London late November to early December

Well, you have 6 months until your trip, so don't panic.....

Some random suggestions:

• smaller venues such as Cadogan Hall for concerts
• churches in addition to St Martin's have noon time concerts on certain days of the week and they are always a delight
• Royal Albert Hall for larger acts and in that timeframe perhaps something Christmasesy
• Evensong service at St Paul's, very close to your hotel
• download the TodayTix app for rush tickets for theater

Not that much in the domain of pubs in that immediate area, I don't think, but the Blackfriar
is not too far away - it's more of a drinking pub than a gastropub, if I recall. Used to go there
after work in a land long ago and far away.

I was there last Nov. and my favorite thing to do was just wandering around looking at all the Christmas decorations.

I would make Kew Gardens a priority. Tickets should not be difficult to get. They are available now. I thought 4:20 was the perfect time.

https://feverup.com/m/563647?thm=9473

Allan was there last Nov.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-november-in-london-the-christmas-edition

I provided the visual:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/a-snapshot-of-london-nov-2025-my-trip-report-in-photos

You commented on my Trip Report of my visit to London last November so maybe you made a note of it, this is a pub that we really liked. https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/anchor-bankside It was decked out for Christmas inside and out.

Get your Christmas at Kew tickets now.

Interesting note on Kew Gardens. Last year the earliest time slot was 4pm. I see this year the earliest time slot is 4:20. I'm wondering if 4:40 would be a better option then.

I am headed back to London this Nov. and will have to think about that timing for the Kew Gardens.

And one tip is to let everyone in your time get out in front of you. That way you have a better chance of taking photos without a lof of people in them. This strategy worked well for me last year.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Allan. I just reread your report. Carol, I will secure Kew tickets today.

Been during the holiday season many times. Look under Trip Reports for my 2024 Back in London commentary.

Some tidbits of advice.

Book tickets for Kew Gardens now or when they become available. Very popular. Really lovely.

Besides St Martins in the Fields for music ( choral, orchestral, etc) peruse the websites for Cadagon Hall, Wilton’s, Royal Albert Hall, and Wigmore Hall.

Besides Regents, Oxford, and Bond streets Christmas lights investigate Canary Wharf, Carnaby Street and what’s planned to be projected on the exterior walls of the massive Battersea Power Station. It’s now a huge shopping center. In 2024 Wallace and Gromit were projected. If you don’t know about Wallace and Gromit you should.

Lots of the churches and cathedrals have special holiday presentations. Check places such as St Bartholomew’s, Grovsner Chapel, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and Southwark Chapel.

There’s the massive WinterWonderLand in Hyde Park. Think amusement park on steroids.

Many of the pubs will be offering festive meal deals. Remember you don’t have to drink in a pub. Also you’ll often find a pub dog or cat.

There will also be vendors selling Christmas Cards and ornaments in the various street markets. Check out Spitalfields or look in the lobbies of churches. If you desire you can enjoy a hot chocolate in an igloo set up on the Thames path near the Tower of London.

London is noisy, crowded and brilliant during the holidays. Enjoy!

EDIT: favorite pubs: Seven Stars near Royal Courts of Justice( pub cat, The General)
https://www.thesevenstars1602.co.uk/ also great pasta dishes.

The White Cross by the Thames in Richmond
( place can flood ), https://www.thewhitecrossrichmond.com/

The Mitre on St Mary’s Axe in Richmond
( 15-20 minute stroll from Richmond Station) Rudi is the pub dog. He’s the best! https://themitretw9.co.uk/

The Grapes ( Sir Ian McKellan’s pub )
https://thegrapes.co.uk/

Thanks, Claudia. I just purchased the tickets for Kew on previous advice from this thread. I will look at those other venues for Christmas music. I remember I bought Christmas cards when we were at the shop at St. Martin in the Fields and some Christmas ornaments for our daughter. We are not daily alcohol imbibers but are not averse to mulled wine or red wine in general and I’m sure my husband will have a pint when he’s there.

OP no need to have alcohol in a pub. By definition they are gathering places for families.

I walk a lot when in London so by 2pm, 3pm at the latest, I want to rest tired feet, lower back and to use a loo. Also need some sustenance. Thus my preference for a pub. Depending on my mood may have a pint, may not. Usually I’ll order a bowl of soup or a plate of fried calamari or some stew.

I’m there before the work crowds pop in so many times it’s only me or 2 or 3 other people. Can read, post iPhone pics, check emails and text.

Also, yes definitely visit the War Rooms and if interested in WW2 then take the train out to Bletchley Park. I expected to spend 1 hour there. Spent 4.

