20 Magical Things To Do For Christmas In London 2025

See the best of Christmas in London. Dazzling decorations, soulful musical events, world-class entertainment and neighbourhoods full of festive cheer. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in London for Christmas 2025.

Christmas in London is magical.

As the temperature drops, winter gloom is interrupted by the glow of lights over regal streets and iconic buildings.

There are a host of fantastic things to do in London throughout the year, but over Christmas, it has an unrivalled energy.

Listen to the hum of carols on neighbourhood streets. Attend a Christmas concert in a grand hall. Stroll majestic plazas with magical lights. Sample seasonal fare at street food stalls and impromptu igloos.  

Mark and I regularly update this guide as new events are added to the Christmas repertoire, so be sure to check back for more great things to do.

To help you plan your trip, we offer a detailed 4-day Christmas itinerary for London, to help you see as much as possible.

WHAT TO DO IN LONDON OVER CHRISTMAS?

1. SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

London is the perfect canvas for festive lights. Seeing the historic city streets on show is one of the best ways to start your London Christmas.

Mark and I firmly believe London is one of the top European cities for Christmas Lights. There’s nowhere quite like it.

Some of the streets we recommend visiting are New Bond Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street.

We have a full guide which covers all the best London Christmas Lights.

Self-guided walking tour – If you’re looking for a great walk through the best of them, we have developed a DIY Christmas Lights walk of London. The route includes the best lights, famous landmarks, and a follow-along map.

2. CAROLS AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Royal Albert Hall is one of the most distinctive buildings in the UK, located on the southern edge of Hyde Park.

They put on a programme of heart-warming live events each year, but the ultimate is Carols at Royal Albert Hall.

This is the one Christmas event in London that Mark and I look forward to the most.

In spectacular surroundings, you’ll enjoy one of the finest sing-along carol events of the season. The event includes the Royal Choral Society, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a special British Imperial Military Band appearance, and solo performers.

It has become a beloved tradition in London with an unashamedly joyful vibe.

• Dates – Carols at the Royal Albert Hall run from 14 December 2025 to 24 December 2025.
• Tickets – Book tickets from the Royal Albert Hall as early as possible, as they sell out fast.
• Our tip – Book a seat in one of the boxes for the best position in the hall (you don’t need to book the whole box).

3. BE AMAZED LA CLIQUE

La Clique is a spectacular night of unbelievable acts. It features mind-blowing circus skills, outstanding cabaret performances, and award-winning entertainment.

Expect to see comedy acts, scantily clad acrobatics, gymnastic ability, soulful singers, and plenty of joy.

La Clique is held in Spiegeltent, a large travelling entertainment tent in the Leicester Square Christmas Market.

Naughty by nature, La Clique is restricted to 16+, but it’s a fun thing to do at Christmas in London for a night out without the kids.

I first saw La Clique in Australia about 15 years ago, and Mark and I have been going each year since. For us, it marks the start of London Christmas.

• Dates – Performances for the 2025 season are yet to be confirmed.
• Tickets – Book your tickets directly on La Clique The Show.
• Our tip – Leicester Square can get rammed at Christmas, so head into nearby Chinatown for a cocktail at Opium after the show.

4. SHOP THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS

It wouldn’t be a London Christmas without a visit to one of the city’s Christmas markets.

The best thing about the London markets is the huge variety. You can find trinkets and souvenirs, but the markets also bring together some of England’s best producers.

Many markets have artisanal crafts, local produce and excellent gift ideas.

While some markets can get very crowded, a few, such as the Fleet Street Market and Columbia Road, are still relatively quiet.

• South Bank
• Battersea Power Station
• London Bridge
• Covent Garden

We have a separate guide that covers all the best Christmas Markets in London with helpful tips for visiting.

5. CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT AT ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS

St Martin-in-the-Fields is a beautiful neoclassical church in Trafalgar Square.

