Claridge’s — My home base last year, and it was pure magic. The service, the Art Deco glamour, the Christmas tree in the lobby—it is everything you want a London holiday to feel like.

The Connaught — The next hotel I would try. It is in Mayfair, centrally located, and an absolute dream inside. I love returning to a favorite, but I love trying something new even more.

34 Mayfair — We are definitely doing lunch here again. It is the perfect polished midday stop between shopping and sightseeing.

Daphne’s — A lunch at Daphne’s is always on my list. Charming, cozy, and quintessentially Chelsea.

Borough Market — A must every single visit. Wander the food stalls and graze your way through—but bundle up, because it is extra breezy down by the water.

Afternoon tea — The Ritz (my personal recommendation) or Claridge’s. Both are holiday elegance at its finest.

Sunday roast — For a classic, try The George or Mount Street Restaurant.

Dinner — Sketch, Kudu, and Berners Tavern are all gorgeous, family-friendly, and perfect for a special evening out with a teenage daughter.

If you see one thing this season, make it Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. It is the largest exhibition of the late Queen’s wardrobe ever mounted—around 300 pieces spanning all ten decades of her life, including her wedding dress, her coronation gown, original design sketches, and her personal jewelry. It has been extended through April 18, 2027 due to demand, and tickets have been selling out, so book through the Royal Collection Trust well before you go.

I always love going to the V&A—they always have a great exhibit. Here is the tip I learned a little too late last year: the museum itself is free to enter, but the major exhibitions are ticketed. I knew about the free entry and did not buy tickets ahead of time, and the Marie Antoinette exhibit sold out. My daughter was so excited, and I wanted to cry. The fix? Become a V&A member—membership gets you into the ticketed exhibitions. Oh, how I wish I had known.

This season, do not miss The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon, a free display celebrating Burberry’s 170th anniversary, on view through January 3, 2027.

The theatre — Last year we saw Back to the Future, The Devil Wears Prada, and Paddington, and loved every one. This year I would choose Stranger Things: The First Shadow—its final West End performance is December 27, 2026, so plan a pre-Christmas show.

Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall — KURIOS runs January 13 through February 28, 2027. If your trip stretches into the new year, my kids would have so much fun with this, and what an incredible venue.

The cable car over the Thames — If you are brave enough! Traveling with kids, it is a fun and easy highlight.

The London Eye — Always fun, especially on a clear winter day.

Winter Wonderland and ice skating — The sparkle of Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and a glide across the ice rink at Somerset House never get old.

 Harrods — Save a full day. Go early, go hungry, and do not miss the Food Halls at Christmas.

Liberty London — The Tudor-style building alone is worth the trip. Wander the floors for the iconic prints, beautiful scarves, and one of the most charming Christmas shops in the city.

Fortnum & Mason — The holiday windows are pure magic, and it is the place for teas, biscuits, and hampers that make the perfect gifts to bring home.

Selfridges — Famous for its Christmas windows and an incredible edit of designer and contemporary brands under one roof.

Bond Street and Mount Street — For a true luxury afternoon, stroll the flagship boutiques and stop for a coffee in between.

Burlington Arcade — A gorgeous covered Regency arcade in Mayfair, filled with fine jewelry, cashmere, and leather goods—and especially festive this time of year.

Marylebone High Street — For a more local, village feel, with charming boutiques and the beautiful Daunt Books.

Think cozy chic—and above all, invest in a well-tailored coat. In London in December, your coat is in every single photo you take outside, so it is the piece I would put the most thought into. For this trip I leaned into rich holiday tones: burgundy, chocolate brown, camel, and a festive tartan green.

The coats I would pack

• A herringbone tweed coat trimmed in burgundy velvet — polished enough for the theatre, easy enough for a museum day.
• A chocolate wool wrap coat with faux-fur cuffs — belted, cozy, and elegant from the plane straight to dinner.
• A tartan cape — I wore this exact cape last year, and it has been restocked. It was not a frigid day, so I paired it with a mini and tall boots, and it was the bomb.

Beyond the coat, I kept everything easy to mix and match. Cozy knits and great denim carry you through museum days and shopping, while velvet and rich burgundy feel so festive for afternoon tea, dinner, and the theatre. A mini with tights and tall boots is my favorite way to dress up without freezing, and loafers and Chelsea boots are the unsung heroes for long days on foot.

Finish every look with a structured top-handle bag or crossbody, a statement earring, and gloves. London in December means long days on your feet and a breeze off the river—so dress warm, but dress well.

Whether you go this year or start dreaming about next, I hope this list helps you plan a holiday full of magic and memories. London, I will see you soon.