Best Christmas events in London to make the most of in 2023
It's the most wonderful time of the year, so we've rounded up the most wonderful Christmas events in London to give your holiday a little extra festive cheer.
Christmas is almost here and we can already hear those sleigh bells ringing and Mariah Carey singing. We're all familiar with the festive routines of turkey, presents and mulled wine, so this year why not shake things up with some new Christmas events in London?
Christmas in the capital is a busy time of year, so there's nothing wrong with beginning to plan your festive season early, and we've rounded up the best Christmas events in London to help you do just that.
This year's London festive season is jam-packed full of an impressive range of events, from scavenger hunts, to carriage rides, to orchestral performances. So, grab your best winter coat and prepare your best festive cheer- this Christmas is going to be one to remember.
Here at RadioTimes.com, we're obsessed with all things Christmas. Whether you fancy going to see the best Christmas pantomimes, heading on a Christmas day out or taking in a Christmas show, festive play or musical, we've got you covered.
Best Christmas events in London at a glance:
- London Tootbus Christmas lights tour, from £29
- Christmas at the Movies (by Candlelight Concerts), from £19
- A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens Walking Tour, from £85
- Christmas at Kew Gardens, from £22.50
- Christmas by candlelight at the Freemasons' hall, from £20
- Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas, from £18.25
- BucketRace's Christmas Scavenger Hunt, from £15
- Christmas classics with the Philharmonia Orchestra, from £34.25
- Christmas Shires carriage rides in Bushy Park, from £16.50
- A night at the opera at Christmas, from £27.50
- Christmas light food hunt, from £35
- Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink, from £15.30
Best Christmas events in London for 2023
London Tootbus Christmas lights tour
There are plenty of famous Christmas events in London, but one of the standouts has got to be the famous London Christmas lights. Whether you're taking in the angels on Oxford Street or being dazzled by the explosive colours on Carnaby Street, seeing the London Christmas lights up close is an unmissable experience.
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The London Tootbus Christmas lights tour allows you to get up close and personal with every sparkle of the lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and more. Get your tickets quickly- this experience is in very high demand.
Buy London Tootbus Christmas lights tour from £29 at Viator
Christmas at the Movies (by Candlelight Concerts)
We're big fans of candlelight concerts here at RadioTimes.com, and the only way to make this experience even better is by including Christmas music. This special concert is brought to you by The London Concertante and features music from classic festive movies including Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and more.
Buy Christmas at the Movies (by Candlelight Concerts) tickets from £19 at Fever
A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens walking tour
Whether you're a lover of literature or just a big fan of the Muppets Christmas Carol, you're sure to learn a lot about Charles Dickens and discover hidden parts of London with this Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens walking tour.
You'll be in a small group of six, meaning you'll get lots of personal attention from your guide, who will help you discover hidden London taverns, alleyways and courtyards- and who knows, you might even find the true meaning of Christmas along the way.
Buy A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens walking tour from £85 at Viator
Christmas at Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is one of London's most beautiful green spaces, brimming with gorgeous greenhouses, impressive palaces and cool botanical plants. When Christmastime arrives, the place transforms into another world, full of twinkling lights and festive cheer.
Christmas at Kew is a stunning light trail across Kew Gardens- what better way to brighten up those long winter nights?
Buy Christmas at Kew tickets from £22.50 at See Tickets
If you're stuck on what to buy your loved ones in the run up to the festive season, why not opt for one of our picks of the best Christmas gift experiences 2023?
Christmas by candlelight at the Freemasons' hall
It's time to warm up those vocal cords - and not just with mulled wine this time. Christmas is all about coming together, and the Christmas by candlelight at the Freemasons' hall event allows attendees to take part in some congregational carol singing, as well as enjoying composer pieces and festive choral works performed by the the Belmont Ensemble and the Trafalgar Sinfonia.
This event is taking place every weekend in December leading up to Christmas this year, so you have plenty of chances to share your festive spirit, as well as your undoubtedly beautiful singing voice.
Buy Christmas by candlelight at the Freemasons' hall tickets from £20 at Fever
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas
If you're looking for the perfect combination of fun and learning for your kids, then look no further than the sometimes rude, always interesting Horrible Histories. Their Horrible Christmas shows tell the story of a young boy tasked with saving Christmas, alongside some Victorian villains, medieval monks and familiar faces including Oliver Cromwell and Charles Dickens.
Head on down to the Barbican on 29th December to enjoy this truly Horrible Christmas event in London.
Buy Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas tickets from £18.25 at See Tickets
BucketRace's Christmas Scavenger Hunt
What's more fun than a London scavenger hunt? A Christmas London scavenger hunt of course! This four hour game from BucketRace is based on the classic Christmas song The 12 Days of Christmas and will challenge you to compete against other teams and complete some fun and tricky tasks across the capital.
You'll need a well-charged smartphone to take part in this. Christmas jumpers are not essential, but highly recommended.
Buy BucketRace's Christmas Scavenger Hunt tickets from £15 at Fever
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Christmas classics with the Philharmonia Orchestra
Experience classic festive tunes, from traditional carols such as 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing' to Christmas pop favourites like 'Winter Wonderland' like you've never heard them before. On Sunday 17th December, the Philharmonia Orchestra will be reinterpreting Christmas classics in Royal Festival Hall.
It's the perfect way to end a day strolling through London's many Christmas markets. You'll even have the chance to join in singing with friends, family and event host YolanDa Brown.
Buy Christmas classics with the Philharmonia Orchestra tickets from £34.25 at Ticketmaster
Christmas Shires carriage rides in Bushy Park
Royal Bushy Park is beautiful at any time of the year, but it's especially magical during the festive season- and there's no better way to see it than from a carriage drawn by The Royal Parks Shire horses.
You'll get the full royal treatment, with mulled wine (or a non-alcoholic equivalent) and festive treats included in your ticket prices. Children under two can ride for free on an adult's lap and ticket proceeds go to supporting conservation initiatives in the park.
Buy Christmas Shires carriage rides in Bushy Park tickets from £16.50 at SeeTickets
A night at the opera at Christmas
Opera fans, clear your schedule. On Thursday 14th December, St Mary Le Strand Church are putting on an unmissable musical evening. Attendees can expect to hear an impressive selection of the world's greatest opera pieces, performed by the Piccadilly Sinfonietta, guaranteed to help you celebrate your pre-Christmas weekend in style.
There are two performances, one at 6pm and one at 8pm, meaning you'll have enough time to grab pre or post show dinner.
Buy A night at the opera at Christmas tickets from £27.50 at SeeTickets
Christmas Lights Food Hunt
Santa's got the festive blues and it's up to you to help him find his Christmas spirit. This puzzle-filled adventure will take you on a hilarious trip around central London to help solve Santa's crisis and on the way you'll find two magical street vendors happy to give you sweet treats, festive hot drinks, Italian savouries and more.
There are multiple dates and times for this festive experience — get your tickets today.
Buy Christmas Lights Food Hunt tickets from £35 at Fever
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
There's no experience that's more festive than ice skating, and now you have the chance to do it in front of one of England's most iconic buildings: Hampton Court Palace. From 17th November 2023 until 7th January 2024, an ice rink will be installed in front of the palace, where you and your loved ones can go for a skate.
Hampton Court Palace is located in Bushy Park, meaning that you can enjoy a scenic winter stroll before or after your skating session. Bliss.
Buy Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink tickets from £15.30 at SeeTickets
For more fun days and nights out, check out our Going Out section where we share recommendations for all types of activities, from the best West End shows, musicals and plays, to the best UK stargazing experiences.
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