London at Christmas: 18 Cheap & Cheerful Things to Do

London is my favourite city in the world. Since my first visit in 2012, I’ve visited 10+ times, and in 2025 I had the privilege of spending five weeks in London at Christmas!

The below post is based on my experience living in London last Christmas but I’ve updated it with all of the 2026 info you need to plan this year’s trip!

I’ve been to London at every time of year and I have to say there is something magical about London at Christmastime. The decor, the lights, the markets, the cozy vibes… it’s living up to the hype!

London is a notoriously expensive city (trust me, spending five weeks here is killing my bank account!) but the good news is you don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy the Christmas magic.

Below I’m sharing 17 budget-friendly things you can do in London at Christmas to make the most of the season. A lot of my list is completely FREE activities, and everything else is under £20.

All dates, prices and info below are current as of Oct 2026.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

1. Eat, shop and listen to music at the Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre quickly became one of my favourite Christmas activities in London. We visited in Nov 2025 and loved it!

You have the Southbank Centre Winter Market, located under a bridge right by the Thames and running from Nov 2, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027. It’s atmospheric with the wooden huts but, to be honest, it was my least favourite part of our day out there.

I much preferred the SoLo Craft Fair that was being held just around the corner from the Christmas market at Between the Bridges. It featured dozens of local artisans and their goods, plus cute Christmas decor.

In 2026, SoLo Craft Fair will be at Southbank Centre from 12:00-5:00pm on the following Sundays: Nov 15, Nov 22, Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13 and Dec 20. Check here for more information and dates.

We also happened to visit on a nice and sunny day, which meant beautiful views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament across the water, plus the London Eye right nearby. The London Eye is pricy to ride but free to take a photo of!

Head back up towards the Southbank Centre and check to see what’s on. We caught an awesome (and free!) concert series, Lagos to London. Our daughter, Baby C, was a big fan of the drums!

For more baby-friendly tips and tricks, check out my guide to visiting London with a baby!

And on the other side of Southbank Centre is the Southbank Centre Food Market where a series of outdoor food stalls are set up. They are currently open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

There’s food from all over the world and it all smells amazing! My husband, Colin, ordered Latin Soul chicken and fries and I went for a Korean bibimbap.

All of the mains were around £10-15, so it was definitely a more affordable food market than I’ve seen elsewhere in London (I’m looking at you, Borough Market!). And it wasn’t as crowded as some other markets (once again, I’m talking about Borough Market).

Pro tip: We took our food into Southbank Centre and ate at the tables inside there. This got us out of the cold, near bathrooms and drinking water, and let us watch the free concert.

Southbank Centre also has an amazing gift shop with lots of Christmas goodies, games and artwork. We found the perfect London ornament for our collection for just £5!

2. See the iconic London Christmas lights

One of the things people most look forward to doing on a Christmas trip to London is seeing the lights. This city is famous for all of the beautifully lit streets!

Here’s where you’ll find the best London Christmas lights:

• Carnaby Street
• Canary Wharf
• Oxford Street (a portion of the street has been pedestrianized in Oct 2026, making the Christmas lights experience even better!)
• Regent Street
• Bond Street

Most streets will turn on their lights in early to mid November 2026. Fun fact: The iconic glowing angels above Regent Street have been lighting up every Christmas since 1954!

I went on a lovely Christmas lights walk after seeing a West End show. I had the biggest grin on my face as I snapped photos and embraced all of the London festive magic.

My husband, daughter and I went out again on Friday night to see the lights and it was packed. So pro tip: Aim for around 10pm on a weekday rather than 6pm on a weekend to avoid the big crowds!

And, of course, since these are just lights hung outside along the streets, it’s completely free to enjoy them! Just one of the reasons why London is a must-visit European destination in the winter.

3. Get Christmas-y at St Martin in the Fields

St Martin in the Fields is a church next to Trafalgar Square in Central London. It’s impressive enough from the outside, but the real gem lies underneath.

Take the stairs (or elevator) at the side of the church to enter their crypt, which will be all decked out for Christmas! For more Christmas concerts and services, check out their schedule of events.

When we visited, the crypt was hosting a Christmas SoLo Craft Fair, which allowed us to check out more local, handmade goods – and score some beautiful London art prints.

SoLo Craft Fair will be back at the St Martins Christmas Market on Nov 21, Nov 22, Nov 28 and Nov 29, 2026. Check here for more info.

Even when a craft fair isn’t on, the regular gift shop at St. Martin in the Fields is a great spot to pick up some London Christmas souvenirs. They even had all of their Christmas cards on sale!

