18 London at Christmas Things to Do on a Budget

London is my favourite city in the world. Since my first visit in 2012, I’ve visited 10+ times, and now in 2025 have the privilege of spending five weeks in London at Christmas!

I’ve been to London at every time of year and I have to say there is something magical about London at Christmastime. The decor, the lights, the markets, the cozy vibes… it’s living up to the hype!

London is a notoriously expensive city (trust me, spending five weeks here is killing my bank account!) but the good news is you don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy the Christmas magic.

Below I’m 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 £20.

All dates, prices and info below are current as of 2025.

1. Eat, shop and listen to music at the Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre quickly became one of my favourite Christmas activities in London. We visited this past week and loved it!

You have the Southbank Centre Christmas Market, located under a bridge right by the Thames and running from Nov 3-Jan 4. It’s atmospheric with the wooden huts but, to be honest, it was my least favourite part of our day out there.

I much preferred the SoLo Craft Fair 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.

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, plus the London Eye right nearby. The London Eye is pricy to ride but free to take a photo of!

Head back up towards the Southbank Centre and check to see what’s on. We caught an awesome (and free!) concert series, Lagos to London. Our daughter, Baby C, was a big fan of the drums!

And on the other side of Southbank Centre is Royal Festival Hall where a series of outdoor food stalls are set up.

There’s 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.

All of the mains were around £10-15, so it was definitely a more affordable food market than I’ve seen elsewhere in London (I’m looking at you, Borough Market!).

Pro tip: We took our food into Southbank Centre and ate at the tables inside there. This got us out of the cold, near bathrooms and drinking water, and let us watch the free concert.

Southbank Centre also has an amazing gift shop with lots of Christmas goodies, games and artwork. We found the perfect London ornament for our collection for just £5!

2. See the iconic London Christmas lights

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!

Here’s where you’ll find the best London Christmas lights:

• Carnaby Street
• Canary Wharf
• Oxford Street
• Regent Street
• Bond Street

Fun fact: The iconic glowing angels above Regent Street have been lighting up every Christmas since 1954!

I went on a lovely Christmas lights walk earlier this week after seeing a West End show. I had the biggest grin on my face as I snapped photos and embraced all of the London festive magic.

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!

And, of course, since these are just lights hung outside along the streets, it’s completely free to enjoy them!

3. Get Christmas-y at St Martin in the Fields

St Martin in the Fields is a church next to Trafalgar Square in Central London. It’s impressive enough from the outside, but the real gem lies underneath.

Take the stairs (or elevator) at the side of the church to enter their crypt, which is all decked out for Christmas!

We visited last weekend when the crypt was hosting a Christmas craft fair, which allowed us to check out more local, handmade goods – and score some beautiful London art prints.

Even when a craft fair isn’t on, the regular shop at St. Martin in the Fields is a great spot to pick up some London Christmas souvenirs. They even had all of their Christmas cards on sale!

And if you’re feeling peckish, you can grab a snack or meal in the Crypt Cafe. I will say, I was disappointed by the chicken tikka lunch I got and thought it was overpriced for the portion size. Perhaps just get a sandwich or drink.

Don’t forget to pop into the actual church upstairs; entrance is free. It looks very different from the traditional churches I’m used to seeing elsewhere in Europe.

4. Browse for goodies at more London Christmas Markets

London is lousy with Christmas markets! You’ll 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.

While food and souvenirs will cost money, it’s usually free to enter a Christmas market and just soak up the festive vibes!

Popular free Christmas markets in London include:

• Christmas in Leicester Square (Nov 1-Jan 4)
• Trafalgar Square Christmas Market (Nov 9-Jan 2)
• King’s Cross Christmas Market (Nov 27-Dec 22)

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, so hopefully you can find an off-peak time to visit.

Here are some other Christmas markets around town and their 2025 dates:

• Kingston Christmas Market (Nov 13-Dec 28)
• The Royal Mews Christmas Shop (Nov 14-Jan 5)
• Fulham Palace (Nov 22-23)
• Chelsea Winter Village (Nov 26-Dec 28)
• Chelsea Physic Garden (Nov 27-29)
• Mayfair Christmas Market (Nov 27-29)
• The Ecology Pavilion Mile End Park Urban X-mas Market (Nov 29-30, Dec 13-14)
• Duck Pond Market Chiswick (Nov 30)
• DIY Christmas Art Market at Copeland Park (Dec 13)

5. Enjoy Christmas along the Thames at Winter by the River

The pathway along the River Thames is all decked out for the season with Winter by the River, running from Nov 13 to Jan 4.

You’ll find rows of Christmas market stalls at the London Bridge Christmas Market selling crafts, food and gifts, plus The Glasshouse (a two-storey restaurant and bar with a view) and the Swift Stone Curling pop-up.

