December in London is dark and cold, and you should know that upfront. The sun sets before 4pm for most of the month, temperatures hover around 9°C (48°F) during the day and drop to about 5°C (40°F) at night, and there is a persistent dampness in the air that cuts through whatever coat you brought. That said, this is also the month when London does something it rarely gets credit for: it becomes genuinely, almost theatrically beautiful. The Christmas lights along Regent Street and across Covent Garden transform grey streets into something worth walking through slowly, even in the drizzle.
The real draw here is the season itself. Winter Wonderland takes over a sizable chunk of Hyde Park, the Southbank Centre runs its Christmas market along the Thames, ice rinks appear at Somerset House and the Natural History Museum, and the West End is in full swing with pantomimes alongside its usual roster. London at Christmas has a specific mood — mulled wine in paper cups, roasted chestnuts from a street vendor, the faint smell of cinnamon near any market stall. It is not a beach holiday. It is not even comfortable, a lot of the time. But if you like cities when they lean into a season, December London delivers.
Mind you, this comes at a cost. Hotel rates climb sharply in the second half of the month, restaurants in central London book out for Christmas parties weeks in advance, and the Tube gets noticeably more packed with shoppers. If you are budget-conscious, early December — say the first two weeks — offers most of the same atmosphere at noticeably lower prices, before the holiday rush takes full hold.
Why visit in December
- Christmas lights and decorations across central London are genuinely spectacular — Regent Street, Carnaby Street, and Covent Garden each have distinct installations that feel worth the cold walk
- Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park is one of Europe's largest Christmas events, running all month with rides, food stalls, and an ice rink spanning several acres
- West End theatre peaks in December with pantomime season alongside the regular programme — booking options are wider than any other time of year
- Museum and gallery density means rainy afternoons are never wasted — the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, and V&A are all free and stay open late on select evenings
- Early December (before the 15th) still offers reasonable hotel rates and thinner crowds while the full Christmas atmosphere is already in place
Worth knowing
- Daylight is brutally short — sunrise around 8am, sunset by 3:50pm, which gives you fewer than eight hours of natural light for sightseeing
- The cold is damp rather than dry, which tends to feel colder than the thermometer suggests — 5°C with London's humidity can feel closer to freezing
- Hotel and flight prices spike sharply from mid-December through New Year, with rates in central London running 40-60% above the annual average
- Popular restaurants and Christmas events book out weeks ahead — spontaneous plans are harder to pull off than in quieter months
Best for
Think twice if
December in London is cold, grey, and damp. Expect overcast skies on most days, with occasional clear spells that feel like a small gift. Rain tends to come as persistent drizzle rather than downpours — the kind that does not seem heavy enough for an umbrella but soaks you through if you ignore it. Frost is possible on clear nights, particularly toward the end of the month. Snow is rare in central London, though you might get a dusting — do not count on a white Christmas. The humidity sits high at 87%, which makes the cold feel sharper than the numbers suggest. Mornings can be foggy along the Thames.
Seasonal caution
- Daylight hours are the shortest of the year — roughly 7 hours and 50 minutes of light by mid-December, with sunrise after 8am and sunset before 4pm. Plan outdoor activities for midday.
- Damp cold with 87% humidity can feel significantly colder than the actual temperature. Wind chill along the Thames and in open parks like Hyde Park drops the perceived temperature further. Dress warmer than you think you need to.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7 | 2 | 69 |
| Feb | 10 | 3 | 54 |
| Mar | 12 | 4 | 54 |
| Apr | 14 | 5 | 39 |
| May | 18 | 9 | 63 |
| Jun | 22 | 12 | 53 |
| Jul | 23 | 14 | 70 |
| Aug | 23 | 14 | 40 |
| Sep | 20 | 12 | 77 |
| Oct | 16 | 10 | 87 |
| Nov | 11 | 6 | 76 |
| Dec | 9 | 5 | 63 |
Headline events
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Late November through early January (open throughout December)
One of Europe's largest Christmas events, taking over a significant section of Hyde Park with an ice rink, fairground rides, a Christmas market with over 200 stalls, circus performances, and food vendors. It draws millions of visitors across its six-week run and is, for many, the single thing that defines a London Christmas trip. Entry to the park is free, though rides and the ice rink charge separately.
