The UK is famous for being home to a rich tapestry of festive customs, blending centuries-old traditions with modern forms of celebration. From the glittering street decorations and Victorian-era rituals, to local customs and national habits, let us guide you through the unique and quirky ways Brits celebrate Christmas.
If you’re planning a festive trip, make the most of it with iconic Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus Tours, day trips to Bath and more!
Christmas Crackers & Paper Crowns
One of the most recognisable icons of the festive period is the Christmas cracker – and not the edible kind! These brightly decorated tubes come in all sorts of sizes, containing a paper crown, a joke and a small gift. Guests will crack them open by each taking one end of the cracking and pulling until a loud ‘crack!’ is heard, with whoever has the largest piece of cracker in their hand being the winner of the cracker’s contents.
This charming tradition dates back to the Victorian era, having been invented in the 1840s by London confectioner Tom Smith, who wrapped sweets in a twist of paper with a motto, joke, or love poem inside. The mechanism for the ‘pop’, using two strips of chemically treated paper to create a tiny explosion, was perfected in the 1860s and supposedly inspired by the crackling sound of a log fire. The Smith family continued developing and updating the cracker’s contents, from exchanging the sweets with small gifts and adding jokes or limericks to replace the love poems to adding paper hats.
Now a staple of the Christmas dinner table, crackers can be found in most homes and plenty of restaurants across the festive season.
Secret Santa
A seasonal combination of giving and guessing, where friends, families, or colleagues exchange anonymous gifts. Each person will choose someone else in the group (usually by drawing names, either from a hat or using a digital picker), with a price cap to keep things fair. Gifts tend to be small and thoughtful, with those who are closer often getting joke gifts.
Christmas Lunch
Served in homes across the UK on Christmas Day and also in many restaurants throughout the festive period, the traditional Christmas meal is a treasured part of the season. Whilst many Brits may have their own personal twist to the meal, the traditional plate includes roast turkey, stuffing, roasted potatoes and other vegetables, gravy, brussels sprouts, and bacon wrapped sausages (known as ‘pigs-in-blankets’).
Whilst there are many options for dessert, the traditional staple is the Christmas pudding – a rich fruit cake soaked in brandy and often flambéed for dramatic effect. You’ll also hear of mince pies which no longer include meat despite the name! Originating in the Medieval period, this pastry was originally filled with meat, fruit and spices before being transformed into a sweet treat in the Victorian era and being filled with dried fruit, warming spices, suet, brandy and candied citrus peel. You can find both mince pies, Christmas puddings and other modern desserts in all supermarkets from October.
Royal speeches
Since 1932, a uniquely British ritual has taken place every Christmas Day: the monarch’s annual address to the nation, famously known today as The King’s Speech (formerly the Queen’s Speech). Broadcast on television and radio, the speech reflects on the year’s events, honours achievements, and often includes a message of hope and unity for the year ahead.
Families across the UK traditionally gather around the TV on Christmas Day to watch, creating a shared moment that blends history, culture, and modern media. For visitors, it offers a fascinating glimpse into British royal tradition and national sentiment.
Christmas Markets & Winter festivals
No visit to the UK during the festive season is complete without exploring its Christmas markets and winter festivals. These markets are a sensory delight, combining twinkling lights, festive music, seasonal treats, and unique gifts – a cornerstone of UK festive traditions.
London Highlights
- Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park: One of the largest and most famous festive events, featuring rides, shows, street food, and handcrafted gifts.
- Southbank Centre Winter Market: Enjoy riverside views, artisan stalls, and festive performances.
- Leicester Square Christmas Market: A smaller but charming market, perfect for family visits.
Beyond London
- Bath Christmas Market: Nestled among historic streets, it offers handmade crafts and gourmet treats.
- Edinburgh Christmas Market: Combines traditional German-style markets with Scottish flair.
- Manchester Christmas Markets: Known for its size and variety of festive stalls.
Pantomimes & Carol Singing
Throughout the festive season, you’ll be able to find carol concerts in grand locations such as Saint Paul’s Cathedral or the Royal Albert Hall, as well as concerts for charities such as Great Ormond Street Hospital (a world leading children’s hospital) and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (which offers dog-friendly concerts). Booking early is highly recommended as these concerts, both grand and local community ones tend to sell out quickly.
Pantomimes (also known as ‘Pantos’) are family-friendly stage performances, usually a highly exaggerated version of a traditional children’s tale such as Cinderella and Snow White, featuring comedy, music and audience interaction. Quintessentially British, a panto is a must for any tourist – check listings for Covent Garden, the West End or local community theatres for performances.
Advent Calendars & Christmas Eve Boxes
With a door for every single day from 1st to 24th of December, Advent Calendars are a fun way for people to count down to Christmas. Traditionally, these are paper calendars with small doors, but there are now reusable fabric calendars with pockets and wooden calendars with cubbies to keep, as well as Fill Your Own versions which allow you to customise with personal gifts.
Originally starting as a religious countdown to the holiday, there is now a vast array of options, with the most common being sweet treats such as chocolate behind each door. In recent years, brands have started to sell versions with beauty products, candles, cheese, wine, toys, and lifestyle items suited to specific interests.
Meanwhile, Christmas Eve boxes, a recent and less common UK tradition, include small treats, pyjamas, and festive activities for all the family.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day, celebrated on 26 December, is a uniquely British holiday with traditions ranging from shopping sales and football matches to winter walks. It perfectly complements Christmas Day festivities, giving families and visitors time to explore, relax, or join local events. Find out more about Boxing Day with our handy guide!
Fun & quirky traditions you might have missed
Beyond the classics, Brits enjoy a few unusual festive customs:
- Polar plunges: Charity swims in freezing waters
- Decorated windows & outdoor lights: Tour the best-lit streets in London, Bath, or Edinburgh
- Christmas Eve walks: Many families enjoy a peaceful walk before the big day
The UK’s festive season is a vibrant mix of historic customs, cosy meals, music, and quirky traditions. Whether you’re exploring markets, enjoying Afternoon Tea experiences, or attending a pantomime, UK festive traditions are a must-see for any visitor.
For travellers, pairing sightseeing tours with seasonal activities ensures you experience both the cultural heritage and the festive spirit that makes Christmas in Britain so special. Discover the full breadth of our Festive tours here
