What To Do On Xmas Day In London

So, it’s Christmas Day in London. The city feels like a giant, sleeping dragon wrapped in fairy lights. Don’t panic. There’s loads to do—if you know where to look.

Forget the Turkey Trot. Think Park Power.

First, get outside. London’s parks are glorious on Christmas morning. They’re empty, frosty, and totally yours.

Take a stroll through Hyde Park. You’ll likely see hungover swans and joggers in reindeer antlers. It’s a weird and wonderful vibe.

Pro-tip: The Serpentine lake might have a brave (or mad) swimmer. Watch them scream as they hit the 5°C water. It’s free comedy.

The Secret Pub Crawl (Yes, It’s Open)

Think all pubs are closed? Think again. A handful of legendary boozers fling open their doors at noon. It’s a sacred London tradition.

Head to The Grapes in Limehouse. It’s tiny, cozy, and owned by Sir Ian McKellen. He might not be there—but picturing Gandalf pouring a pint is worth the trip.

Another gem: The Churchill Arms in Kensington. It’s covered in Christmas trees and serves Thai food. Yes, Thai food. On Christmas Day. It’s deeply odd and brilliant.

The Walk of Silence

London on Christmas Day has no traffic. The streets are eerie in the best way. You can hear your own footsteps on Regent Street.

Walk from Trafalgar Square to St. Paul’s. The lights are still twinkling, but the crowds have vanished. It feels like a movie set.

Snap a photo of the empty Shard. No one will photobomb you. That’s a Christmas miracle right there.

Eat a Ridiculous Feast

Forget the hotel turkey dinner. Too boring. Instead, go for something deliciously random.

Chinatown stays open. Yes, on Christmas Day. Get a steaming bowl of noodles at Leong’s Legends. Seeing dumplings next to a mince pie? That’s London in a nutshell.

Or hit up a curry house on Brick Lane. Preem serves a Christmas curry buffet. It’s chaotic, spicy, and way better than roast potatoes.

The Quirky Fact That Will Blow Your Mind

Did you know that the Queen’s Christmas speech used to be broadcast from a tiny room in Buckingham Palace? Now it’s often pre-recorded. But here’s the kicker—London’s first Christmas Day broadcast happened in 1932. It was so bad the announcer got lost on his way to the microphone. Classic.

The National Gallery Is Your Friend

Surprise: The National Gallery opens its doors on Christmas Day! From 10 am to 6 pm, it’s free and empty.

You can stare at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers without someone’s elbow in your ribs. It’s a zen experience. Plus, the cafe does hot chocolate and mince pies.

Fun fact: The gallery once hung a painting upside down for 47 days before anyone noticed. That’s the festive spirit we need.

Ride the Ghost Bus

The Tube runs a limited service. But buses? They’re almost empty. Hop on a number 24 bus from Hampstead to Victoria. It goes past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

It’s like a private tour of London. The driver might even play Christmas songs. Don’t be surprised if you hear “Fairytale of New York” on repeat. It’s mandatory.

Pop Into a Church (Even If You’re Not Religious)

You don’t have to pray. Just sit in the back and soak up the atmosphere. St. Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square does a carol service that’s breathtaking.

The singing echoes off 300-year-old stone. You’ll feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie. Bring tissues—the candlelight always makes people cry.

At Southwark Cathedral, they let you ring the bell after the service. Yes, a real bell. Go on, annoy the tourists.

The Late-Night Cinema Magic

Many cinemas in the West End open on Christmas night. The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square shows The Muppet Christmas Carol. Every year. Without fail.

It’s a cult tradition. The audience recites the lines. They boo Scrooge and cheer Tiny Tim. You’ll leave feeling stupidly happy.

Pro tip: They serve popcorn with cinnamon dust. It’s weird, addictive, and perfectly Christmas.

The Weirdest Fact of All

London’s Christmas Day tradition used to include a public execution. Yep, until 1827, they’d hang a criminal at Newgate Prison on December 25. The crowd would sing carols. Morale. We’ve come a long way since then—thank goodness.

End the Night by the Thames

Finish your day by the river. The South Bank is quiet, and the lights reflect off the water like glitter. It’s pure magic.

Find a bench outside the Tate Modern. Watch the last boat chug along. No crowds. No noise. Just you and London.

And if you see a fox? That’s your Christmas spirit animal. Embrace it. Happy Christmas, you crazy city.