In this article, I am sharing all about the irresistible things there are to do in London during the Christmas Holidays.

Sparkling lights, mulled wine, exceptional food, and a crisp winter vibe to boot!

Street decorations, concerts, ice rings, and Xmas markets… get ready to lose yourself in festive magic in gorgeous London!

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

London is my second home

Before my travel blogger days, I used to be a professional ballet and contemporary dancer in London.

This chaotic, often grey but always fascinating city was my home for 11 years!

But it took much less than that to fall in love with it.

London is grey and mysterious in the winter, bright and cheerful in the summer, and irresistible during spring.

But when the city really comes alive, is during Christmas.

There is something about the crisp winter air, and the incredible Christmas lights the city is decked out in. Or the busy Xmas markets and festive caroling, that simply screams…winter wonderland.

There is no Xmas like London Christmas and below, I tell you all about it.

The Best Things To Do In London During The Christmas Holidays

Without further ado, our yourselves a glass of wine, and let’s go straight into it. Here come the best things to do in London during the Christmas Holidays!

Witness the switching on of the Christmas Lights

Nothing signifies the approach of Christmas more than the glow of seasonal street lights.

And the London Xmas Lights are simply too gorgeous to pass by!

The ignition of the famous Xmas Lights happens in various parts of London at different times and they are all accompanied by events, so keep reading!

Below, I am listing my favorite Christmas Lights ceremonies in Central London.

Regent Street – 14th November

Considered one of London’s most dazzling Xmas light displays, Regent Street is not one to miss!

The world-famous shopping street is closed to traffic from 4 pm-9 pm for the official illuminating ceremony when those iconic ‘Spirit of Christmas’ angels will be switched on for the festive season.

The street is also filled with events, famous performers, and hosts.

The performers for each year are announced a few months in advance, so check this page closer to the time!

Oxford Circus – November

There is not a single tourist in London that doesn’t pass through this iconic street.

Oxford Circus is the epitome of all things London so it is no wonder it hosts 9 million visitors per year. It is Busy, chaotic, gorgeous.

The Oxford Street Christmas lights are usually London’s first to be switched on. In 2021, they were turned on by the mayor on November 19th.

Expect street parties, shopping, carols, celebrities, and all things festive, It is magic!

Trafalgar Square – 5th December

The Mayor of Westminster, Norwegian Ambassador, and governing Mayor of Oslo switch on the lights on the Trafalgar Square tree on the first Thursday in December.

Did you know that The huge tree is a present from Norway?

They have donated a tree to London since 1947, in gratitude for Britain’s support for Norway during World War II.

Covent Garden – November

The world-famous Piazza is illuminating and ignited by over 115,000 glistening lights and it is so magical! In 2021, it happened on the 9th of November.

The 20m Christmas tree, looks unreal, and there are dozens of activities, along with all things festive!

Carnaby Street – 4th November

Carnaby Street’s Christmas lights are usually pretty damn special.

Not only are the decorations one of the prettiest in London. but 2021’s installations were created to raise awareness for Choose Love, a shop set up by the charity Help Refugees, that supports and raises money for refugees all over the world.

2021’s show, which was named Carnaby Kaleidoscope, presented over 600 3D and 2D butterflies fluttering around the area, each one hand-decorated with shining wings and eye-popping neon patterns.

The shop – Choose Love, at 3 Carnaby Street – was filled with gifts for refugees and used over 80 humanitarian organizations to send off the gifts bought by the public all over the world.

The other shops pitched into the Christmas magic too, offering 20% discounts for the public, free drinks, goodie bags, and street parties.

The busy street that is very close to Oxford Circus and Picadilly is gorgeous all year round. But it is clear that it is certainly not one to miss during Christmas for sure!

Christmas Holidays – Shop at Harrods

Harrods is, of course, the world-famous luxurious department store the world knows and loves.

And Harrods thrives on Christmas!

The entire Department Store is illuminated by thousands of lights, and the window displays are a work of art!

Inside the department store, you can shop all things Christmas!

Whether you’re searching for a show-stopping dress, twinkling tree decorations, or extra-special stocking fillers – you’ll find everything at Harrods.

And even if you don’t want to shop at all, you will feel an extra twinkling of Xmas magic just by walking around this utterly iconic store in the heart of South Kensington!

Try Ice Skating with views Of London

I love a bit of Ice skating during Christmas Holidays!

And London does not disappoint.

So look no further than the fabulous ice skating rink outside of the Natural History Museum.

There is something so magical about skating alongside centuries of history…and what better place to do it than in one of the chicest districts in London.

