The Best Things to Experience on a Christmas Trip in the UK

Every year I am thankful I get to experience Christmas in the UK. My family loves the beautiful lights and festive cheer that takes over every corner of the country.

If you’re planning to visit the UK during the peak winter season, you’re likely to encounter the festivities. Christmas celebrations kick off early in November and last to early January. Come rain or shine, there’s many ways to spread a festive spirit across the holiday season.

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Why Should You Visit the UK for Christmas?

The United Kingdom is a fantastic place to spend Christmas. One of my favorite trips of all time was a week in London over the Thanksgiving holiday. I was able to stretch my meager vacation leave further and found myself wandering nearly empty halls of Westminster Abbey, which was a far cry from the summer crowds I’d experienced on my first visit.

Whether you’re looking for Christmas markets, dazzling light displays, or a quaint winter village, there’s a place in the UK just waiting for your visit.

Where Should You Go on a Christmas Trip in the UK?

You’ll find holiday events and decorations all over the UK, even in tiny villages. However, if you’re looking to make the most of the season in one place, look to visit one of these top four Christmas spots:

Edinburgh

I have a whole post dedicated to why you should visit Edinburgh in December, and the seasonal finds are a major part of that. Scotland can be dark and cold in the winter, but the dazzling Christmas market and layers of lights turn even this spookiest city into a warm and inviting holiday wonderland. 

Grab a cup of mulled wine and enjoy a charmed walk through the Christmas market and take in the many light displays around the city. When you feel too chilled to continue on, pop into a pub or one of Edinburgh’s many beautiful bookshops. Consider sticking around for Hogmanay for a once in a lifetime new year experience. 

See the full guide to Edinburgh in December for tips on where to stay near all the holiday action!

Bath

The ancient Roman baths in Bath, England are the most famous draw to this lovely city on the southern edge of the Cotswolds. Visiting Bath is a good idea any time of year, though, and the Christmas decorations here only add to the daily charm. 

The Christmas market is set up in the historic quarter outside Bath Abbey. The towering gothic spires of the abbey make for a gorgeous backdrop while you wander through the market. 

When you’re done shopping, head over to Royal Victoria Park for ice skating just across from the Royal Crescent. There’s a covered bar area serving food and holiday drinks if you’d rather take in the scenery while others exert themselves. 

Just outside Bath is your opportunity to see Christmas lights in a truly unique environment. Wookey Hole Caves puts on a full winter wonderland underground, including over 100,000 lights. Santa’s North Pole Grotto will delight the kids in your group. 

Check out my guide to visiting Bath for more about how to get here and places to stay!

York

Located in the north of England, York brings plenty of British Christmas enchantment. Every year the city hosts Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, a massive seasonal festival. Christmas market stalls can be found here, as well as funfair rides, Santa’s Grotto, and a massive ice skating rink.

Don’t miss a visit to the Shambles, York’s medieval shopping street with one of a kind shops and cozy cafes. The window displays are delightful and the whole area will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

If you’d like to spend a few days in York, or at least stay overnight, check out the beautiful Grays Court Hotel, with views of the city’s medieval walls and close proximity to the city centre.

London

Maybe I’m biased because I live near London, but I’ve yet to find a big city more delightful at Christmas time. Seasonal magic pops up all over, whether you want to stroll a Christmas market along the Thames, ice skate in a palace courtyard, or buy drinks on a carousel in the middle of a fun fair. Head to the South Bank Christmas Market, Somerset House, and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for those experiences.

Of course, one of the biggest draws are the over the top Christmas light displays that take over London roads like Regent Street. Heading out for an after dark walk is my favorite way to experience this, but you can also book a private taxi tour if you have less mobile folks or young kids in your travel group.

Wondering where to stay in London? Any of the spots highlighted in my guide to hotels for your first trip to London will put you right in the middle of the Christmas action.

The Best Christmas in the UK Experiences 

Ready to start planning your Christmas trip in the UK? Here are the top enchanting experiences you will definitely want to try out that go beyond the basics.

