Tis the season to be jolly! And so it should be after more than 2 years of travel restrictions and 3 years since the last time people had proper fun and enjoyed the spirit of Christmas. If you’re looking for fun things to do in London in the evening or want to know what London would look like at night, well, London is still stunning as ever! The best London by night, Christmas lights and evening cruises is seeing the beautifully lit sights and being closer to the Christmas lights of London on a half open top, double decker bus or on a cruise vessel?
See the Christmas lights of Regent Street, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and more. There are also other London by Night tours that also include sights such as The London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben. In addition, there’s one night time tour that goes to Harrods and also covers the area of Kensington where you will see the Royal Albert Hall, Natural History Museum and more.
Alternatively, if you are looking to up the ante this festive season, why not have some Christmas drinks on London’s only open top bar bus? Yes! That’s correct! There’s a bar bus that takes in some of London’s sights. Wrap up under warm blankets (which are provided), relax and enjoy the Christmas lights and the magnificent landmarks as you travel directly under the angels above Regent Street and under Oxford Street’s Christmas lights. See Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree and the Christmas market, and see London with family or friends and/or visitors in a new light (pardon the pun).
If you purchase the bar bus Christmas lights tour with the 2 drinks option, you will be able to choose your drinks from a small choice on board. There’s a selection of winter warmers such as mulled wine or hot chocolate to prosecco, rose, gin and tonic, beer and soft drinks. These are available to purchase on board the bar bus. Learn More
Caveat! As with all the tours, there are limited places and whilst children under 5 years travel can free of charge whilst sitting on your lap, you may be asked to purchase a child seat for them if you would like your child to be seated.
Christmas Day Cruises
If you’re planning to be in London over the festive period, why not go an Afternoon Tea cruise, evening cruise or a dinner cruise? Better still, why not welcome the New Year in style on cruise? Feel the magic in the air during a Christmas Day lunch cruise! Do something a little different this Christmas Day and sail down the River Thames during an enchanting 3 hour 15 minute cruise.
You will board the Thames Cruiser and enjoy a Welcome glass of sparkling wine to kick off your Christmas Day lunch cruise in London. The modern sightseeing boat features a roomy, open-air deck and large glass windows for city sightseeing at its most spectacular! The interior will be splendidly decorated for this special day. Take your seat at the reserved table and get ready for your festive Christmas Day lunch to begin! You’ll be served four delicious courses comprised of traditional Christmas fare, followed by tea and coffee with mini mince pies to complete the feast. Learn More
Thames Christmas Party Cruise
Get into the Christmas spirit this season on the River Thames with a delicious lunch on a cruise! This three hour-long ride promises to a joyful mix of lovely views, delicious food and festive cheer. Prior to your meal you’ll be welcomed on-board with a glass of sparkling wine. It will then be time for an early Christmas meal consisting of three courses!
For the Thames Christmas Lunch Party Cruise your meal will be complemented by the on-board vocalist singing festive music. Boarding from Westminster Pier at: 12:30pm and Returning at 4:00pm
For the Thames Christmas Dinner Party Cruise you will also indulge in half bottle of wine while dancing to the music of the onboard live DJ. Boarding from Westminster Pier at: 6:30pm and returning at 11:00pm
Days of Operations: Daily from 29th of November 2021 – 18th of December 2021.
Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise
This Thames Circular Cruise Sightseeing cruise is your chance to take in the sights of London when it’s at its most peaceful. See the best sights of the city, including Tower Bridge, Tower of London, the Coca-Cola London Eye and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
This one-hour long cruise will be departing from Westminster Pier at various times throughout Christmas Day from 9:45am to 2:45pm (last departure). Both upper and lower decks will be fully heated so no need to worry about the chilly temperatures and relax as you listen to the live commentary on board. There’s an on-board licensed bar and you can also purchase mince pies as well as mulled wine. Learn More
Theme Nights on the River Thames
Choose from an interactive Murder Mystery or Elvis Tribute Night
Murder Mystery is a fun and interactive dining experience with great entertainment and stunning views – what better way to enjoy an evening out? Enjoy a cruise along the Thames with glass of fizz and 3 course meal but it’s not going to be plain sailing! When there is a murderer on board everyone must turn detective to catch the killer. Immerse yourself into the role and see how good you will be at playing detective and solving clues onboard the 3-hour cruise or sit back and enjoy all that the night has to offer along the river – the choice is yours.
Elvis Tribute Night a live Elvis tribute performance by a top artiste, a chance to have a dance and great views of the Thames. An award-winning Elvis tribute artist will give a stunning performance as Elvis, singing his way up and down the Thames while you enjoy your three-course dining cruise.