The Natural History Museum is located in South Kensington

Book an Igloo with views of Tower Bridge

Quite possibly the most Instagram – worthy activity in London during the Christmas Holidays!

The Cuppa Club is back this year with the most beautiful luxurious igloos that you can rent for that true Xmas feeling!

Grab your favorite people and head on down to one of this festive igloo for fine food, great drinks, and getting cozy.

Tip: These igloos sell out so fast, so hurry!

Explore The Xmas Markets – Christmas Holidays In London

Christmas Markets, are hands down the best thing about this festive holiday.

There are many European countries with fantastic Xmas markets and London is one of them!

Outdoor markets, Christmas carols, and mulled wine…Furthermore, festive presents, ice rings, street food, gooorgeous street food!

Below find the best Xmas Markets in London

Southbank Centre Winter Market

Open from 4th November until the 21st of December 2021.

Fun-filled family shows, markets, and shopping, twinkling lights, comedy, and cabaret… Southbank Centre in winter is truly magical!

Experience the thrills and daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus at Circus 1903, returning with new acts for 2019 including the Brazilian Wheel of Death.

Saddle up for the five-star retelling of Black Beauty. Blending storytelling, music, and puppetry, it’s a must!

Additionally, a new photographic exhibition London Is Love and New Year’s Eve Spectacular, and a front-row seat to London’s iconic fireworks.

Address: The Queen’s Walk, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom

Borough Christmas Market 

Open from the 13th of December up to the 9th of January. (closed Dec 25th and 26th)

The Market’s historic arches will be decked out in beautiful decorations, once again, alongside Christmas carols, the scent of mulled wine, and a plethora of exceptional products to choose from!

Check the website here for the numerous events and demonstrations taking place throughout the month.

Address: Borough Market, 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Opens 21st November- 5th of January

An absolute must! This is London’s biggest Christmas Market, with over 100 spectacular rides, attractions, and thrilling shows.

Furthermore, there is Santa Land (a whole area dedicated to children) restaurants, cafes, and themed bars for all.

Winter Wonderland is really THE biggest, most extravagant Xmas Market in London!

And yes, it gets very busy! Mornings are great for families where you can enjoy Winter Wonderland at a leisurely pace.

At night, Hyde Park is transformed by thousands of sparkling lights, and a HUGE amount of visitors who enjoy a mulled wine or beer and join in the festivities.

The entrance is free, and the list of activities is endless. Definitely worth a visit, for the WOW factor alone!

Address: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH

Leicester Square Glittering Xmas Market

12th November – 9th January in 2021.

Christmas in Leicester Square transforms the center of bustling London into a wonderland.

Here, you’ll find hand-crafted goods and delicious food and drinks, a Santa’s Grotto, and a whole host of fantastic shows in one of the most beautiful streets in the city.

Entrance is free, with tickets available for shows and the Santas Grotto.

For a full list of shows and online bookings click here.

Address: Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LU, United Kingdom

Sip Cocktails with Rooftop London Views

The Rooftop at St James is one of the best rooftop bars in London with views off Trafalgar Square.

The Rooftop is a space for sipping individually crafted cocktails, sampling small plates, and drinking in the inimitable city view.

Outdoor heaters and blanket selections provide warmth through the Christmas Holidays, making this bar a lovely sophisticated outing.

Tip: Opt to sit at the Gallery, for the most breathtaking views over London.

Discover exceptional Wine at Gordons Wine Bar

Wine lovers rejoice!

Gordon’s is London’s oldest wine bar – dating back to 1890 and it is very much a family business passed on from generation to generation!

The bar is loved by old and young alike due to the totally unique atmosphere in which time seems to have stood still.

As you enter the bar you find yourself in a room with old wooden walls covered in historical newspaper cuttings and memorabilia faded with age.

Make your way to the cellar and you need to stoop to get to your rickety candlelit table – it really feels like you have stepped into a different era!

The award-winning wine list is varied and full of interesting wines at very reasonable prices.

Sherries and ports are served from the barrel.

Food comes in proper portions ranging from homemade pies to wonderfully mature cheeses. The cheeses are something they particularly excel in!

Address: 47 Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NE

Take A Day Trip from London – Windsor

Windsor is only a one hours direct train ride from Waterloo and holds many Christmas wonders.

Queen Elizabeth likes to spend a lot of her time there, and it is where Prince Harry and Megan Markle held their royal wedding last year.

Things to do in Windsor during the Christmas Holidays

There are Christmas carols outside Windsor castle around the statue of Queen Victoria. Mulled wine is available in the Horse and Groom, which is on the same small street.

