10 things to do in London at Christmas

With a variety of festivals, ice rinks and traditional markets, you'll see that everything is in place for the Christmas spirit to shine and be seen from every corner of the city.

Want to know the best things to do in London at Christmas? Look no further!

London in winter is known for its creative scene. And the musicals taking place in the West End area will not disappoint. Some of the most acclaimed shows are:

• The Lion King: one of the most critically acclaimed musicals based on the 1994 Disney film.
• Moulin Rouge: also based on the movie of the same name, it tells the love story between a composer and a cabaret actress.
• Matilda: based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, its plot revolves around Matilda, an intelligent and brilliant girl whose parents despise her.
• Mamma Mia: if you are a fan of ABBA songs, you already know which musical to choose. You will be thrilled and will feel like dancing and singing along to the rhythm of their iconic songs.
• The Phantom of the Opera: sure you've heard of this musical, but have you had the chance to see it live? It premiered in 1986 and to this day it is still in action, which is a sign that this timeless work leaves no one indifferent.

Also, if you pass through the West End at Christmas, you are very likely to see a Christmas show among the musicals you can see in London, such as Elf The Musical.

With an impressive array of light displays, London arguably has some of the best installations Britain has to offer this festive season. From London' s finest landmarks to London's most secret spots, everything looks Christmas style.

One of the best things to do in London at Christmas is to simply gawk at the Christmas lights that permeate the high streets! And one of the best ways to tour them is by tourist bus, where you can also take a comforting tea while you stroll through the capital. Here are what I consider to be the streets with the most spectacular Christmas decorations:

• Oxford Street: one of the best streets to find stunning bursts of glitter. For many Londoners, these are the most famous lights in London. This long street showcases over 1700 installations to view, not to mention it's a great place to do some Christmas shopping.
• Regent Street: this celebrates a star-studded lighting event every Christmas. The street is traffic-free at night and the nearby stores also hold interesting events, so it's worth keeping an eye out for the details this famous street has to offer.
• Bond Street: London's luxury shopping district is also known for its legendary Christmas lights - the extravagant designer store windows are also worth a look! It is estimated that there are more than 250,000 individual lights connected.

London's Kew Gardens is one of the most impressive green spaces in the city. Located just 30 minutes from the center by public transport, this beautiful botanical garden contains among other things the Kew Palace and one of the most extensive botanical collections in the world. An unforgettable adventure for the whole family!

Best for the occasion, Kew Gardens offers an impressive array of light and sound displays to admire as you walk along the Christmas trail. Along this two-kilometer trail, you'll find about a million lights twinkling on tree branches and a glittering tunnel of bells.

There are mini donuts and marshmallows to munch on along the way, as well as cakes, roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate. And apart from the lights, there are also vintage fairground rides and, of course, Santa and his elves!

• Address: Richmond TW9 3AF

Christmas is one of the best times to visit Harry Potter Studios, and if you go with children even more so. Usually, there are special Christmas-related activities or the sets are decorated according to the season. For example, the Forbidden Forest is covered in snow, as well as Diagon Alley and even the castle model itself. And you can also witness the Gryffindor common room full of Christmas decorations.

In short, visiting Harry Potter Studios at Christmas is a unique opportunity to enjoy the scenery in a different and special way.

There's no shortage of ice skating rinks in London, but the most beautiful place to pirouette around Christmas is at the Natural History Museum's ice rink.

Not to be outdone by the beautiful views of the historic building, you'll find a huge 30-foot-tall Christmas tree in the middle, with cafes serving hot chocolate and multiple Christmas cakes.

Plus, if you're not a fan of gliding back and forth on the ice, there's an observation deck that provides a view of everything going on around it. It's open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through January.

• Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD

Since 2007, this classic Christmas event receives more than two million visitors a year. Not only is it one of the best parks in London, but it also offers one of the best Christmas activities. Don't know what to do in London at this time of the year? Head to Hyde Park.

From mid-November to early January the park hosts festive markets, over 100 rides, a giant Ferris wheel, live shows including figure skating, a circus, live music, as well as numerous bars and restaurants. This means you can tailor your experience to suit your Christmas budget.

For a fun place to drink, try the Winter Wonderland bar, where everything is made of ice, including the chairs, tables and cocktail glasses. And at Bavarian Hall, you can dance live until your heart' s content to the beats of DJs all day and night. Admission to the park is free.

• Address: W2 2UH

The Elan cafes located in London are one of the most Christmas themed cafes in London. It has a very peculiar Christmas design, lights in every corner of the space and a very relaxing and pleasant music to listen to. Its wreaths of pink balls, its bright fern branches and its walls of pink flowers definitely make it one of the best places for Christmas atmosphere in London!

And if that wasn't enough, all the cafes overlook the stunning pink Christmas tree at St Pancras International Station. This special "tree of hope" casts a magical pink glow over St Pancras. It is decorated with 1,200 meters of festive ribbon printed with quotes of love and hope from team members to celebrate the commitment, compassion and selflessness shown by their workers.

You can visit the station and enjoy Elan's menu options; yes, their coffees are among the most sought-after in London, so don't forget to order your cup of coffee.

• Address: St Pancras International, Unit 32-33, Euston Road St. Pancras Station, London N1C 4QP

Home to one of the most spectacular Christmas installations ever seen, 34 Mayfair is one of the quirkiest places to eat in London.

In the run-up to Christmas, the restaurant installs 14,000 decorations, including 8,400 glittering baubles covering every inch of the walls and ceilings!

This steak and grill restaurant's Christmas menu includes Japanese Wagyu steak, white truffle, Italian pizzas and Peking duck with pancakes. They also do weekend brunches and private dinners. Also, if the art of food is something you appreciate, I recommend booking a food tour of the city of London.

• Address: 34 Grosvenor Square, S Audley St, London W1K 2HD

As the days grow shorter and the outdoors turns frosty, the Southbank Centre Winter Market transforms into a seasonal wonderland of sorts, bringing some warmth to the cold, wintry nights.

It's the place to go to find mulled wine, cinnamon treats and handmade gifts. Take a stroll through the market and check out the pretty view illuminated by fairy lights. Most of the stalls are open until 10 p.m., so there's plenty of time for a hot drink and a bite to eat after a long day.

• Address: Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX

There's nothing better for a winter evening than watching a Christmas classic! And if it's at a drive-in cinema, all the better.

This show offers outdoor cinema in various areas of England. The best thing is that the Christmas movie-related plans vary in location and features, so I recommend you visit the Luna Drivein website for more information.

All the movies shown at this time of the year have a Christmas feel to them such as Home Alone, Love Actually, and other classics that are not to be missed.

Over forty caroling groups sing for an hour in the run-up to Christmas to raise money for charities, especially in December in London.

Be sure to bundle up and head to the impressive Christmas tree in the middle of the square for a look. Each year a giant Christmas tree is gifted from the city of Oslo to London, a tradition in place since 1947 as a way of recognizing England's courageous role during World War II. The tree is usually around 25 meters (82 feet) tall and is dressed with hundreds of illuminated light bulbs. Don't miss it!

Also, I recommend having a hot chocolate and snuggling like a penguin around the tree while the carols play. There are often food and drink stalls dotted around the square.

• Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN