Make your visit to London a Christmas cracker!
Christmas in London is a truly magical experience. With festive concerts, markets, ice skating, santa's grottos and warming food and drink - London has all you could want and more.
Skate away and play all day
Get your skates on and get into the true spirit of the season! London is packed with beautiful outdoor ice skating rinks for all the family to enjoy, some of which are located in the most majestic settings such as the historic Tower of London, the fascinating Natural History Museum, the iconic EDF Energy London Eye and the stunning Somerset House. There are also plenty of other festive activities to enjoy across the capital including meeting the huskies at the WWT Wetland Centre, a Jingle Bell Blast with London RIB Voyages, and the chance to find out what the Tudors ate for their Christmas dinner at Hampton Court Palace. For Santa's little helpers, the best place to meet the man himself is the captivating Santa's grotto at the world-famous Selfridges.
Much more than mince pies
What better place to discover more festive culinary delights than Taste of Christmas, a special event with celebrity chefs, demonstrations and much more, dedicated to making your Christmas taste fantastic. The newly Michelin starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will also be cooking up a medieval inspired Christmas lunch with six courses. As always, London's restaurants will be pulling out all the stops with seasonal menus and tempting treats, but if you'd like to do the cooking yourself then a trip to the Cologne Christmas Market on the Southbank is a must - especially whilst enjoying a warming mug of Glühwein. Alternatively, you can satisfy your sweet tooth at the Christmas Chocolate Festival - perfect for pudding!
Christmas shopping
With beautifully decorated window displays, traditional Christmas markets and spectacular canopies of sparkling lights illuminating many of the shopping hotspots across the capital, it's a great place to find that perfect festive gift. Oxford Street and Regent Street lights are not to be missed, and shoppers can have the streets to themselves at the American Express Shop West End VIP Weekend (10 - 11 December), the world's largest traffic-free shopping event with special offers and fantastic entertainment. The Seven Dials & St Martin's Courtyard Festive Shopping Evening (1 December) provides 20% discounts and festive in-store activities. The Christmas Fair at Chelsea Physic Gardens (26 - 27 November), will be home to gifts including garden trinkets, unusual jewellery, cashmere clothing and much more.
Special hotel packages
Whatever your budget, you'll find a wide range of accommodation options available across the capital, all waiting to welcome you this Christmas. The Royal Garden Hotel is offering a Harrod's shopping experience, where guests will receive a complimentary £50 gift card for world the famous department store. For those who would rather stay in, the Christmas Kracker package at K West Hotel & Spa comes with an overnight stay in a deluxe room, full English breakfast, sharing platter with bubbly, plus access to the K Spa. Radisson Edwardian Hotels also provide great choice across the capital and this year are offering 10% off during a festive stop over this year.
For a full listing of Christmas events in London, visitlondon.com.
