London in early December

[Isabelle70]

Dd and myself will be flying to Gatwick Thursday to Saturday in December. We have London theatre tickets for the Friday evening.
Any suggestions for attractions/activities/markets on the Thursday/Friday? I was thinking Christmas themed.
I went to Winter Wonderland last year, nice but I wouldn't rush back for a few years.

There’s a Bavarian style Christmas market along Southbank.
You can get bus tours of the Christmas lights, although simply riding a double decker bus up Regent’s Street and along Oxford Street is just as good and a whole lot cheaper. Time it for about 7pm.
Some of the Christmas departments at stores like Selfridges, Harrod’s, Liberty’s and Fortnum & Mason’s are
amazing. Even their window displays are worth seeing.
You can get Christmas themed afternoon teas. The one at Dalloway Terrace has the most beautiful surroundings.

Definitely Liberty to look at/buy Christmas decorations. It's gorgeous and you can find stuff at all price points.

And yes to F&M too, although their decorations are ££.

And yes to afternoon tea.

Skating at Somerset House followed by the big tree at Covent Garden is nice and festive.

Thanks for all the ideas.
I think I might book the lights at Kew Gardens for the Thursday evening
Afternoon tea on the Friday and hopefully won't be too full and fall asleep at Tina Turner!
I will put the department store decorations/windows on the list. The last time I went to Harrods must be about 20 years ago.

South Bank for the market, Covent Garden including Seven Dials for Xmas lights, Carnaby St for lights and Liberty, Selfridges etc for shopping could all be combined in a day, all walkable and plenty of options for stops for food/drinks/hot chocolates. Could add in ice skating at Somerset House too.
For another day Greenwich market area/park is great for wandering/markets/shops.

Fortnum's can be a real zoo in the run up to Christmas but the decorations are great and I go in just to stock up on their Royal Blend tea and executive biscuits.

If you are looking for a meal - try lunch at Oblix on the 32nd floor of the Shard - it's quite pricey but the food is great and there are uninterrupted views over the City and West End

We’re looking for things to do in the Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square area so I’m following it with interest....

You’ll love the Kew Gardens light trail by the way!

@Abracadabra12345 - Covent Garden is a bit of a tourist trap but Trafalgar Square two special things for me:

National Portrait Gallery - hard to get round in one go but simply great especially if there is an exhibition on.

Concerts in St Martin in the Fields just over the road - usually classical but also usually divine