UK · CHRISTMAS
Good christmas experiences fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Open-top Christmas lights bus tour with a live guide. See Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, Regent Street, Oxford Street and more for about 90 minutes from $33.
“This tour was a magical way to enjoy the beautiful lit up London ! Our guide was wonderful and knowledgable . Highly recommend!”
Ride a vintage Routemaster open-top bus for 75 minutes of London Christmas lights, with funny guide commentary and top-deck views.
“really enjoyed it , great tour , our guide, driver all very friendly and fun people will certainly do it all again next year”
Ride a 1960s Routemaster bus past London’s top Christmas lights, with live guide and festive songs, from Embankment to Trafalgar Square.
“We liked everything about it from start to finish. The music was good, the route good.”
Restored vintage double-decker Christmas lights tour past Oxford Street, Regent Street and Knightsbridge, with live guide and night views.
“Christmas lights in London can't be missed! Amazing! Toby, our tour guide had some unknown trivia for us about some of the areas! Weather was good! Freezing but good. Dress in multiple layers!”
London Christmas lights on an open-top bus from Embankment, with festive music, Oxford Street displays, and a Trafalgar Square market stop.
“Işıklı caddelerin çoğundan geçmedi. Aynı yerde dönüp durdu. Parasına kesinlikle değmez.”
A 90-minute vintage bus ride through London’s Christmas lights, with tea or hot chocolate and festive bites along iconic landmarks.
“We had a fantastic time on our journey round London, taking in all the fabulous sights on a very old open top vintage London bus! Our guide was outstanding, she had exceptional knowledge on London explaining as we passed by. Can’t wait to come back again. Thanks again!”
Guided open-top bus tour of London’s Christmas lights, passing Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, and the London Eye.
“It was severely impacted by NY Day road closures which hadn’t been allowed for. The tour ran much longer than expected and still didn’t get to some of the sights listed. We also had to get off the tour on the other side of London and make our own way back.”
90-minute London Christmas lights bus tour with singalong carols, mince pies, festive drinks, and Big Ben, Oxford Street views.
“We enjoyed it but were expecting a singalong but the music wasn’t up to much which spoilt it somewhat The couple behind and the three in front of us were up for a sing song but the music was so slow everyone lost interest Everyone loves a bit of Rudolph the red nose reindeer and frosty the snowman no matter how old you are! If the music was more upbeat and cheery I would definitely be recommending it to everyone - never heard Feliz Navidad sung so slow! The mince pies and mulled wine were included but we were pleasantly surprised by the glass of Prosecco”
Bike through London’s Christmas lights from Kennington, see shop windows and markets with a pro guide, helmet and bike included.
“Brilliant tour of London’s Christmas lights! A wonderful way to see the lights and hustle and bustle of London at Christmas. Our guide, Sam, really made the tour. He was informative, friendly and so much fun. We would highly recommend this bike tour!”
Christmas Day Thames lunch cruise from Westminster with sparkling wine, a 3-course roast, festive music, and London lights views.
“A fabulous way to spend Christmas. Great vegetarian option. Loved the space between parties on the table to allow for a more intimate setting. Staff were friendly, hospitable and nothing was an issue. Entertainment was great to set the mood.”
Enjoy a heated 1-hour Christmas Day cruise on the Thames from Westminster Millennium Pier, with holiday lights, live commentary, and snacks.
“Contrairement à ce qui est marqué, il n’y a pas de traduction en plusieurs langues, dommage pour ceux qui ne sont pas encore a l’aise avec l’anglais Cependant, superbe croisière au départ du Palais de Westminster jusqu’à Tower Bridge, je recommande car ça permet de commencer la journée tranquillement et en ce temps frais, le bateau es chauffé”
London Christmas lights from an iconic black cab, with live guide commentary, frequent photo stops, and hotel pickup for up to 6. 2.5 hours.
“Andrew was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and lots of fun. Highly recommend”
London Christmas Eve lights, a 3-course Covent Garden dinner with Prosecco, then Midnight Mass at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
“Trip was good, guide funny. Had to wait for dinner seating then not enough time to finish meal before church service. Service started at 11 but we were told buses would leave at 1:00. Service finished by 12:10. Buses left before time and then our guide got off before all guests were returned to hotels. Overall good experience.”
90-minute London Christmas lights bus tour with chef-made afternoon tea, PG Tips drinks, and Prosecco or mulled wine.
“It was lovely and Megan our guide was very good. It was raining and dark but didn’t detract at all from our enjoyment of seeing the Christmas lights.”
3-hour London Thames Christmas party lunch cruise with a welcome sparkling wine, live festive vocalist, and a hot three-course meal.
“Nice food. Friendly staff. Singer had a great voice. Downsides. There were only a few people on the boat so atmosphere rather flat. No one’s fault but the bench style seating made it impossible to get up without asking 3 other people to slide out so made it difficult to chat with other members of our group throughout the trip. Wine quite expensive.”
Four nations, and the best of what each one puts on.