New Year's Eve Fireworks on the Thames
31 December, midnight
London's midnight fireworks display launches from barges along the Thames and from the London Eye, with viewing areas along the South Bank, Victoria Embankment, and several bridges. The display runs about 12 minutes and is watched by roughly 100,000 ticketed spectators in person and millions on television. Tickets sell out quickly — typically within days of release in September or October.
Best things to do in December
Ice skating at Somerset House
outdoorThe courtyard rink at Somerset House in the Strand is arguably London's most atmospheric ice skating experience, set within the neoclassical courtyard of an 18th-century building. Sessions run day and evening, with the evening slots particularly striking when the building is lit up. A DJ sometimes plays on weekend evenings. The rink is not enormous, so it feels intimate rather than industrial.
The rink operates only from November through January. December evening sessions, with the courtyard illuminated and frost in the air, are the peak experience.Booking tipBook online at least a week ahead for weekend evening sessions — they sell out. Weekday mornings are quieter and cheaper.
Walking the Christmas lights trail
sightseeingRegent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Bond Street, and Covent Garden each mount distinct Christmas light installations from mid-November. A walking route connecting all of them takes roughly 90 minutes at a comfortable pace and passes through some of London's most recognisable streets. Carnaby Street tends to do something playful and different each year. Covent Garden suspends thousands of baubles and a large tree in the piazza.
The lights are switched on in November but December — especially evenings after 4pm when darkness falls — is when the full effect hits. The streets are decorated, shops are lit, and the atmosphere peaks.Booking tipFree and self-guided. Start at Regent Street and work south through Carnaby and into Covent Garden. Go on a weeknight to avoid the worst of the shopping crowds.
Pantomime at a West End theatre
culturePantomime is a uniquely British theatrical tradition — a raucous, audience-participation retelling of fairy tales with slapstick comedy, cross-dressing, celebrity casting, and children shouting at the stage. The London Palladium in Soho typically hosts the flagship production. It is loud, silly, and utterly unlike anything else in the West End. Adults without children attend and enjoy it without irony.
Pantomime season runs from late November through January, but December is the heart of it — the most performances, the widest selection, and the most festive atmosphere in the theatres.Booking tipThe London Palladium panto sells out early. Book by mid-November for December dates. Smaller theatres like the Hackney Empire also run well-regarded pantos at lower prices.
Kew Gardens Christmas light trail
outdoorThe Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew runs an after-dark illuminated trail through the gardens each winter, with light installations, projections on the Palm House, tunnels of light, and fire pits along the route. The mile-long trail takes about 60-90 minutes and passes through sections of the gardens you would not normally see at night. Mulled wine and street food are available along the route.
The trail runs from mid-November through early January. December evenings — cold, dark by 4pm — are when the contrast between the lit installations and the night sky is strongest. It is a different Kew entirely from the daytime summer visit.Booking tipSells out on weekends weeks in advance. Book online as soon as dates are released, typically in September. Weeknight tickets are easier to get and the experience is less crowded.
Christmas market browsing at the Southbank Centre
food_and_drinkThe Southbank Centre Winter Market stretches along the Thames between the Royal Festival Hall and the BFI, with wooden chalets selling food, gifts, and drinks. German sausages, raclette, crepes, and mulled wine are the staples. The backdrop of the Thames and the city skyline across the water is genuinely good, especially at dusk.
The market runs November through December. Early-to-mid December has the best balance of festive atmosphere and manageable crowds. By the last week before Christmas it gets properly packed.Booking tipNo booking needed. Arrive before noon on weekends for breathing room. Weekday lunchtimes are the sweet spot — market traders are there, crowds are not.
Afternoon tea with a Christmas menu
food_and_drinkMany of London's hotels and tea rooms run special Christmas afternoon teas in December, swapping the usual scones-and-finger-sandwiches format for seasonal variations — mince pie tarts, cranberry scones, Christmas cake petit fours, champagne pairings. The Wolseley on Piccadilly, Claridge's in Mayfair, and Sketch in Mayfair all do notable versions. It is an expensive but quintessentially London-in-December experience.
