Shopping In London At Christmas

Festive finds across London streets

🎄 Shopping in London at Christmas transforms the city into a glittering, gift-filled playground of lights, markets, and iconic stores.

London becomes a Christmas wonderland, where twinkling windows, festive lights, and the scent of mulled wine fill the air. This guide keeps you on track from hitting iconic streets, dropping into the legendary department stores, and weaving through the best markets and pop-ups.

Let this page be your route planner to exploring the ultimate Christmas shopping destination.

🎅 London Christmas Planning 2025 Starts Now! 


The Covent Garden car is decorated for Christmas with presents.Covent Garden In London Is Decorated For The Christmas Season

Christmas Shopping In London: Navigate Your Visit

Iconic Shopping Streets & Districts

As Christmas draws near, London’s shopping streets glow with twinkling lights and festive displays, and every stroll feels a little magical. Each district has its own vibe, with Oxford Street’s buzzing flagship stores and Carnaby’s quirky charm. With so many streets, you might take a wrong turn and end up discovering a back street you hadn’t planned to explore.

Regent Street in London during Christmas is lined with decorated storefronts, including Hamleys.Hamleys Toy Store And Christmas Lights On Regent Street, London

Oxford Street & Regent Street

Oxford Street is London's most recognised shopping district, with several major stores like Selfridges, John Lewis, and Zara. During the Christmas season, it is illuminated with thousands of festive lights, and Regent Street has its iconic "Spirit of Christmas" angel displays overhead.

  • ⭐ Flagship stores: Selfridges, John Lewis, Zara.
  • ✨ Festive highlight: A glittering display of angels, stars, and sparkles.

Bond Street & Mayfair

During the Christmas season, Bond Street and Mayfair become a dazzling display of luxury and elegance. The streets are illuminated with light displays, and the windows of designer boutiques such as Chanel, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton transform into festive works of art. Even if you do not intend to splurge, strolling through this opulent district feels like entering a holiday postcard.

  • 🛍️ Designer boutiques: Chanel, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton.
  • ✨ Festive highlight: Sophisticated light displays and luxury storefronts.

Carnaby Street & Soho

Carnaby Street is all about creativity and colour, and at Christmas, it transforms into one of London's most vibrant shopping destinations. Every year, its festive lights feature a new theme, ranging from bold music tributes to eco-friendly designs, transforming the entire street into a spectacle that attracts both locals and visitors.

  • 🛍️ Shops to explore: Diesel, Rayban, Irregular Choice, Levi's, Annie’s Ibiza.
  • ✨ Festive highlight: Colourful, creative Christmas lights with bold themes.

Covent Garden & Seven Dials

Covent Garden is pure Christmas magic, with its famous giant tree, sparkling baubles, and street performers spreading holiday cheer. Shoppers can browse high-street brands alongside artisan stalls and boutique shops. The Seven Dials is just around the corner, and it is a charming maze of independent stores. Stop for some mulled wine or hot chocolate to soak up the atmosphere.

  • 🛍️ Shops & Stalls: Apple Store, Mulberry, Saint + Sofia, A.P.C.
  • ✨ Festive highlight: Towering Christmas tree, glowing baubles, and sparkling festive lights.

Knightsbridge & Brompton Street

During Christmas, Knightsbridge showcases elegance and tradition. It is home to some of the city's most spectacular displays. The world-famous Harrods and Harvey Nichols are adorned with festive lights and lavish window displays, which have become a cherished holiday tradition.

  • 🛍️ Flagship stores: Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Levis, Russel & Bromley Ltd.
  • ✨ Festive highlight: elegant Christmas lights, glittering windows, and luxury displays.

Legendary Department Stores

London’s department stores have a way of turning Christmas into something unforgettable. From the sparkling halls of Harrods to the bold displays at Selfridges, these places don’t just sell gifts, they create wonder. Year after year, they have drawn crowds not just for shopping, but for the feeling of the season. In this section, we explore the stores that have made Christmas in London truly legendary.

Christmas lights at John Lewis on Oxford Street.John Lewis & Partners at Oxford Street During Christmas

Christmas at Harrods London

Harrods is the most famous department store in London, and during the holiday season, it becomes a festive wonderland. Its sparkling facade and iconic window displays attract many visitors, while inside, you will find luxury fashion, gourmet hampers, and a renowned Food Hall filled with holiday treats.

  • 🛍️ Shopping highlights: Luxury Fashion, Designer Accessories, Toy Kingdom.
  • 📍 Street: Brompton Road, Knightsbridge
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line)

Selfridges in London

During Christmas, Selfridges is Oxford Street's big star, transformed into a whole floor of festive wonderland filled with gifts, fashion, and one of the best toy sections you will ever see. The window displays are like mini works of art, and they always draw a crowd. You pop in to have a quick look and suddenly realise you've been wandering around all day.

