England · CHRISTMAS

15 Christmas Experiences in England to Build a Day Around

31 tours  ·  from $18 a head

Good christmas experiences fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide - The Strand and the Savoy-inspired lights
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London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide

1.London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,040 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41Our pick

Ride from the London Eye through The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Fortnum & Mason, and Big Ben. A live English-speaking guide adds history, jokes, and Christmas traditions. The open top gives the best views, but seats are first come, first served and the bus does not stop during the 60 to 90-minute route.

“This was a great tour to do of the city on the first couple of days upon arriving. Getting to see a lay of the land and the beautiful Christmas time lights was lovely. I would 100% recommend getting there well before the 15-minute suggestion on the instructions. The earlier you are the more likely you are to pick your preferred seating, as it first comes first serve and you are not necessarily guaranteed a spot on the top/open part of the double bus to see all the lights. I would also suggest booking the tour during a time where there is not rush hour, or don't book anything after…”

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London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus - Trafalgar Square and the first Christmas views
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London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus

2.London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 135 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.) · from $43

Ride through central London on a restored 50-year-old double-decker bus while a local guide points out Christmas lights, royal landmarks, and famous streets. You’ll pass Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Harrods, Oxford Street, and Regent Street. Guides such as Steve, John, and Magnus add history and humor, but upper-deck seating is not guaranteed.

“Tour route was great. Could’ve been accompanied with Xmas music and less tour guide droning about the economy and acting like everyone was unfamiliar with the concept of Christmas”

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London Christmas Lights Guided Tour With Christmas Music - Oxford Street and the first burst of lights
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London Christmas Lights Guided Tour With Christmas Music

3.London Christmas Lights Guided Tour With Christmas Music

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $40Top rated

Walk through central London’s brightest Christmas displays with a guide, silent disco headset, and festive music. The route includes Oxford Street, Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, Leicester Square, Regent Street, and Soho. Kris is one named host associated with the tour. Expect singing, dancing, photo stops, and a lively 1-hour-45-minute group outing.

“My friends and I had a really great time definitely recommend and want to try one of the other ones soon”

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Christmas Guided Walking Tour in York - Beginning beneath York Minster
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Christmas Guided Walking Tour in York

4.Christmas Guided Walking Tour in York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $17Best value

Start beside York Minster at 4 pm for a 90-minute English walking tour with guides such as Sarah. Hear how Roman Saturnalia, Viking mid-winter customs, medieval beliefs, Victorian literature, and York chocolate shaped Christmas, then finish by the Christmas Market on Parliament Street.

“Don't miss this heart-warming and fascinating Christmas tour. Sarah was fantastic with her mix of history, Christmas tales, and stories behinds the holiday traditions that brought the season to life. It made me see York in a wonderful way and better understand and appreciate the Christmas traditions I hold dear in my family. We took the tour our first night in York and it set the stage for our next three days of an unforgettable vacation.”

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London Christmas Lights Private Tour by Traditional Black Cab - The first ride through London’s festive center
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London Christmas Lights Private Tour by Traditional Black Cab

5.London Christmas Lights Private Tour by Traditional Black Cab

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Ride through Mayfair, Chelsea, Belgravia, and Kensington in a private London black cab with a driver-guide such as Steve, Andrew, or Gordon. Expect classic sights, decorated shopping streets, frequent photo stops, and the option to finish at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. The cab seats up to six, though five adults may find it tight.

“Steve was an incredible tour guide and experienced driver. He was so thoughtful with the places he stopped and requests we had and very entertaining. He timed the tour perfectly to get us to the hourly advent display !”

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Christmas Lights and Markets Guided Walking Tour with Mulled Wine - Stories that give the lights a purpose
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Christmas Lights and Markets Guided Walking Tour with Mulled Wine

6.Christmas Lights and Markets Guided Walking Tour with Mulled Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Meet at Covent Garden at 3:30 pm for a 90-minute guided Christmas walk through festive markets, illuminated streets, and London stories. Your English-speaking guide, such as Tom, Henry, Carlos, or Jack, leads a group of no more than 10 and serves a complimentary glass of hot spiced mulled wine before the walk ends at Trafalgar Square.

“Tom was a fabulous guide .. fun, enthusiastic and really knowledgeable .. took us to parts of London you wouldnt know were even there .. loved every minute of the tour”

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London Christmas Lights Bike Tour with Local Guide - Sloane Square and Harrods: an elegant start
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London Christmas Lights Bike Tour with Local Guide

7.London Christmas Lights Bike Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $62

Ride through central London after dark with a local guide, stopping for Christmas lights, decorations, landmarks, and Southbank’s market. The small group, capped at 12, uses provided bikes, helmets, and Santa hats. Guides such as Felix, George, and Dom have led rides with history, humor, and careful traffic handling.

“Such a fun way to see the Christmas lights. Our guide was great fun and music along the way was amazing”

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London Christmas Lights Guided Tour by Cab - Trafalgar Square brings tradition into the evening
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London Christmas Lights Guided Tour by Cab

8.London Christmas Lights Guided Tour by Cab

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Ride through London’s best Christmas displays in a private black cab with local guide Dave. Over about three hours, you’ll see Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, South Bank, and Mayfair. Pickup is offered, bottled water is included, and your group of up to six receives the guide’s full attention.

