Quick verdict: London at Christmas is spectacular but crowded. Book theatre tickets and restaurant reservations 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Visit markets on weekday mornings. See the lights after 5pm when they switch on. Budget £150 to £300 per person per day for a full Christmas London experience including shows, food, and activities.

Why London at Christmas?

London transforms from November through early January. Oxford Street switches on 300,000 lights. Covent Garden hangs a 60-foot Christmas tree. Hyde Park becomes Winter Wonderland with 200+ rides and attractions. The West End runs special Christmas performances of 40+ shows nightly.

Over 20 million people visit central London during the Christmas season. That means crowds, queues, and sold-out everything unless you plan ahead. This guide covers what to book now, what to do when you arrive, and how to avoid the worst of the chaos.

Best Christmas Shows in London 2025

West End theatres run year-round, but Christmas brings special programming, limited runs, and seasonal shows. Book these first as they sell out fastest.

Christmas-Specific Shows

ENB's Nutcracker at London Coliseum (£18 to £120): The definitive London Christmas ballet. 2,359-seat venue, live orchestra, growing Christmas tree on stage. Running time 2 hours 15 minutes. Ages 5+. Book Dress Circle Rows B to D for the best tree reveal. Christmas week performances sell out by October.

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (£25 to £65): Comedy version of Dickens from the Mischief Theatre company. If you loved The Play That Goes Wrong, this is the Christmas equivalent. Ages 8+. Running time 2 hours. Smaller venue means fewer tickets available.

Pantomine shows across London (£15 to £60): Traditional British Christmas entertainment with audience participation, celebrity casting, and family-friendly comedy. Hackney Empire, Palladium, and regional venues all run pantos from late November through January.

Year-Round Shows Perfect for Christmas

These run all year but feel especially magical at Christmas:

The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre (£44 to £169): 25 years in the West End. Puppetry, music, spectacle. Works for ages 6+. The Lyceum is 5 minutes from Covent Garden Christmas market. Book Stalls Rows D to M or Dress Circle Rows A to D.

Wicked at Apollo Victoria (£20 to £175): Flying witches, a 40-foot dragon, and Defying Gravity. Family-friendly (ages 7+). The Victoria location puts you near Winter Wonderland. Book Dress Circle Rows A to D for the best flying views.

Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre (£20 to £125): Roald Dahl adaptation. Ages 6+. Tim Minchin's score. The Cambridge is central to Covent Garden and the West End lights.

Mamma Mia at Novello Theatre (£20 to £150): ABBA hits and guaranteed fun. All ages welcome. The finale gets everyone dancing regardless of season.

Hamilton at Victoria Palace (£24 to £200): Hip-hop musical phenomenon. Ages 10+. Christmas availability is limited. Enter the daily lottery for £10 tickets.

Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty's Theatre (£25 to £175): Longest-running West End musical. The chandelier crash, the underground lake, the romance. Classic Christmas theatre outing.

Les Miserables at Sondheim Theatre (£25 to £175): Epic musical drama. The barricade, the songs, the emotions. Not light entertainment but unforgettable.

New and Limited Run Shows for Christmas 2025

The Devil Wears Prada Musical at Dominion Theatre (£25 to £175): Elton John score. Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestley role on stage. Fashion, ambition, and 40+ costume changes. Christmas is the first holiday season for this new production.

Into the Woods at Bridge Theatre (£40 to £120): Sondheim's fairy tale musical in immersive staging. Darker themes suit ages 12+. Limited run means limited availability.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre (£25 to £150): Theatrical illusions and 1980s nostalgia. Ages 12+. Special effects rival Harry Potter.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace Theatre (£15 to £235): Magic on stage. Ages 10+. 3.5 hours with interval. The most technically ambitious production in London.

London Christmas Markets 2025

Markets typically run from mid-November through late December (some into January). Entry is free unless noted.

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park: London's biggest Christmas event. 200+ rides, 100+ food stalls, ice skating (£16.50+), Magical Ice Kingdom (£10+), circus shows, bars. Open late November to early January. Free entry but attractions cost extra. Expect 60,000+ visitors on peak days. Go Tuesday to Thursday before 4pm to avoid the worst crowds.

Southbank Centre Winter Market: Artisan food and crafts along the Thames. Free entry. Views of the London Eye and Houses of Parliament. Less corporate than Winter Wonderland. German-style wooden chalets. Open daily November through December.

Leicester Square Christmas Market: Central location between West End theatres. Santa's grotto, carousel, food stalls. Compact but convenient if you are seeing a show nearby.

Covent Garden: Year-round market with Christmas overlay. Giant Christmas tree. Mistletoe arches. Street performers. Apple Market craft stalls. The most photogenic Christmas spot in London.

Borough Market: London's oldest food market (1,000+ years) with Christmas specialities. Artisan food gifts, mulled wine, festive treats. Open Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Greenwich Market: Covered market with crafts and gifts. Less crowded than central London. Combine with Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.

Christmas by the River at London Bridge City: Tower Bridge backdrop. Chalets selling gifts and food. Free entry. Views across to the Tower of London.

London Christmas Lights 2025

Lights typically switch on in early November and run through early January. Free to view.

Oxford Street: 300,000 LED lights. 1 mile of displays. Switch-on ceremony in early November with celebrity guests. Best viewed from Oxford Circus looking west or Marble Arch looking east.

Regent Street: Traditional angel displays. Curve of the street creates dramatic photos. Combine with Carnaby Street nearby.