There are also Christmas carols and Mulled wine at The Two Brewers. This happens in Park street too, so coats are definitely needed!

Tip: They only take cash outside! The Two Brewers also does the best roast dinner in Windsor by far!

Tip: You 100% need to book as they never have room for walk-ins.

This place also happens to be at the end of The Long Walk, which runs through the great park.

During Royal Ascot, the queen uses this path to get to the races!

The Long Walk is beautiful and you can walk from The Two Brewers to the statue of King George at the other end.

No bikes/cars/rollerblades etc allowed.

If you fancy spending time on or looking at the Thames then there are boat trips up to the lock!

You can watch the world go by from the grounds of Oakley Court.

Windsor is joined by a footbridge to Eton where you will find the world-famous Eton College.

I hope you have enjoyed this article, which is filled with ideas on spending the best Christmas Holidays in London!

Use this guide to enjoy this magical city to the max!

Remember to subscribe to my newsletter below for more guides and travel discounts exclusive to my subscribers 🙂

And while you are at it, follow my Instagram too, for up-to-date travel, and plenty of wanderlust!

Love, Tia x

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• The Best Food in London – Quirky and outstanding restaurants in the food capital of the world
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• Winter Wonderland The best winter destinations around the world

The post Christmas Holidays In Spectacular London appeared first on Tia Does Travel.

These gift ideas will work amazingly as Christmas Presents or any other time of the year such as birthdays and anniversaries.

So if you have a friend, family member, or significant other that loves to travel.. keep reading!

Because these gifts are all super affordable, whilst being the type of gifts a traveler would cherish forever!

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

In this day of extreme consumerism, I’m all about buying friends and family presents they actually need.

Sometimes I’ll even go as far as asking my loved ones what it is they actually need this year. 

You don’t need to be a travel addict to enjoy these presents, all you need to have is a suitcase and a passport!

Unique Travel Gifts – Practical Necessities Travelers Love and Need

 A Good Power Bank 

There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of the jungle and the damn phone dies of battery JUST as the Mama elephant finally takes her babies to the river for a drink. And yes, I am speaking from personal experience here!

A power bank is an absolute MUST for any travel scenario and a literal lifesaver in case of power cuts ( this happens more often than you think in Asia!)

Amazon no longer sends power banks to Cyprus, so head on over to Irepairitforyou in Nicosia, Cyprus to get yours!   

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are THE best way to keep your luggage organized. They are extremely lightweight, can hold a lot of clothing, and keep clothes wrinkle and smell-free!

Keep underwear, shoes, and clothes separate and never have to look for anything again!

This is a fantastic present for carry-on luggage as it’s a great way to maximize your space! 

When I travel to Greece, I usually travel with a carry-on so these are a must for me!

A good set of packing cubes can actually DOUBLE your carry-on volume, so anyone who travels will adore this gift! 

An Excellent Travel Neck Pillow

The most powerful item to pack for any long-haul flight is a good-quality travel pillow. 

I love this one because it has an innovative design to hug the neck and chin that makes it super comfortable and a real necessity.

Mine has traveled with me to over 20 destinations around the globe! I call it my lifesaver because it is the sole reason I didn’t have a nervous breakdown during to boat trip from hell to Phi Phi Islands)  

 A Universal Adapter

The king of all presents both in value and convenience.

Never have to worry about buying different adapters for different countries. This Universal Adapter is an all-in-one solution and works excellently around the globe. Must have!  I have had mine for over 7 years!

Portable Travel Jewelry Box

 I bought this last year and it is stunning!

This portable travel jewelry box is the perfect little box with compartments, to keep jewelry safe – especially little earrings, necklaces and rings that always go missing in a girl’s bag!

This is such a perfect little present that ANY girl would adore to receive! 

Travel Containers

Beat the struggle of the 100ml travel! You all know what I mean. You are traveling light, or with a carry-on suitcase, and you are only allowed 100ml in all liquids and sprays.

Obviously, these silicone travel bottles are a staple in any journey I take!

You can get cheap ones from a lot of places, but many are badly made and leak. These gorgeous squeeze bottles ensure you don’t waste any product either. Winner!    

A filter Water Bottle

Save $$$$ and the Planet – this one is a winner!!

The WaterWell Filter Water Bottle is a must-have for international travel to keep yourself safe from sickness.

It cleans up to 99.9% of airborne parasites and bacteria from countries with questionable drinking water quality (Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Costa Rica, and many many more!)

You can use it everywhere – hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, and outdoor activities.

