LONDON CHRISTMAS WALKING TOUR: HOW TO SEE CHRISTMAS ATTRACTIONS IN ONE DAY!

If you only have one day in London during December, make sure you check out this London Christmas walking tour!

London is one of the most beautiful cities during Christmas, so even if you only get a day trip to London, it is absolutely worth it. There are plenty of incredible Christmas attractions to see in December. This London Christmas walking tour includes all the “must-sees” in a single-day itinerary.

This is a perfectly circular walking tour of London with a festive holiday theme. The walk starts at one location and loops back to the starting point. This means that even if you don’t begin at my chosen attraction, you can start at any point on the route and return to it by the end of the night.

Keep reading to discover the unmissable Christmas locations on this London Christmas walking tour!

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WHY VISIT LONDON DURING CHRISTMAS?

You need to visit London during Christmas time at least once in your life. London has some of the most beautiful Christmas lights in all of Europe, and even just strolling down the shiny streets of this magnificent city will be enough for you to get into the festive spirit.

Additionally, London has some of the most charming Christmas markets all over the city, and each of them offers something unique and unusual. There are Christmas plays on West End, food stalls all over the city, and gorgeous ice rinks on several locations. If you’re looking for a Christmas fairytale, London is the city for you!

IS ONE DAY IN LONDON ENOUGH?

One day in London is definitely not enough for you to explore everything London’s Christmas markets have to offer, especially if you’re visiting for the fist time and you have regular sight-seeing to do. But if you’ve never seen London in December and you have the opportunity to see it in a day, I say go for it. London is truly magical in winter and every minute of your London trip will be amazing!

LONDON CHRISTMAS WALKING TOUR:

You can see a lot in one day if you choose to explore as much as possible. This tour begins at Hyde Park, but since it’s circular, you can start at any location that’s closest to you and return to the same spot.

WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter Wonderland is one of the most visited and most loved attractions in December every year. It’s located in Hyde Park, London’s biggest park which you’ll be visiting anyway. This Christmas market is not like the others. While it has several Christmas attractions, it also offers more of a carnival vibe with various rollercoaster rides. It’s also home to the popular Bavarian village where people come to drink and have fun.

Read more >>>Complete guide to Winter Wonderland (2025)

This Christmas market is great for everyone, but especially for anyone coming with children. This is my first stop because the earlier time slots are free, so you can enter without having to spend money on the entrance ticket. It’s also less crowded during the day.

Start your Winter Wonderland experience at around 3 p.m. It will take you around an hour to explore the shopping & food stalls, and maybe go on a few rides.

By 4 p.m. the sun will set and you can make your way to the pretty Christmas lights!

BOND STREET

Bond Street is a 20-minute walk from Hyde Park, and it’s the perfect first stop for your little Christmas lights tour. If you’re looking for a blend of festive vibes and luxury, Bond Street will be right up your alley. Bond Street is known for its gorgeous Christmas lights, as well as incredible Christmas displays and installations on some of the most luxurious stores.

Each year, stores like Chanel, Gucci, Dior, and Cartier go out of their way to create stunning and intricate installations. Those installations then become Christmas attractions and attract thousands of people. Make sure you visit this street and take photos of the dazzling stores!

OXFORD STREET

Just 5 minutes from Bond Street, you’ll find yourself on Oxford Street, London’s busiest shopping street. Not only is it known for its hundreds of stores, but it also features some of the prettiest Christmas lights. Each year, Oxford Street is adorned with thousands of sparkling LED lights, and this year you’ll find thousands of stars on display. The shops also work longer hours during December, so you can shop for gifts unhurried!

REGENT STREET

After exploring Oxford Street, take a five-minute walk to Regent Street, arguably the most iconic street in London during Christmas time. Regent Street was the first street in London to introduce Christmas lights in 1954, and to this day it continues to set the standard for festive displays. Their most famous lights are the stunning, shimmering angels you’ve likely seen in countless photos.

In addition to the gorgeous Christmas lights, Regent Street also offers incredible shopping options, from luxury to high-street brands. You can shop, enjoy live entertainment, participate in Christmas workshops, and so on.