And if you’re feeling peckish, you can grab a snack or meal in the Crypt Cafe. I will say, I was disappointed by the chicken tikka lunch I ordered and thought it was overpriced for the portion size. So perhaps just get a sandwich or drink.

And don’t forget to pop into the actual church upstairs; entrance is free. It looks very different from the traditional churches I’m used to seeing elsewhere in Europe.

4. Browse for goodies at more London Christmas Markets

London is lousy with Christmas markets! You’ll find opportunities to sip mulled wine, shop for ornaments, listen to Christmas music, and take photos in front of a tree all over the city.

While food and souvenirs will cost money, it’s usually free to enter a Christmas market and just soak up the festive vibes!

Keep in mind that these markets can get quite crowded, especially in nice weather or on a weekend. Most of the big markets in London are open from early/mid November until late Dec/early January, so hopefully you can find an off-peak time to visit.

Here are some Christmas markets around town you may want to visit:

• Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
• Kingston Christmas Market
• The Royal Mews Christmas Shop
• Fulham Palace Christmas Fair
• Chelsea Winter Village
• Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair
• Mayfair Christmas Market
• Urban Makers Christmas Market
• DIY Christmas Art Market

5. Enjoy Christmas along the Thames at Winter by the River

The pathway along the River Thames is all decked out for the season with Winter by the River, which ran from Nov 13, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026 (stay tuned here for 2026/2027 dates).

You’ll find rows of Christmas market stalls at the London Bridge Christmas Market selling crafts, food and gifts, plus The Glasshouse (a two-storey restaurant and bar with a view) and the Swift Stone Curling pop-up.

We walked along Winter by the River in Nov 2025 and enjoyed browsing the stalls and taking some nice photos with Tower Bridge in the background.

Hay’s Galleria, a little covered mall along the Thames, is also decked out with Christmas decor, market stalls and a festively decorated alpine bar. It’s another great spot for photo opps (and a bathroom break!).

6. Admire the stunning decor at Christmas at Covent Gardens

You haven’t experienced Christmas in London until you’ve visited Covent Garden at Christmas, a covered market with restaurants and shops that has holiday decor, music, entertainment and more!

Covent Garden is one of my favourite places in London so I was super excited to see it all dressed up for the holidays. I loved the giant bells and bows hanging from the ceiling, which will be back for 2026!

Wander all around the market to get the full Christmas experience, starting with the holiday lights turning on on Nov 12, 2026. You’ll find a giant Christmas tree, festive performances and pop-up bars. We even saw a display featuring LEGO Santa and LEGO Rudolph.

Speaking of LEGO, we also saw that there was a LEGO workshop where kids (and adults!) could go in and make a LEGO ornament. We didn’t stop in as we were running late for Baby C’s nap, but it looked like fun. Hopefully it’s back at the 2026 market.

We also caught a bit of a violin trio performing carols while we were in Covent Garden, which added to the festive feel.

PS: If you’re hunting for slightly cheaper London souvenirs, cross the street from Covent Garden to Jubilee Market. While not as posh as Convent Garden, this market is a goldmine for affordable gifts!

7. Support local artists at independent markets and small shops

It’s not free, but if you’re going to spend money in London anyway, why not support a small business or local creator?

We lived in Brixton for our five week stay in London and loved getting to know the local community and all of the incredible independent restaurants and shops. In Feb 2026, we spent another four weeks in Spitalfields, another London neighbourhood known for local shops and restaurants.

Brixton Village is a great place to eat cuisines from all around the world and shop at cute craft, homeware, clothing and floral stores. We picked up a beautiful print and bag from the market, plus ate there every chance we got!

There’s an excellent store, Diverse, just around the corner from Brixton Village. They have beautiful items – books, games, postcards, jewelry – for everyone on your Christmas list. We picked up a card and a book for Baby C there.

Other great places in London to find independent shops and local makers include:

• Broadway Market
• Spitalfields Market
• Camden Market
• Regent’s Park Road
• Bermondsey Street
• Neal’s Yard
• Greenwich Market
• Gabriel’s Wharf
• Chiswick High Road

8. See a Christmas concert or carol service

You’ll really feel the holiday spirit when you attend a London Christmas concert, watching performers and maybe even joining in on a round of your favourite Christmas carols.

Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall is probably the most iconic concert series in London, with shows running throughout Dec 2026. But tickets can be hard to get and expensive. Luckily, there are some budget-friendly alternatives!