It has been featured in TV and film, including Notting Hill, Doctor Who, and Sherlock, thanks to its beautiful façade and central London location.

The church has a bumper catalogue of Christmas events each year, with some of the finest classical ensembles from across the country.

Last year, Mark and I went to the Carols by Candlelight event. The music was predominantly Baroque, which is not our favourite, but the overall atmosphere was fantastic, with the church lit by candles.

For 2025, they have a programme starting on December 3 with regular events happening until Christmas.

• Dates – Carols by Candlelight is happening on December 7th, 14th, 17th and 18th in 2025.
• Tickets – There are plenty more events. Check times and book on the St Martin-in-the-Fields website.
• Our tip – If you do go to St Martin’s, dress warmly as the church is pretty chilly.

6. WALK THE LIGHT TRAIL AT KEW GARDENS

Christmas at Kew is a magical, illuminated stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens, a must-visit if you are in England at Christmas time.

The gardens are transformed into a winter trail that brings the spirit of the festive season to life. As you move through the gardens, an incredible sound and light show creates a rousing display.

Bop along to Christmas pop tunes, admire whimsical arrangements of classics and be delighted by this unique horticultural take on Christmas.

The highlight is the Temperate House, which is the canvas for a high-tech sound and light spectacular. We were mesmerised.

The trail is 2.7 kilometres on good paths, but the surface is slightly uneven in places. There isn’t an opportunity to cut the distance down, but you’ll find delicious snacks, beer, mulled wine and cocktails to keep you going along the way.

• Dates – Christmas at Kew runs from 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.
• Tickets – Timed tickets need to be booked in advance at Kew Gardens.

7. TRY A FESTIVE RESTAURANT OR PUB

8. SEE A FREE EVENT AT THE SOUTHBANK WINTER FESTIVAL

9. COLUMBIA ROAD CHRISTMAS WEDNESDAYS

The Sunday flower market at Columbia Road is one of the best free things to do in London.

Over Christmas, the traders remain open from 5 pm to 9 pm on Wednesdays from late November to December to fill the streets with Christmas cheer.

Unfortunately, there’s no carol singing or entertainment this year. But you can enjoy some late-night shopping, mulled wine and minced pines in a lovely local neighbourhood without the crowds.

Christmas at Columbia Road usually takes place every Wednesday from the end of November, but we will update this guide when we have exact dates.

While in the area, you might be interested in our Shoreditch street art walk.

10. SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE

Skate at Somerset House is the best ice skating event in London.

The neoclassical courtyard is transformed into a winter wonderland with a 40-foot Christmas tree. There will be great food, chalet-inspired bars, and a vintage boutique.

The in-house skate school is great for beginners, and there will be sessions with reduced capacity on weekday mornings.

Each year, Skate Somerset hosts a series of fantastic events called Skate Lates. For 2026, there will be guest DJs, Blondies, Kitchen, art installations by Harold Offeh and Shelter Boutique, a vintage store with proceeds going to homelessness charities.

• Dates – Skate at Somerset House runs from 12 November 2025 to 11 January 2026.
• Tickets – Book tickets in advance at somersethouse.org.uk.

11. SEE THE RED SHOES AT SADLER’S WELLS

Each Christmas, Matthew Bourne, an English choreographer, puts on a contemporary ballet at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

It’s a wonderful Christmas thing to do, that’s completely different from the usual festive celebration.

We’re not the biggest ballet fans in the world, but Matthew Bourne’s productions are fresh, engaging and a visual treat. It’s something we rarely miss.

The 2025 season will see a return of one of his most popular productions, The Red Shoes, the story of an aspiring ballerina faced with a choice between her career and romance.

• Dates – Performances run from 2 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
• Tickets – Tickets can be purchased online via the Sadler’s Wells website.
• After – After the ballet, walk down to the nearby Exmouth Market for a post-show dinner from one of the great restaurants lining the market street. We love Morito, a cool Moorish tapas bar.

