England · CHRISTMAS

The 15 Christmas Experiences in England That Earn Their Price

31 tours  ·  from $21

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 christmas experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

London by Night Bus Tour with Christmas Lights and Live Guide - Starting beside the London Eye on Belvedere Road
Christmas, Evening Experiences, Guided, London Christmas Lights Tours, London Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 shares London facts and festive traditions during this 60 to 90 minute, non-stop evening tour.

“The bus did not have enough room on the top for my family of 3. We could not see anything from the seats below. Very disappointed.”

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London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Double-Decker Bus - Trafalgar Square and the city’s festive center
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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 a restored 50-year-old vintage bus through London after dark, passing Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Harrods, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Piccadilly Circus. Guides such as Steve, John, and Magnus add London history and seasonal stories. Dress warmly, since the open upper deck can be very cold.

“It was just bus ride through the shopping district. There were some lights but now what was expected. We were looking for lights through the city and houses. There was a good history lesson while we were driving around. Disappointed on the lights.”

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London Christmas Lights Guided Tour With Christmas Music - Oxford Street under the star 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 London’s brightest Christmas streets with a guide, silent disco headphones, festive music, and stories. The route includes Oxford Street, Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, Leicester Square, Regent Street, and Soho. Kris is one host praised for bringing extra energy to the evening.

“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 at Warwick Castle - Light Trail & Ice Skating Packages - The light trail, from glowing trees to castle projections
Christmas, Tour Reviews, Warwick Tours

Christmas at Warwick Castle – Light Trail & Ice Skating Packages

4.Christmas at Warwick Castle – Light Trail & Ice Skating Packages

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 95 reviews · from $32

Visit Warwick Castle after dark for a six-hour Christmas outing with illuminated gardens, projections, a market, Santa storytelling, and optional open-air ice skating. The route is fully accessible, and the mobile ticket makes entry simple, though weather and crowd levels can affect the skating and light show.

“We visited Warwick Castle and booked the light trail for late December/New Year. We have visited quite a few times before, and we normally have a nice time. It’s definitely worth booking if in the area.”

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London Christmas Lights Private Tour by Traditional Black Cab - From Mayfair shop windows to Chelsea streets
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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 black cab with guides such as Steve, Gordon, Andrew, and Greg. Expect London landmarks, festive shop windows, frequent photo stops, and the choice to finish at your hotel or Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

“We all loved the cab tour, our driver David was welcoming, informative and made the tour a lovely experience! We saw parts of the city we wouldn’t have seen otherwise in 2.5 hours, especially on a rainy day!”

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Christmas Lights and Markets Guided Walking Tour with Mulled Wine - What you see between Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square
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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

Walk from Covent Garden to Trafalgar Square with an English-speaking guide such as Tom, Henry, Carlos, or Jack. Expect Christmas lights, craft stalls, street performers, holiday history, and one complimentary glass of hot spiced mulled wine in a group of no more than 10.

“The Christmas lights and markets excursion was no rush, full of dynamic and great stories! Tom was expressive, artistic and fun guide we simply fell in love with! He took thorough care of us as individuals and a group in that way we became friends by the end of the tour. Highly recommended!”

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London Christmas Lights Bike Tour with Local Guide - Hyde Park and Bond Street: from open space to luxury shopping
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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 London after dark with a local guide, passing Sloane Square, Harrods, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, and Southbank’s Christmas market. You’ll cover far more ground than on foot, with a bike, helmet, and Santa hat provided. Guides such as Felix, George, and Dom have led past tours.

“My husband and I took this tour at the end of November . We were worried about the predictable bad weather, fortunately it only rained for a small portion of the trip. This is a wonderful way to see what a magical city London is. It really helped me get more familiar with the layout of the land . So different to experience it by bicycle. We were a small group, just five, including our very knowledgeable guide. Always be ready for rain, don't forget a waterproof jacket with a hood. We both thoroughly enjoyed the tour.”

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London Christmas Lights Guided Tour by Cab - Bond Street: elegant displays and window shopping
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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.)

Join Dave for a three-hour private London Christmas lights tour by cab. See Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, South Bank, and Mayfair, with pickup offered, bottled water, and an itinerary you can tailor for your group of up to six.