For a similar experience, check out Christmas by Candlelight. Rush tickets are available on TodayTix or check Fever for more ticket options.

St. Martin in the Fields has a Christmas concert series, with adult tickets starting at £16 for some shows. They also have carol services that are free to attend. Check out the full schedule of Christmas concerts and services here.

For free London Christmas carol concerts, check out:

• Advent Carols at St. Bride’s Church (Nov 30, 2026)
• Christmas Carols with the Chelsea Pensioner Singers (Dec 13, 2026)
• All Souls Carols (multiple dates in Dec 2026)
• Carol services at St Bartholomew the Great (multiple dates in Nov/Dec 2026)
• St. Paul’s Cathedral (multiple dates in Nov/Dec 2026, see all free and paid Christmas events here)

Check out more free and paid Christmas carol concerts in London here.

9. Walk through festive arcades and malls

Besides the beautiful lights hanging above the streets, you’ll also want to duck into some of London’s little malls, arcades and galleries to see even more Christmas decor.

My favourite was The Royal Arcade off of Bond Street. I loved the colourful lights and Christmas trees. There’s also Burlington Arcade nearby with its iconic chandeliers.

Leadenhall Market is another can’t-miss. This popular arcade is said to have been the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

In addition to festive decor, Leadenhall also hosts a series of pop-up markets, including a craft fair, vintage furniture market, and flea market. In 2025 they had an alpine bar, Christmas walking tours and craft workshops.

Best of all? Twice a day it snowed INSIDE Leadenhall Market (at 12pm and 6pm from Nov 17-Dec 28, 2025; 2026 dates haven’t been announced at the time of writing). You’ll have to show up to see what the magic is all about!

And once again, it’s completely free to walk through these malls and arcades and experience the Christmas cheer.

10. Go ice skating in London

I’m from Canada, so skating is something of a national hobby. Growing up in Toronto, I often went skating with my friends or family on public rinks during the winter holidays.

Ice skating isn’t as big of a thing in the UK, but it’s becoming a fun Christmas tradition to go skating in London!

Unlike the free rinks in Canada, unfortunately all of the London skating experiences I could find are paid. However, admission fees do appear to include your skate rentals, which is a nice bonus!

Here’s where you can go ice skating in London in 2026:

• The Queen’s House Ice Rink
• Skate Leicester Square
• Glide at Battersea Power Station
• Skate at Somerset House
• Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
• Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
• Ice Rink Canary Wharf (closed for 2026)

11. Escape the cold at one of London’s free museums

While the museums themselves aren’t Christmas-themed (though some do have Christmas exhibits), going to a free museum in London is a great thing to do in the winter.

You can warm up, learn something new and keep your budget in check! And if you want to feel extra festive, buy a Christmas ornament from the museum gift shop.

Here’s a list of free museums in London:

• Science Museum
• London Museum Docklands
• Tate Modern
• Tate Britain
• National Army Museum
• National Maritime Museum
• V&A (also V&A East and Young V&A)
• The British Museum
• Horniman Museum & Gardens
• Natural History Museum
• Imperial War Museum
• London Mithraeum
• Fulham Palace House & Gardens
• National Gallery 
• National Portrait Gallery
• Royal Air Force Museum London
• Queen’s House
• Wallace Collection
• Sir John Soane’s Museum
• Hunterian Museum
• Grant Museum of Zoology
• Japan House London
• Museum of the Home

Let me know if I forgot any free museums in the comments below!

I’ve visited 14 of the free London museums on this list and can vouch for them. I’m always impressed that such world class museums are available to visit for free!

Not museums, but you can also book a spot at one of London’s free viewing platforms, Sky Garden, Horizon 22 or The Lookout. I’ve been to all three and they’re such great places to escape the cold and take in the city from above.

12. Gawk at the impressive department store window displays

Window shopping is never more fun than when you can stare at beautiful Christmas displays in the store windows. And London sure knows how to do this right!

Even if you can’t shop till you drop inside the stores, it’s worth walking by just to see the Christmas set ups. The ones I saw last year really blew me away! Plus, it’s free to window shop!

Some of the best London department store Christmas displays include:

• Harrods
• Fortnum & Mason
• Selfridges
• Liberty London
• Hedonism Wines
• Hamleys

I loved seeing the little festive animal displays on the ground level of Fortnum and Mason in 2025. Don’t forget to cross the street so you can take in the whole building, decorated to look like an advent calendar!