The Christmas menus are December-only. The combination of cold weather outside and a warm, ornate dining room with seasonal food hits differently than the same experience in July.Booking tipBook at least 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend sittings at the well-known venues. Claridge's books out a month or more in advance for December.
Borough Market seasonal shopping
food_and_drinkBorough Market in Southwark runs a normal schedule in December but the offerings shift toward seasonal produce: game meats, Stilton wheels, Christmas chutneys, artisan mince pies, truffle products, and hamper ingredients. The atmosphere on a cold Saturday morning — steam rising from food stalls, the smell of fresh bread and roasting meat — is December London at its most sensory.
The market's seasonal produce peaks in December as traders stock Christmas specials. The pre-Christmas Saturdays (first three weekends of December) have the best selection before traders wind down for the holiday itself.Booking tipNo booking. Go early on Saturday — by 9:30am — to beat the crowds. The market closes for Christmas Day and reopens after Boxing Day.
Day trip to Bath or Winchester Christmas markets
day_tripBoth Bath and Winchester run well-regarded Christmas markets that feel distinctly different from London's. Bath's fills the streets around the Abbey with wooden chalets; Winchester's sits in the Cathedral Close. Both are roughly 90 minutes by train from London Waterloo or Paddington and make for a full but satisfying day out.
Both markets run from late November through late December. A cold weekday mid-December is ideal — the stalls are open, the cathedrals are decorated, and the smaller-city scale means they feel less overwhelming than London's sprawl.Booking tipBook train tickets in advance for off-peak returns — prices can triple if you buy on the day. A weekday visit avoids the weekend crush.
What to eat in December
On menus now
Game meats
December is deep into British game season. Venison, pheasant, partridge, and grouse appear on restaurant menus across London, from Borough Market stalls to Mayfair dining rooms. The meat tends to be leaner and more intensely flavoured than farmed alternatives. Pie and mash shops sometimes run a venison pie special this time of year.
Street food peaks
Roast chestnuts
Street vendors roast chestnuts over open braziers on corners around the West End, Covent Garden, and along the South Bank throughout December. The smell is as much the point as the taste — warm, slightly smoky, sweet. They come in a paper bag and warm your hands while you eat them.
What to drink
Mulled wine
Warm red wine spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and orange peel, served at every Christmas market and many pubs throughout December. The Southbank Centre market version, served in a reusable mug, has become something of a ritual. Quality varies wildly — the best are made with decent wine and real spices rather than syrup.
In markets
Stilton cheese
British blue Stilton reaches its peak flavour in the cold months, and December is traditionally when whole wheels appear as Christmas gifts and on cheese boards. Neal's Yard Dairy in Covent Garden carries exceptional selections. Rich, sharp, crumbly — it pairs well with the port that also flows freely this month.
Festival food
Mince pies
These small pastry cases filled with spiced dried fruit, brandy-soaked currants, and candied peel appear everywhere from corner bakeries to pub counters starting in November and peak in December. The best ones have butter-rich shortcrust and a generous ratio of filling to pastry. You will find them offered with tea in nearly every setting, from a Marylebone cafe to a Bermondsey market stall.
Christmas pudding
A dense, dark, steamed pudding made months ahead with dried fruit, suet, breadcrumbs, and generous amounts of brandy. Traditionally set alight at the table and served with brandy butter or cream. Most restaurants in London run a Christmas pudding on their December dessert menu, and the better gastropubs make their own.
Regular events in December
Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lighting ceremonyFree
Norway has gifted a large Norwegian spruce to London every year since 1947 in gratitude for British support during the Second World War. The tree stands in Trafalgar Square throughout December, and there is a lighting ceremony with carol singing in early December. It is a low-key, free event with genuine historical weight behind it.
Early December (usually the first Thursday)Christmas Day swim at the SerpentineFree
Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club take their annual Christmas morning dip in the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park. Spectators gather along the banks to watch swimmers brave water temperatures around 4-6°C. It has been running since 1864 and draws a small but dedicated crowd of onlookers and participants.
25 December, morningBoxing Day salesFree
The traditional post-Christmas sales begin on 26 December, with major department stores like Selfridges, Harrods, and Liberty opening early to queues that form well before dawn. Oxford Street and Regent Street see some of the heaviest foot traffic of the entire year. Discounts can be genuine — 30-50% off at many retailers — though the crowds are considerable.