“David’s tour is great! We had a wonderful tour of London and all of its festive lights and decorations as well as learning a bit of history. I highly recommend it.”

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London Christmas Carol & Charles Dickens Small Group Walking Tour - A Warm Stop at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
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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

Walk through Dickens’s London with guide Richard Chambers, following Scrooge from Temple Station to Leadenhall Market. In 2 to 3 hours, you’ll visit Inner Temple, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Royal Exchange, George and Vulture, Simpson’s Tavern, and other story-linked sites. Expect literary detail, old pubs, and a group of no more than 10.

“This tour was fantastic! Our tour guide was knowledgeable and very entertaining. We learned so much about London in the time of Dickens and had a thoroughly wonderful afternoon!”

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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 through Regent Street, Soho, Mayfair, Bond Street, Carnaby Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Hyde Park with guides such as Ollie and Nelson. Expect Christmas lights, caroling, London history, photo stops, and a fast pace. Food, drinks, and Winter Wonderland entry cost extra.

“It was very interesting and we learned a lot on the history of the streets in London. Very good, it is worth it.”

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Christmas Lights Open-Top Bus Tour - Marble Arch begins the light show
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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 an open-top bus from Green Park for about an hour, passing Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, and Westminster. A live English-speaking guide, including guides such as Michael, adds history and festive detail. Dress warmly for the best upper-deck views.

“Saturday night, very heavy traffic, buses running late because of that, and route diverted to completely different than advertised. Only thing that was as supposed to be, was the top deck seats. Hence 2 stars. We got to see few christmas lights from far away, but to say the truth you can see much more much better walking 10 minutes towards Mayfair from Leicester square tube. Really never worth £29 per person.”

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Christmas Mulled Wine Walk of Winchester - Castle remains and the King Arthur connection
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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 $20Best value

Join Walsh Tours for a 90-minute Christmas walk from Castle Avenue to Winchester Cathedral. A comedian guide, including Bryan on some departures, leads you past the city gate, King Arthur-linked castle remains, festive High Street lights, Victorian architecture, and the cathedral, with mulled wine along the way.

“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 begins with London’s classic 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 with a driver-guide such as Stella, Gary, or Paul. Stop for photos at Regent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Bond Street, and Victoria Embankment, with pickup from many central postcodes.

“Richard was the best! He knew where all the lights were and gave us background history for some of the areas and buildings. He was encouraging and took pictures of our family for us. It really was the highlight of our London Christmas trip!”

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London Christmas Lights Guided Walking Tour - Trafalgar Square and the Christmas tree
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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

Join official London Tour Guides Caroline or Phil at Covent Garden for a two-hour evening walk through London's brightest Christmas displays. See Trafalgar Square, Bond Street, Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Carnaby Street, with time for photos and a group limited to 15.

“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 - The Tower of London and the City
Christmas, Evening Experiences, Guided, London Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 lights by luxury coach. From Victoria, your English-speaking guide points out Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, the London Eye, Tower of London, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Expect a narrated panoramic ride, not an open-top photo tour.

“Tour was in a coach Bus, I was under the impression with the title Illuminations it would be a double decker w/ an open top for photos, but it was more of a history lesson on London. Very disappointing. Would not recommend.”

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New in Christmas

★ 4.5London Sights and Sounds on Christmas Day Afternoon Guided TourFrom $934 reviews
★ 3.5Salisbury, Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor with Christmas LunchFrom $2737 reviews
★ 5.0London Christmas Lights Private Walking Tour13 reviews
★ 5.0London Christmas Sparkle Private Walking TourFrom $10212 reviews
★ 4.5Christmas in Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich with Christmas LunchFrom $1086 reviews
★ 5.0A Fairytale Christmas Day with Food and Christmas ConcertFrom $3855 reviews
★ 4.5London Christmas Eve With 3 Course Dinner and Midnight MassFrom $1713 reviews
★ 5.0London Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Christmas TourFrom $616 reviews
★ 5.0A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens Old London Walking TourFrom $22713 reviews
★ 4.5Viva’s Big Christmas Show Night Out! Christmas’s Party ShowFrom $3113 reviews

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