London/England-Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

The main thing about Christmas Day is that there is no public transport. It starts winding down on Christmas Eve. So things aren't open but you cant get to them ...

There are things to do on Christmas Day; little traffic makes walking more pleasant for one thing.

Thanks so much. Walking would be nice.

Sorting out a restaurant to eat in and booking is a good idea.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! stays open for some reason.

Church services.

Watch the people swim in the Serpentine.

Over the years have enjoyed 3 lovely Christmas days in London.

Its bliss. The hustle and bustle is absent. Walk, explore and enjoy the quiet calm.

Start Christmas Day by watching the short but fun Peter Pan Cup race in the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Mingle. Someone will be willing to share some hot chocolate or hot toddy with you. Then stroll around Hyde Park. Enjoy seeing families out and about. New bikes, new clothes, new prams, maybe a new puppy.

London is a melting pot. Many Londoners are not Christian. Thus you discover some cafes and restaurants and even pubs that are open. However, unless you are in an apartment and stocked up on food, best you reserve dinner at a place that has chosen to be open Christmas Day. Happening more often now but be prepared for mostly all eating establishments to be closed.

By using google maps before u leave the States see whats close to your accommodation and when you arrive inquire about what their hours will be on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

One of my most fondest Christmas in London memories was Christmas Eve midnight mass at St Paul's. That December it was very cold. There were occasional snow flurries.

Walking outside of the cathedral to see snowflakes drifting down in the glow of the street lights while the bells peeled was Christmas magic! So, if you can, attend midnight mass somewhere.

There will be special choral and Christmas music performances through out the city. Look at TimeOut London on line.

Definitely see a Panto. Last year I enjoyed the Dick Whittington Panto at the Wilton Music Hall. Great silly traditional British Christmas fun. Try to see a panto.

Double check but I think London Walks still operates on Christmas. Check their calendar.

Personally I love the idea that London shuts down on Christmas Day.

As a fellow SoCal resident I hope you'll enjoy the cold, fewer hours of daylight, brighter lights, (Oxford and Regent streets), British Christmas traditions ( including the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast on the Telly and maybe the Yule Log) and not seeing any palm trees!!! Embrace the difference!

There will be Boxing Day sales if you are a shopper.

The tradiion is to eat Christmas Dinner at lunchtime. So check whether any pubs/restaurants open on the day are in fact talking about a lunchtime or evening meal. If pubs serve a lunchtime Dinner they then usually close for the rest of the day, there will be a few exceptions but they need hunting out and may not be conveniently situated. There will be some taxis (and car services) around but they are allowed to add a Christmas supplement to the fare.

The Heathrow Express has shut down over part if not the whole Christmas->New Year period in recent years in connection with engineering work for Crossrail. This is likely to continue until it is finished I expect.

London Walks usually do two on Christmas Day; one starting in the late morning the other in the early afternoon.

Thank you all for the wonderful information. A lot to think about and plan.

Years ago we were in London during the Christmas holidays. Thought every thing would be closed, but never saw so many people shopping on Boxing Day. People came from all over Europe to shop.

Yes, I have, and while we did enjoy I have since found places 100 times more enjoyable for the holidays. But otherwise I love London.