London is my favourite city in the world. Since my first visit in 2012, I\u2019ve visited 10+ times, and in 2025 I had the privilege of spending five weeks in London at Christmas!<\/p>\n
The below post is based on my experience living in London last Christmas but I\u2019ve updated it with all of the 2026 info you need to plan this year\u2019s trip!<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve been to London at every time of year and I have to say there is something magical about London at Christmastime<\/strong>. The decor, the lights, the markets, the cozy vibes\u2026 it\u2019s living up to the hype! <\/p>\n London is a notoriously expensive city (trust me, spending five weeks here is killing my bank account!) but the good news is you don\u2019t have to spend a lot to enjoy the Christmas magic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Below I\u2019m sharing 17 budget-friendly things you can do in London at Christmas to make the most of the season. A lot of my list is completely FREE activities, and everything else is under \u00a320<\/strong>.<\/p>\n All dates, prices and info below are current as of Oct 2026<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Southbank Centre quickly became one of my favourite Christmas activities in London. We visited in Nov 2025 and loved it!<\/p>\n You have the Southbank Centre Winter Market<\/a>, located under a bridge right by the Thames and running from Nov 2, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027<\/strong>. It\u2019s atmospheric with the wooden huts but, to be honest, it was my least favourite part of our day out there.<\/p>\n I much preferred the SoLo Craft Fair<\/strong> that was being held just around the corner from the Christmas market at Between the Bridges. It featured dozens of local artisans and their goods, plus cute Christmas decor.<\/p>\n In 2026, SoLo Craft Fair will be at Southbank Centre from 12:00-5:00pm on the following Sundays: Nov 15, Nov 22, Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13 and Dec 20<\/strong>. Check here<\/a> for more information and dates. <\/p>\n We also happened to visit on a nice and sunny day, which meant beautiful views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament across the water<\/strong>, plus the London Eye right nearby. The London Eye is pricy to ride but free to take a photo of! <\/p>\n Head back up towards the Southbank Centre and check to see what\u2019s on<\/strong>. We caught an awesome (and free!) concert series, Lagos to London. Our daughter, Baby C, was a big fan of the drums! <\/p>\n For more baby-friendly tips and tricks, check out my guide to visiting London with a baby!<\/a><\/p>\n And on the other side of Southbank Centre is the Southbank Centre Food Market<\/a> where a series of outdoor food stalls are set up<\/strong>. They are currently open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. <\/p>\n There\u2019s food from all over the world and it all smells amazing! My husband, Colin, ordered Latin Soul chicken and fries and I went for a Korean bibimbap.<\/p>\n All of the mains were around \u00a310-15, so it was definitely a more affordable food market than I\u2019ve seen elsewhere in London<\/strong> (I\u2019m looking at you, Borough Market!). And it wasn\u2019t as crowded as some other markets (once again, I\u2019m talking about Borough Market). <\/p>\n Pro tip: We took our food into Southbank Centre and ate at the tables inside there<\/strong>. This got us out of the cold, near bathrooms and drinking water, and let us watch the free concert.<\/p>\n Southbank Centre also has an amazing gift shop<\/strong> with lots of Christmas goodies, games and artwork. We found the perfect London ornament for our collection for just \u00a35! <\/p>\n One of the things people most look forward to doing on a Christmas trip to London is seeing the lights. This city is famous for all of the beautifully lit streets!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s where you\u2019ll find the best London Christmas lights<\/strong>: <\/p>\n Most streets will turn on their lights in early to mid November 2026<\/strong>. Fun fact: The iconic glowing angels above Regent Street have been lighting up every Christmas since 1954!<\/p>\n I went on a lovely Christmas lights walk after seeing a West End show<\/strong>. I had the biggest grin on my face as I snapped photos and embraced all of the London festive magic.<\/p>\n My husband, daughter and I went out again on Friday night to see the lights and it was packed. So pro tip: Aim for around 10pm on a weekday rather than 6pm on a weekend to avoid the big crowds!<\/strong> <\/p>\n And, of course, since these are just lights hung outside along the streets, it\u2019s completely free to enjoy them! <\/strong><\/p>\n St Martin in the Fields is a church next to Trafalgar Square in Central London<\/strong>. It\u2019s impressive enough from the outside, but the real gem lies underneath.<\/p>\n Take the stairs (or elevator) at the side of the church to enter their crypt, which will be all decked out for Christmas!