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Thinking about spending your first Christmas in London? Let me guide you!
Around this time of the year (November), most European cities prepare for the official opening of Christmas lighting, which normally begins at the end of November and lasts until the first week of January.
London’s main city streets are also filled with twinkling festive lights, lovely Christmas markets, and plenty of festive activities.
Christmas in London is magical, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the city’s festive charm.
If this is your first time visiting, you’ve come to the right place—and I’ve got some local practical tips to make your first Christmas in London experience even more memorable!
This post will cover some budget-friendly yet magical experiences that capture London’s iconic Christmas celebrations, as well as some useful first-time travel tips to help you navigate the city with ease during the festive season period.
Hopefully, this itinerary will help you plan your trip with ease considering the limited time frame.
Here is how you could spend your first Christmas in London...
Is it worth going to London at Christmas?
London around Christmas is worth visiting with a well-planned itinerary. To be fair, though, London is one of the world’s most visited places all year round.
So, at Christmas, many festive sights in well-known London spots are packed with both Londoners and visitors, which brings me to the next question.
Is it expensive to visit London during Christmas?
As someone who has lived in London for a while, I can tell you straight out that it is expensive to visit London all year round.
But don’t worry, I’ll share several free and inexpensive Christmas activities in London. Keep reading!
Christmas in London Two Day Itinerary on a budget
London Essentials:
Getting to London: Trainline/ Skyscanner /Omio
Getting around London: Bus/ Tube/Overground
Contactless card payment is used on all public transportation in London, so you don’t need to bother about purchasing tickets. See the latest transport fares on the TFL (Transport For London) website.
Accommodation: Booking.com / HostleWorld (Budget-friendly option)
Activities & Tours: GetYourGuide / Viator
Find Budget-friendly places to eat: TripAdvisor.com
Day 1 Morning: Walk Around London’s Famous Landmarks
It may not look like this is a Christmas in London itinerary right now, but I promise it will be soon!
Since this is your first time in London, you might as well go on an exploration and see some famous sites for free.
So, before you embark on your London Christmas market tour, see the Tower Bridge and Big Ben.
There may be a few options to get to Tower Bridge or Big Ben, depending on where you stay.
The catch: Go to Zone 1, the city centre with most of London’s sights. From Zone 1, landmarks are within walking distance, and most can be seen for free.
Of course, if you fancy walking on the transparent glass floor walkways inside Tower Bridge or going on a tour of Westminster Abbey, that’s alright, too.
But since this is a budget itinerary, I’d suggest you skip these kinds of tours—and save the money for some Christmas market treats and activities.
Tower Bridge and Big Ben are stops on the underground District and Circle lines.
You get off at the Westminster station if you want to start at Big Ben and the Tower Hill station if you want to go to the Tower Bridge.
The Jubilee Line is another tube line that goes near the above-mentioned landmarks.
Pro Tip: Get the TFL app or the Citymapper app. For example, I like the Citymapper and would suggest it.
When I first moved to London, I remember how stressful it was to get around by myself in such a big city. For people who are new to the city, the CityMapper app is very easy to use.
Simply type in where you are and where you want to go. It will then give you a number of detailed travel choices.
Also, it will show you the fastest routes, important travel information like delays, tube lines and stations, live departure times, a list of stops the tube or bus goes through, and the trip duration.
Afternoon: Start with Iconic London Christmas Markets (Mostly Free to Enter)
Now, there are usually many Christmas markets in London, and getting started on a hop-on adventure in just two days might seem overwhelming for a first-time visitor.
But it comes down to a well-planned itinerary and what you really want to get out of it. These are my suggestions for the best budget-friendly and free Christmas markets in London that are worth visiting:
1. Covent Garden Christmas Market
The Covent Garden is a popular place to visit in London during the Christmas market season. The Market sells homemade crafts, decorations, and unique presents.
You can also enjoy the cute scene with a huge Christmas tree, street food, and mulled wine, which is not required. It’s a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy the lively, festive atmosphere.
The afternoon is really pleasant, and it’s less busy. Find out what to expect of Christmas in London this year (2024) from Covent Garden.
2. Leicester Square Christmas Market
Just a 7-minute walk from Covent Garden Christmas Market is the Leicester Square Christmas Market. This market is tiny but charming.
As soon as you arrive at the main entrance of this market, you will be greeted with lovely scenes with characters such as Mr. Bean and Paddington Bear.
Continuing your walk into the Christmas market, which has wooden chalets and sparkling star-like festive lights lighting up the trees surrounding the square.
While exploring the Leicester Christmas market, try some traditional Christmas German sausages; they are quite delicious.
