Christmas can be an inordinately expensive time, and while there are so many brilliant festive activities to do in London, a lot of them cost the earth! Personally, I recommend mixing a few special paid experiences with the best free things to do in London at Christmas. You can still have a magical festive day out with your children without compromising on quality. I have a seven-year-old and a three-year-old, and when I ask them what their favourite Christmas activities have been, they often say the free stuff!
If you’re looking for the full festive experience, I’ve also put together my guide to the best things to do in London at Christmas with kids, including Santa experiences, ice skating, Christmas shows, afternoon teas and more.
My Top Free Christmas Picks for Families
Best overall: Covent Garden at Christmas
Best for Christmas lights: Bond Street
Best façade: Annabel’s
Best Christmas tree: Trafalgar Square
Best free festive experience: My Christmas lights walk (scroll to the end)
Best with younger children: Hamleys and Regent Street lights
London is expensive but Christmas isn’t the only time you can enjoy the city without spending a fortune – my guide to the best free things to do in London with kids has lots more ideas for completely free family days out throughout the year.
Best Locations for Christmas Lights in London
Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier every year, but the true sign that the festive period is here is London’s famous Christmas lights being switched on (not the arrival of the M&S Christmas sandwich, as some might think!). Of course, the lights are completely free to see and, if you can’t make one of the official switch-ons, walking around London’s Christmas lights at any time during the festive season is an absolute treat and something I love doing every year. These are my favourite areas and streets in London for Christmas lights and displays.
The 2026 switch-on dates have not yet been announced, so I have included last year’s dates as a guide and will update this post as soon as this year’s are confirmed.
Oxford Street (3 November) – The BIG one and usually one of the first displays to switch on. London’s most famous shopping street is traditionally illuminated by thousands of stars stretching above Oxford Street. It gets incredibly busy, so I prefer to see this one earlier in the evening with children.
Regent Street (6 November) – One of London’s most iconic Christmas displays. There’s nothing quite like walking beneath the enormous Spirit of Christmas angels suspended above Regent Street, especially once it gets dark.
Carnaby Street (6th November) – Carnaby Street usually does something a little different, with colourful sculptural LED installations rather than traditional Christmas lights.
Bond Street (11 November) – London’s fanciest shopping street always takes my breath away at Christmas. As well as the beautiful street lights, the designer boutiques go all out with their festive façades. Where else would you see a giant illuminated Chanel bottle suspended above you?
Covent Garden (12 November) – One of London’s biggest Christmas trees, a spectacular cascade of bells hanging above the Market Building and always a brilliant photo opportunity. Fingers crossed the famous Christmas sleigh is back too!
Leadenhall Market (13 November) – Leadenhall Market is always worth catching at Christmas, as the gorgeous Victorian arcade looks even more beautiful covered in festive lights and decorations. Last year they even had snowfall!
Chelsea (15 November) – Chelsea is another favourite of mine for Christmas lights and decorations. I loved last year’s 12 Days of Christmas theme around the neighbourhood and can’t wait to see what they do this year.
Best Free Christmas Displays and Decorations in London
Along with the street displays, it’s well worth visiting the individual restaurants, shops and hotels which seem to actually outdo them selves every year, these are my favourites which kids will also love.
I absolutely recommend a trip to Bond Street, where the designer stores go all out with their Christmas decorations. Look out for Cartier, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Chanel – the displays seem to get bigger and more extravagant every year.
London’s famous department stores are another must for spectacular Christmas displays. Harrods is usually covered in a curtain of golden lights, while Fortnum & Mason has become known for transforming its Piccadilly façade into an enormous illuminated Advent calendar. Last year, Selfridges went even bigger with a giant Disney castle! All three also have incredible Christmas shops, so they’re worth popping inside while you’re there.
Annabel’s private members’ club is always a must-see. You don’t need to be a member to admire the incredible façade from outside, and there’s a completely different creation every year. My favourite was the year the entire building was transformed into a giant Christmas tree.
London’s luxury hotels also compete for some of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in the city. Claridge’s, The Dorchester, The Savoy and The Ritz are always worth seeing, while The Connaught usually has a spectacular Christmas tree outside created by a leading artist or designer. Raffles London at The OWO is another brilliant one to visit – we loved its pop-up Gingerbread House last year – while The Peninsula London also looked beautiful and even had a festive pop-up sweet shop.