Christmas light trails

Many historic sites and gardens across the UK go all out with their seasonal light displays. These are usually ticketed events and well worth booking in advance to avoid disappointment. It’s common to find treats like hot chocolate and mulled wine to sip as you take in the lights, and bonfires for toasting marshmallows at the end of the trail.

Bigger gardens sometimes go for my favorite display, fields of fire pots. It’s hard to explain how impressive they are, and perhaps some of this comes down to the novelty since I’d never see them back in fire hazard California. There’s something warm, comforting, and wonderfully wild about these displays.

The biggest and perhaps most popular spot to find a lights trail in the UK is Kew Gardens near London. If Disney had a hand in Christmas trails, this is probably what they’d put together. The event sells out each year, so definitely book tickets as soon as you know your available dates.

Christmas markets

Every UK city will have at least one Christmas market where you can peruse gifts and buy tasty treats. Larger cities like London will have many markets dotted around, but even smaller villages usually get in on this offering.

Wherever you’re visiting, you’ll encounter fewer crowds by heading to the market during the week and earlier in the day. Things can get busy at night, though visiting after dark also means all the lights will be on.

Ice skating

Ice rinks are a common sight from November to January. This is an iconic winter pastime, and even non-skaters can enjoy the ambience from the side of the rink. Stands selling festive drinks are readily available while you watch or to warm up after your skating session. My favorite skating rinks are:

• Skate at Somerset House. Located in a stunning courtyard in London, this is a place I never miss visiting each winter.
• Hampton Court Palace. Just outside London and easily reachable by train, gaze at the iconic palace and the Thames river as you circle around.
• George Street. Located in Edinburgh’s New Town, this rink has a cover over it so you can skate even if the weather isn’t cooperating with your plans.
• Glide at Battersea. This massive London rink is actually three connected together with an adjacent chalet and Christmas market to enjoy before or after your skate.

Holiday festivals and events

Beyond Christmas markets and light trails, you can also find a wealth of holiday inspired events across the UK. Here are a few favorites to add to your schedule, from South to North:

• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London. This is one of the most famous events among a sea of London options. The festival sprawls across a wide corner of Hyde Park and includes an ice sculpture walk-through, Bavarian village, Christmas market, and lots of fun fair events. Don’t miss the slow moving carousel that’s also a bar.
• Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio near London. While a little Disneyland-ish, there’s really no substitute for diehard Harry Potter fans. In the winter, the studio goes all out to dress up the sets for a wizard-approved holiday season. ❄️ Click Here to Book Your Visit with transfer from London ❄️
• Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland in Wales. The capital city of Wales transforms into a winter wonderland with ice skating, an ice bar, Christmas market stalls, and a fun fair. The fun occurs in two locations in the heart of the city and next to the iconic Cardiff Castle.  
• Polar Express in the Yorkshire Dales. If you’re visiting with young children, don’t miss this chance to live out the excitement of the Polar Express as you travel the Wensleydale Railway in Yorkshire. The experience comes with a chance to visit with Santa in a truly unique setting.
• Edinburgh’s Christmas. The annual Christmas event in Edinburgh takes place across several locations in the heart of the city. Whether you join in for Santa’s Stories in St Andrew’s Square or shop your way through the Christmas market in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, you’ll find plenty of cheer to keep you busy. 

Castles at Christmas

What would a trip to the UK be without a visit to a castle or palace? These historic sites are always a treat, but many really get into the holiday spirit. Expect holiday lights, trees, and festivals to add to your experience. Here are a few of my favorite castles and palaces for winter visits:

• Windsor Castle. Fans of the Royal family will enjoy this visit any time of year, but they really go all out with Christmas decorations. Don’t miss the giant tree in St. George’s Hall.
• Hampton Court Palace. Henry VIII once celebrated here, and the sprawling palace is an attraction I recommend for anyone visiting the London area. During the winter season the palace comes alive with seasonal events and ice skating. 
• Hever Castle. Once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, this countryside castle near London is picture perfect. At Christmas, a small market and funfair sets up just beyond the double-moated castle. 
• Blenheim Palace. This sprawling beauty is the perfect addition to your Cotswolds Christmas. Decorations are extensive indoors and out, with a lights trail illuminating the palace gardens and a Christmas market set up in the courtyard. 
• Bamburgh Castle. This castle in the north of England is set in a truly idyllic setting right on the coast. At Christmas, you can expect expansive decorations, and special events like wreath making classes and a chance to visit Santa in the castle halls.

