Greater London Trip Overview
Christmas in London has a special charm all of its own. As evening begins to descend a magical transformation occurs while carols fill the air with joyful music, bringing back heart-warming memories. For children, this is a time when excitement begins to build as they anticipate what a visit from Father Christmas may bring, and our local guide, with extensive experience in leading tours for families with kids, knows very well how to keep the young ones entertained as you and your family take in some of London’s most beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. After nightfall, you will be able to admire some of London’s most famous streets and squares illuminated by magical Christmas lights, including Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, and the amazing Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. As you wander through the colourful streets, your guide will describe the background surrounding some of London’s best-known seasonal customs and traditions.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Starts: Greater London, United Kingdom
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Greater London Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Christmas in London has a special charm all of its own. As evening begins to descend a magical transformation occurs while carols fill the air with joyful music, bringing back heart-warming memories. For children, this is a time when excitement begins to build as they anticipate what a visit from Father Christmas may bring, and our local guide, with extensive experience in leading tours for families with kids, knows very well how to keep the young ones entertained as you and your family take in some of London’s most beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. After nightfall, you will be able to admire some of London’s most famous streets and squares illuminated by magical Christmas lights, including Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, and the amazing Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. As you wander through the colourful streets, your guide will describe the background surrounding some of London’s best-known seasonal customs and traditions.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Strand, London, UK
The road takes its name from the Old English word “strond”, which means “river edge”, and it originally referred to the shallow bank of a once wider River Thames. The street provides the main link between the City of London and the City of Westminster, and was once popular with the British upper classes, with many historically important mansions being built between the Strand and the river between the 12th and 17th centuries. Although the Strand did not feature Christmas lights until 2015, they have proved to be hugely successful, running from the world famous Trafalgar Square Christmas tree to the beautiful St Mary le Strand Church.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Oxford Street, London W1W 8LG England
Another of London’s most impressive Christmas light displays can be found in another of the capital’s most famous shopping streets. Oxford Street is renowned for its high-street fashion and exclusive designer stores, but each Christmas it also amazes visitors with a vast array of extravagant festive decorations.
The Oxford Street lights are usually the first be switched on in London, and this event also features special entertainment, in-store promotions and performances. The ceremony usually attracts about 1 million people.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Regent Street, London W1, London England
2019 marks the 200th anniversary of the naming of London’s first purpose-built shopping street, which is now a trendy shopping area popular with both tourists and Londoners alike. The street can also boast the capital’s largest lights installation, and is particularly famous for the awe-inspiring “Spirit of Christmas” lights. These stunning suspended spirits were based on Regent Street’s, and indeed central London’s, first ever Christmas lights in 1954.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Covent Garden, Covent Garden, London, England
The cobbled square and quaint market buildings are even more charming than usual at Christmas time. A venue for some of the capital’s best street performances, the Christmas lights at Covent Garden signal the beginning of a series of festive activities. In previous years, dozens of mistletoe chandeliers were hung over the alleyways, a perfect excuse for giving your loved one a special Christmas kiss! Look out for this year’s festive treats!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Trafalgar Square, Centre of the City, London SW1A England
Trafalgar Square is worthy of a visit at any time of year, but at Christmas it is especially romantic, dominated by its famous Christmas tree towering above the onlookers below. Such a tree has been given by the people of Norway to the people of London every year since 1947, and to see its beautiful lights is sure to bring a warm glow to your heart.
The Christmas tree remains in Trafalgar Square until just before Twelfth Night, when it is taken down and subsequently chipped and composted.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Carnaby Street, Soho, London W1F England
Carnaby Street is famous for providing some of the most original and creative Christmas decorations in London. Last year, for example, the street featured giant colourful neon lights spelling out Freddie Mercury’s lyrics, and this year’s installation, which will be switched on on Thursday November 7th, promises to be just as memorable. A Christmas lights experience not to be missed.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH England
Hugely popular with children and adults alike, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is London’s most spectacular Christmas destination! It is located right in the heart of the capital, and will provide you and your kids the opportunity to fully immerse yourselves in the festive atmosphere. The ideal place to conclude this unforgettable tour, it can boast an array of attractions including the world’s tallest transportable Observation Wheel, as well as a new feature at the Magical Ice Kingdom, “A Christmas Carol”, telling the story of the Charles Dickens classic in which Scrooge discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
A visit here is an absolute must if you come to London at Christmas, with a huge selection of festive entertainment and activities, from ice skating and circus shows to a Christmas market and live music!
Note: as you will use public transport, make sure you have your Oyster Card/Travel card with you.
Duration: 30 minutes