I'm envious!! We were in London (and Bath area) last year from Nov 22-Dec 8. We stayed our first 3 nights at the Sloane Square Hotel (Chelsea), mainly because we had a show we were attending at the theatre on the Square. There was lovely feel to our evening village walks to see the the decorations in the area and to step into Peter Jones & Partners dept store and see the community shopping for Christmas. Maybe check to see if there are special lighting displays or just ride the bus/tube to check out the less hectic holiday spirit. (I didn't get a trip report written :(

We enjoyed A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic.

Are there any other concerts you would recommend during our time frame?

Not quite a "concert" - on arrival day last December I made my way across the Lambeth Bridge and joined the queue for Evensong at Westminster Abbey. I was near the front of the line and was able sit in the quire, quite close to the choir. It was a wonderful service, and for me enough exposure to the interior. Plus it's free - donations appreciated on the way out. A bit of irony: in the Abbey's gift shop right next to where you queue up, there are large signs warning to be aware of pickpockets. Obviously nothing is sacred...

If you favor tea over alcohol, you might look into breakfast, lunch or tea at the Tea House Theatre, located on the site of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It's a charming space, and was decorated for the holidays. They have Christmas concerts some evenings. It's off the beaten touristic path, but actually easy to reach.

This is such a wonderful time of the year. I have been to London and Bath during the holidays for the past three years, but unfortunately will not be able to return this year.

You have received so many good recommendations. There are two items not mentioned yet that I do every year:

• See a Pantomime. It is a classic retelling of fairytales, featuring music, comedy, and audience participation.
• Visit East End for unique Christmas markets. I found many of my Christmas presents at the Spitalfields market. While you are there, you can opt to take a food tour (Eating Europe does an excellent one). If you don’t take a food tour, but love Indian food, there are some amazing options on Brick Lane. If you love classic British food, St. John Bread and Wine is famous for its nose-to-tail British dining. They change the menu daily. Everything is hyper seasonal, focusing on the best of British meat and veg.

One other item that I have done once with a friend who wanted to see the Christmas lights and have high tea. We took the b-bakery Grinchmas bus tour and saw all the major tourist sights, the lights, and the food was absolutely delicious. I was actually quite surprised at how tasty, creative, and beautiful the tea was. They also have a beautiful souvenir book that has illustrations of London. Sit on the top if possible and book early as their teas do sell out.

Thanks, Mark and Sandy. I will definitely look into those suggestions.

A panto is a brilliant idea - a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Wilton's Music Hall is a renovated Victorian music hall that always hosts one so you get the atmosphere as well (although there are many in venues around London).

We had 2 nights in London this past November, then 10 in December, with time in Italian between. We booked two Pantos, at Wilton’s Music Hall and at the Palladium. Wilton’s is a much more intimate venue, and the production not as extravagant as the over-the-top Palladium, and was actually the favorite of the two (and much less expensive, too). For three years now, their show was A Potted Panto, a mash-up of not one, but five fairy tales, plus A Christmas Carol, as a bonus. Lots of audience interaction with both shows. Other venues seem to feature a different fairytale each year, but it’s not really about retelling the fairytale - that’s just a background theme for topical observations, political jokes, and some insider references, to everyone’s delight.

Unfortunately, maybe, is that Wilton’s didn’t start their show until the second week of December, after it sounds like you’ll have wrapped up your trip. Lots of streets (especially in shopping areas) were strung up with spectacular lights and ornamental displays, but again, those might just be getting set up on, or right after Dec. 4. Oxford street might have lights (millions of little stars dangling from strings last year) before you leave - might - but I wouldn’t bet on it. Regent St., New Bond St., Piccadilly, and others might statuette g illuminated for Christmas just after Dec. 4.

Outdoor ice skating is an option, too. If you’re up for it, Somerset House had their 25th year last year in the central courtyard, which started in mid-November. Pre-book your tickets, and don’t bring a pack, bag, or even small purse, if you don’t want to deal with the mandatory bag check process. Also, for the first time ever, a small Zamboni’d rink was at Leicester Square, with a “Christmas Market” that was mostly huts and stands with mulled wine and kind-of tacky knickknacks.

Hi Cyn,

Per Google everything in London will be lit up for Christmas by mid-November. We shall see. The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree will be lit December 3 which is the night we plan to attend the concert at St. Martin in the Fields. Per my memory from 20+ years ago, shops (Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, etc.) were in full Christmas mode around November 11 when we were there. I looked at the different Pantos and they do not occur when we are there but A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic will suffice for us.