Carnaby Street: Themed installations that change yearly. Neon colours. Compact but spectacular.

Covent Garden: 60-foot Christmas tree. 150,000 lights. Mistletoe chandeliers above the market. Most romantic Christmas location in London.

Bond Street: Luxury brand displays. Peacocks, diamonds, and designer aesthetics. Less crowded than Oxford Street.

South Molton Street: Independent boutiques with individual displays. Connecting Bond Street to Oxford Street.

Kew Gardens (£15 to £30): Paid event but spectacular. Trail through the botanic gardens with light installations. Book online. Evening entry only.

Ice Skating in London 2025

Outdoor rinks open November through January. Book ahead as sessions sell out.

Natural History Museum (£16 to £20): Most atmospheric rink. Skate in front of the Victorian museum building. 30 to 45 minute sessions. Busiest rink in London. Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead for weekends.

Somerset House (£12 to £18): Elegant courtyard setting. Tree in the centre of the ice. DJ sessions some evenings. Central location near Covent Garden.

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park (£16.50+): Large rink as part of the wider attraction. Less intimate but more availability.

Hampton Court Palace (£16 to £20): Tudor palace backdrop. Less crowded than central London. Worth the journey for the setting.

Canary Wharf (£14 to £18): Modern surroundings. Covered rink means weather protection. Less traditional atmosphere.

Christmas Day in London 2025

Christmas Day is quiet. Most attractions, shops, and restaurants close. Public transport does not run. Plan accordingly.

What is open: Some hotels serve Christmas lunch (book by early December, £100 to £200 per person). Chinese restaurants traditionally open. A few pubs serve lunch. Hyde Park and other Royal Parks remain open for walking.

What is closed: All West End theatres. All shops. All museums. Most restaurants. All public transport (no tubes, buses, or trains).

Boxing Day (26 December): London reopens. Sales start. Limited transport (check TfL). Theatres run performances. Restaurants reopen. This is the day to shop if you want sale prices.

New Year's Eve in London 2025

Fireworks at London Eye: Ticketed event (tickets typically £15 to £20, released in September). Access from 8pm. Fireworks at midnight. 100,000 tickets available. Sells out.

Viewing spots: Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square, Primrose Hill (free but crowded). Arrive by 9pm to secure a spot.

West End shows: Most run normal evening performances. Some offer special New Year's Eve late shows. Mamma Mia and SIX typically have party atmospheres.

Transport: Tube and buses free from 11:45pm to 4:30am on New Year's Eve/Day.

Where to Stay for Christmas in London

Hotel prices increase 30 to 50% during Christmas week. Book by October for best availability.

For theatre access: Covent Garden, Soho, or Bloomsbury put you within walking distance of the West End. Expect £200 to £400 per night for mid-range hotels in December.

For Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch, or Paddington. Walking distance to the event saves transport hassle on crowded evenings.

For value: South Bank, King's Cross, or Canary Wharf. Good transport links but lower prices. Expect £120 to £250 per night.

For atmosphere: The Langham, Claridge's, or The Savoy do Christmas exceptionally well with decorated lobbies, afternoon teas, and festive menus. Expect £500+ per night.

Christmas in London: Booking Timeline

September: Book West End tickets for Christmas week performances. Book hotel rooms. Book New Year's Eve fireworks tickets when released.

October: Book ice skating sessions. Book Christmas Day lunch if eating at a hotel or restaurant. Book Nutcracker tickets before premium seats sell out.

November: Book restaurant reservations for Christmas week. Confirm all theatre bookings. Check transport for your dates.

December: Day seats and last-minute theatre tickets available but selection limited. Market visits and light viewing need no booking.

Getting Around London at Christmas

Public transport runs normally except Christmas Day (no service) and reduced service on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Tube: Runs until approximately 12:30am most nights. Night Tube on Fridays and Saturdays on some lines. Contactless or Oyster card for best fares. Expect delays and crowding on shopping days.

Buses: Run later than Tube. Night buses throughout London. Slower but useful when Tube stations are congested.

Walking: Often faster than transport in central London during peak Christmas crowds. Oxford Circus to Covent Garden is 15 minutes on foot but 25+ minutes by Tube with station queues.

Taxis and Uber: Surge pricing on peak evenings. Book ahead if possible. Allow extra time for traffic.

Christmas London Budget Guide

Budget day (£100 to £150): Free lights and window displays. Street food at markets (£10 to £20). Day seat theatre tickets (£15 to £40). Pub dinner (£20 to £35).

Mid-range day (£200 to £300): Ice skating (£15 to £20). Winter Wonderland attractions (£30 to £50). Mid-price theatre tickets (£60 to £100). Restaurant dinner (£40 to £70).

Luxury day (£400+): Premium theatre seats (£150 to £200). Afternoon tea (£60 to £100). Fine dining (£100+). Private ice skating session or VIP experiences.

Book Your London Christmas Theatre Tickets

The West End runs over 40 shows nightly through Christmas. Start with these depending on your group:

Families with young children (5 to 10): The Lion King, Matilda, Nutcracker

Families with older children (10+): Harry Potter, Wicked, Hamilton, Stranger Things

Adults wanting spectacle: Moulin Rouge, Phantom of the Opera, The Devil Wears Prada

Groups wanting fun: Mamma Mia, SIX, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

Theatre enthusiasts: Les Miserables, Into the Woods, Cabaret

Browse all London theatre tickets on tickadoo. Book early for Christmas 2025.