  • 🛍️ Shopping highlights: Designer Fashion, Beauty Hall, Gift Ideas
  • 📍 Street: Oxford Street in the Marylebone district
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Bond Street (Central, Jubilee & Elizabeth line)

Fortnum & Mason

The Christmas season at Fortnum & Mason is filled with elegance. It's famous for its hampers, teas, and gourmet treats. Upon entering, you'll feel as if you're in a Dickens novel with sparkling lights above, refined decorations, and a smell of spiced biscuits wafting through the room.

  • 🛍️ Shopping highlights: Christmas Hampers, Fine Teas, Luxury Chocolates
  • 📍 Street: Piccadilly in the St James’s district
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly & Bakerloo lines)

Liberty

As one of London's most distinctive department stores, Liberty has an eclectic mix of fashion, interiors, and gifts in its Tudor-style facade. Christmas brings with it a magical atmosphere. The store is filled with unique decorations, beautifully curated ornaments, and charm that sets it apart from the city's glossier retail giants.

  • 🛍️ Shopping highlights: Designer Fabrics, Home Décor, Christmas Ornaments
  • 📍 Street: Great Marlborough Street, Soho (just off Regent Street)
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria & Bakerloo lines)

Westfield London

Westfield London holds the title of Europe’s largest shopping centre, and at Christmas it transforms into a festive playground. With more than 300 stores, sparkling seasonal décor, and even an indoor ice rink, it’s a one-stop destination for gifts and holiday fun.

  • 🛍️ Shopping highlights: High-Street Brands, Designer Labels, Tech Stores.
  • 📍 Street: Ariel Way in the Shepherd’s Bush district
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Shepherd’s Bush (Central line) / Shepard's Bush Market (Circle & Hammersmith Line)

John Lewis

One of London's busiest department stores is John Lewis on Oxford Street, a true London shopping destination. From festive window displays to homeware sections dressed for the season, and a full-on Christmas shop, it adds extra sparkle at Christmas.

  • 🛍️ Shopping highlights: Christmas Gifts, Homeware Essentials, Fashion Finds, Beauty Picks
  • 📍 Street: Oxford Street, Marylebone
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria & Bakerloo lines)

Magical Christmas Markets & Pop-ups

It would not be a London Christmas shopping trip without visiting its festive markets. A warm cup of mulled wine and roasted nuts drifts between the stalls, tempting visitors to stop even if they intend to wait until a later date. The sparkle of Winter Wonderland, Greenwich and Leicester Square, makes these markets wrap the season in lights, laughter, and little surprises that make the city feel magical.

In Covent Garden Piazza, a giant Christmas tree is decorated with red and white lights.Covent Garden Market With A Giant Christmas Tree

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is London’s biggest festive fair, blending a massive Christmas market with rides, ice skating, circus shows, and Bavarian-style food and drinks. It is a true winter village buzzing with lights and excitement. Our visit to Winter Wonderland was a reminder of why we love London at Christmas.

  • 🎁 Best for: Gifts, food stalls, and festive thrills.
  • ✨ Festive highlight: The largest festive market and fairground in Europe.
  • 📍 Location: Hyde Park
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Marble Arch (Central line) and Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly)

Trafalgar Square Christmas Market

Located underneath Nelson's Column and London's historic Christmas tree, a gift from Norway since 1947, Trafalgar Square's market feels intimate and charming. A market which sells craft and festive snacks. Then at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, various performances around the Christmas theme.

  • 🎁 Best for: Traditional gifts, carol singing, festive snacks, and ornaments.
  • ✨ Festive highlight: London’s official Norway Christmas tree gift.
  • 📍 Location: Trafalgar Square
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Charing Cross (Northern & Bakerloo lines)

Covent Garden Christmas Market

Covent Garden transforms into a magical wonderland at Christmas, featuring a giant tree, sparkling lights, and festive chalets that sell handmade gifts and treats. Many times, during the holiday season, the enchanting lights, live performers, and the scent of mulled wine make it an unforgettable experience.

  • 🎁 Best for: Chic gifts, ornaments, boutique gifts, festive snacks
  • ✨ Festive highlight: Giant Christmas tree and dazzling baubles
  • 📍 Location: Covent Garden Piazza
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line)

Southbank Centre Winter Market

The Southbank Winter Market along the Thames comes alive in the evening, transforming into a festive wonderland. Charming wooden chalets line the riverside, beckoning visitors with the delightful aromas of spiced treats and hot pastries. The warmth of mulled wine fills the air, and twinkling lights create a cosy ambience.