We walked along Winter by the River earlier this week and enjoyed browsing the stalls and taking some nice photos with Tower Bridge in the background.

Hay’s Galleria, a little covered mall along the Thames, is also decked out with Christmas decor, market stalls and a festively decorated alpine bar.

6. Admire the stunning decor at Christmas at Covent Gardens

You haven’t experienced Christmas in London until you’ve visited Covent Garden, a covered market with restaurants and shops that’s sporting holiday decor from Nov 12 to Jan 5.

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!

Wander all around the market to get the full Christmas experience. You’ll find a giant Christmas tree, plus a display featuring LEGO Santa and LEGO Rudolph.

Speaking of LEGO, we also saw that there was a LEGO workshop where kids (and adults!) could go in and make a LEGO ornament. We didn’t stop in as we were running late for Baby C’s nap, but it looked like fun!

We also caught a bit of a violin trio performing carols while we were in Covent Garden, which added to the festive feel.

PS: If you’re hunting for slightly cheaper London souvenirs, cross the street from Covent Garden to Jubilee Market. While not as posh as Convent Garden, this market is a goldmine for affordable gifts!

7. Support local artists at independent markets and small shops

It’s not free, but if you’re going to spend money in London anyway, why not support a small business or local creator?

We’ve been living in Brixton for our five week stay in London and I’ve loved getting to know the local community and all of the incredible independent restaurants and shops.

Brixton Village is a great place to eat cuisines from all around the world and shop at cute craft, homeware, clothing and floral stores.

There’s also an excellent store, Diverse, just around the corner from Brixton Village. They have beautiful items – books, games, postcards, jewelry – for everyone on your Christmas list. We picked up a card and a book for Baby C there.

Other great places in London to find independent shops and local makers include:

• Broadway Market
• Spitalfields Market
• Camden Market
• Regent’s Park Road
• Bermondsey Street
• Neal’s Yard
• Greenwich Market
• Gabriel’s Wharf
• Chiswick High Road

8. See a Christmas concert or carol service

You’ll really feel the holiday spirit when you attend a London Christmas concert, watching performers and maybe even joining in on a round of your favourite Christmas carols.

Christmas at Royal Albert Hall is probably the most iconic concert series in London. But tickets are often hard to get and expensive. Luckily, there are some budget-friendly alternatives!

(Though some of the shows at Royal Albert Hall have tickets starting at £25/30, so they’re not all super expensive!)

For a similar experience, check out Christmas by Candlelight. Rush tickets are available on TodayTix from £20.

St. Martin in the Fields has a Christmas concert series, with adult tickets starting at £16 for some shows. They also have carol services that are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.

For free London Christmas carol concerts, check out:

Check out more free and paid Christmas carol concerts in London here.

9. Walk through festive arcades and malls

Besides the beautiful lights hanging above the streets, you’ll also want to duck into some of London’s little malls, arcades and galleries to see even more Christmas decor.

My favourite was The Royal Arcade off of Bond Street. I loved the colourful lights and Christmas trees. There’s also Burlington Arcade with its iconic chandeliers.

Leadenhall Market is another can’t-miss. This popular arcade is said to have been the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

In addition to festive decor, Leadenhall is also hosting a series of pop-up markets, including a craft fair, vintage furniture market, and flea market. They’ll also have an alpine bar, Christmas walking tours and craft workshops.

Best of all? Twice a day (at 12pm and 6pm from Nov 17-Dec 28) it snows INSIDE Leadenhall Market. You’ll have to show up to see what the magic is all about!

And once again, it’s completely free to walk through these malls and arcades and experience the Christmas cheer.

10. Go ice skating in London

I’m from Canada, so skating is something of a national hobby. Growing up in Toronto, I often went skating with my friends or family on public rinks during the winter holidays.

Ice skating isn’t as big of a thing in the UK, but it is still possible to go skating in London!

Unlike the free rinks in Canada, unfortunately all of the London skating experiences I could find are paid. However, they do appear to include your skate rentals, which is a nice bonus!

Here’s where you can go ice skating in London, plus the cost per adult:

11. Escape the cold at one of London’s free museums

While the museums themselves aren’t Christmas-themed (though some do have Christmas exhibits), going to a free museum in London is a great thing to do in the winter.

You can warm up, learn something new and keep your budget in check!

Here’s a list of free museums in London:

• Science Museum
• London Museum Docklands
• Tate Modern
• Tate Britain
• National Army Museum
• National Maritime Museum
• V&A (also V&A East and Young V&A)
• The British Museum
• Horniman Museum & Gardens
• Natural History Museum
• Imperial War Museum
• London Mithraeum
• Fulham Palace House & Gardens
• National Gallery 
• National Portrait Gallery
• Royal Air Force Museum London
• Queen’s House
• Wallace Collection
• Sir John Soane’s Museum
• Hunterian Museum
• Grant Museum of Zoology
• Japan House London
• Museum of the Home

Let me know if I forgot any free museums in the comments below!

