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Celebrate Christmas In London With The Clermont London Charing Cross: Our Guide

Magical angel shaped Christmas light in London

When it comes to celebrating Christmas in London, nowhere immerses you in the city’s festive spirit like The Clermont London, Charing Cross. Whether you’re travelling from abroad, coming in from another part of the UK, organising a Christmas event for your company, or a Londoner looking for a seasonal staycation, our Charing Cross hotel is perfectly placed. We’ve spent decades guiding guests through the city’s winter delights, and our local expertise ensures you’ll enjoy a Christmas to remember. Here’s our carefully curated guide, tailored for leisure and business travellers alike, to help you make the most of Christmas activities, Christmas markets in London, and all the festive magic near The Clermont Hotel Charing Cross.

 

12 min read

Table of Contents

 

Step into the heart of London Christmas at The Clermont Hotel Charing Cross

There’s a certain magic to staying in a London hotel just as the city dons its Christmas attire. The Clermont London, Charing Cross, is at the nexus of tradition and celebration – it’s the kind of Charing hotel London visitors and locals rely on for a warm welcome and peerless access to the capital’s Christmas lights, festive events, and artisan markets.

Set within a grand Victorian railway hotel, our doors open to a city transformed by twinkling London Christmas lights and a full calendar of Christmas events London offers. From here, step onto the Strand and you’re moments away from classic Christmas activities. Business guests find respite from year-end meetings, while leisure travellers can stroll to the city’s best Christmas markets and displays after breakfast.

With an address this central, planning what to do in London at Christmas becomes effortless. In minutes, you’re wandering Covent Garden, skating under the stars, or sampling gourmet fare at Borough Market. You may come for the history and elegance of The Clermont London, Charing Cross – but you’ll leave with a true London Christmas experience.

 

Discover London’s most spectacular Christmas lights

London transforms into a city of light each December, and some of the best displays are an easy walk or a short Tube ride from The Clermont Hotel Charing Cross. If you’re wondering what to do in London at Christmas, we always recommend taking in the holiday illuminations after a crisp winter’s day.

Regent Street Christmas Lights are an iconic sight. The “Spirit of Christmas” angels soar above the West End, casting a golden glow from Oxford Circus through to Piccadilly Circus. The display has delighted Londoners and visitors for generations. We recommend beginning your evening here – with direct access by foot or bus from our Charing Cross hotel. You’ll pass world-famous shops, historic arcades, and inviting bakeries along the route.

Find out more about Regent Street Christmas Lights here

For those who love department store windows, the Oxford Street Christmas Lights never disappoint. Stroll beneath cascades of illumination while you shop for gifts or enjoy a spot of people-watching. Many guests make this their pre- or post-dinner tradition during their Christmas stay.

Find out more about Oxford Street Christmas Lights here

If you’re searching for a magical stroll with fewer crowds, never overlook Covent Garden at Christmas. The area boasts a brilliant tree, charming decorations, and enticing dining spots – perfect for couples and small groups after a night at the theatre.

Find out more about Covent Garden at Christmas here

 

Explore extraordinary Christmas markets in London

No Christmas in London feels complete without wandering a traditional market, gloved hands wrapped around a mulled wine. Our team at The Clermont Hotel Charing Cross knows where to find authentic gifts, handmade crafts, and warming festive treats.

Just a few minutes’ walk from our doors is the Trafalgar Square Christmas Market & Tree. You’ll encounter a sparkling Norwegian spruce – the annual gift from Oslo – and rows of market stalls filled with gifts and festive food. Take in the carol singers and soak up the atmosphere. For locals, it’s a nostalgic delight, and for visitors, it offers a taste of true London Christmas tradition.

Read more about Trafalgar Square Christmas Market here

Leicester Square Christmas Market is tucked away just behind the West End theatres. Here you’ll find a blend of crafts, gourmet street food, and evening entertainment. We always suggest visiting after work with colleagues or just before a show – there’s a cheerful buzz, and the stalls frequently showcase London’s best street performers.

Find out more about Leicester Square Christmas Market here

Wander a little further and immerse yourself in the lively food scene at Borough Market at Christmas. Known for its historic arches, Borough Market turns especially atmospheric in December, with seasonal produce, gifts, and hot delicacies – the perfect stop after daytime sightseeing or before a Thames riverside stroll.

Find out more about Borough Market at Christmas here

Iconic London bus Christmas tree decoration on a tree

 

Classic Christmas activities for all ages

London in winter is a city of traditions, and near The Clermont London, Charing Cross, there’s no shortage of activities suitable for guests of every age and inclination.

Skate at Somerset House offers a quintessential British Christmas scene. Set within a stately neoclassical courtyard, it’s the kind of ice skating experience that features in vintage London postcards. Glide to festive music by day or night, with gourmet refreshments to hand. Ideal for families, couples, and even business teams seeking something different to do for Christmas parties London.

Find out more about Skate at Somerset House here

For an immersive light trail, make time to visit Christmas at Kew. After dark, the gardens transform into a wintry wonderland with artistic installations and mulled wine. This makes for a splendid evening out whether you’re entertaining clients or simply celebrating with loved ones.

Find out more about Christmas at Kew here

 

Unmissable Christmas events in London’s cultural heart

With its historic theatres, concert halls, and heritage venues, London’s festive events calendar has something for everyone. Guests at our Charing Cross hotel are well placed to enjoy these, whether you’re a visitor soaking up culture or a local seeking a seasonal treat.

