A Perfect 3 Day London Christmas Itinerary
Have a Christmas like you see on the screen.
Does having a London Christmas that feels straight out of a holiday film sound fun to you? The kind with twinkling lights, festive cheer and a touch of magic at every turn?
A perfect 3 day London Christmas itinerary is your ticket to making that a reality. As an American living in London who spends weeks every year diving into all the festive activities, I know firsthand just how much there is to see and do. Planning on visiting London at Christmas can be overwhelming! So I put together a ‘cheat sheet’ for creating a seamless London trip you’ll never forget.
This is a 3-day plan that combines iconic London attractions with the town’s best holiday cheer, showing you how to organise a trip like the movies!
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Day 1: Festive Foodie & Iconic History
Your first day is all about diving into the festive spirit with some of London’s most famous markets and historic landmarks.
- Morning: Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Borough Market, a foodie heaven. This is also the perfect place to pick up a quintessential British souvenir: a Christmas pudding. I highly recommend visiting McLaren’s Christmas Pudding. It’s a family-owned business with a phenomenal pudding that isn’t the stereotypical “fruit cakey” stuff people dread. It actually is something that British People Eat for Christmas.
From there, take a short stroll over to the London Bridge Christmas Market, my absolute favourite holiday market because it has such a diverse range of food.
- Afternoon: Witness one of London’s most stunning sights by visiting the Tower of London. You’ll be able to explore centuries of history, from the Crown Jewels to the iconic Beefeaters.
- Evening: Plan to be at the Sky Garden just before sunset to watch London be bathed in a truly magical light. This is a perfect way to end a busy day with a spectacular view.
London Bucket List Travel Planner
- Solves the issue of what to plan each day
- Pairs 4 major London attractions with daily itineraries
- Offers 9 different travel styles (foodie, royal fans, mother-daughter trips & more!)
- Pairs with 1:1 Trip Consultation for super savings!
Day 2: Royal Grandeur & London Christmas Lights
Day two combines the best of royal London with dazzling light displays and a special evening of music.
- Morning: Start your day with a tour of Westminster Abbey, a place steeped in royal history. It’s where the wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, took place, as well as the coronation of the Queen and more recently, King Charles III. From there, you’re only a short walk to Trafalgar Square to see the famous Christmas tree and market.
- Afternoon: Continue your cultural journey with a visit to the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square, home to masterpieces by Van Gogh and Da Vinci.
- Evening: Experience a true London Christmas spectacle. Take a magical Christmas light walk along Regent Street and Carnaby Street to see London’s most beautiful and famous displays. Afterward, unwind with an unforgettable evening at a Candlelight Concert, a breathtaking (and very romantic!) way to spend a cold December evening.
Day 3: Ice Skating & Iconic Shopping
Your final day is dedicated to quintessential London Christmas activities and a spot of luxurious shopping.
- Morning: Lace up your skates for a festive morning on the ice at the Somerset House ice rink.
- Afternoon: Indulge in a delightfully festive experience with the Grinchmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll past Buckingham Palace and take some pictures in front of the gate.
- Evening: Finish your London trip with some iconic shopping at Fortnum & Mason, a true London institution. If you want a more formal Christmas tea experience, you can skip the Grinchmas bus afternoon tea and enjoy tea at Fortnum & Mason instead. You can also book an evening performance at the Royal Albert Hall, a truly unforgettable way to end your trip. (It’s where all the James Bond film premieres are held!)
Hotels
If you haven’t booked your hotel yet for your London trip, here’s an interactive map to get you started! It’s based on the most central location in town.
Ready for the full experience?
This 3 day London Christmas itinerary is just a taste of what’s possible! The problem with planning a London Christmas trip on your own is you end up missing out on things because you don’t know what is close to what. That’s why I created my Ultimate Christmas in London Guide.
The full guide includes:
- Two full three-day itineraries: one “Cosy” and one “Posh”
- Mr. Sunny’s 12 Pubs of Christmas list and his famous sausage roll recipe
- 4 Self-guided Christmas walks
- Activities you need to book ahead so you don’t miss out on anything
- More than 90 pages of ideas, tips and inspiration to help you plan your best London trip
Christmas in London
Don’t ruin your London trip with a bad itinerary! Your dream Christmas in London starts here.
From sparkling lights to perfect itineraries, self-guided walks and everything in between, our brand new Christmas in London guide is packed with festive magic! (and Mr Sunny’s holiday sausage roll recipe)
Don’t miss out on your Christmas like a movie!
For an even more personalised plan, you can book a one-to-one trip consultation with me. I’ll take your interests and preferences and turn them into the perfect, seamless London itinerary for you.
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I hope this overview helps you see what’s possible in only three days in London during the holidays. For even more content, be sure to follow me on social media to watch all the activities as they unfold and sign up for my weekly email for the latest news and London Christmas updates.
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