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Original poster

Christmas in London tomorrow. Help any suggestions for markets/lights?

36 replies

IwishIwasapigeon · 13/12/2025 21:41

Going up with dd 17 tomorrow. We are going to a show at 3pm near Embankment. We will have two or three hours to kill before. Where’s lovely and Christmassy?!

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Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 18:09

😂

OP posts:
NeedToKnow101 · 14/12/2025 18:01

IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

Sounds great but no need to go on about it 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:38

Omg what the hell happened there. I didn’t post that 70 million times I swear

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Original poster
IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 17:36

Thanks all. We went to embankment and walked to Trafalgar Square, not busy at all there and a Christmas market, then on to Covent Garden. CG was busy but not too busy and we could wander around the stalls and shops. Pretty, Christmassy and great show. No problem. Glad we avoided Oxford street!

OP posts:
Runssometimes · 14/12/2025 12:16

I was in Covent Garden yesterday afternoon and it was really busy. But you could walk around. Mounted police were moving on the terrible pedicabs just taking up space. Lots of numpties walking in the road and crossing without looking (we were on bikes at points) but honestly it was bearable. Didn’t even have to wait long to get into Wagamama for food. Looked like a massive queue - was five mins. Go - it’s gorgeous. Lights on New Bond St particularly lovely this year (went after work a few weeks ago, wouldn’t attempt it at the weekend). Enjoy your show. Southbank is always lovely too, though but with 3 hours I’d just do Covent Garden and get something to eat so you’re not rushing (as you won’t be able to!)

CaseClosedWineOpened · 14/12/2025 11:42

I haven’t read all the posts to see if this has been suggested, but when we go next week we are including Carnaby Street on our route

bonquiqui · 14/12/2025 11:40

OilyRoundTheCogs · 14/12/2025 11:31

We were in Covent Garden last weekend. Sunday evening, so most of the shops were shut, but it was HEAVING! Same for Fortnum and Mason in the afternoon - had to leave as it was just horrible.

I used to live in London, but even so, the amount of people (many doing the zombie shuffle in crowded places) was completely overwhelming. Very happy to get back to our quiet little village.

Honestly, it’s madder than ever this year. I’ve lived in London 25 years and it never used to be like this. Seems to be the social media-indication of everything: everyone seems determined to have “magical” experiences they can photograph. Which also now seems to include ten times more tourists flying in to see it too.

OP, look up all the videos of crowds from this weekend and last. I don’t just mean a bit busy. It’s so many people you can barely walk faster than a shuffle as you’ll be hemmed in. Especially on Oxford Street or Covent Garden. Don’t risk your show getting stuck

OilyRoundTheCogs · 14/12/2025 11:31

We were in Covent Garden last weekend. Sunday evening, so most of the shops were shut, but it was HEAVING! Same for Fortnum and Mason in the afternoon - had to leave as it was just horrible.

I used to live in London, but even so, the amount of people (many doing the zombie shuffle in crowded places) was completely overwhelming. Very happy to get back to our quiet little village.

MidnightPatrol · 14/12/2025 10:52

IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 09:30

Oh god now I dont know what to do!

maybe walk from embankment to Covent Garden?

Yes, do this walk - it will be fine and less mad than Oxford Street.

Maybe go for a nice lunch somewhere first - avoid the crowds a bit?

Seven Dials just west of Covent Garden has nice shops and will be a bit less busy - good lights and so on. All very walkable

Florencesndzebedee · 14/12/2025 10:41

Don’t bother with Oxford St. If you need to be at Embankment then either the south bank across the bridge or Covent Garden.

LIZS · 14/12/2025 10:38

There is a Victorian market at St Katharines Dock which may be less hectic.

Zanatdy · 14/12/2025 10:35

I’d avoid Oxford street and Regent street.

bonquiqui · 14/12/2025 10:32

IwishIwasapigeon · 14/12/2025 09:31

Or go Oxford street and regent street?

Go very very early if you want to do this. Yesterday there were so many crowds people were being kettled into massive queues to even get into the tube stations.

Nitgel · 14/12/2025 09:52

Walk around south bank. The views on the bridge are lovely. Or walk around trafalgar sq. Su day woll be less busy.

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