There's nothing we love more than an afternoon tea - so how about making it a festive affair? London's quaint venues are pulling out the big guns this year, with the likes of The Egerton House Hotel hosting a Nutcracker-themed spread, complete with miniature sweet treats from £48 per person. 

Meanwhile, over at The English Grill at Rubens at The Palace Hotel, you'll find a Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea, complete with fresh scones and themed cakes, as well as Champagne if you're feeling fancy. 

This Christmas, travel up to soaring heights and explore some of London's best rooftops with your family and friends. In our guide, you'll find a selection of cosy igloos, 360-degree views and signature sips. 

Head to the City to hunker down under a blanket and sip on espresso martinis, or venture into Soho to catch glimpses of the London Eye lit up, while sharing small plates and sipping wine. 

Out of all the things to do on Christmas Day in London, it's got to be the food that wins. Our capital is home to a staggering number of Michelin star restaurants, alongside plenty of traditional pubs and other venues serving a knock-out Christmas Day dinner.

From seven-course feasts at British fine dining restaurants to a twist on your festive meal from a Portuguese rooftop restaurant with views of Battersea Power Station, book one of these 25th December experiences now to save on the stress of cooking and faff of washing up.

For fun things to do in London at Christmas, check out our events guide. We'll help you plan a roaring schedule complete with fondue, popcorn and fizz, and themed pop-ups. 

Gather your mates and hit up a cocktail-fuelled Victorian murder mystery with tickets to Mr Fogg's, or spend an evening frolicking in a ball bit, completed with Instagrammable drinks and pizza in Shoreditch. Whatever you're looking for, we've got it. 

Whether Churchill Arms' Christmas tree and light-covered exterior, Queen of Hoxton's gothic Venice rooftop pop-up with gondola seating and festive food from Italy, or The Cadogan Arms' traditional interiors and gastro grub would be more your thing, there's something in store for you from London's pubs this Christmas.

With a long history of pubbing and ale houses (and some from the 1600s still standing), it only make sense that the city's boozers would come alive even more at Christmas. Think turkey-laden feasts in front of open fires and seasonal decor galore.

If you're on the hunt for the top things to do in London at Christmas with kids, then you're going to love our guide. We've got a packed list of activities they'll love, from Harry Potter-themed walking tours to trying out curling. 

Fan of theatre? Then check out the West End Musical Christmas and belt out your favourite tunes. There's also a super cute afternoon tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair, fit for all ages, and a chance to get your baking hats on across East and South London.

How about some mice pies with your free-flowing booze? Hit up one of these festive-themed brunches across the city and look forward to a raucous affair that raises even Rudolf's brows. 

The Cocktail Club presents Afters at Uncle Nick's, featuring endless eggnog, and Drag & Waffle at Queen of Hoxton is promising some good times and food that's bound to sleigh. 

The 24th December can be a tricky one. Marking the lead up to the big day itself, Christmas Eve can feel like a whole lot of waiting in anticipation of the clock striking twelve. To make the time go quicker? There are plenty of fun, Christmassy things to do.

Choose between heading to your local social darts bar for festive cocktails, a bottle of prosecco each and unlimited pizza, an immersive Christmas dive bar complete with a singalong experience, and a few festive nibbles accompanied by live music.

Celebrate Christmas in London 2024 with tickets to some of the best shows. After all, we are the city where you'll find everything from world-class ballet companies with their latest production of the Nutcracker to pantomimes and West End theatre.

See something a little different and all the more immersive with The Great Christmas feast - a theatre experience complete with live action from the home of Charles Dickens and The Christmas Carol, alongside a Victorian-inspired meal - and the Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner at Mr Fogg's Residence in Mayfair. There's even the West End Musical Christmas show at Lyric Theatre too.

A top pick of free things to do in London at Christmas? Creating your very own Christmas light trail by touring around the very best the capital has to offer this season. Featuring 40ft Christmas trees and even high-tech light displays projected onto heritage buildings, it's the ultimate festive activity.

You'll find the very best illuminations and spectacular lights switch-ons across Leadenhall Market, The Shard, Covent Garden, Carnaby Street and even more besides.

An absolute must when Christmas rolls around is making your way to a festive market (or many, if you're really into the spirit of things). Battle your way through the crowds at Covent Garden, Leicester Square, South Bank, Greenwich Christmas markets, where you'll find a heap of treasure to buy, eat and drink.

Grab your loved ones a Christmas gift from the artisans, find new ornaments for your tree at home, glide around ice rinks, and fill up on all kinds of treats - we're talking mulled wine, loaded hot chocolates and bratwursts aplenty.

An iconic location to celebrate Christmas? The world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Christmas at Kew returns year-after-year to treat us Londoners to staggering displays of biodiversity alongside stunning lights.

The illuminations trail here spans a fire garden, tunnels of lights and more, with independent street food traders on hand to keep you well fed and watered as well.

Christmas dinners are always fantastic but what if you want to enjoy your festive feast while gazing at themed installations? There are plenty of Instagram and TikTok-worthy restaurants in London that pull out all the stops.

From baubles hanging from ceilings to foliage woven with fairy lights, decorations aren't done by halves at venues like Daphne's, Annabel's, Sketch, Duck & Waffle and more. 

Undoubtedly one of the most popular Christmas activities in London? Ice skating, of course. There's nothing quite like taking to the ice in a manner that rivals Torvill and Dean (or Bambi, if your skills are far less than Olympics-worthy).

You'll find numerous ice skating rinks across London this winter, including at GLIDE Battersea Power Station, QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl, Somerset House and Hampton Court Palace.

Taking over the city every year since 2007, Winter Wonderland is synonymous with Christmas in London and one of our biggest attractions across the period. This sprawling mecca of festive fun has everything from activities to presents, food and drink - so where to start?

We'd recommend the ferris wheel for views over London and the other rides for higher octane thrills, as well as perusing the hundreds of wooden huts to uncover unique gifts and artisanal products to buy. But don't forget about mulled wine, the ski chalet bars or street food traders either.