The city opens again from Wednesday so we have put together the top Christmas experiences in London you don’t want to miss. From a festive bar bus to ice skating and Love Actually in concert, you are spoilt for choice…

Once lockdown lifts on Wednesday, we can all finally explore London during the festive season. While it might not be the same as in previous years, there are still so many things to do. You’ll find unique, iconic and unusual Christmas activities at venues across the capital, each with secure safety measures in place: from pre-booked slots and socially distanced seats, to one-way systems and hand-sanitising stations. Here are some of the top Christmas experiences in London.

Food and Drink

Enjoy the best of the capital’s outdoor dining scene with these cosy Christmas experiences in London:

• Enjoy the best alfresco winter dining in the heart of the West End at Fallow and Heddon Street Kitchen at Heddon Street’s heated courtyard. (from 2 Dec)
• Indulge and celebrate the festive season in style at one of London’s most iconic locations at Igloos at Somerset House. Tickets from £37.50 (3 Dec-1 Jan)
• Dust off those snow boots, because Jimmy Garcia’s Lodge on the River winter pop-up is back with a taste of the Swiss Alps at Southbank Centre. Lunch and evening 3 course menu for £45 (3 Dec-10 Jan)
• Get cosy in Coppa Club’s heated igloos set against the backdrop of iconic Tower Bridge amidst twinkling lights. (2 Dec-31 Jan)
• Sip delicious winter warmers while enjoying stunning views of London on the Winter Bar Bus. Adult tickets are £25 (from 4 Dec)

Christmas Shows

There is a splendid array of Christmas shows to enjoy in London’s West End:

• Celebrate musical theatre and the festive season with the limited run of West End Musical Christmas – live at the Palace Theatre. Tickets from £38.50 (17-20 Dec)
• Watch Love Actually in Concert with a live orchestra at Eventim Apollo. Tickets from £65 (17-20 Dec)
• Enjoy drag, cabaret and innuendo with The Pleasance Theatre’s Queer Christmas Cabaret Season. Tickets are £20 (8-22 Dec)
• Watch Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Nutcracker Delights, an altered version of top scenes from the Nutcracker, performed by the English National Ballet at The London Coliseum. Tickets from £10 (17 Dec-3 Jan)
• Delve into the heartwarming stories shared by former doctor Adam Kay at his hilarious show reciting his fond memories in Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas at the Palace Theatre. Tickets are £20 (21 Dec-3 Jan)

Attractions

See some of London’s most famous attractions dressed up in their finest winter clothes:

• Get your perfect shot for Instagram at Tate Britain’s Chila Kumari Singh Burman winter commission (until 31 Jan), before seeing the works of one of Britain’s greatest artists with Turner’s Modern World. Tickets are free for members, £22 for non-members (until 7 Mar)
• See the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London decked out for Christmas with Hogwarts in the Snow. Family ticket for £150 (3 Dec-17 Jan)
• Take an enchanting journey into a glittering wonderland with Christmas at Kew at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Standard advance ticket is £19.50 (4 Dec-17 Jan)
• Marvel at the magnificent Christmas decorations as Windsor Castle is given a festive makeover fit for a queen. Adult ticket is £23.50 (3 Dec-4 Jan)
• Explore Selfridges’ first-ever festive open-air market behind its Oxford Street flagship store. Market on the Mews will feature a variety of food trucks, plants, homeware and gifts. Free (opens 2 Dec)

Festive family fun

Keep the kids entertained while waiting for Santa to arrive:  

• Go on a journey of discovery to find the most sparkly Christmas lights in the city, from Regent Street, Oxford Street and Carnaby Street to Seven Dials and Bond Street. Free (varying dates)
• Enjoy The Magic of Christmas at ZSL London Zoo for craft activities, film screenings and festive animal-themed fun. Standard advance adult ticket is £32.50 (3-24 Dec)
• Hop on board an Original Christmas Kids Tour where they will discover stories of London at Christmas. Adult tickets from £15 (from 5 Dec)
• Experience the magic of the festive season with Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall including story-time with Father Christmas. Tickets from £16.50 (4-18 Dec)
• Enjoy magnificent views of Henry VIII’s residence at the Hampton Court Palace ice rink. Adult tickets from £16 (5 Dec-17 Jan)

What is your favourite in this list of top Christmas experiences in London? Let us know in the comments below!