Battersea Power Station always does Christmas beautifully, with giant baubles, illuminations and decorations around the iconic building. There are usually pop-up markets and plenty more going on too, although activities such as rides and Glide ice skating are ticketed.
Finally, I love the Ever After Garden, a beautiful garden filled with thousands of illuminated white roses in Grosvenor Square in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The garden is free to enter, although a charity donation is very much appreciated. It’s particularly beautiful after dark and has a much quieter, more reflective atmosphere than many of London’s big Christmas displays. I dedicated a rose to my dad last year, so this one is especially meaningful to me.
Best Christmas Trees to Visit in London
A Christmas tree tour of London is a really cute idea for a festive day out and it doesn’t cost a thing! The most famous Christmas tree is found in Trafalgar Square, where Norway has gifted London a huge tree every year since 1947 as a thank you for Britain’s support during the Second World War. It sits proudly in the square throughout the festive season and you’ll usually find a Christmas market here too.
The enormous Covent Garden Christmas tree is one of London’s most iconic festive sights and makes a brilliant stop with children as there is so much else to see around the Piazza. Combine it with the beautiful decorations around the Market Building and you’ve got plenty of Christmas magic without spending anything.
London’s luxury hotels always have beautiful Christmas trees and most don’t mind you popping in for a quick look, with respect and mindfulness of hotel guests of course! The Dorchester always has a gorgeous towering Christmas tree, while Claridge’s is famous for its annual designer Christmas tree, with a different big name invited to create it each year. Last year the Christmas tree at St Pancras station was a light up music box with a ballerina and baubles each handpainted by children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. I can’t wait to see what they do this year.
St Pancras International has become another one to watch as its Christmas tree is usually anything but traditional. Last year’s installation was a giant illuminated music box featuring a ballerina and baubles hand-painted by children from Great Ormond Street Hospital. I can’t wait to see what they do this year.
One of my favourite ideas for a completely free Christmas day out is to turn London’s Christmas trees into a Christmas tree treasure hunt. Pick three or four that are within walking distance of each other, wrap up warm and see how many you can find. Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and some of the Mayfair hotel trees can easily be combined into one festive walk.
Best Free Christmas Markets in London
Visiting a Christmas market is completely free – even if you do end up spending money once you’re there! London has plenty to choose from during the festive season and these are some of our favourites with kids.
The Southbank Centre Winter Market is one of the classics, with traditional wooden chalets lining the Thames and a brilliant central London setting. It’s particularly lovely once it gets dark and you can combine it with a walk along the South Bank to see the festive lights.
Old Spitalfields Market is another good option, particularly if you want to escape the weather as much of the market is covered. There are independent shops, market stalls and plenty of places to eat, with festive events and decorations appearing in the run-up to Christmas.
Personally, I really like the smaller Trafalgar Square Christmas Market, which also gives you the chance to see London’s famous Christmas tree at the same time. It’s an easy one to combine with Covent Garden and the West End Christmas lights too.
Leicester Square Christmas Market, though undoubtedly touristy, is a surprising gem. The market itself is really cute and, surrounded by the lights and theatres of the West End, it has very strong London-at-Christmas vibes!
Finally, Leadenhall Market is worth checking out for the setting alone. The beautiful Victorian market building looks particularly magical decorated for Christmas and makes a lovely stop if you’re in the City.
Free Christmas Events and Activities for Kids in London
There are always lots of free Christmas activities, workshops and festive events for children popping up across London. Many of the 2026 events haven’t been announced yet, so I’ll be updating this section as we get closer to Christmas.
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland – Love it or hate it… I can go either way myself, but Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is undoubtedly one of London’s signature Christmas experiences. You’ll find Christmas markets, thrilling rides, Father Christmas’s Grotto, ice skating, shows and plenty of festive food.
free entry is available at certain times, so you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to experience it. Rides, shows and food obviously cost extra, but you can simply wander around, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the Christmas market without booking lots of additional activities.
Dates: 19 November – 3 January
Southbank Centre Winter Festival
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival returns every year alongside its Christmas market with festive installations, performances and family activities along the Thames. Full details of the free events for Christmas 2026 are still TBC, so watch this space!
