Christmas Tours in London 2026: Lights, Lunch Cruises and Day Trips

Christmas Tours in London – FAQ

• When are London’s Christmas lights switched on?

  The West End’s Christmas lights are traditionally switched on in early November and stay up until early January, so they cover the whole of December. Most of the Christmas lights tours on this page run from mid-November into early January, and each tour’s page gives its exact dates.

• What is the best way to see the Christmas lights in London?

  It depends on how you want to see them. The open-top bus tour covers the West End in 60 to 90 minutes with a live guide; the Singalong bus is closed and heated, with carols and mince pies; the walking tour goes on foot from Regent Street to Fortnum & Mason; the private tour uses your own car and guide; and Chelsea Winter Illuminations is a light trail with a winter village at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

• Does public transport run in London on Christmas Day?

  No. On 25 December the Tube, London buses and almost all trains stop, so it is worth planning how you will get around before you book. The Christmas Day tours on this page include their own transport — a hop-on hop-off bus, coach day trips out of London or a lunch cruise on the Thames — but you still need to reach the starting point on foot or by taxi.

• Where can I have Christmas lunch in London on 25 December?

  Restaurants that open on Christmas Day serve set menus and are usually booked up well in advance. If you prefer lunch already arranged, there are three formats: the Christmas Day lunch cruise on the Thames, a London tour followed by a lunch cruise, and the hop-on hop-off bus with optional Christmas lunch. Several day trips on 25 December also include a traditional Christmas lunch: filter the list by 25 December.

• Can I book a Christmas lunch or dinner before 25 December?

  Yes. The Christmas party cruise sails on the Thames in the weeks before Christmas, with lunch or dinner and music on board. Its dates and times are on its page.

• Which tours run on 24, 25 and 26 December?

  The list above can be filtered by date. Christmas Eve has day trips to Leeds Castle and Canterbury’s Christmas market, and evening tours in London; Christmas Day has the lunch cruises, the hop-on hop-off bus and day trips with Christmas lunch; Boxing Day has day trips to castles, cathedrals and Stonehenge. In 2026, 26 December is a Saturday and the Boxing Day bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December.