  • 🎁 Best for: Handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, riverside fun
  • ✨ Festive highlight: Strolling by the illuminated Thames on a festive night
  • 📍 Location: Southbank Centre, Waterloo
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Waterloo (Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo, Waterloo & City lines)

Leicester Square Christmas Market

A charming Christmas market tucked away in Leicester Square in London's West End. Santa's Grotto and festive shows add a family-friendly feel to the wooden huts selling gifts, food, and mulled wine. You'll find a cosy festive escape right in the heart of the city.

  • 🎁 Best for: Family fun, central location, Santa’s Grotto
  • ✨ Festive highlight: A cosy market in the middle of the West End
  • 📍 Location: Leicester Square
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Leicester Square (Northern & Piccadilly lines)

Greenwich Christmas Market

Nestled in the heart of Greenwich, the covered market operates throughout the year, but during the Christmas season, it transforms into a vibrant wonderland. The market buzzes with energy as local artisans showcase an array of handmade crafts, from intricately designed jewellery to stunning pieces of art that reflect the creativity of the community.

  • 🎁 Best for: Handmade crafts, artisan gifts, local charm
  • ✨ Festive highlight: Attractive riverside setting with artisan gifts
  • 📍 Location: Greenwich Market
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: North Greenwich (Take bus to central Greenwich from O2 Arena)
  • 🚇 Nearest DLR: Cutty Sark (DLR)
  • 🚇 Nearest Pier: Greenwich Pier (Public river bus to central London)

Old Spitalfields & King’s Cross Pop-Ups

In Old Spitalfields and King's Cross you can find seasonal pop-up shops filled with independent designers, local makers, and quirky gift ideas. These areas feel less “touristy” and more like discovering hidden gems. This is the kind of place where you'll find unique gifts, mixed with food stalls.

  • 🎁 Best for: Independent designers, unique crafts, creative finds
  • ✨ Festive highlight: Urban Christmas vibe with rotating stalls
  • 📍 Location: Spitalfields Market / Coal Drops Yard (King’s Cross)
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines + Overground + Elizabeth line) / Aldgate East (Circle, District + Hammersmith & City)

Festive Experiences While You Shop

Shopping in London at Christmas is the tailored adventures and the little moments along the way that make it special. The smell of mulled wine, the magnificent display windows, ice rinks and Santa's Grotto. No matter what street you take, there is always a little something that reminds you that you are in London for Christmas.

London's Harrods lit up with golden lights during Christmas, attracting shoppers.Harrods Shines Bright In Golden Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights Trails

Strolling through these illuminated trails, visitors are greeted by a dazzling display of colourful lights that twinkle in rhythm with the joyous spirit of the season.

  • ✨ Oxford Street: Starry lights stretching the length of London’s busiest shopping street
  • 👼 Regent Street: Iconic angel displays soaring above the road
  • 🎶 Carnaby Street: Themed lights each year (from music legends to sustainability)
  • 🎄 Covent Garden: Giant Christmas tree, piazza baubles, and twinkling market halls

Famous Window Displays

London’s department store windows are a festive tradition in their own right. Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, and Liberty unveil new designs every year, often becoming social media sensations.

  • 🏰 Harrods: Luxury fantasy scenes that span the entire Brompton Road façade
  • 🛍️ Selfridges: Playful, creative displays with themes that change each year
  • 🎁 Fortnum & Mason: Traditional British elegance with an advent calendar-style façade
  • 🎨 Liberty: Quirky, artistic windows that match the store’s unique character

Ice Rinks Near Shopping Areas

Few things are more festive than lacing up your skates after a day of Christmas shopping. London’s seasonal ice rinks frequently appear in historic or central locations, making them easy to combine with nearby shopping.

  • ❄️ Somerset House: Iconic 18th-century courtyard with one of London’s best-known rinks
  • 🏙️ Canary Wharf: Long-running rink with modern skyline views
  • ❄️ Greenwich Ice Rink: Festive skating beside the historic Queen’s House with stunning riverside views

Santa’s Grottos & Family Fun

For families, no Christmas shopping trip is complete without a visit to Santa. Many of London’s festive markets and department stores host grottos or family-friendly attractions.

  • 🏰 Harrods: Luxury grotto experience with advance booking required
  • 🎭 Leicester Square: Cosy grotto inside the Christmas market, perfect for young kids
  • 🎡 Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park): Santa Land with rides, grotto, and family shows

Practical Tips & Insider Advice

Knowing certain practical advice while shopping in London at Christmas will make you save time and avoid the worst of the crowds. Dive into the best times to visit London's shops and several tips to make the most out of the festive atmosphere while doing your last-minute Christmas shopping.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with Christmas markets.Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Christmas Market In London

Best Times to Shop

Choosing when to go shopping in London at Christmas can make the difference between a magical day and a stressful one. Weekday mornings in late November or early December are calm and comfortable, while weekends closer to Christmas are packed. Evenings are the most atmospheric with the lights glowing, but they’re also the busiest.