But be ready to pay around £7 to £8 for a single sausage. This may seem like a lot of money, but this is how simple things are priced in London.
So, as you plan your Christmas trip to London, keep in mind that these prices might go up this year (2024).
3. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
After checking out some delightful free Christmas markets in London, it’s time to experience the iconic winter wonderland at Hyde Park!
Just a heads up, there’s a small fee to enter, which is around £10 or less. Take a look at more details and entry tickets for this year right here!
While the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland isn’t a Christmas market, it’s the largest and one of the most popular spots to visit during the holiday season in London. As you might guess, it draws in quite a lot of people as well.
I’ve only been there once, and that was enough for me since it can get a bit hectic. This might take away from your festive experience in London, especially if you’re not a fan of crowded places while travelling.
But if you don’t mind crowds and want to explore little Christmas markets, go on various festive rides, see the shimmering lights, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere in one spot, London Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is your go-to place.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that after you enter the wonderland, most of the activities you will have to pay. So, be careful not to go over your budget, because you can enjoy the ambiance as is.
You can visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in the late afternoon or evening to enjoy the holiday spirit. It really depends on what you want. The morning is a bit quieter, but it doesn’t quite have the same magical vibe as the evening.
Evening: Attend a London Festive Performance or event
London’s Christmas performances are a treat, even on a budget! Look for free or affordable festive events to enjoy the holiday spirit. Here are a few you might want to give a go:
Christmas in London: Carol Services
Many London churches hold free or low-cost carol services. St. Paul’s Cathedral (free entry at certain times) and Westminster Abbey both host carol services that are unforgettable experiences in iconic settings.
Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
As a sign of the long friendship between the two countries, Norway gives London a huge Christmas tree every year. It’s beautifully lit at Trafalgar Square, and you’ll often find carollers singing festive tunes for free.
Southbank Centre’s Festive Events
The Southbank Centre has a variety of cheap and free performances, workshops, and events that everyone can enjoy, no matter their age. Take a look at their website for schedules and find out what fun events are happening while you’re there!
Tip: There are many events happening all over the city, so try to choose just one. You might find events, especially free ones, close to London’s busiest places from time to time. So, if you can, try getting to the event site at least an hour early to make sure you have a great spot to enjoy it.
Day 2 Christmas in London Morning: Take a Day Trip To Windsor
After experiencing the hustle and bustle of London during Christmas, why not start your last day with a more laid-back atmosphere and take a pleasant day trip to Windsor from the city? Check out my guide for all the details on planning a day trip to Windsor from London! Here’s a quick guide on how to make it happen on a budget:
How to get to Windsor from London
- By Train: You can take a train from either London Waterloo or London Paddington. It takes around 30 to 50 minutes to get to Windsor Riverside & Eton Central. You can save money on round-trip tickets by purchasing them during off-peak hours, which begin at 9 AM.
- By Bus (Cheap option): Take a Flixbus from Victoria Coach Station instead of a National Express, which is too expensive these days. It takes longer (1–1.5 hours) but is cheaper. If you’re looking for an even more affordable option, hop on the Green Line bus 702 from the same station mentioned above for just £2 one way!
Explore the Christmas holiday magic in Windsor
Windsor is full of Christmas cheer too, and it’s a lot more relaxed than London! Take a leisurely walk through the beautifully adorned streets, and you could also use this time to visit the holiday-themed Windsor Castle. It’s beautiful to view from the outside, even if you don’t go inside!
Afternoon: See Less-Known Christmas Events in London
As you wait for the evening to finally arrive so that you can enjoy the famous Christmas lights and displays, after your trip to Windsor, check out some less well-known Christmas-themed places in London. A lovely place that springs to mind is the Kingston London Christmas market.
London Kingston Christmas market
The Kingston London Christmas market is a charming and delightful festive event in the city that many may not know about. This Christmas market is located in Kingston-Upon-Thames, an area in London’s southwest. Although it might not be as bustling as some of the more famous Christmas markets in London, it still provides a delightful and festive vibe.
Last year (2023), my family and I enjoyed our Christmas market tour here. It was convenient for us since we lived within reach! Honestly, it was wonderful to take a little break from the bustling Christmas markets in central London, especially since we’ve experienced them a few times already.
The market has a lot of local booths selling food, drinks, handmade goods, live music, and other activities. Here, you can look forward to a cosy and personal experience, making it a wonderful choice for those wanting a more relaxed Christmas market vibe.
Visiting Kingston Christmas Market Tips
OPENING HOURS: Market stalls open from 2nd week of November to 1st week of January.
