New York is a magical and inspiring city all year round but it truly comes to life in the Christmas holidays. There’s an air of magic about the city with pretty Christmas lights being put up around every corner, huge Christmas trees over glistening ice rinks and fascinating festive window displays.
New York in winter is like being in those classic Christmas movies that we all used to watch like ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Jingle all the Way’. Everywhere you look seems to be a spot from a classic movie. There are so many things to do in NYC in the holidays: here’s some festive photos to get inspire you to visit NYC this winter.
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Ok, maybe this is still technically Autumn but this is when New York really starts setting up for Christmas. If you can make the parade I’d definitely recommend it- fun for kids and adults alike.
The Thanksgiving Day Parade is a mustSanta comes to New York
Wander the New York streets
Every building has Christmas decorations and lights up in the winter so spend some time walking around the big apple and see what you find!
Admire the Christmas Decorations
There are tonnes of Christmas trees and festive displays around the city. Go on a hunt for the prettiest Christmas tree in New York 🙂
Pretty Christmas decorations all around New York
NYC Ice Skating
This is one winter activity you cannot miss. There are several rinks around the city to choose from.
Ice skating in Central Park, NYC
New York Christmas Window Displays
The big department stores all have amazing window displays at Christmas. Head to Macy’s for some of the best.
Endless shoppingNew York Christmas window displaysNew York shopping is some of the best and the department stores decorate well 🙂
The well off area of Brooklyn Heights heights put up massive Christmas light displays outside their homes every year. You can book a tour or just visit on your own like I did. Worth the trip over to Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Heights Christmas lights are worth the visit!These houses go all out for Christmas!
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London comes alive at Christmas and although it gets cold in winter it’s definitely one of the best times to visit! Christmas markets are situated all over the city, there are pop up ski lodges with Swiss fondue and liqueur hot chocolates, stunning Christmas lights displays, carol singing, Christmas crafts, ice skating and so much more!
London in winter is so festive and magical, it will sure get you feeling that Christmas spirit with so many things to do. So here are 27 photos to inspire you to visit London this winter.
Give ice skating a try on London’s many ice rinks…
Somerset House ice skating is very popular! Book early.Tower of London ice rinkHave fun skating at one of London’s many ice rinks
Explore London Southbank Christmas Markets…
Shop at the Southbank Christmas markets
Grab a beer in the ski lodge at London Southbank
Cosy up a with a hot chocolate or mulled wineThe big swing
Shop at the Leicester Square Christmas Market…
Getting festive at Leicester Square Christmas Market
Ornaments at Leicester Square Christmas Market
Find quirky present ideas at the Christmas markets
Christmas in Covent Garden…
Crowds watching the street performers in Covent Garden
Winter in London…
Take a winters walk around Embankment and admire the London skyline
Spot deer in Richmond park…
Take a winter walk in Richmond Park. You might even catch some deer grazing.
Photograph the quirky Carnaby Street lights…
Carnaby Street always has fun Christmas lights
More from Carnaby Street…
Check out the Regent Street Christmas lights (always a great display!)
Warm up in one of London’s many galleries and museums
Pop up daytime Christmas markets…
Buy some handmade Christmas decorations at one of Londons markets.
Meet Santa!
Meet Santa at one of the markets or gottos 🙂
Winter Forest in Broadgate…
Explore Broadgate’s Winter Forest
Catch that London winters skyline…
Go for an evening stroll by London SouthbankLondon Southbank at night
Nighttime walks around the city…
Hope you enjoyed this post to inspire you to visit London in winter. Share this post along to anyone you think will enjoy these photos and don’t forget to pin this to Pinterest!
There are so many fun and quirky things to do in London at Christmas. The Christmas lights sparkle, the smell of roasted chestnuts appear around every second street corner and there’s an increasing air of excitement as Christmas day gets closer and closer.
London really is quite magical at Christmas and the city gears up for it in a big way, with decorations being put up even before Halloween. There is so much to do in London at Christmas and a lot can be enjoyed for free or pretty cheap if you search around. Here is my list of just a few things you can do and see in London at Christmas.
My first tip would be to just go for a wander. You may find some unexpected but beautiful Christmas decorations or a small market, or a pretty little laneway. London is big but actually a lot of places are walking distance from each other so skip the tube and see what you can discover on foot. Guaranteed you’ll see so much more!
Beautiful London at Christmas
Walking along the river from Embankment station is really lovely and the views that you get from the bridge are great with St Pauls Cathedral in the near distance. You can also walk to Somerset House from here which leads me to my next fun thing in London at Christmas.
Wandering around 🙂
2. Have fun Ice Skating
Canary Wharf Ice Skating
What a great tree!
There are several outdoor ice skating rinks that pop up in London at Christmas- I’m slowly making my way around all of them! If you wanna get into the xmas spirit then this is the perfect activity. Plus most of them have cafes where you can get mulled wine or even champagne after your skate.
