 December 2025
• Boxing Day: 26 December 2025
• London Zoo Christmas Takeover: from late November to early January