Christmas along the Thames

Christmas 2023 along the River Thames

If you are looking for something to do this Christmas take inspiration from below.

Why not enjoy a festive afternoon tea or lunch with your family or take part in a Christmas activity?

Christmas Events in and around Windsor

The Royal Borough's streets will be glittering with beautiful Christmas. 

Many of the traditional Christmas festivities we enjoy today were introduced by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert  While enjoying the festive season at the Castle, they were often seen ice skating and enjoying winter sleigh rides in the Castle grounds. So head to Windsor this Christmas and follow in royal traditions with a festive ice rink, winter horse-drawn carriages rides and a show-stopping 20-foot-high Christmas tree in Windsor Castle’s State Apartments! Check out the winter wonderland at Legoland this Christmas.

Meet up with friends and discover some great festive eating and drinking special offers at Windsor hotels and restaurants including Christmas lunch or afternoon tea cruises afloat with French Brothers.

Take a look at Windsor's Christmas Brochure and plan your Christmas treats! Christmas Lights Switch on 18 November.

• The Runnymede on Thames Hotel & Spa, Egham, Surrey Celebrate this Christmas at The Runnymede on Thames with a Festive Break. Or enjoy festive dining from 4 December 2023 choose from Afternoon Tea, Lunch or Dinner, A Festive Group Get-Together or a Christmas Eve Bottomless Lunch!

Christmas Cruises on the Thames in London

What better way to start the festive season and see the sights of London than a festive cruise with City Cruises

• Christmas Lunch Party Cruises offer the perfect daytime festive party for friends, colleagues, and family. Come on board with a welcome glass of fizz and take in unrivalled views of London’s iconic riverside landmarks. Then enjoy a scrumptious traditional festive menu and get in the party spirit with our live entertainment. And if the mood takes you, there’s a dance floor ready and waiting… 
• Christmas Dinner Party Cruises include: 4 hour river cruise,Welcome glass of sparkling wine, 3-course Traditional Festive Dinner menu followed by tea or coffee, Half bottle of wine per person, DJ and dancing, Licensed Bar on board
• Christmas Day Lunch Cruise - Take your place on a Traditional Lunch cruise for the finest festive dining experience you'll find on the Thames. Sip a welcome drink then dig into a luxurious 4-course menu with a delightful, seasonal atmosphere. Includes: 3 hour and 15 minutes river cruise, Welcome glass of sparkling wine, 4-course Traditional Christmas Lunch with festive trimmings followed by tea or coffee, Festive music and carols, Licensed bar on board
• London Christmas Day 1 hour Sightseeing Cruise

Christmas and New Year Events in and around Henley & Marlow

Explore the lovely riverside market towns of Henley and Marlow this Christmas and include a boat trip or Christmas shopping experience.

• Henley Christmas Festival 24 November 2023 - the annual Christmas Festival will take over the centre of the town and include the switching on of this years lights. There will be numerous stalls offering gifts, food and drink,  Father Christmas, carols around the tree, rides and much much more! 
• Hobbs of Henley - Christmas Party Night Cruises (1/8/9 December) and Santa Cruises (16/20/22). Cruise the Thames on one of the most magnificent vessels,The New Orleans. Take a look at What's on When.
• River & Rowing Museum Christmas Family Fun - Mr Toad invites you to meet Father Christmas, receive a gift, and enjoy a different Christmas activity! Each weekday from 18th December. Includes: Gingerbread Decorating, Make a Snowman, Christmas T-Shirts, Festive Bag Printing, Christmas Decoration Making.
• Marlow Christmas Lights Switch-On 23 November 2023 - Marlow’s renowned Christmas lights Switch-On is back in force this year with Robert Thorogood, screenwriter and novelist switching on the lights. Marlow FM will be playing festive songs to get everyone in the Christmas mood and “cheeky elves” and festive stilt walkers will be having fun in the snow.
• Marlow Carols on the Causeway, 19 December - Father Christmas will be in his cosy grotto at the Causeway from 6.00pm waiting to see his young visitors and will be giving out Christmas chocolates from Marlow Town Council. From 6.30pm Marlow Town Band will be in playing all the favourite carols and Harmony Belles Choir will be singing some Christmas songs to entertain us.
• Macdonald Compleat Angler, Marlow - With its beautiful riverside setting and stunning views, the Compleat Angler is the perfect festive destination whether you're looking for a Christmas break, Festive Afternoon Tea or a Christmas Lunch.
• Christmas at Danesfield House Hotel, Marlow - festive events include Christmas Parties, Private Dining and Afternoon Tea or book Christmas Day/Boxing Day Lunch. 

Christmas and New Year Events in and around Reading

Over the festive season, Reading really lights up. Reading's 2023 Christmas scene has something for everyone -  As it gets dark on Saturday 18 November, Reading town centre will come alight with the Broad Street Christmas tree and 400,000 lights in the town centre switching on and throughout the Christmas period, there will be a bar selling drinks and coffee and lots of Christmas fayre such as chestnuts & mulled wine and German sausages to get everyone in the mood. Come and enjoy the live Christmas music on 18 November from 1:00-5pm.

Join the Lantern Parade on 2 December. 

What says Christmas better than some festive music?! Brass Band Perfomance 3 December or various Christmas Carol Concerts.

Take a look to find out about all these events and more.

• Looking for a great venue for a work Christmas lunch or a gathering of family or friends? However you celebrate Christmas, Reading has plenty of choice from 5 star hotels and swanky restaurants to glitzy casinos and festive pubs. 
• Book a staycation Christmas break and experience the magic of Christmas at the stunning Crowne Plaza Reading East near Wokingham, Bracknell and Reading, with Residential Christmas and New Year's Eve packages including Dinner and pampering Spa Treatments. Or treat yourself to Christmas or Boxing Day lunch. Festive lunches, afternoon teas and dinners are also available.

Christmas and New Year Events around Abingdon-on-Thames, Faringdon and Wallingford.

• Xmas Kids Crafts, Abingdon County Museum 16 December 2023 - Join the Museum Crafting Crew for some jolly good fun with their craft session and make lots of festive objects for your home, or something to give as a gift! 
• Faringdon Christmas Light Switch On 2 December 2023 - Santa’s Grotto and stalls from 2:30pm, and Artistic Craft Fair,  Light Switch-On at 5pm.
• Wallingford Christmas Market and Shopping Day 3 December 2023 - Christmas market with independent traders. Local shops open for a spot of Christmas shopping. Santa Dash starting and finishing in the marketplace. 1155’s Santa Sleigh visiting.
• Santa Express (Cholsey and Wallingford Railway) 25 November - 23 December 2023 -