The Disney display at Selfridges in 2025 was also quite impressive. They totally nailed the castle and Tinkerbell’s fairy dust! And the windows at Liberty with the “Making of Christmas” were super cute.

13. See a Christmas West End show or panto

The West End, London’s version of New York’s Broadway, is one of my favourite parts about this city. I love live theatre so much and always try to see a show or two anytime I return to London.

At this time of year, you can make your West End visit even more festive by seeing a Christmas show!

Here are the Christmas-themed shows playing in the West End in 2026:

• Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
• Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
• Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas
• Scrooge: Cirque Extravaganza
• The Snowman

We saw a Christmas themed shows for babies called Scrunch at Unicorn Theatre. It was our daughter’s first live theatre experience and one of my favourite things we did in London with our baby!

Or you can see a panto! A panto (pantomime) is a British theatre tradition where a fairytale is given a hilarious, musical, cross-dressing re-interpretation filled with audience participation and improv.

I’ve been to a few panto in Canada but would love to see one in the UK, where they originated. They’re always really fun and the comedy seems to work for all ages.

Here are some London panto shows you can see in 2026:

• Cinderella
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Robin Hood and the Merry Mandem
• Sleeping Beauty
• Peter Pan

Check out more pantomimes in London here, download TodayTix to see everything that’s playing in London, and purchase your West End tickets here!

14. Eat a Christmas sandwich and other festive food

Of course we love the lights, music and decor of Christmas but let’s be honest, it’s all about the food!

Many restaurants in London will have special festive menus and decorated spaces for dining in the winter. Daphne’s in South Kensington is on my bucket list for this!

But most of those menus will be expensive, as restaurants can charge a premium at this time of year. Since my post is all about London at Christmas things to do on a budget, I’m going to offer some budget-friendly alternatives.

Time Out has put together a list of the best Christmas sandwiches in London. These “Christmas sarnies” sound so good – with kimchi slaw, apricot stuffing, double brie layers, and rosemary walnuts taking them from ordinary to magical.

Plus, a Christmas sandwich isn’t going to be nearly as expensive as going for a three-course Christmas meal in London. So save some quid and opt for the festive sando!

Here are a few more cheap Christmas treats to try in London:

• Pret a Manger’s Christmas chocolate bar or sandwich
• Christmas biscuits from Fortnum & Mason
• Toasted Hot Chocolate at Mercato Mayfair (it’s so yummy!)
• Mince pies (you can get them at local bakeries or even the grocery store)

15. Go on a free Christmas walking tour

I love going on free walking tours anytime I’m in a new city. It’s a great way to get your bearings, learn about the history of a place, and note what sites or restaurants you want to come back to later.

Strawberry Tours runs a number of free walking tours throughout London, including a Christmas-themed one! This would be such a fun way to see London’s best lights, displays and markets.

They even offer their tours in different languages, which is awesome since London receives so many international visitors.

While these walking tours are technically free, I think it’s more accurate to say that they are tip-based. Tour guides work very hard, so be sure to support them with a fair tip. Embrace that Christmas spirit of generosity!

Plus, you’ll still be getting a great deal, as a paid or private tour would cost you so much more.

16. Check out more free Christmas displays around London

Thought we were done with the Christmas displays around London? Not yet!

Here are some more beautiful light, tree and decor set-ups you can check out all around London. Best of all, they’re free to see!

• The huge Christmas tree outside The Connaught
• The impressive Christmas display on the facade of Annabel’s
• The Christmas tree inside King’s Cross Station
• All the lights adorning The Churchill Arms pub
• Wreaths outside and Christmas trees inside Claridge’s Hotel
• The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s Ever After Garden (viewing the garden is free, and there’s a recommended minimum £15 donation to dedicate a rose in memory of a loved one you’ve lost to cancer)

Not free, but if you’d like to spend a bit to walk down a magical trail of lights you can check out Neverland at Kenwood House (from £15, 2026 dates not yet released) or Chelsea Winter Illuminations (from £15, Nov 25-Dec 28, 2026).

17. Watch a Christmas movie set in London

Some of the best Christmas movies are set in or near London. My favourite Christmas in London movies are Love Actually and The Holiday. There’s Last Christmas and Bridget Jones’s Diary that are also set in London.

Of course, you don’t actually have to be in London to watch these movies. But how much cooler would it be to cozy up on your hotel bed or Airbnb couch with Colin Firth and Kate Winslet, knowing the movie you’re watching is set right outside your door?

