The Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise is a 3-hour-15-minute round trip on the River Thames operated by City Cruises, departing Westminster Pier at 12:00pm on 25 December 2026 and returning at 3:15pm. Boarding opens at 11:30am. A welcome glass of sparkling wine, a three-course Christmas lunch and a licensed bar are included. From £169 per adult. This booking cannot be cancelled.
A city that has stopped, seen from the water
On 25 December the Underground does not run and the buses stay in the depot. The roads that carry a million people on an ordinary Friday are empty, and the river — which never had traffic to begin with — becomes the easiest way to move through London. You board at Westminster Pier at half past eleven, with Big Ben directly above you, and by midday you are away from the bank.
The boat is a modern sightseeing vessel: an open deck for those who want the cold air and the photographs, and a glazed interior for those who would rather watch the same view with a glass in hand. The interior is decorated for the day. Lunch is served over three courses, with the festive trimmings, and there are Christmas songs on board.
Before you book
One condition matters more than any other on this cruise: once you have booked, there is no cancellation and no refund. It is the only product in our Christmas range with that rule, and it is worth being certain of your plans before you confirm.
If you would rather keep the option to change your mind, the Christmas Day Lunch Cruise and Guided City Tour sails the same day, adds a coach tour of London in the morning, and can be cancelled up to 20 December.