26 December onwardsEFG London Jazz Festival (late November spillover)
While the main festival wraps in late November, associated events and late additions often run into early December at venues across the city including the Barbican, Ronnie Scott's in Soho, and the Southbank Centre. Worth checking the programme if you are visiting in the first week.
Late November through early DecemberCarolling at the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall in Kensington hosts several Christmas carol concerts throughout December, ranging from traditional church-style services to more elaborate orchestral productions. The hall's acoustics and Victorian grandeur make it one of the more memorable settings for seasonal music in the city.
Various dates throughout DecemberBest places this December
Covent Garden
neighborhoodThe piazza and surrounding streets are decorated with an enormous Christmas tree and thousands of suspended baubles and lights. The covered market stays warm enough to browse comfortably, and the street performers adapt their acts for the season. The smell of mulled wine drifts from several stalls. In the evening, the whole area glows. It is touristy, yes, but December is the month it earns that crowd.
Covent GardenSouth Bank and the Thames Path
walkThe walk along the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge passes the Southbank Centre Christmas market, the National Theatre (often with a Christmas production), the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and Borough Market. On a clear December afternoon — they do happen — the low winter sun catches the river and the city skyline in a way that summer's higher angle cannot replicate.
South BankSomerset House
landmarkBeyond the ice rink, Somerset House hosts exhibitions and sometimes a Christmas market in its riverside terrace. The neoclassical courtyard framed by the winter sky is one of London's most photogenic spots in December. The Courtauld Gallery inside is a quiet escape from the cold.
StrandNatural History Museum and the ice rink
museumThe museum itself is free and worth a visit any month, but in December the temporary ice rink set up in front of the building — with the Victorian facade lit up behind it — creates one of those London-postcard moments. The rink is smaller than Somerset House but the setting is arguably more dramatic.
South KensingtonColumbia Road Flower Market
marketThis Sunday-morning flower market in Shoreditch takes on a different character in December. The usual cut flowers give way to Christmas wreaths, potted cyclamen, holly, mistletoe, and small Christmas trees. The narrow street is lined with independent shops that open their doors only on market day. Go early — by 10am it is shoulder-to-shoulder.
ShoreditchLeadenhall Market
marketThis covered Victorian market in the City of London is gorgeous year-round but in December the iron-and-glass roof is hung with lights and decorations that make it feel like a film set — it was, in fact, used as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. The pubs and restaurants inside stay warm and busy. Worth a visit even if you are just passing through.
City of LondonSt James's Park
parkOn a crisp December morning, the walk through St James's Park from Buckingham Palace toward Whitehall is one of the quieter pleasures in central London. The pelicans are still there. The trees are bare, which opens up views of the skyline you cannot see in summer. Frost on the grass, ducks on the lake, the Palace in the background.
WestminsterFortnum & Mason
shopThe Piccadilly department store leans heavily into Christmas, with elaborate window displays, a dedicated Christmas floor, and hamper ingredients that make for good gifts. The ground-floor food hall smells of tea, chocolate, and biscuits. It is expensive, but walking through costs nothing and the displays are worth seeing as seasonal spectacle.
Mayfair
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Insider tips
The first two weeks of December have almost all the same Christmas atmosphere as the last two — lights are up, markets are open, Winter Wonderland is running — but hotel rates and crowd levels are noticeably lower. If your dates are flexible, early December is the window.
The Tube gets painfully crowded on shopping Saturdays in December, especially the Central and Piccadilly lines through the West End. If you are heading to Oxford Street or Regent Street, walk from a station one or two stops away — Marble Arch or Green Park — rather than fighting through Oxford Circus.
Many London pubs do a proper Sunday roast in December with all the trimmings — Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, gravy, seasonal veg. It is often better value and more atmospheric than a restaurant dinner. The Lamb and Flag near Covent Garden and pubs around Bermondsey tend to do it well.
If you want to see the Christmas lights without the crowds, walk the route between 7-8am on a weekday morning. The lights are on, the streets are nearly empty, and you get photographs that would be impossible at any other hour. Regent Street at dawn in December is quietly beautiful.