This is a great way to still enjoy London at Christmas while spending no money (all you need is your Netflix account and whatever snacks you have on hand). And it’s a good break from sightseeing.

If you’re packing your London itinerary to the brim, you’re going to appreciate a few hours back at your accommodation to relax. And with a London Christmas movie, you can do just that, while staying on theme.

Even better: After your movie, why not head out and see the film locations in person? You can walk past 10 Downing Street and pretend Hugh Grant is inside dancing to Jump!

Check out this incredible list of filming locations in London for Love Actually, this one for Bridget Jones’s Diary and this one for Last Christmas. My friend Anna on Substack even visited the pub where Cameron Diaz and Jude Law go out in The Holiday!

18. Warm up in a cozy British pub

It doesn’t get more quintessentially British than to sit down in a cozy pub on a cold winter’s night, order up a Sunday roast or bangers and mash, and wash it all down with a pint of beer in front of a fireplace.

While the most charming British pubs are usually out in the countryside, you’ll still be able to find something cute and quaint while visiting London.

There are pubs all over London, so I recommend looking for a highly rated one that’s convenient to where you’re staying. Keep your eyes peeled for a happy hour deal or festive dining opportunity!

Here are a few cozy London pubs on my list:

• The Camberwell Arms
• The Hardwood Arms
• The Waterman’s Arms
• The Cadogan Arms
• The Baring
• The George
• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
• Two Chairmen
• Royal Oak
• Prospect of Whitby
• The Holly Bush

Want to splurge? Here are 4 slightly more expensive things to do in London at Christmas

Festive afternoon tea

Going for afternoon tea in London is on many visitors’ bucket lists. I’ve been to afternoon tea in London a few times, plus in nearby Brighton and Bath, and have to admit there’s something so fun about fancy tea, tiny sandwiches and little pastries.

But the prices at most afternoon tea places are astronomical. It’s wild to me that some restaurants are charging £100+ per person for tea and scones!

That said, if you are willing to splurge, there are some beautiful Christmas-themed teas out there. And they’re not all £100+. Check out this list by Jou Jou Travels for some great options!

Another option to save some money is to go for a cream tea – just scones and tea – which many places offer for a much cheaper price.

Christmas at Kew (Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027)

I was all set to splurge on this one (tickets from from £25.50), as the Christmas light trail at Kew Gardens comes highly recommended. I also like the idea of spending the day out in nearby Richmond (the filming location for Ted Lasso!).

Unfortunately, the timing didn’t work out with our baby’s bedtime, as it was a bit of a trek from where we were staying in Brixton. Oh well, maybe we’ll get to Christmas at Kew next year!

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (Nov 19, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027)

The biggest Christmas event in London is Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. While entrance is relatively affordable (£1 for off-peak, £5.50 for standard, £8.25 for peak), you do still have to pay for attractions, rides, games, food and drink.

I thought this might be fun to attend but one of my UK friends said to skip it. She told me it was more about going on rides and drinking, which aren’t big priorities for us with our toddler.

Santa visits

Back in Canada, you can meet Santa for free at the local mall. But here in London, it seems that meeting Santa is more of a VIP experience.

In researching what to do in London at Christmas, I came across lots of opportunities to buy a ticket to Santa’s Grotto. These experiences include a meet-and-greet with Santa, plus additional activities like crafts, games, tours of elf workshops and presents.

But it’s not free. You have to pay to visit Santa’s Grotto, plus book your tickets ahead before they sell out. And it can get really pricy – Hamleys Grotto at The Langham costs £275 and meeting Santa at the famous toy store will run you £75 – £195!

We ended up meeting Santa at the London Transport Museum because it was included in the cost of admission. I’d highly recommend this museum anyway – it’s a fun thing to do in London with a baby or older kids – so meeting Santa is just a nice bonus!

If you’re celebrating Christmas in London with kids, here’s a list of where to find Santa in London.

Wrapping up: My favourite thing about London at Christmastime

While the giant window displays and Christmas markets are iconic for a reason, I think my favourite thing about being in London at Christmas has to be the way that the holiday slips into the smaller parts of London life.

While living in London for five weeks, I watched as our local butcher shop set up two red lamp posts that played Christmas carols and the nail salon next door to us had a huge festive garland installed.

Lights, signs and holiday menu items seemed to pop up every time I went outside. They weren’t always big enough to draw a crowd, but they infused a little more magic into my daily life.

Since we were away from home for the holidays, it was so nice to have these little festive moments all around us, bringing that Christmas spirit. Big and small, London sure knows how to do Christmas!