Christmas Eve is Thursday 24 December 2026. London is busy with last-minute shopping and family outings during the day, then becomes quieter as shops shut and people head home. We would keep the morning for one booked activity, save the late afternoon for the lights and have dinner near our hotel or an easy journey back.
What to do in London on Christmas Eve
Take a festive walk through central London
Start around Covent Garden to see the decorated piazza and market building, then walk past Leicester Square to the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. Continue through St James’s Park for Buckingham Palace, or cross Westminster Bridge for Big Ben, the London Eye and a stretch of the South Bank. The route works even when shops and attractions close early, and it looks especially lovely once the lights come on in the afternoon. See our Christmas lights guide if you want to extend the walk through Regent Street and Carnaby Street.
Book one attraction for the daytime
The London Eye lists opening times by date, and its Christmas season includes special Santa in the Sky experiences on selected days up to 24 December. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London usually offers visits over Christmas Eve as part of Hogwarts in the Snow; it needs advance tickets and travel time outside central London. If you prefer an easy central outing with children, look at the dated calendars for SEA LIFE London Aquarium or a nearby show. Reserve an actual 24 December slot, because normal Thursday hours do not describe Christmas Eve.
Historic sites and museums can have different visiting arrangements. The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey may close to ordinary visitors for part of Christmas, even when the Abbey has worship services. If one of these is a priority, visit earlier in your trip and keep Christmas Eve for an activity that has a bookable time.
Spend the afternoon at Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and closes on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve it makes a festive afternoon with its market stalls, fairground rides, skating and the Peter Pan-inspired Magical Ice Kingdom. We have found weekday mornings calmer when visiting with our children. The official booking calendar shows entry times and the separate activities, so choose your slot before arranging dinner.
See a Christmas Eve performance or service
A matinee suits families who want a show and an early meal. Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show! currently lists two daytime performances on 24 December; Disney On Ice begins its O2 run on Christmas Eve. The Royal Albert Hall carol concerts also run through 24 December. Pick a venue near your daytime route and allow plenty of time to reach it. Our Christmas shows guide compares the current productions.
For a more traditional Christmas Eve, Westminster Abbey and St Martin-in-the-Fields hold seasonal worship and carol services. These are church services, with their own entry arrangements and capacity, rather than ordinary sightseeing visits. The Abbey Christmas services page gives the current programme.
Shopping, food and transport on 24 December
Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and the department stores are enjoyable in the morning for window displays and last gifts. Many shops close earlier than they do on an ordinary Thursday, while restaurants and bars have their own Christmas Eve hours. Reserve a table and choose a place near your hotel, especially if dinner ends after the last practical public transport connection. A pub meal, festive afternoon tea or an early dinner can all work; see our London food guide for areas to explore.
TfL and National Rail services usually finish earlier than normal on Christmas Eve, and regular London public transport does not run on Christmas Day. Look up the last journey you actually need in the TfL Journey Planner and with your rail operator; allow extra time after a show. If you need a taxi or an airport transfer, arrange it early.
Staying on for the holiday? Our Christmas Day guide covers walks, meals and special tours, and our Boxing Day guide covers the sales, skating and shows.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.