What are your favorite things to do in London during December?

Oh golly - where to start?! London (all of England, actually) is amazing during the holiday season. They just do it up to the MAX. We tend to go to London at Christmas every year, just because it is so fab!

TimeOut London always does an excellent round-up with up-to-date events, locations, ideas for neighborhoods to visit and art to see... they go into good detail and even list a bunch of $$$-saving deals. It's here for 2016: http://www.timeout.com/london/christmas

I have never managed to book tickets at a pantomime - and every year I promise myself that I will, because the panto is SOOOOOO Christmas-in-England! So that's a no-brainer.

Personal recommendations based on our trip last year...

The marvelous holiday lights on Oxford Street are up, and the area is bustling. And check out the cool rock 'n' roll themed decor on Carnaby Street - it is fab!

Covent Garden is all ablaze with lights and crazy decorations, the tree is up, and there are (mostly really good!) performers scattered about doing magic, juggling, comedy, singing opera... you name it. Covent Garden in December is Christmas personified, if you'll pardon the mangled metaphor.

If you love watching kids enjoying the heck out of themselves, visit Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland. It's magical.

I enjoy watching the skaters at Somerset House - most excellent people watching. And in the main building there's a nicely swank Christmas market with luxe vendors and tempting treats - very elegant.

And when you stop into a pub, there's almost always mulled wine on offer, and some sort of holiday menu.

OMG, I love London in December! Have a fabulous time!

Liberty department store isn't as well known in the US as places like Harrods, but they are beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Odd, as I don't think that London or the UK does much for Christmas compared with other places in Europe!

There is a Christmas market on the South Bank. Go early as it gets to be heaving from lunchtime onwards.

Hyde Park Winterland - best go during the day before it becomes too busy.

There is the odd pantomime in central London, but most will be out in the sticks. Many don't start until later in December. They are more popular with children. The Palladium has Cinderella this year starting 10 December. There aren't many tickets left.

The bigger stores will have Christmas window displays. The best are usually Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Harvey Nichols. Many of the smaller shops don't bother decorating their windows.

The main shopping streets will have Christmas lights. At least we seem to have got away from the dreadful Disney sponsored un-Christmasy street lights of a couple of years ago. Carnaby Street is the most original. The arcades off Piccadilly and Jermyn Street are the most tasteful.

Milton Keynes shopping centre has by far the best Christmas display in the country IMO, but it's 30 minutes away by train.

You could start with a day trip to learn about the code breakers at Bletchley Park (www.bletchleypark.org.uk), then continue 5 minutes more by train to Milton Keynes center for Christmas lights. There's also a theater by the shopping center, and Dick Whittington is their panto for December. There are 4 trains back to London in the 23:00 hour, and usually also one after midnight.

One year, the events lists helped me find a nice carol service in a small church in the city, followed by tea and biscuits.

Not London, but perhaps a day trip (or more) to the Bath Christmas market? I have been wanting to go for some time.

I second the Bath Christmas Market! Fun day trip. I also recommend a visit to Kew Gardens.. I know, but they are beautiful any time of year and the Christmas decorations are beautiful. Their shop is one of my favorites, too. Often bought lots of Christmas presents there. Covent Garden Market was also a great place to shop for presents.. go on craft day for handmade stuff and on antique day for some really special items. For many, many years we'd go the week after (American) Thanksgiving and really enjoyed ourselves... smaller crowds, great atmosphere. Bath's market is large and interesting, but there are good, though smaller, ones in Cardiff (mostly handcrafted items), Windsor (more French style than traditional German style), and finally York and Canterbury (lots of local farm sourced food items, home made fudge, and hand crafts). All of these places make good day trips at any time, but the Christmas Markets add a delightful extra treat.

Agree about trying to see a Panto. Saw Dick Whittington's Cat last year at the lovely Wilton Music Hall. I know pantos are traditionally for children but there was great laughter after our show ended and the star pointed out there wasn't a child amongst us.

Here's what in store for this season's panto. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/gallery/2016/sep/07/mother-goose-at-wiltons-music-hall-in-pictures

Another vote for Liberty. Very unique store and it's done beautifully for the holidays.

After checking out Fortum and Mason, stroll down Jermyn street and pop into St. James of Piccadilly to buy some Christmas Cards. There's a lovely small park where you can enjoy some coffee from Caffe Nero and rest your feet. One of my favorite spots.

During the holiday season I always pop into churches and check to see if there are special season programs. Choirs, sing alongs, concerts, Christmas bazaars, etc. Most enjoyable way to experience the holidays in London. St. Brides is a favorite.

I also would't miss wandering along the Portobello Road Market. Great shopping for stocking gifts. Go early and enjoy some coffee and pastry at Gail's Artisan bakery while watching the vendors setting up. Make a morning of it because by Noon it's a zoo. Not open every day. Google for days and times.

Lastly, I didn't think I'd enjoy the huge Winter Wonderland extravaganza in Hyde Park but I did. Great people watching, food, food and more food. I will say the Haunted House ride which sported frontage that looked like the aftermath of a Game of Thrones battle sequence baffled me but kids were clamoring to ride it.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Thank you all so much for your wonderful suggestions! They are very helpful and I'm hoping to try many of them!