Christmas Day in London - any ideas for doing something different?

[ToniBlair]

Christmas in my family is going to look very different this year due to divorce. I have two adult children. They will be with me on Xmas Day. I don't want to spend the day cooking a roast etc so I was thinking about spending a day in London. We aren't massively interested in stuffing our faces so I'm looking for fun stuff to do.

Has anyone else done this? What did you do?

Very little will be open in terms of attractions and amusement, and all of TFL does not operate on Christmas day. If you can easily walk around though, I think it's lovely to wander through the West End when it's basically empty. If it's your thing, I believe both St Martin in the Fields and Westminster Abbey offer Christmas services, which would be festive and atmospheric.

Which part of London will you be in on Christmas Day, OP?

Are you driving in then parking or staying overnight in a hotel?

I'd be driving in or getting the train if its running. I'm not far out.

There are no trains at all on Christmas Day.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/travel-information/christmas/

TfL says "As usual, there will be no service on the majority of public transport on Christmas Day..."

Also it says there will be "no services on some parts of the network on Boxing Day, including the Elizabeth line. A Sunday service will operate on the London Underground, London Buses and on London Trams."

Time Out has some ideas for Christmas Day.
https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/things-to-do-on-christmas-day-in-london

I think that you will need to drive in and park.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/travel-information/christmas/

A friend of mine used to go for a curry on Brick Lane each Christmas. Maybe China Town restaurants are open?

St Paul's Cathedral will be open.

The Choristers will be singing, before starting their Christmas break after Evensong.

https://www.stpauls.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-day-choral-eucharist-2

https://www.stpauls.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-day-festal-evensong-0

Some places to eat are open near the Cathedral, including Starbucks, if you want a light snack.

There won't be much open at all on Christmas Day. For food I think you'd need to research restaurants that will be open and make sure you book well in advance. Now probably.

Having ssud that walking around a quiet London can be lovely. A walk along the South Bank, through St James's Park, along the Mall would be nice. Then head towards Trafalgar Square for the tree and the West End lights.

There are guided walks in some areas.

https://www.walks.com/our-walks/walks-by-date/?d=2026-12-25

Can't imagine it being worth coming into town if you aren't already here but I once hired a bike with a friend and we had a fun cycle around the West End. On the plus you'll be able to park anywhere if you do come.

It’s a lot busier than you think it would be. We sometimes drive in to do the lights in the evening if we have Xmas visitors - there’s no congestion charge or parking fees. A lot of the hotels are open for non resident guests for drinks or you can book a meal but it’s expensive as Xmas day. It’s quite nice to dress up a bit and have a glass of champagne somewhere.

I’m sure we saw places like Cafe Concerto open and we always grab a hot chocolate somewhere too when we go in. I would imagine some of the Asian restaurants on Brick Lane or around Shoreditch will be open too.

I don’t think it sounds a ‘ fun ‘ thing at all , aimlessly wandering around essentially a closed down city in possibly the rain . It sounds very soulless and London isn’t great when everything is closed . Are you sure your children want to do that ? . It’s one thing to go into London for a meal but a wander ,
im not so sure .

I’d say make sure you book stuff and have a plan - don’t wander. And I say this because you sound newly divorced and that first Christmas can be brutal so don’t leave it to chance/risk “gaps” in the day which can hit hard.

Id look to build a schedule that nodded to Christmas but was basically a bit full on/visual.

Carol service at one of the historic churches but check which are Christmassy versus religious. I’m guessing you want singing out carols not a heavy sermon.
Lunch in Chinatown guaranteed to be lively and different from the usual British lunch.
And then go full tourist and one of the Christmas light buses to do a bit of sightseeing
And if it’s your thing check cinema tickets in Leicester Square they often do Christmas Day

It’s quite touristy in central london in xmas day and always seems to rain! Absolutely no transport. A riverside walk is good.

OP, would you consider staying in a bustling hotel for a couple of days?

I'm thinking of the Langham. You could stay from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.

All Souls is just across the road for the Christmas Morning Service and the lights of Regent Street and Oxford Street are just a few minutes away.

The lovely tree from Norway in Trafalgar Square is not far, either.

The Langham really embraces the festive season!

Have you talked to your children about this ? It could be an emotive time for all
of you

London is difficult to get around on Xmas day as there is no public transport running at all.

Pubs do open but often close by 3pm at the latest. A few convenience stores will open.

We once walked to a local ish pub in south London on Xmas day for a pre dinner drink and got talking to an American who have, on a whim, travelled to spend Xmas in London and had come to the pub as it was the only thing he found open near-ish the Airbnb flat he was staying in. His face fell as we explained that nothing really opened on Xmas day and to be honest it would be quiet for most of the week. I think he thought it would be full of cosy pubs and bustling crowds.

A relative of ours used to go for Christmas lunch at the Wolesley n Piccadilly - said it was really convivial there. But Chinatown is also a good idea, if you don;t waant traditional lunch. You could do that, and then walk down to St James Park and feed the ducks. All the Christmas lights will be on. I'd also consider attending a Christmas service somewhere gorgeous like Westminster Abbey or St Paul's.

As PP say, it could depend on the weather. If it's cold and rainy, traipsing around a closed up city for miles, without the main event of a celebratory lunch, could feel a bit bleak.

There are boat cruises on the Thames, but they include the traditional dinner and are £££

Yes Chinatown restaurants are open but double their prices on Xmas day.

How about take a flask and some christmas cake and go for a walk around one of the big parks like Regents Park?

attending the morning service at St Paul’s or Westminster abbey would be lovely. Very little will be open but a few pubs open for pre lunch drinks traditionally. Some restaurants open for bookings only. Driving to more ethnically diverse areas is likely to give more food options, some cinemas open too, again check in advance.