CARNABY STREET

To see more unique and fun Christmas lights, walk 5 minutes to Carnaby Street. This street usually has incredible festive installations, but this year people are a bit disappointed with the basic-looking LED light installations. Regardless, you should still go and walk throughout the charming street and enjoy the festive mood. While you’re there, explore the quirky boutiques and unique shops that Carnaby Street is known for!

SEVEN DIALS

Only 15 minutes from Carnaby Street, you’ll find the Seven Dials market, a charming destination with thousands of Christmas lights adorning the streets. Along with stunning string LED lights, Seven Dials is home to many unique boutiques where you can shop while enjoying the Christmas atmosphere. There are also several bars and restaurants if you’d like to sit down for dinner somewhere special.

COVENT GARDEN

Covent Garden is only 5 minutes from Seven Dials, and it is probably London’s most iconic Christmas market. This market is known for its 20-meter-tall Christmas tree, gorgeously decorated with ornaments and lights, making it a stunning backdrop for photos.

Along with the tree, this Christmas market always has iconic decorations. This year they’re repeating the amazing gold and red bells and baubles. There are many stalls selling souvenirs, food, drinks, and other Christmassy products. Make sure you stop for 30 minutes at least.

LEICESTER SQUARE

Leicester Square Christmas market is 10 minutes from Covent Garden, and it’s a beautiful Christmas market you should check out. The crowds are huge but the market is still worth the visit. There are many stalls with amazing food and drinks, souvenirs, and hand-made products. There’s also live entertainment which you can enjoy, and if you’ve got time, you can even check out a Christmas show on West End nearby.

SOUTH BANK

SouthBank Winter Market is about 20 minutes from Leicester Square and it’s perfect for the foodies who love walks by the river. This Christmas market heavily centers around food, so when you visit you can try both British and international delicacies. While you’re there, you’ll get to enjoy some live music and lovely Christmas lights and decorations!

CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER

Christmas by the River is one of the most gorgeous Christmas attractions in London. It’s a 30-minute walk from the South Bank Winter Market and it houses many vendors selling food, drinks, crafts, and handmade gifts in their wooden stalls right next to the Thames. This Market is special because it gives you the most stunning views of the Tower Bridge, which is magnificent during the evening. This charming market is a must to get you into the festive spirit!

MARYLEBONE

Our final stop is a bit further away, so you can either walk for an hour or grab the Tube back. The final destination is the Marylebone village. The streets of Marylebone are decked out for the holidays and you’re surely going to have a lovely time. The village is gorgeously decorated and there are some incredible shops who prepare the most amazing festive window displays that will amaze you!

WINTER WONDERLAND

From Marylebone you can reach your starting point, Winter Wonderland, in around 25 minutes. Winter Wonderland is especially charming in the late evenings, so if you have the time and energy (after all that walking!) you might want to check it out once more!

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR THIS LONDON CHRISTMAS WALKING TOUR

THIS IS A LONG WALK – BE PREPARED!

There’s 11 km of total walking distance in this route. That’s around 3 hours of just walking, and when you add the additional time for exploration, shopping, taking photos and so on, this walk will take around 5 to 6 hours. If you feel like that’s too long for you, shorten it, or take longer breaks in between.

BEGIN MID-AFTEROON!

While you might want to start this walk as early as possible, keep in mind that you can’t enjoy the festive Christmas lights before it gets dark. The sun sets at 4 p.m. and that’s the same time the lights turn on. I would recommend starting with Winter Wonderland at 3 p.m. and catching the sunset there, but if you’re starting at another location, don’t start before 4 p.m.

TRY SOME TREATS!

So many of the Christmas markets offer incredible festive foods from the UK and all around the world. Make sure you check out the food stalls at Covent Garden and South Bank Christmas Market for some great delicacies.

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER!

It’s COLD in London in December. If you’re thinking of taking this London Christmas walking tour, make sure you dress warm. That means a very warm jacket, gloves, a hat, and a scarf. The winds are strong and the rain is frequent, so for your own health don’t come poorly dressed. Also, make sure you wear your most comfortable shoes, since this tour is 11 kilometers long.