What Not to Miss in London at Christmas

London is one of those fabulous cities I long to return to again and again, so I’m thrilled to have Anna from Four Kids One Mom Guide to London sharing the inside scoop on a traditional Christmas in London! This is part of our Holiday Celebrations Around the World series, exploring the holidays in different countries. I love learning about new cultures and traditions every week and can’t wait to find out how they celebrate Christmas in London!

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Christmas Traditions in London England

Since the Victorian era, Christmas has become Britain’s most popular annual holiday. We took a closer look at some of the UK’s best-loved Christmas traditions, and where visitors can enjoy them in the capital – London.

History of British Christmas Celebrations

It’s hard to imagine a Christmas celebration without a Christmas tree, and the world can thank Prince Albert, the beloved husband of Queen Victoria, for popularizing the tradition. 

In 1848, a magazine published a drawing of the Queen, Prince Albert, and their children celebrating around a decorated Christmas tree – similar to how German-born Albert would have remembered from his childhood.

The Prince’s homeland tradition quickly caught on with the British people, and soon most families had a tree decorated with candles, treats, fruit and small gifts. As the century wore on, the Christmas holidays became a time for gift-giving, and a special time for children. And as the gifts became bigger and store -bought, the small gifts and trinkets that adorned the Christmas tree in the mid-19^th century were replaced by larger packages placed under the tree.

Today, the tradition of the Christmas tree is celebrated in grand style in London’s Trafalgar Square. Since 1947, a tree has been given to the people of London from the people of Norway in gratitude for Britain’s support for Norway during World War II. For visitors, the massive spruce – decorated in beautiful lights – is a sight to behold, and daily carol singing in Trafalgar Square provides a festive soundtrack.

Visiting London for Christmas? Don’t miss our favorite London hotels for families.

Christmas Activities in London

Father Christmas was the traditional figure of the British Christmas holiday.  Father Christmas – a man dressed in green robes – represented the returning spring, and would travel from house to house feasting with families along the way. In Victorian times, Father Christmas’s robes changed from green to red, but today many Britons have replaced the traditional moniker of “Father Christmas” with the North American preference for “Santa Claus.”

If you are spending Christmas in London with kids, you will find that Santa greets visitors in his “grotto”, rather than a workshop. Harrods, London’s famous department store in Knightsbridge, hosts a fantastic Christmas Grotto every year (but cancelled for 2020). Other places to visit Santa in London include Hamley’s and Selfridge’s, as well as Kew Gardens and the London Zoo, but there are literally dozens of places to see Santa.

If you are looking for the best Christmas markets in London, don’t miss the ones in Leicester Square, Southbank Centre, Covent Garden, and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park (canceled for 2020). These are some of the best European Christmas markets. And don’t miss the ice skating rinks at the Natural History Museum, Tower of London, and Somerset House.

For history buffs, or those who just want to learn more about British Christmas traditions throughout the ages, a small but hardworking museum called The Geffrye:  Museum of the Home, located just outside The City of London, is a must-see at Christmas time. 

The museum recreates 400 years of seasonal traditions in English homes, and visitors can walk through the evolution of Christmas from the medieval ages to present day.  Authentic festive decorations transform the period rooms, bringing to life many rich and vibrant traditions of Christmas past, from feasting, dancing and kissing under the mistletoe to playing parlour games, hanging up stockings, sending cards and decorating the tree.

Read this article if you need ideas of things to do in London with kids.

British Christmas dinner

And what’s a British Christmas celebration without an indulgent family dinner? The Christmas feast enjoyed in homes across the UK has roots in the middle ages, but it wasn’t until the 19^th century that turkey became a popular centrepiece for the meal, being the perfect size for a British middle class family. 

Roast potatoes, gravy, vegetables such as Brussel sprouts, and dressing (stuffing) are must-have accompaniments on any traditional Christmas dinner table, with a plum pudding (a heavy cake with fruit, nuts, and a little brandy), to finish off the meal.

Christmas Afternoon Tea in London

Rather than sit down in a restaurant for a heavy roast dinner, try a Christmas-themed afternoon tea in London, complete with festive cakes, cookies, seasonal sandwiches, and, of course, scones with clotted cream and jam, served with a selection of teas or champagne. 

Most of London’s high end hotels and shops offer Christmas teas, including The Ritz London, The Langham, The Waldorf Hilton, Marriott County Hall, The Landmark London, Scoff & Banter (multiple locations and well-priced for visitors on a budget), The Savoy, and Claridges.

London looks like a magical place to visit at Christmas. Have you been? Would you like to go?

About the author: Anna Huk blogs about travel tips, special events and family-friendly attractions in London, England at Four Kids One Mom Travel. A freelance writer and mother of four, Anna’s work has been published in the Ottawa Citizen and Today’s Parent magazine.  

If you missed our other Holiday Celebrations Around the World posts, you can click on them to find out more about Diwali, Day of the Dead, and Christmas in Japan.