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Your one-day Christmas itinerary in London

Pack in all kinds of festive fun during your visit to the city, from markets and meals to ice skating and theatre.

Marianka Swain
Written byMarianka Swain

There’s something really quite magical about Christmas in London, what with all the colourful lights, bustling markets, festive music, and jolly atmosphere at the pubs and restaurants, so if you’re planning on catching a London show, it’s a great idea to extend your visit and make it a full day trip.

Follow our guide to a brilliant Christmas itinerary in the city – if you’re smart about it, you can easily pack in lots of fun attractions and treats in just one day!

You can also book tickets to great attractions in London and check out the best shows on in the West End right now.

Summary

  • Plan your one day trip to London from morning to evening with our guide
  • Visit the city's famous attractions like the Tower of London and London Eye
  • Enjoy festive food and shopping at the Christmas markets
  • Finish your day with a jolly show like Elf The Musical

Elf The Musical

Dinner at Cora Pearl

Skate Leicester Square

London Eye

Winter Wonderland or Southbank Centre Winter Market

Tower of London

Tower of London

Start your action-packed day with a visit to one of the city’s most famous attractions: the Tower of London. You might not be getting the Crown Jewels in your Christmas stocking this year, but you can definitely enjoy seeing them in all their sparkly glory, as well as connecting with the rich royal history.

As an added festive bonus, the Tower has dedicated seasonal events and attractions. You can learn all about how kings and queens celebrated their Christmas, enjoy the enormous Christmas trees and decorations, and even pose on a grand throne for a family picture to commemorate your London day out.

Book Tower of London tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

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Tower of London

Winter Wonderland or Southbank Centre Winter Market

You will definitely have worked up an appetite after all that history. You could either nip over to Hyde Park (via the Central line) to visit London's biggest and best Christmas market at Winter Wonderland, which for a limited time is offering an exclusive circus bundle alongside single-day entry.

Or just a 20-minute walk over the Golden Jubilee Bridge (giving you great views over the Thames) leads you to the beautiful South Bank, where you’ll find venues like the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall. Head to the charming alpine-style chalets where you’ll find a wide variety of street-food stalls – everything from Yorkshire pudding wraps and Himalayan dumplings to Dutch pancakes.

Book Winter Wonderland tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

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Winter Wonderland or Southbank Centre Winter Market

London Eye

A five-minute stroll from Southbank Centre Winter Market is this iconic attraction, which is a must if you’re visiting the city. The London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel, which means it’s an epic ride and gives you unparalleled panoramic views over landmarks like Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace.

The views are particularly lovely on a frosty winter’s day, and it’s a great way to take in lots of the city while keeping warm! You can even add to the festive cheer by opting for the Champagne experience and making a Christmas toast as you survey this beautiful skyline.

Book London Eye tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

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London Eye

Skate Leicester Square

It’s time to head into the centre of London to continue your festive fun. Walk to the nearby Waterloo Bridge – that takes you right into the West End in about 15 minutes, and you get a different view across the Thames. Alternatively, you can take the Northern line from Waterloo Tube station to Leicester Square.

Now you can get your skates on and enjoy a Christmas-only London event: Skate Leicester Square. Once a year, a rink is constructed right in the heart of town where you can slide around in your best Dancing On Ice fashion, or just enjoy a hot drink at the seasonal bar nearby and enjoy the atmosphere.

Skate Leicester Square

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09:00

The Breakfast Club

Head to one of The Breakfast Club’s central London branches for a slap-up English cafe classic.

10:30

Buckingham Palace

Is there anything more British than the changing of the guards? Arrive early for a good spot to watch this historic event, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10.45am.

Dinner at Cora Pearl

You’ve definitely worked up an appetite once again, and happily you’ve got a wide variety of culinary options in the West End. Why not saunter over to the world-famous Covent Garden, which is a joyful spot at Christmas with its market stalls, music and cheer. There’s also something to suit all tastes here for dinner.

Try the renowned brasserie Cora Pearl, which is named for a 19th-century courtesan who lived nearby (and later became the toast of Paris), and housed in a historic townhouse. There’s an excellent pre-theatre set menu (two courses for £35, three for £38), featuring delicious dishes like chicken, pancetta and tarragon pie.

Dinner at Cora Pearl

Elf The Musical

Cap off your London day with a very Christmassy trip to the theatre. It’s just a seven-minute walk over to the Aldwych Theatre, where you’ll find the very jolly production of Elf The Musical. Based on the beloved movie comedy, the story centres on Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who travels to New York to find his father.

It’s a madcap romp packed with slapstick and fun, along with some heart-warming Christmas themes around family, love and acceptance. Featuring a starry cast led by Joel Montague, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Aled Jones, this is a fantastic choice for the whole family, and the perfect end to your London Christmas adventure.

Book Elf The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

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Elf The Musical