If you’re staying in London, you can take a day trip to some of these castles by train, saving yourself from driving stress. 

Holiday food and drinks

While you’re visiting in the festive season, don’t forget to try out the seasonal food and drink options! Heading to the pub for a Sunday roast goes great this time of year, when the hearty food can warm you before you head back out on adventures.

Two things I always indulge in for Christmas time are mulled wine and mince pies. Mulled wine is made from red wine infused with spices, citrus, and a hint of sweetness. It is served warm and smells like Christmas in a cup. You’ll find this at most holiday events and at Christmas markets. 

Mince pies are small, sweet pastries that pop up all over at Christmas time. I would have loved Toppings bookstore in Edinburgh anyway, but they really won my heart when an employee started passing out mince pies to browsing customers. A mince pie often resembles a tiny pie and is filled with apples, dried fruits, and mixed spices. British families often leave out a mince pie for Santa, along with a nip of brandy to help him on his way.

Christmas carols

The UK is dotted with picturesque churches and cathedrals. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the acoustics of these places, look for carol services. Probably the most famous option is to visit Canterbury Cathedral, although St. Pauls in London and Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh both offer Christmas Eve carol services as well.

For a more secular experience, look to Royal Albert Hall in London for their annual Christmas carol productions.

British pantomime and theatre performances

Pantomime shows, usually advertised as “panto” are a unique and beloved feature of the holiday season. They typically take on a fairytale or other well-known story and add a heaping dash of comedy and audience interaction. Don’t be surprised when your expectations of British reserve are shattered here. It’s all a bit of silly fun and a great outing for all ages.

For the most traditional Christmas theatre outing, head to see The Nutcracker at Royal Opera Hall. The unforgettable setting and tremendously talented performers will have sugar plums dancing in your head all evening. 

Head over to my guide to London for theatre lovers for even more dramatic ideas!

3 Surprises About Christmas Trips in the UK

Help your trip go smoothly by keeping in mind these tips on things that tend to surprise visitors to the UK.

Christmas closures

If you are planning to visit the UK over Christmas, be aware that many tourist sights, shops, and restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (the 26th). Short hours and closings are also extremely common on Christmas Eve. Plan to spend these days with your travel companions on a leisurely walk or cozied up in your lodging.

Daylight hours

It gets dark early during the winter in the UK. The winter solstice usually arrives just before Christmas, bringing sunset before 4pm in southern England and more like 3:30pm in Scotland. This can be jarring if you’re not accustomed to shorter days, but gives even more time for you to explore Christmas lights and decorations.

Christmas weather in the UK

December brings plenty of cold and potentially damp days to the UK. Now is the time to pack wisely. Layer your clothing so that you can leave some items at coat check when you’re going to be indoors at an event or museum. Quilted coats and beanie caps are your friends to stay cozy while you’re out exploring.

FAQs about Christmas Travel in the UK

When can you find Christmas lights in the UK?

While the US at least tries to put off going into full Christmas mode until after Thanksgiving, here it is pretty much a Christmas free-for-all from early November. Cities start putting up their light displays by the second week of November, and usually leave them up well into January. It gets dark early here in the winter, so no one is in a rush to let go of the holiday spirit.

Where can you find snow for Christmas in the UK?

The UK has a fairly temperate climate, so snow is not guaranteed across the country. If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, set your sights on the Highlands in Scotland. The Cairngorns National Park gets enough snow for skiing and other winter sports.

Where can you meet Santa in the UK?

Santa’s grottos, meeting spots for Father Christmas to greet children, are easily found at most Christmas events and also at some markets. Larger department stores also sometimes set up a Santa’s grotto for the lead up to Christmas.

Check out where you want to visit Santa in advance because many require a booking that will set aside your time to visit with Santa. Unlike many Santa visits in the US, it’s common for Santa’s elves to make sure children leave with a small gift – often a wrapped book.