<\/strong> For more Christmas concerts and services, check out their schedule of events<\/a>. <\/p>\n When we visited, the crypt was hosting a Christmas SoLo Craft Fair, which allowed us to check out more local, handmade goods \u2013 and score some beautiful London art prints. <\/p>\n SoLo Craft Fair will be back at the St Martins Christmas Market on Nov 21, Nov 22, Nov 28 and Nov 29, 2026<\/strong>. Check here for more info<\/a>. <\/p>\n Even when a craft fair isn\u2019t on, the regular gift shop at St. Martin in the Fields is a great spot to pick up some London Christmas souvenirs<\/strong>. They even had all of their Christmas cards on sale!<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re feeling peckish, you can grab a snack or meal in the Crypt Cafe<\/strong>. I will say, I was disappointed by the chicken tikka lunch I ordered and thought it was overpriced for the portion size. So perhaps just get a sandwich or drink.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget to pop into the actual church upstairs; entrance is free<\/strong>. It looks very different from the traditional churches I\u2019m used to seeing elsewhere in Europe.<\/p>\n London is lousy with Christmas markets!<\/strong> You\u2019ll find opportunities to sip mulled wine, shop for ornaments, listen to Christmas music, and take photos in front of a tree all over the city.<\/p>\n While food and souvenirs will cost money, it\u2019s usually free to enter a Christmas market <\/strong>and just soak up the festive vibes! <\/p>\n Keep in mind that these markets can get quite crowded, especially in nice weather or on a weekend. Most of the big markets in London are open from early\/mid November until late Dec\/early January<\/strong>, so hopefully you can find an off-peak time to visit.<\/p>\n Here are some Christmas markets around town you may want to visit<\/strong>:<\/p>\n The pathway along the River Thames is all decked out for the season with Winter by the River<\/strong>, which ran from Nov 13, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026 (stay tuned here for 2026\/2027 dates<\/a>).<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find rows of Christmas market stalls at the London Bridge Christmas Market<\/strong> selling crafts, food and gifts, plus The Glasshouse<\/strong> (a two-storey restaurant and bar with a view) and the Swift Stone Curling pop-up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We walked along Winter by the River in Nov 2025 and enjoyed browsing the stalls and taking some nice photos with Tower Bridge in the background.<\/p>\n Hay\u2019s Galleria, a little covered mall along the Thames, is also decked out with Christmas decor, market stalls and a festively decorated alpine bar<\/strong>. It\u2019s another great spot for photo opps (and a bathroom break!). <\/p>\n You haven\u2019t experienced Christmas in London until you\u2019ve visited Covent Garden at Christmas<\/a><\/strong>, a covered market with restaurants and shops that has holiday decor, music, entertainment and more! <\/p>\n Covent Garden is one of my favourite places in London so I was super excited to see it all dressed up for the holidays. I loved the giant bells and bows hanging from the ceiling, which will be back for 2026!<\/p>\n Wander all around the market to get the full Christmas experience, starting with the holiday lights turning on on Nov 12, 2026. You\u2019ll find a giant Christmas tree, festive performances and pop-up bars. <\/strong>We even saw a display featuring LEGO Santa and LEGO Rudolph.<\/p>\n Speaking of LEGO, we also saw that there was a LEGO workshop where kids (and adults!) could go in and make a LEGO ornament<\/strong>. We didn\u2019t stop in as we were running late for Baby C\u2019s nap, but it looked like fun. Hopefully it\u2019s back at the 2026 market.<\/p>\n We also caught a bit of a violin trio performing carols while we were in Covent Garden, which added to the festive feel. <\/p>\n PS: If you\u2019re hunting for slightly cheaper London souvenirs, cross the street from Covent Garden to Jubilee Market<\/strong>. While not as posh as Convent Garden, this market is a goldmine for affordable gifts!<\/p>\n It\u2019s not free, but if you\u2019re going to spend money in London anyway, why not support a small business or local creator? <\/strong><\/p>\n We lived in Brixton for our five week stay in London<\/a> and loved getting to know the local community and all of the incredible independent restaurants and shops. In Feb 2026, we spent another four weeks in Spitalfields, another London neighbourhood known for local shops and restaurants. <\/p>\n Brixton Village is a great place to eat cuisines from all around the world<\/a> and shop at cute craft, homeware, clothing and floral stores<\/strong>. We picked up a beautiful print and bag from the market, plus ate there every chance we got! <\/p>\n There\u2019s an excellent store, Diverse<\/strong>, just around the corner from Brixton Village. They have beautiful items \u2013 books, games, postcards, jewelry \u2013 for everyone on your Christmas list. We picked up a card and a book for Baby C there.<\/p>\n Other great places in London to find independent shops and local makers include<\/strong>: <\/p>\n You\u2019ll really feel the holiday spirit when you attend a London Christmas concert<\/strong>, watching performers and maybe even joining in on a round of your favourite Christmas carols.