The DDRE Guidebook
The Christmas Guide to London
The ultimate London Christmas Guide: a curated edit of this season's most magical moments.
From iconic festive facades to winter markets and cosy seasonal highlights, consider this your go-to guide to Christmas in the capital.
The It List
See the Lights!
London transforms into a twinkling wonderland each December, from the soaring angels above Regent Street to the star-studded canopy over Oxford Street, the city becomes one long festive promenade. Whether you wander on foot, hop on a bus or stroll under silent street-lights, every turn feels designed to enchant. Streets lit to perfection, shopfronts glowing, and each corner offering a moment of magic.
- Oxford Street
- Regent Street
- Trafalgar Square
- Carnaby Street
- Marylebone Village
Festive Window Displays
London’s most elegant shopping streets become a seasonal stage each December, where boutiques are transformed into a glittering showcase of festive creativity, with world-renowned luxury boutiques unveiling whimsical and opulent window displays. From shimmering jewellery houses to couture flagships, every storefront becomes part of a magical holiday stroll that blends high fashion, artistry and festive cheer.
- Cartier
- Louis Vuitton
- Dior
- Fortnum & Mason
- Annabel's
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!
London’s most enchanting Christmas trees aren’t just decorations, they’re destinations, each one adding its own touch of magic to the season. From beautifully dressed evergreens to the showstopping installations, these trees turn every dinner, drink and stroll into a moment of pure holiday wonder.
- Daphne's
- The Ivy, Chelsea Garden
- Clos Maggiore
- Sketch
- 34 Mayfair
Ice Skating Spectacular
Gliding across London’s winter ice rinks brings a whole new kind of festive energy - swirls of laughter, warm lights and excited cheers under crisp winter skies. Whether you lace up your skates at the iconic rinks, from elegant hotel rooftops to historic open-air squares, it’s a seasonal ritual where locals and visitors glide, sip hot drinks, and soak up the magic of the city dressed for Christmas.
- Somerset House
- Winter Wonderland
- Hampton Court Palace
- Glide, Battersea Power Station
- Skate, Leicester Square
Shop 'til you Drop
London’s most iconic department stores transform into festive landmarks, going all out to create a sense of magic and wonder that feels uniquely London. Each year, these grand houses of retail transform into glowing winter wonderlands - their façades sparkling, their windows bursting with creative installations, and their interiors filled with festive treasures. They offer atmospheric, creative experiences that capture the spirit of the season: wonder, celebration, warmth, and that unmistakable London holiday magic.
- Harrods
- Liberty
- Fortnum & Mason
- Selfridges
- Covent Garden
Christmas Tree Locations
London’s Christmas trees bring their own sense of seasonal magic to the city. Every December, Trafalgar Square welcomes a majestic Norwegian spruce from Oslo - a deeply rooted tradition since 1947. Nearby, Covent Garden unfurls a towering 55-ft tree against its historic market-square backdrop, turning the area into a dreamy winter courtyard. And beyond the public squares, other festive trees, whether in heritage markets, hotels or bustling hubs, add a warm glow to London’s streets and stations, each one inviting locals and visitors alike to pause, snap a photo and soak up a little holiday magic.
- Claridge's
- The Ritz Carlton
- St. Pancras Hotels
- Covent Garden
- The Lanesborough
Festive Marekts
London’s Christmas and winter markets are among the capital’s most magical seasonal destinations - from twinkling chalets and mulled-wine aromas to handcrafted gifts and street-food delights. The riverside Southbank Centre Winter Market turns the Thames embankment into a cozy fest-lovers’ stroll, while Hyde Park Winter Wonderland transforms a leafy park into a festive village, complete with rides, ice-rinks and artisan stalls. Whether you’re after unique holiday gifts, mulled wine by lamplight, or that warm, communal festive buzz, London’s markets make winter feel like one big celebration.
- Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
- Covent Garden Christmas Market
- Southbank Centre Winter Market
- Greenwich Market
- Leicester Square
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