With 1,500 LITRES from the water filter straw, the PUREWELL bottle outperforms the competition and requires fewer refills.

Did you know that drinking unclean water is one of the main reasons travelers get sick while abroad?

Travel Wallet Organiser

This incredible wallet organizer is perfect for both men and women, and super convenient, especially for organizing! Why, you ask? Here’s a quick list!

• Ideal international travel organizer and compact organizer with lots of pockets
• RFID protection keeps thieves from using electronic gadgets to steal your identity and credit card information. Dimensions: 13x23x3 cm Weight: 99.8g.
• Lots of pockets including one on the front for phone, a zippered pocket for important things, 9 card slots inside, an open pocket for small items, big pocket for cash, and a convenient pen slot.
• Water-resistant RIP-STOP Nylon is super durable and will look good for years of continuous use.
• It also comes with a key chain and removable wrist strap.

Coin Purse/ Small Wallet 

All girls will know what I mean; female wallets are usually HUGE.

Mine practically reminds me of a Mary Poppins bag!

And they are so unnecessary when you travel; do you really need all your bonus cards in Latin America? No, you don’t.

 This coin purse is a lovely item for loose change, and can also double as a small wallet for foreign currency.

A little purse for big adventures…Adore!   

Unique Travel Gifts for Special Occasions

 A GoPro Camera 

Drool!!! Does the Go-Pro Hero 10 camera really need an introduction?

Take it hiking, camping, or cycling. Dive it underwater whilst snorkeling or scuba diving.

Snowboarding, skiing, rock climbing- you name it- and the GoPro is good for it.

It’s expensive, but if a few people pitch in, it’s the best Luxury Travel Gift you could give someone who travels. 

*hint hint to all my friends reading this*

Unique travel gifts – The Perfect Travel Gifts To Keep at Home

Scratch off World Map

I’m so in love with this Scratch off World Map!

A gorgeous world map of our glorious planet and you get to scratch off all the places you have been to. It has a great selling price too!

It’s hanging very proudly on my bedroom wall (thanks mum!)!

Do you know how satisfying it is to return from a trip and scratch off another destination?

Disclaimer: The Earth is huge, and you will soon realize you’ve hardly been anywhere. It’s pretty depressing, but also inspiring, to travel as wide and as far as I possibly can!   

Unique Travel Gifts – Luggage Necessities to Make Life Easier

A Portable Luggage Scale

We’ve all been there.

The Shopping monster has taken control of all logic and common sense and we have shopped till we dropped!!!

But how heavy is this suitcase now?

With overweight baggage fees costing an arm and a leg nowadays, this portable Luggage Scale is a great way to make sure you pack your bags according to the airline’s regulations and never pay a single dime on top. 

Disclaimer: You might have to pull a Joey from Friends and wear all your clothing to the airport!

Luggage Cover

During my travels in America, my Samsonite wheels were broken into pieces by careless airport staff.

And this year while I was traveling in Thailand, my brand new hardcover suitcase was so badly scratched the color had rubbed off! So no more!

I am OBSESSED with these gorgeous Luggage covers to keep them safe, and to add a truly customized look to your suitcase!

Available in multiple sizes, it will be hard to contain yourselves.

Unique Travel Gifts  – Travel Inspiration at its Best

 The Ideal Wanderlust Travel Book

This The 500 Best Places on the Planet travel book by the incredible  Lonely Planet is an absolute favorite of mine.

The ultimate travel inspiration book- for anyone wanting to travel in Europe or Internationally! 

This compilation of the 500 most unmissable sights and attractions in the world has been put together by Lonely Planet’s global community of travel experts.

Big-name mega-sights such as the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal battle it out with lesser-known hidden gems for a prized place in the top 10, making this the only bucket list you’ll ever need.

Travel inspo at its finest! Perfect for coffee tables, travel addicts, and wandering hearts!

 So this is it, guys!

My best unique travel gifts will make that special someone so happy!

Whether you are shopping for Christmas, Valentines, Birthdays or any other occasion, I hope this can help 🙂

Make sure you subscribe below for more articles, and while you are at it, follow my travel journey on Instagram too!

Love, Tia x

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• A Day In London With 20 Pounds – Budget tips for cheaper and fun days out in London
• The Best Food in London – Quirky and outstanding restaurants in the food capital of the world
• Best Fry Places around the world – Out of this world potatoes, you must eat.
• Winter Wonderland The best Christmas Markets and winter destinations around the world
• Responsible Tourism – A guide to traveling ethically with less damage to the planet

The post Unique Travel Gifts – That Everyone Will Love appeared first on Tia Does Travel.