The museums do late openings on certain evenings — the V&A on Fridays, the National Gallery on Fridays — and in December these are significantly less crowded than daytime visits. You get the collection mostly to yourself while everyone else is at Christmas parties.
Avoid these mistakes
- Underestimating how early it gets dark. Sunset is before 4pm, and if you have planned a walking tour or outdoor market visit for mid-afternoon, you will be doing it in the dark. Front-load outdoor activities to the middle of the day and save indoor plans — museums, theatres, pubs — for after 3pm.
- Trying to visit Winter Wonderland on a Saturday evening in mid-December without planning ahead. The crowds are dense enough to make it difficult to move, let alone enjoy anything. Go on a weekday afternoon or early on a weekend morning for a completely different experience.
- Booking a hotel in Zones 3 or 4 to save money without checking Tube connections. Some outer London stations have reduced Sunday and holiday service in December, and a cheap hotel becomes expensive when you are taking taxis at night. Staying in Zones 1-2 costs more per night but saves transport money and time.
- Not booking restaurants for the second half of December. Central London restaurants fill up with office Christmas parties and holiday dinners from about 10 December onward. If you want to eat somewhere specific, book before you arrive. Walk-ins that are easy in March become impossible in late December.
Practical tips for December
Book theatre tickets as early as possible — December shows sell out faster than any other month, and last-minute availability shrinks dramatically after the first week. Major attractions like the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral have reduced hours around Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so check opening times before you go. The Tube runs a reduced service on Christmas Eve afternoon and does not run at all on Christmas Day — plan transport accordingly if you are in London over the holiday itself. Overground and bus services also shut down on the 25th. Many restaurants close from Christmas Eve through Boxing Day, so if you are staying through the holiday, confirm your hotel restaurant is open or stock up on supplies. Contactless payment works on all London transport — you do not need an Oyster card. Tipping is appreciated but not expected in pubs; 10-12% is standard in restaurants where service is not already included.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit London?
It depends on what you are after. If you want long sunny days for walking around parks and outdoor sightseeing, no — May through September is better. But if you are drawn to the Christmas atmosphere, theatre, museums, and seasonal food, December is genuinely one of the more rewarding months. The trade-off is cold, damp weather and short daylight hours. The first two weeks offer a good balance of festive atmosphere and manageable prices.
What is the weather like in London in December?
Cold and damp. Average highs around 9°C (48°F), lows around 5°C (40°F), with about 63mm of rain spread across 11 days. Humidity sits at 87%, which makes the cold feel sharper than the numbers suggest. Snow is rare in central London. Most days are overcast, with occasional clear spells. You will want a proper winter coat, layers, and waterproof shoes. The dampness is the thing that surprises visitors — it is not dramatically cold, but the moisture gets into everything.
Is London crowded in December?
Yes, particularly from mid-December onward. The West End shopping streets — Oxford Street, Regent Street — see some of their heaviest foot traffic of the year. Winter Wonderland draws large crowds on weekends. The Tube is packed during shopping hours. That said, early December (before the 15th) and weekday mornings are noticeably calmer. Museums are less crowded than in summer. The crowds are concentrated in specific shopping and Christmas market areas — step a few streets away and it thins out considerably.
Is London expensive in December?
More than usual, yes. Hotel rates in central London run 40-60% above the annual average in the second half of December and through New Year. Flights from most origins also peak around the holidays. Restaurants add prix fixe Christmas menus at elevated prices. That said, many of the best December experiences — walking the Christmas lights, browsing markets, visiting free museums — cost nothing. Early December is significantly cheaper than the Christmas-to-New-Year window.
What should I do on Christmas Day in London?
London is quiet on Christmas Day. The Tube does not run, most shops and restaurants close, and the streets are noticeably empty — which some visitors actually love. A walk through central London on Christmas morning has a strange, peaceful quality you will not find any other day of the year. The Serpentine Swimming Club does its annual Christmas Day swim in Hyde Park if you want to spectate. Some hotel restaurants serve Christmas lunch, but book well ahead. If you are self-catering, stock up on the 23rd or early on the 24th — supermarkets close early on Christmas Eve and stay shut on the 25th.
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