If you want to visit the Christmas market, it’s open from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday through Wednesday and from 10 am to 8 pm on Thursday through Saturday. Just like many Christmas markets in London, they take a break on Christmas day.
Getting to & from Kingston-upon-thames
To reach Kingston upon Thames from Zone 1 (the central London area), you have a variety of tube and train line options to choose from! It’s easiest to take the District Line from Earl’s Court to Wimbledon, then change to the South Western Railway (SWR) Service to Kingston.
Another option is to hop on the SWR train straight from London Waterloo station to Kingston. Depending on the time of day and any delays, the trip by tube and train usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes. There are also a few bus routes available, which are a more budget-friendly option!
One that I would suggest is Bus 65, which travels between Kingston and Ealing Broadway. To get back to central London, take bus 65 from Kingston bus Station (Stop T). It’s only a 5-minute walk from the Kingston Christmas market. The bus ride takes you through some lovely areas, like Richmond, Kew Gardens, and Brentford. When you arrive at Ealing Broadway tube and train station, you’ll find plenty of transport options to take you to central London in under 10 minutes.
Evening: Marvel at London’s Best Christmas Lights and Displays for Free
Christmas in London isn’t complete without the glittering lights that line the famous streets. A wonderful way to experience them is by heading out on a self-guided walking tour to soak up the sparkle. Here are a few must-see spots:
Oxford Street lights
London’s most famous and bustling shopping street is absolutely dazzling with its twinkling, sky-high lights.
In all honesty, if you want to enjoy this street, try to arrive between 4 and 5:30 pm-ish. This will give you some time to enjoy the beautifully decorated Christmas lights without having to deal with a lot of people (yet).
Also, don’t worry about going too early; it will be dark around 3:30pm-ish, which is typical London winter weather!
Regent Street
From Oxford Street, it only takes three minutes to walk down one of London’s most famous Christmas streets, which is lined with huge displays with angels on them.
It truly feels like you are strolling beneath a blanket of stars until it becomes congested with both locals and visitors.
For the same reason as before, PLEASE try to arrive early, as it doesn’t have a nice vibe when it gets busy.
Budget-Friendly Tips for Navigating Christmas Markets and Attractions
London has a lot to offer at Christmas, and you’ll need more than two days to see it all. But if you plan carefully and do some of the things I suggest, you can have a great holiday in London.
Just keep in mind that London is a huge city (trust me, even as a local, there are plenty of places I haven’t explored), so it’s best not to expect to see everything in just one quick visit.
Ultimately, it all depends on what you enjoy when you travel. Anyway, enough of the rumbling, here are some last things to remember if you’re ever in London around Christmas.
1. Use Public Transport Smartly
For a short trip to London on a budget, I wouldn’t recommend taking taxis or buying an Oyster card! In my opinion, London and all of the UK have the most expensive public transport in Europe.
But London public transportation offers the best rates because it accepts contactless card payments. Considering most European cities don’t have contactless card payments on public transport, I appreciate this about London.
The daily cap makes trip budgeting easy and transparent. The coolest thing is that on the London bus, tapping multiple times in an hour counts as one single journey. So, take advantage of this when you’re in London.
2. Arrive Early for Markets
If you’re still reading, you’ve already seen how much I’ve stressed this above. Christmas markets in London can be packed. Arriving early (around midday on a weekday) is the best way to avoid peak crowds and enjoy a relaxed experience.
3. Pack Layers and Comfortable Shoes
There is a lot of walking to do in London at Christmas! Keep warm with layers and sturdy shoes. Please avoid carrying large backpacks, coats, etc. It makes you a pickpocket target, which leads to the next tip.
4. Stay Alert in Crowds
Although London’s holiday season is wonderful, the crowds can be too much to handle. This also makes it easy for pickpockets to do their jobs.
Protect your things by wearing a zipped cross-bag close to your body. Use the phone case with a strap for your phone.
Recently, it’s pretty common for people to steal your phone while you’re taking pictures or holding it in your hand. This happens a lot in busy areas. It’s probably going to be even worse during the holidays.
5. Live Room for Disappointment
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Christmas in London will be as beautiful everywhere as it looks on Instagram. Come with an open mind, knowing that London isn’t always pretty but still has a special holiday charm that you can enjoy. So don’t think it will be Switzerland, or you will be very let down.
Final Thoughts on Christmas in London
I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your first Christmas in London! If you would love more UK travel tips, check out my other guides below, and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for all the latest budget-friendly travel tips.
Happy holidays, and enjoy your magical Christmas adventure in London!
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