Natural History Museum
Even the dinosaurs get into the Christmas spirit! Visit the Natural History Museum’s famous animatronic T. rex, which sports its very own dino-sized Christmas jumper during the festive season. General admission to the museum is free, making this a very easy Christmas activity to combine with a day in South Kensington.
Dates: 1 December – 22 December
Age: All ages
A Trip to the Farm
One of our forever favourites, Vauxhall City Farm usually gets into the Christmas spirit with festive activities for families. Previous Christmas programmes have included a Santa’s Grotto, light trail, market and crafting. The farm itself is free to visit and is particularly easy with small children, babies and toddlers.
Hamleys
Hamleys is always fun at Christmas and you don’t necessarily need to buy anything to enjoy it – though you will struggle to get away with that! Its ongoing free entertainment becomes festive, with the famous opening ceremony, puppet shows, character appearances and the chance to meet Hamleys Bear.
It’s particularly good with younger children and as it’s on Regent Street you can also see the Christmas lights just outside.
If you’re visiting London with your littlest love, I’ve also rounded up my favourite Christmas activities for babies and toddlers in London, with plenty of ideas especially suited to younger children.
Best Free Festive Walks in London
Taking a crisp winter walk around London’s best Christmas decorations is one of my favourite free things to do during the festive season. Here’s a very SilverSpoon-coded Christmas walk that takes in some of London’s most beautiful lights, trees and displays.
🎄 The Perfect London Christmas Walk
Start: Covent Garden
Start beneath the giant bells and baubles, see the enormous Christmas tree and wander through the Piazza. For me, this is probably the single most Christmassy place to start, with the tree, decorations and festive atmosphere all in one spot.
Seven Dials → Neal Street → Soho
Rather than heading straight for Regent Street, walk through Seven Dials and across Soho. This part of the route is less about ticking off Christmas lights and more about soaking up London itself, with plenty of little streets and places to stop along the way.
Carnaby Street
Head to Carnaby Street to see its annual Christmas installation. The display changes every year and is usually colourful, creative and completely different from the more traditional lights elsewhere in the West End.
Regent Street
This is one of the big moments. Walk beneath the enormous Spirit of Christmas angels after dark, one of London’s most iconic Christmas sights.
Oxford Circus → New Bond Street
I’d only touch Oxford Street briefly rather than walking the whole thing (trust me, it’ll be crowded!). Instead, head south through Mayfair to New Bond Street, where the luxury shops’ stunning Christmas façades and windows will take your breath away.
Burlington Arcade
Walk through this beautiful historic arcade on your way towards Piccadilly. It’s particularly gorgeous at Christmas and gives you that lovely old-fashioned London feeling between the bigger light displays.
Fortnum & Mason
Come out onto Piccadilly and stop at Fortnum’s to see the famous Advent Calendar façade and Christmas windows. Pop inside for a wander around the Christmas shop if you have time – it’s one of those classic London-at-Christmas stops.
St James’s → Waterloo Place → Trafalgar Square
Finish by walking through elegant St James’s and Waterloo Place before arriving at the famous Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. It makes the perfect finale to the walk — and you’ve managed to see an enormous amount of festive London without spending a penny.
SilverSpoon Tip: I’d allow around 2–2.5 hours with children, because you’ll inevitably stop for photos, shop windows and something to eat. Start at around 3:30–4pm in December and you’ll see Covent Garden as the evening begins, before reaching Regent Street, Bond Street and Mayfair once the Christmas lights are properly glowing.
Final Thoughts on the Best Free Things to Do in London at Christmas
Christmas in London certainly isn’t cheap, but you really don’t need to spend a fortune to experience some of the best festive magic the city has to offer. From the famous Christmas lights and spectacular trees to beautiful window displays, markets and festive walks, there are plenty of free things to do in London at Christmas with kids.
Personally, I think the perfect Christmas day in London combines one special paid experience with some of these brilliant free activities. See a show, visit Santa or book a festive afternoon tea, then head out to see the lights, find down London’s best Christmas trees or follow my Christmas walk through the West End.
I’ll continue updating this guide as more free Christmas events and activities for 2026 are announced, so do check back as we get closer to the festive season.
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