<\/p>\n Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall<\/a> is probably the most iconic concert series in London, with shows running throughout Dec 2026. But tickets can be hard to get and expensive. Luckily, there are some budget-friendly alternatives!<\/strong><\/p>\n For a similar experience, check out Christmas by Candlelight<\/a><\/strong>. Rush tickets are available on TodayTix or check Fever for more ticket options.<\/p>\n St. Martin in the Fields has a Christmas concert series<\/strong>, with adult tickets starting at \u00a316 for some shows. They also have carol services that are free to attend. Check out the full schedule of Christmas concerts and services here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For free London Christmas carol concerts, check out<\/strong>: <\/p>\n Check out more free and paid Christmas carol concerts in London here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Besides the beautiful lights hanging above the streets, you\u2019ll also want to duck into some of London\u2019s little malls, arcades and galleries to see even more Christmas decor. <\/p>\n My favourite was The Royal Arcade<\/strong> off of Bond Street. I loved the colourful lights and Christmas trees. There\u2019s also Burlington Arcade<\/strong> nearby with its iconic chandeliers.<\/p>\n Leadenhall Market<\/a> is another can\u2019t-miss<\/strong>. This popular arcade is said to have been the inspiration for Harry Potter\u2019s Diagon Alley. <\/p>\n In addition to festive decor, Leadenhall also hosts a series of pop-up markets, including a craft fair, vintage furniture market, and flea market. In 2025 they had an alpine bar, Christmas walking tours and craft workshops.<\/p>\n Best of all? Twice a day it snowed INSIDE Leadenhall Market <\/strong>(at 12pm and 6pm from Nov 17-Dec 28, 2025; 2026 dates haven\u2019t been announced at the time of writing). <\/strong>You\u2019ll have to show up to see what the magic is all about!<\/p>\n And once again, it\u2019s completely free to walk through these malls and arcades<\/strong> and experience the Christmas cheer. <\/p>\n1. Eat, shop and listen to music at the Southbank Centre <\/h2>\n
![\"Colin](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5006-copy-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
![\"SoLo](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4995-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
![\"Food](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4980-1200x900.jpg\" "\\"London")
2. See the iconic London Christmas lights<\/h2>\n
![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5435-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
<\/figure>\n![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5183-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
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![\"Riana](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5153-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
3. Get Christmas-y at St Martin in the Fields<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4953-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
<\/figure>\n![\"Colin](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4962-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
<\/figure>\n![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4966-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n4. Browse for goodies at more London Christmas Markets <\/h2>\n
![\"Trafalgar](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4949-scaled.jpg\" "\\"London")
![\"Colin](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4604-copy-scaled.jpg\" "\\"London")
5. Enjoy Christmas along the Thames at Winter by the River<\/h2>\n
![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5102-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5115-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
6. Admire the stunning decor at Christmas at Covent Gardens<\/h2>\n
![\"Huge](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_4819-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
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<\/figure>\n7. Support local artists at independent markets and small shops<\/h2>\n
![\"Handmade](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5330-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
<\/figure>\n![\"Colourful](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5331-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
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8. See a Christmas concert or carol service<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Royal-Albert-Hall-London-1200x800.jpg\" "\\"London")
9. Walk through festive arcades and malls<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5177-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
![\"Burlington](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5174-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
10. Go ice skating in London<\/h2>\n
![\"People](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ice-rink-London-1200x826.jpg\" "\\"London")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5281-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")
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![\"Exterior](\"https:\/\/teaspoonofadventure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_5156-1200x1600.jpg\" "\\"London")