For music lovers, there’s nothing more uplifting than a Christmas concert in the city. The most celebrated is at the Royal Albert Hall, where timeless Christmas carols and orchestral performances ring out in the grandest surroundings. We suggest booking ahead for popular evenings, especially if you’re organising group outings or office Christmas parties in London.

Find out more about Royal Albert Hall – Christmas Concerts here

Meanwhile, the Southbank Centre Winter Festival blends outdoor markets with arts events and pop-up bars along the riverside. With an ever-changing programme, you can enjoy everything from Christmas cabaret to contemporary dance and family workshops – ideal whether you’re in London for meetings or a week of leisure.

Find out more about Southbank Centre Winter Festival here

 

All the fun of Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

Few Christmas activities in London command more excitement than a trip to Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park. This landmark event is on the checklist for families and friend groups, with thrilling rides, an expansive ice rink, live circus shows, and festive pop-up markets. Its central location means you can take the Tube straight from Charing Cross in minutes, spend an afternoon skating or exploring, then return to the sanctuary of The Clermont London, Charing Cross whenever you wish.

Find out more about Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park here

 Christmas themed fairground game and toy prizes

 

Where business guests celebrate Christmas in style

If you’re planning year-end meetings, team gatherings, or truly memorable Christmas parties London firms will talk about into the new year, our Charing hotel London is at your service. With elegantly designed event spaces, private dining, and tailored amenities, The Clermont London, Charing Cross makes hosting a Christmas event efficient and enjoyable.

Our event coordinators can help organise festive lunches, drinks receptions, and bespoke dinners – incorporating all the sparkle of a central London Christmas, with smooth logistics for local, national, or international teams. Our recommendation for business hosts: schedule events to coincide with the switching on of central London Christmas lights or nearby concerts. This not only adds a sense of occasion but ensures your guests leave with a true seasonal experience.

For residential meetings and conferences extending into December, guests can breakfast overlooking the Strand, step straight into Covent Garden or the Christmas market at Leicester Square, and end the day with a walk among the city’s most magical light displays. The Clermont hotel’s combination of heritage, modern comfort, and unmatched location makes it one of the best London hotels for Christmas business travel.

 

A winter stay in the centre of it all

One of the pleasures of the season is simply being able to explore it all on foot. When you stay at The Clermont London, Charing Cross, you’re at the intersection of London’s most storied districts. Stroll six minutes and you’re at Covent Garden’s Christmas tree, another five and you can be skating at Somerset House, or browsing seasonal produce at Borough Market. Pop back to the hotel to warm up, or arrange afternoon tea in our Grade II listed lounge – an ideal setting for friends, family, or informal business meetings.

For guests driving in, or travelling from the suburbs, the connectivity of our location means you avoid the hassle of longer commutes and complicated taxi journeys. Enjoy a glass of wine in the privacy of our lounge before setting out for a night under the city lights, or book a suite for a festive staycation with all the comfort of luxury London hotels.

 

Local advice: Making the most of Christmas in London

Having welcomed guests through Victorian winters to the present day, we’ve gathered a few practical tips for getting the best out of the London christmas season:

  • Book early: Whether it’s tickets for Somerset House skating or tables at your favourite Covent Garden restaurant, the festive period is popular. Many Christmas events London hosts sell out weeks ahead.
  • Travel light: Central London gets busy near Oxford Street, Regent Street, and the West End. If you’ll be gift shopping, consider exploring on weekday mornings or evenings.
  • Walk when you can: With so many Christmas lights in London, the city is especially beautiful from street level. The area around our Charing Cross hotel is pedestrian-friendly, and you’ll see details missed from a taxi.
  • Explore neighbourhoods: Each market and light display has a distinct flavour. Try a Christmas activity in Covent Garden, enjoy a riverside walk to the Southbank, or sample festive fare in Borough Market after a museum visit.

 

Grand stairway at the Charing Cross Hotel with Christmas decorations

Why The Clermont Hotel Charing Cross is your expert for London Christmas

We’re not only proud of our heritage – we’re committed to making your Christmas in London easy, elegant, and filled with local warmth. Our reception staff know the hidden photo spots for London Christmas lights, our concierges can secure coveted theatre tickets, and our chefs prepare traditional meals inspired by Britain’s festive history. Guests often tell us that what sets us apart from other London hotels is this blend of expertise and personal touch.

If you’re visiting London for the first time or planning your own Christmas events, let us handle the details. Start by dropping your bags with us, have a perfectly brewed tea in the lounge, and then set out with this guide in hand.

If you’re ready for a stay or to plan your Christmas event in the city, discover one of the capital’s most distinctive London hotels – book your festive experience at The Clermont London, Charing Cross.

 

FAQs

  • From The Clermont Hotel Charing Cross, you’re minutes from Regent Street’s famous “Spirit of Christmas” angels and Covent Garden’s beautifully adorned piazza, both offering brilliant light displays perfect for an evening walk or photos.

  • Yes, several of London’s top Christmas markets, including at Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, and Southbank Centre, are all within easy walking distance from the hotel, making it convenient for spontaneous visits and festive food stops.

  • Absolutely, the hotel offers a range of refined event spaces ideal for business Christmas parties, private dinners, or social gatherings. Our events team can assist with all aspects of planning and customisation to make your celebration seamless.

  • Yes, nearby Somerset House features enchanting outdoor ice skating, while Covent Garden and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park both provide festive activities, entertainment, and seasonal shopping for all ages.

  • The main London Christmas lights, including those in Oxford Street and Regent Street, are usually switched on by mid-November, with markets and events running until early January. It’s always worth checking exact dates and booking popular experiences in advance.