I’ve been to quite a few of these museums on past trips to London, plus the V&A and Hunterian Museum so far on this 2025 trip. I’m always impressed that such world class museums are available to visit for free!

Not museums, but you can also book a spot at one of London’s free viewing platforms, Sky Garden, Horizon 22 or The Garden at 120. I did Sky Garden a couple of years ago and it was great!

12. Gawk at the impressive department store window displays

Window shopping is never more fun than when you can stare at beautiful Christmas displays in the store windows. And London sure knows how to do this right!

Even if you can’t shop till you drop inside the stores, it’s worth walking by just to see the Christmas set ups. Plus, it’s free!

Some of the best London department store Christmas displays include:

• Harrods
• Fortnum & Mason
• Selfridges
• Liberty London
• Hedonism Wines
• Hamleys

I loved seeing the little festive animal displays on the ground level of Fortnum and Mason. Don’t forget to cross the street so you can take in the whole building, decorated to look like an advent calendar!

The Disney display at Selfridges this year is also quite impressive. They’ve totally nailed the castle and Tinkerbell’s fairy dust! And the windows at Liberty with the “Making of Christmas” are super cute.

13. See a Christmas West End show or panto

The West End, London’s version of New York’s Broadway, is one of my favourite parts about this city. I love live theatre so much and always try to see a show or two anytime I return to London.

At this time of year, you can make your West End visit even more festive by seeing a Christmas show!

Here are the Christmas-themed shows playing in the West End in 2025, plus their starting ticket prices on TodayTix:

• Elf (from £28)
• The Snowman (from £21)
• A Christmas Carol (from £19)
• The Nutcracker at St Martin’s Theatre (from £15)
• Ebony Scrooge (from £18)

Or you can see a panto! A panto (or pantomime) is a British theatre tradition where a fairytale is given a hilarious, musical, cross-dressing re-interpretation filled with audience participation and improv.

I’ve been to a few panto shows back in Canada but would love to see one here in the UK, where they originated. They’re always really fun and the comedy seems to work for all ages.

Here are some London panto shows you can see in 2025:

• Cinderella (from £13)
• Jack and the Beanstalk (from £15)
• Snow White (from £18)

Check out more pantomimes in London here or download TodayTix to see everything that’s playing in London.

14. Eat a Christmas sandwich and other festive food

Of course we love the lights, music and decor of Christmas but let’s be honest, it’s all about the food!

Many restaurants in London will have special festive menus and decorated spaces for dining in the winter. Daphne’s in South Kensington is on my bucket list for this!

But most of those menus will be expensive, as restaurants can charge a premium at this time of year. Since my post is all about London at Christmas things to do on a budget, I’m going to offer some budget-friendly alternatives.

Time Out has put together a list of the best Christmas sandwiches in London. These “Christmas sarnies” sound so good – with kimchi slaw, apricot stuffing, double brie layers, and rosemary walnuts taking them from ordinary to magical.

Plus, a Christmas sandwich isn’t going to be nearly as expensive as going for a three-course Christmas meal in London. So save some quid and opt for the festive sando!

Here are a few more cheap Christmas treats to try in London:

• Pret a Manger’s Christmas chocolate bar or sandwich
• Christmas biscuits from Fortnum & Mason
• Toasted Hot Chocolate at Mercato Mayfair (it’s so yummy!)
• Mince pies (you can get them at local bakeries or even the grocery store)

15. Go on a free Christmas walking tour

I love going on free walking tours anytime I’m in a new city. It’s a great way to get your bearings, learn about the history of a place, and note what sites or restaurants you want to come back to later.

Strawberry Tours runs a number of free walking tours throughout London, including a Christmas-themed one! This would be such a fun way to see London’s best lights, displays and markets.

They even offer their tours in different languages, which is awesome since London receives so many international visitors.

While these walking tours are technically free, I think it’s more accurate to say that they are tip-based. Tour guides work very hard, so be sure to support them with a fair tip. Embrace that Christmas spirit of generosity!

Plus, you’ll still be getting a great deal, as a paid or private tour would cost you so much more.

16. Check out more free Christmas displays around London

Thought we were done with the Christmas displays around London? Not yet!

Here are some more beautiful light, tree and decor set-ups you can check out all around London. Best of all, they’re free to see!

• The huge Christmas tree outside The Connaught
• The impressive Christmas display on the facade of Annabel’s
• The Harry Potter Christmas tree inside King’s Cross Station
• All the lights adorning The Churchill Arms pub
• Wreaths outside and Christmas trees inside Claridge’s Hotel
• The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s Ever After Garden (viewing the garden is free, and there’s a recommended minimum £15 donation to dedicate a rose in memory of a loved one you’ve lost to cancer)

Not free, but if you’d like to spend a bit to walk down a magical trail of lights you can check out Neverland at Kenwood House (from £15) or Chelsea Winter Illuminations (from £15).

17. Watch a Christmas movie set in London

Some of the best Christmas movies are set in or near London. My favourite Christmas in London movies are Love Actually and The Holiday. There’s Last Christmas and Bridget Jones’s Diary that are also set in London.

Of course, you don’t actually have to be in London to watch these movies. But how much cooler would it be to cozy up on your hotel bed or Airbnb couch with Colin Firth and Kate Winslet, knowing the movie you’re watching is set right outside your door?

This is a great way to still enjoy London at Christmas while spending no money (all you need is your Netflix account and whatever snacks you have on hand). And it’s a good break from sightseeing.

If you’re packing your London itinerary to the brim, you’re going to appreciate a few hours back at your accommodation to relax. And with a London Christmas movie, you can do just that, while staying on theme.

Even better: After your movie, why not head out and see the film locations in person? You can walk past 10 Downing Street and pretend Hugh Grant is inside!

Check out this incredible list of filming locations in London for Love Actually, this one for Bridget Jones’s Diary and this one for Last Christmas. My friend Anna on Substack recently visited the pub where Cameron Diaz and Jude Law go out in The Holiday!

18. Warm up in a cozy British pub

It doesn’t get more quintessentially British than to sit down in a cozy pub on a cold winter’s night, order up a Sunday roast or bangers and mash, and wash it all down with a pint of beer in front of a fireplace.

While the most charming British pubs are usually out in the countryside, you’ll still be able to find something cute and quaint while visiting London.

There are pubs all over London, so I recommend looking for a highly rated one that’s convenient to where you’re staying. Keep your eyes peeled for a happy hour deal!

Here are a few cozy London pubs on my to-visit list:

• The Camberwell Arms
• The Hardwood Arms
• The Waterman’s Arms
• The Cadogan Arms
• The Baring
• The George
• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
• Two Chairmen
• Royal Oak
• Prospect of Whitby
• The Holly Bush

Want to splurge? Here are 4 slightly more expensive things to do in London at Christmas

1. Festive afternoon tea

Going for afternoon tea in London is on many visitors’ bucket lists. I’ve been to high tea in London a few times and have to admit there’s something so fun about fancy tea, tiny sandwiches and little pastries.

But the prices at most afternoon tea places are astronomical. It’s wild to me that some restaurants are charging £100+ per person for tea and scones!

That said, if you are willing to splurge, there are some beautiful Christmas-themed teas out there. And they’re not all £100+. Check out this list by Jou Jou Travels for some great options!

Another option to save some money is to go for a cream tea – just scones and tea – which many places offer for a much cheaper price.

2. Christmas at Kew (Nov 14-Jan 4)

I was all set to splurge on this one (tickets from from £27.50), as the Christmas light trail at Kew Gardens comes highly recommended. I also like the idea of spending the day out in nearby Richmond (the filming location for Ted Lasso!).

Unfortunately, I don’t think the timing will work out with our baby’s bedtime, as it’s a bit of a trek from where we’re staying in Brixton. Oh well, maybe next Christmas!

3. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park (Nov 14-Jan 1)

The biggest Christmas event in London is Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. While entrance is free during off-peak times (and from £7.50 during peak times), you do still have to pay for attractions, rides, games, food and drink.

I thought this might be fun to attend but one of my UK friends said to skip it. She told me it was more about going on rides and drinking, which aren’t big priorities for us with our 10 month old.

4. Santa visits

Back in Canada, you can meet Santa for free at the local mall. But here in London, it seems that meeting Santa is more of a VIP experience.

In researching what to do in London at Christmas, I came across lots of opportunities to buy a ticket to Santa’s Grotto. These experiences include a meet-and-greet with Santa, plus additional activities like crafts, games, tours of elf workshops and presents.

But it’s not free. You have to pay to visit Santa’s Grotto, plus book your tickets ahead before they sell out. And it can get really pricy – Hamleys Grotto at The Langham costs £275!

But if you’re celebrating Christmas in London with kids, it might be worth it (plus most grottos are much cheaper than £275). Here’s a list of where to find Santa in London.

Wrapping up: My favourite thing about London at Christmastime

While the giant window displays and Christmas markets are iconic for a reason, I think my favourite thing about being in London at Christmas has to be the way that the holiday slips into the smaller parts of London life.

Living in London for five weeks, I’ve watched as our local butcher shop set up two red lamp posts that play Christmas carols and the nail salon next door to us had huge garland installed.

Lights, signs and holiday menu items seem to pop up every time I walk outside. They’re not big enough to draw a crowd, but they infuse a little more magic into my daily life.

Since we’ll be away from home for the holidays, it’s so nice to have these little festive moments all around us. Big and small, London knows how to do Christmas!