Image of the London Eye in front of trees decorated with blue Christmas lights
Christmas lights adorn the path to the London Eye.

Can you feel the chilly breezes grazing your cheeks and the crisp leaves crunching under your boots? There’s no denying it: The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to start planning your holiday vacation. There’s truly no better time to visit London; it’s a city so rich in culture, history, and diversion that there’s never a lack of sights to see and explore. If you’re wondering what the best winter holiday attractions, markets, and activities are in this exciting European metropolis, look no further than this holiday guide.

Take part in holiday celebrations and events

Image of the decorative Christmas lights on Regent Street during the winter season
Iconic Christmas lights on Regent Street in London’s West End

There’s nothing more synonymous with winter in London than its annual carnival and theme park held in one of the city’s most iconic public areas: Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. This annual fair truly lives up to its name, and you’ll find locals and tourists alike happily getting into the Christmas spirit. Ride the Giant Observation Wheel to get a picturesque view of the city, attend the family-friendly Christmas circus, or ride some roller coasters if you’re an adrenaline junkie seeking a thrill. Admission to the park is free, and if you don’t feel like partaking in the games and rides, simply have some hot chocolate and sing along to your favorite Christmas songs as they play throughout the park.

Riverside views of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye are great reasons alone to visit London’s South Bank. During winter, this area hosts one of the best festivals of the season, complete with cultural events, music, shops, food vendors, and parades. The Southbank Centre Winter Festival is open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, through January 17, 2016. Enjoy striking views of the city’s best landmarks along the River Thames while you explore quirky markets and watch Christmas-themed shows for families. For those looking to enjoy a drink, there are plenty of restaurants and vendors offering local brews. You can also simply walk along the riverbank as you dance to the sounds of street performers and musicians.

Image of a building on Oxford Street decorated with Christmas lights and a large red sign that reads “DESTINATION CHRISTMAS”
Nothing compares to the cheerful Christmas lights that shine down Oxford Street!

For many people, it’s not Christmas until every street is beaming with decorative lights. If you’re one of them, there’s no better time to walk along Oxford Street in central London. Christmas lights line every building and department store and connect in intricate designs that’ll surely make for great London holiday memories. Don’t forget to walk to nearby Regent Street, which has lights that people come from all around the world to see. There’s no way to resist Christmas cheer when you’re surrounded by the bright glow of London during the holidays.

Harry Potter lovers eager to check out the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and get a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite wizard saga are in luck! This year, this attraction will be transformed into Hogwarts in the Snow. Sets will be covered in winter decorations that mimic the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as it appears during the Christmas season in the films. Tickets must be bought online prior to your visit.

Lastly, don’t miss out on the annual Great Christmas Pudding Race. This quirky London tradition—currently in its 35th year—never fails to put a smile on viewers’ faces. Head over to Covent Garden on December 5th and watch as participants don holiday costumes and race across hurdles, all while trying to avoid dropping their plates of pudding. The event benefits cancer research.

Go holiday shopping

Image of the department store Harrods in front of street traffic during night, covered in lights and Christmas decorations
Don’t forget to browse the Christmas window displays at Harrods, one of London’s best department stores.

The holiday season is about showing your loved ones how much you care by buying them thoughtful gifts! No holiday shopping trip is complete without a visit to one of London’s famous department stores, if for no other reason than to look at their beautiful, intricate window displays. Stores famous for their iconic Christmas designs include Harrods, where you can also visit the vast Christmas World Department and shop for lovely decorations, Selfridges, where you can personalize your gifts, Liberty, for those wanting a bit more luxury, and Fortnum & Mason, where you can sip some afternoon tea after viewing their festive window displays. Fun fact: Fortnum & Mason is also the Queen’s official grocer!

Image of visitors browsing the antique stalls of Portobello Road market, where several items are displayed around them
The antique market stalls of Portobello Road sell great gifts for friends and family.

London also has plenty of great markets that’ll make gift shopping easy for your friends and relatives without breaking the bank. As a bonus, they offer unique and often handmade gifts that won’t be found anywhere else. Here’s a list of the best markets in and around London:

  • Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill— This place is famous for decently-priced antiques and handmade items.
  • Carnaby Street, Soho— Visit for unique clothing boutiques and check out their famous Christmas lights.
  • Camden Passage, Islington— These market shops have both antique and contemporary items and are open all week.
  • Brick Lane Market, East London— If vintage is your thing, you’ll want to explore this fashion hub.
  • Christmas Market at Tate Modern, South Bank— From November 20 to December 23, 2015, browse market stalls for handmade wooden toys, decorations, jewelry, and various food vendors along the Thames.

Remember that in the UK, Boxing Day (December 26) is an official holiday, and plenty of department stores and markets offer big savings.

Spend the holidays in a vacation rental

Image of a living area that includes couches, hardwood floors, a flat screen television to the left, a bay window, and a dining table
Skip the hotel and stay in a spacious London flat like this one!

Most people agree that finding lodging for a trip can be highly stressful. Dealing with sold-out rooms at hotels (especially if you’re traveling with a large group), figuring out the best deals, and then paying extra fees for services you thought would be included can ruin what would have otherwise been a relaxing stay. This holiday season, ditch the impersonal, overpriced hotels and opt for a cozy furnished apartment or vacation rental with New York Habitat.

There are so many benefits to renting a furnished apartment or vacation rental, it’s difficult to list just a few. Want to warm up by a cozy fireplace? Want to be able to cook holiday meals surrounded by your fellow travel companions? Want a great view from your window? Most importantly, do you want to feel at home during the holidays? With a vacation rental, you’ll get several sleeping options for big groups (most flats have extra beds available), some have on-site laundry facilities for your convenience, and others even allow you to bring your pet. You’ll also get more flexibility upon checkout, and best of all, there will be real estate agents ready to help you at every step of the way.

Check out some of the vacation rentals we offer in London, like this Kensington flat, which has ample seating space, a flat-screen TV for entertainment on a rainy day, and proximity to countless city sights.

Enjoy winter recreation

Image of many people ice-skating at a rink next to the natural history museum in London
Grab some ice skates and glide next to London’s Natural History Museum.

One of the best reasons to visit London for the holidays is the amount of winter activities it has in store for those who aim to take advantage of the chilly temperatures. Plenty of famous landmarks almost magically become ice skating rinks during this season, so you can skate in the splendor of awe-inspiring historical sites and pretend you’re in a fairytale of your own.

Here’s a list of the best places to ice skate in London, along with their entry prices:

  • Natural History Museum Ice Rink– Also offers food, drinks, and shops (October 29 – January 3, tickets £12.65 adults, £8.80 children)
  • Somerset House Ice Rink (November 18 – January 10, tickets £7.50)
  • “Eyeskate” at the London Eye (November 14 – January 3, tickets £10.50 adults, £6.75 children)
  • Ice Rink Canary Wharf (October 31 – February 26, tickets £14.50 adults, £9.50 children)

If winter sports are your forte, take a train ride to The Snow Center in Hemel Hempstead and enjoy various slope activities like skiing and sledding in an indoor space. They offer activities for different levels of expertise, so feel free to bring your whole family along.

If you’re lucky enough to visit London while it’s snowing, you can dive right into a favorite local activity: sledding on Hampstead Heath. Plenty of families take their sleds and glide down the snowy hills, but don’t forget to take a moment at the top to look at the entire city from above.

London lends itself to some pretty incredible travel memories. Whether you’re browsing a local market or exploring some historical streets, don your winter coat and let yourself really feel like a Londoner this holiday season.