Somerset House ice skating
Somerset House: The traditional rink but gets very busy (it’s very pretty though).
Hampton Court Palace: I personally love the skating here as its cosy with fairy lights around the outside and the palace is lit up with various colours.
Tower of London: Another historic place to skate right in the heart of London.
Natural History Museum: Such a nice setting with the museum in the background and a big Christmas tree in the middle of the rink.
Canary Wharf: I really like this rink, especially at night as all the surrounding buildings are lit up and there are fairy lights on all the trees.
London Skylight: One of the newest ice skating rinks which is actually on a rooftop. You can book igloos and tables for your group and chill out by the bar.
3. Climb up Monument Tower
Climb the 311 steps!
Trying not to get too dizzy on the way up 😛
For only £4.50 (2018 price) you can climb the 311 steps up to the top of the Monument statue, which was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London. It may look daunting from standing below but the climb is actually ok and doesn’t really take more than 5 minutes to reach to the top. Here you will be greeted with 360 views over London. I went at sunset and the orange light stretching over the nearby buildings was so beautiful.
London skyline from the top of Monument
Such a beautiful time of day
View of the Shard from the top of Monument
4. Get Christmassy at The Winter Forest
Winter forest at Broadgate circle
The Winter Forest in Broadgate is a real wonderland with snow covered pine trees, fairy lights and a cosy bar with warm blankets, hot chocolates and cocktails. They also have live music and fun events like Christmas craft making in the day. This place transports you to a winter wonderland and gets you in the spirit just in time for Christmas 🙂
P.S There are many of these pop up winter ‘ski bars’ in London at Christmas. Have a search on google to find one near you.
Yes, those embarrassing Christmas jumpers seem to be making a comeback! Even if you don’t intend to buy one it can still be funny trying on some of the nutty designs! And where’s the best place to shop? Oxford Street of course!
Busy Oxford St
Oxford St Christmas lights
The Christmas lights are reason alone to brave the winter shoppers. Yes it will be busy but every year Oxford Street has festive decorations that will make you say “wow”. To avoid the really large crowds try to visit on a weekday (Mon-Wed would be best) and towards the start of the season as it only gets busier from then on.
If you’re already in Oxford Street then you’re right next door to even more special lights. The Regent street lights may possibly be even better! Stretching across the road from building to building this impressive display is worth seeing year after year. London at it’s Christmas best.
7. Go for a Winter Walk
A winters walk may be just what you need 🙂
There are plenty of parks such as Hyde Park, Regents Park or Battersea Park to go for a winters walk. Head a little bit out from London and there are many woodland areas to explore as well. Wrap up in a warm hat and soft scarf and get outside this Christmas- that hot drink when you get back will taste even better! If you’re lucky you may even catch some snow (typically it comes in January but still hoping for a white Christmas!).
8. Watch a Free Carol Concert
Carol concerts in London at Christmas are a great way to feel that little bit more festive and some are actually free! I went to the one at Trafalgar Square which was being performed by local school children. There are concerts all over the city- some are more expensive than others but some more local ones can start from as little as £7 (look out for early bird tickets).
If it gets too cold outside then take a break and head to an art gallery or museum. Most galleries are free in London from the National Gallery to the Tate Gallery. I find the best exhibitions are often the smaller galleries and I find them on timeout.com(you can filter your search and discover great finds on here). I also love the Photographers Gallery just off from Oxford Street- they always have interesting shows (free admission before 12pm).
With over 200 wooden cabins selling homemade crafts, unique gifts and street food from German sausages to donuts, this is one of the biggest Christmas markets in London. There is also a huge ice skating rink (pre book it gets busy), plus fairground rides, and numerous other activities and events.
Enjoying the festivities
What I like about Winter Wonderland is the cute and cosy ski cabins where you can buy lager, mulled wine or liqueur hot chocolates. Entry is free but the rides and drinks can add up pretty quickly so pick a handful of rides that you really want to go on. I’d also try to avoid weekends as it gets very busy. If you’ve not been before though then it’s worth the trip.
Covent Garden is really pretty at Christmas and has a huge Christmas tree and a Santa’s grotto for the kids. A great pace to shop, eat and relax with a hot coffee. The market is lined with huge baubles and mistletoe- a perfect setting to watch the popular street performers and humorous magicians.
It’s back again this year!Crowds watching the street performers in Covent Garden
12. Warm up in a Traditional English Pub
Coming in from the cold to a warm cosy pub is one of the best feelings. You wont be short of pubs to choose from either as they are practically on every corner. Have a traditional Sunday roast and enjoy the festive atmosphere with friends.
Enjoy a winters evening at the pub with friendsGrab a tasty Sunday roast (yummy!)
London at Christmas truly is magical and a fantastic time for a visit- just remember the wrap up warm! Hope you enjoyed this post- as always please share with friends and pin to Pinterest 🙂