“We had a wonderful time our driver was very patient as he picked up, we had to change plans to pick up as trains were cancelled . He was knowledgeable and thorough. We all love it.”

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London Christmas Carol & Charles Dickens Small Group Walking Tour - Starting at Inner Temple, where Dickens began his working life
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London Christmas Carol & Charles Dickens Small Group Walking Tour

9.London Christmas Carol & Charles Dickens Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $122

Join Richard Chambers for a two to three hour walk from Temple Station to Leadenhall Market, following Scrooge’s route through Dickensian London. You’ll visit Inner Temple, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, the Royal Exchange, George and Vulture, Simpson’s Tavern, and the market where Scrooge sends for his Christmas turkey. The group is limited to 10 people.

“I was surprised how much we saw, relating to CD & the story . It was excellent. A really interesting walk in its own right . My friend lives in London , knew the area & yet was thrilled with all the new sites she saw & history she learnt.”

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London Magical Christmas Walking Tour with Guide - Starting near Charing Cross
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London Magical Christmas Walking Tour with Guide

10.London Magical Christmas Walking Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 38 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Walk from Charing Cross through Regent Street, Soho, Mayfair, Bond Street, Carnaby Street, and Piccadilly Circus, ending at Hyde Park. Guides such as Ollie, Nelson, Baha, Sabrina, and Mariana add local stories, photo tips, caroling, and holiday spirit. Expect a fast-paced route, crowds, cold weather, and no included food or Winter Wonderland admission.

“Baja did a nice job of showing us the major Holiday areas and giving us some background on each area. Beware to use go Google maps and not Apple Maps to find the meeting place. We were in the wrong spot. Luckily it was a small group and they were nice enough to wait 5 minutes for us.”

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Christmas Lights Open-Top Bus Tour - Starting at Green Park and reaching Marble Arch
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Christmas Lights Open-Top Bus Tour

11.Christmas Lights Open-Top Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 31 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $39

Ride for about an hour from Green Park through London’s Christmas-lit streets, passing Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, and Westminster. A live English-speaking guide, including guides such as Micheal, adds historical facts and city stories. The upper deck offers the best views, but bring warm clothes.

“Lots of action and lights, the wonderful fresh air and feel of cool breeze on your face, the wonderful xmas lights, and xmas music”

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Christmas Mulled Wine Walk of Winchester - King Arthur connections at Winchester Castle
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Christmas Mulled Wine Walk of Winchester

12.Christmas Mulled Wine Walk of Winchester

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Meet on Castle Avenue for a 90-minute private walk through Winchester’s Christmas lights, from a medieval gate and King Arthur connections to the High Street and cathedral. A comedian guide, including Bryan on some departures, adds humor and local stories, with mulled wine along the way. The walk ends at Winchester Cathedral.

“An excellent tour by Bryan! A lovely walk around Winchester with some humour and interesting stories thrown in alongside a delicious mulled wine. I’d thoroughly recommend!”

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London Private Christmas Lights Taxi Tour with Pick Up - Regent Street starts with London’s grandest display
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London Private Christmas Lights Taxi Tour with Pick Up

13.London Private Christmas Lights Taxi Tour with Pick Up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Ride through London’s best Christmas displays in a private licensed taxi for up to six people. Your driver-guide takes you to Regent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Bond Street, and Victoria Embankment, with time to walk, take photos, and stop for festive treats.

“Gary was fantastic! I sent my family on this tour while they were visiting me in London and they were raving about it afterwards, but their highlight was how friendly and kind the driver was. We even forgot something in the cab and he went out of his was to return it to us the next day. This was the perfect experience for my family during the Christmas holidays!”

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London Christmas Lights Guided Walking Tour - Meeting Caroline or Phil at Covent Garden
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London Christmas Lights Guided Walking Tour

14.London Christmas Lights Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $61

Meet official London guides Caroline or Phil at Covent Garden at 5:00 pm for a two-hour walk through London’s best Christmas displays. See Trafalgar Square, Burlington Arcade, Bond Street, Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Carnaby Street. The group is limited to 15, with time for photos and stories along the way.

“At Christmas its a sea of humanity. But very worth it. Wear comfortable shoes. You'll love it. Peace”

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London Christmas Eve Illuminations Guided Tour by Night - Buckingham Palace and London’s royal center
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London Christmas Eve Illuminations Guided Tour by Night

15.London Christmas Eve Illuminations Guided Tour by Night

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 28 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $80

Spend Christmas Eve touring London’s illuminated landmarks by luxury coach. A professional English-speaking guide provides stories about Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, and more. The 1-hour-45-minute ride starts and ends near Victoria Station, with no food included and no hotel pickup.

“The tour guide and entire experience was amazing!!! We got information on the history of Christmas lights in some of London’s most iconic areas and were treated to a bottle of mulled wine!”

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