With Christmas just around the corner, now’s a good time to start planning how you’re going to celebrate the holidays. If you’re looking for some inspiration, why not explore the festivities our capital city has to offer this Yuletide? There are plenty of things to do in London at Christmas time. In this article, discover a selection of Christmas activities and find out how to wend your way to them on the water aboard the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service.
There are plenty of things to do in London at Christmas time. In this article, discover a selection of Christmas activities and find out how to wend your way to them on the water aboard the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service.
Christmas markets in London
Who doesn’t love a Christmas market? Even as an adult, there is something rather magical about them!
Take a stroll around ornate market stalls, experience the communal festivities, and enjoy a selection of handmade trinkets, mulled wine and other Christmas goodies.
Take a look at these iconic Christmas markets in London:
Southbank Winter Festival
Discover the magic of Christmas at Southbank’s Winter Festival. There are tonnes of festive pop-up food and drink stalls along the river Thames, as well as a selection of comedy shows, theatre shows, live music, art and exhibitions until 8 January 2023.
Enjoy a scenic Christmas boat trip in London before you explore the market, Southbank’s Winter Festival is just a short walk from our London Eye (Waterloo) Pier.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland has been the ultimate festive market for the last 15 years. From Friday 18th November 2022 until Monday 2nd January 2023, you can enjoy a huge selection of market stalls, rides, food, bars, music and attractions like ice skating and the ice bar.
Make the most of your trip to the capital and take in the iconic skyline with a Christmas river cruise in London. Stop off at either our Westminster or Embankment piers and hop on a short tube ride to Hyde Park.
Visit the man himself
Top tip: This is the perfect event to attend with your little ones.
Wouldn’t you know it, Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule of writing his list and looking after the elves to sail along the river Thames with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers! Hop on board select sailings on 3 and 17 December and take a Christmas River boat tour in London with Santa Claus.
When your kids meet Santa take a picture with him and encourage the kids to make their (realistic) Christmas gift requests. If they’re lucky, he may even have an early Christmas treat for them!
More details coming soon!
Take your family ice skating
Whether you’re a novice or a pro, ice skating is something the whole family can enjoy and it’s also a great form of exercise – which is an added bonus! Grab some skates, glide along the ice and make hilarious memories with your loved ones.
The big city has a selection of ice rinks to choose from, including Battersea Power Station, Somerset House, Canary Wharf and Queen’s House. You can easily get to these ice rinks with our Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service and hop off at our Battersea Power Station, Embankment, Canary Wharf or Greenwich piers.
Christmas shopping
With the hustle and bustle of the big city and hundreds of shops at your disposal, there’s nothing better than Christmas shopping in London, as long as you have the patience!
On the run-up to Christmas, our beloved capital is lit with a display of beautiful Christmas lights. Enjoy these glorious Christmas lights in London while picking up presents for your loved ones on:
- Oxford Street
- Regent Street
- Carnaby Street
- Bond Street
- Covent Garden
You can get to these famous shopping hotspots from our Embankment Pier – you can also marvel at the famous Christmas window displays of Fortnum & Mason, Liberty London and Selfridges.
Or head to the newly opened Battersea Power Station, the new destination for high-end shopping!
Christmas in Trafalgar Square
If you need a break from Christmas shopping, you can visit Trafalgar Square from our Embankment Pier and enjoy the festive sounds of classic Christmas carols.
On the run-up to Christmas, there is a selection of traditional carolling groups that get together to spread Christmas cheer and raise money for different charities.
You can also marvel at the famous Christmas Tree in the middle of Trafalgar Square, the latest in an annual tradition (dating back to 1947) of Norway gifting Britain a Christmas tree as thanks for supporting them during WWII.
Winter is the perfect season to see London by night! Get on board one of our Illuminated River Boat Tours from Tower Pier on either Thursdays or Saturdays and sail under the 9 lit up bridges of the Illuminated River project - transforming the capital at night, bathing the bridges that cross the Thames in environmentally-friendly LED light.
You'll hear from City of London and Westminster Guides as you glide beneath the newly-reborn architectural, social and historical landmarks that have shaped the capital's history.
Book a festive Christmas boat trip in London
With all these things to do in London for Christmas, take a trip to the capital and experience all the merriness it has to offer.
If you're taking your family out for the day remember that with a Family River Roamer you get all-day travel and kids 5 to 15 years old go free! Kids 4 and under travel free as standard.
Make the most of our Uber Boat by Thames Clippers services and start planning your festive journey today.