The Theme Nights on the River Thames depart from two different piers.
Murder Mystery Night Boards at 19:30 from Tower Millennium Pier Lower Thames St, London EC3N 4DT
Elvis Tribute Night Boards at 19.45 from Westminster Pier SW1A 2JH
Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames
This one and a half hour River Cruise has all the traditional Afternoon Tea with all the trimmings. Afternoon Tea while cruising along the Thames is another civilised way to pass the afternoon away. Why not gather a group of like minded family and friends to enjoy a gentle cruise, tea and cake an perhaps some bubbly too?
The cruise departs at 03:15 PM from Tower Pier, London, EC3N 4DT.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
There are plenty of cruises offering the best views of London’s amazing New Year’s fireworks display. The boats will compete for the best positions on either side of Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge as none will be allowed in between the two bridges, mostly for safety reasons and crowd control. Others may be moored at piers such as Bankside Pier, Tower Pier etc. The key is to book early to avoid disappointment especially as this will be first time people will be able to let their hair down.
Before booking a New Year’s Eve cruise, do check what is included or not included in the product you are purchasing. Some cruises are just a cruise only without food. However, they will have a cash bar with snacks on board. We say ‘cash bar’ because many will not accept credit cards and are cash only purchases. Therefore, do check with the cruise operator what facilities are being offered if you are not sure. Not all resellers will be aware of this either. In addition, check which pier the cruise of your choice departs from and get there by the boarding time stated on your ticket and not the departure time because they won’t wait for you if you are late. This is mainly because of strict regulations and other cruises needing the pier to dock.
Another thing to check is whether the dinner being offered is on board the vessel or off-site such as at a pub or restaurant prior to the cruise departing. And don’t take luggage or large bags of any type as they will not be allowed on the vessels especially on these special occasions. One more thing, check the dress code! Nothing more disappointing than being turned away because you wore trainers, sports shoes (call them what you like) and/or shorts! And you won’t get your money back either!
Roads may close early in preparation for the fireworks display. Therefore, please check road closures on Transport For London’s website www.tfl.gov.uk before you travel and make sure you know how to get to the appropriate pier. You are advised to arrive early and to allow plenty of time to make your way to the pier as this year will be an exceptional one for party goers.
To see what cruises may be available, click here
Most cruises sailing on New Year’s Eve will most likely be drinks and snack only cruises. However, we have given you a couple of examples below of a cruise that includes dinner but one is off-site and the other on board the vessel.
New Year’s Eve Thames cruise with fireworks on board the Thomas Doggett
Actually, Thomas Doggett was an Irish born and comedian who became the manager of the Drury Lane theatre towards the end of the 17th century. He set up the The Race for Doggett’s Coat and Badge in 1715 making it the world’s oldest known boat race. The boat is named after him and is used for sightseeing cruises.
So what better way to welcome the New Year than on a sensational boat cruise on the Thames on board the Thomas Doggett? This cruise is drinks and snacks only and includes live music entertainment In addition, it has a Cash bar on-board the cruise (card payments will not be accepted). Boarding is at 9:15pm from Bankside Pier, New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT. Learn More
New Year’s Eve Thames Cruise with Fireworks on board the Sapele
This cruise is drinks and snacks only but includes live music. In addition, it is a Cash bar on-board the vessel (card payments will not be accepted). Board the Sapele at 9:00pm at Bankside Pier, New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT and prepare to toast at midnight (or all night) with the vessel’s fully-stocked cash bar. Take in the British capital’s most famous sights and striking city lights as you cruise through the heart of London. Learn More
New Year’s Eve Cruise on the Sarpedon
This cruise offers an off-site Three-course meal at Doggett’s Coat and Badge pub, 1 Blackfriars Bridge, Greater, London, SE1 9UD. Dinner will be served 6:30pm to 8:30pm, so ideally arrive by 5:30pm. Then it’s a 10 minute walk (may be longer if you’ve had a few drinks!) over Blackfriars Bridge to Crown Pier where you will board the Sarpedon at 9:00pm for your New Year’s Cruise. You also have the option to do this cruise without dinner. Note that this is also a Cash bar on-board the vessel (card payments will not accepted). There is live music entertainment. Learn More
New Year’s Eve Aboard The Silver Sturgeon
The Silver Sturgeon is a very nice and large vessel (60m+ long) with spacious outside decks to take in the panoramic views and has generous interior spaces to dine on board. This cruise includes dinner on board the vessel. A minimum of 2 persons can book this dinner cruise which boards at 7:30pm from Tower Bridge Quay, St Katharine’s Way, E1Q 1LD. Learn More
So there we have it. This is just a snapshot of what is availble in London. Have fun and a Merry Christmas to you all.