  • ✅ Quietest: Weekday mornings before the rush
  • ✨ Most atmospheric: Evenings after 5pm
  • 🚫 Busiest: Weekend afternoons in mid-December

Extended Opening Hours

Most of London’s shops extend their hours in December, making late-night shopping a great way to avoid crowds while still soaking up the festive vibe. Oxford Street and Covent Garden often stay open until 9 pm or 10 pm, and department stores like Selfridges and Harrods also host special evening shopping events.

  • 🛍️ Oxford Street & Covent Garden: Late-night openings in December
  • 🏬 Department stores: Check for special late shopping days
  • 🌙 Insider tip: After 8 pm, crowds thin out, but the lights are still magical

Getting Around the City

The fastest way to get between London’s shopping areas is by Tube, with most districts just a few stops apart. Walking is also a great option, especially in the West End, where Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, and Liberty are all within 10 minutes of each other.

  • 🚇 Tube: Quickest way between central shopping hubs
  • 🚶 Walking: Best for Oxford/Regent/Carnaby clusters
  • 🚌 Buses: Good for seeing Christmas lights from above ground

Beating the Crowds

Crowds are unavoidable at Christmas, but a few simple tricks can make your trip much smoother. Shop earlier in the season, go on weekday mornings, and save the big attractions for off-peak times when they’re quieter but still magical.

  • ✅ Go early in the season (late Nov/early Dec)
  • 🕰️ Weekday mornings = fewer queues
  • 🎡 Book Winter Wonderland entry in advance

Budget-Friendly Tips

Christmas shopping in London does not need to cost much. There are various ways to enjoy the atmosphere without spending too much. For budget gifts, combine big-name shops with Christmas markets. Take advantage of free sights like lights and window displays; remember that they are all free to enjoy.

  • 🎁 Markets: Affordable gifts at Greenwich & Spitalfields
  • ✨ Free fun: Lights, window displays, Christmas trees
  • 🚶 Save money: Walk between central shopping areas instead of taxis

🎅 London Christmas Planning 2025 Starts Now! 

Suggested Christmas Shopping Itineraries

Ever wondered what the 'right' route is to discover and wander the shops in London? There is no fixed route, however, planning a specific trail might take you across certain spots of London you never thought of passing through. These festive itineraries below are simple and ready to be used.

London's Leicester Square at night with festive lights and people shopping.Leicester Square, London

Half-Day Trail: Markets & Lights

There are a lot of central markets along this route, but you can also see some of London's most famous Christmas lights if you've only got a short amount of time.

  • 💎 Luxury Route: Designer & Department Stores
  • 🎄 Start at Covent Garden for boutiques, the giant Christmas tree, and mulled wine
  • 🌉 Walk to the Southbank Winter Market along the river for crafts and street food
  • ✨ End the evening with a stroll past the Regent Street angels and Oxford Street lights

Luxury Route: Designer & Department Stores

This itinerary is ideal for those looking for the best gifts and the best shops in London.

  • 💎 Begin on Bond Street & Mayfair for luxury boutiques like Chanel and Cartier
  • 🏰 Head to Harrods in Knightsbridge for iconic windows and luxury hampers
  • 🎁 Finish at Fortnum & Mason for teas, hampers, and gourmet Christmas gifts

Family Day Out: Fun & Festive

A great route for kids and parents alike, this route combines the best in toy shopping with festive attractions and fun for the whole family.

  • 🧸 Start at Hamleys on Regent Street — London’s most famous toy store
  • 👼 Stroll down Regent Street under the Christmas angels
  • 🎡 Head to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for rides, ice skating, and Santa’s grotto

FAQ: Shopping in London at Christmas

Are shops open in London on Christmas Day?

Shops are generally closed, with only a few exceptions.

When is the best time to go Christmas shopping in London to avoid crowds?

Before the rush of Christmas shopping, which is usually at the end of November or beginning December. Tend to plan your shopping visits in the mornings on weekdays.

What are the Christmas markets in London and which ones are worth visiting?

Several Christmas markets like Winter Wonderland, Covent Garden, South Bank, amongst others. They are all worth visiting for different reasons, however, the massive ones mentioned here are worth visiting.

Which department stores in London do the best Christmas window displays?

Strolling by Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Liberty are amongst the best Christmas window displays.

What transport or Tube options are best for getting around London’s shopping districts at Christmas?

Tube is definitely the best way of getting around hassle free, however walking gives you the opportunity to see more of London. All main tubes pass by all central London.

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