12. ATTEND AN EVENT AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Westminster Abbey has been a place of history in the UK since the 1st century. Today, the mostly Gothic building is one of the most notable buildings in the world.

Each year, the abbey holds several paid concerts, usually featuring the renowned Choir of Westminster Abbey, to celebrate the Christmas season.

Listening to carols resonate around the exquisite building is an uplifting Christmas experience in London.

You can attend one of the many Christmas services free of charge. The first Christmas services usually start in the first week of December.

See the full schedule on the Westminster Abbey website.

13. TRY THE THAI FOOD AT THE CHURCHILL ARMS

The Churchill Arms is a local pub in Kensington that does Christmas in an epic way.

This beautiful pub is adorned with a mass of flowers throughout the year. At Christmas, they add a whopping 22,000 lights to their already elaborate façade, turning the pub into a box of shining cheer.

Over the last few years, it has become a very popular photo spot over Christmas. But it’s still worth going in for a pint after you get your selfie in front of the pub.

Inside, it’s a traditional English pub decked out with interesting nods to Winston Churchill.

The highlight for us is the fantastic Thai kitchen. It’s seriously some of the best Thai food we’ve had outside Thailand.

• Dates – The Christmas lights will be up in early November 2025.
• Our Tip – The kitchen at the Churchill Arms serves delicious and authentic Thai food. Bookings are essential.

14. HIT THE RIDES AT WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a theme park-style Christmas event.

Skate on the UK’s largest ice rink, visit the Ice Kingdom, an immersive sculpted ice experience or test your nerves on one of the many adrenaline-inducing roller coasters.

In terms of activities, there are ice sculpting workshops, a high-energy circus, plenty of bars, Christmas markets, and a host of street food options.

Winter Wonderland is a massive event, and it can get busy, especially in the evenings.

You’ll find it much quieter if you can go during the day. We recommend visiting Harrods, followed by Winter Wonderland around 1:30 PM. We cover this in our Christmas in London itinerary.

• Dates – Winter Wonderland is running from 14 November 2025 to 51 January 2026.
• Tickets – Entry is free during off-peak times, but online bookings are required for all entries.

15. SEE THE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is not particularly Christmassy, but it is one of our favourite things to do over Christmas.

In fact, it probably makes a nice contrast to the usual festive activities.

The exhibition features 100 incredible images from the natural world, organised by categories including animal portraits, photojournalism, and behaviour.

It’s a powerful exhibition with jaw-dropping photography and stories of a planet under pressure.

• Dates – The exhibition runs from 17 October 2025 to 12 July 2026.
• Tickets – Timed entry tickets must be booked in advance on the National History Museum website. Tickets also include entry to the regular museum, and you can skip the queue.

16. GO TO A PANTOMIME

For the benefit of international readers, pantomime is a musical stage comedy based on a fairytale or nursery story. It features slapstick, a man in drag, audience participation, and mild innuendo to make the adults giggle.

It’s embedded in British culture, something that often leaves visitors scratching their heads. Still, if you want to experience a proper English Christmas, seeing a pantomime feels obligatory.

Here are the London pantomimes for 2025.

• Sleeping Beauty – Returning to the London Palladium, Sleeping Beauty stars Catherine Tate and Julian Clary, and it promised to be the biggest West End show this year. Running from 6 Dec 2025 to 11 Jan 2026.
• Cinderella – The Richmond Theatre is putting on Cinderella, featuring a few West End and TV stars. Running from 6 Dec 2025 to 4 Jan 2026.
• Jack and the Beanstalk – The King’s Head theatre will be showing Jack and the Beanstalk, including selected sessions that are adults-only. Running from 23 Nov 2025 to 4 Jan 2026.

17. CATCH A FESTIVE FILM

London does a great job of keeping the nostalgia alive with Christmas cinema events.

Each year, festive classics and holiday favourites are shown in atmospheric surroundings, including pop-up venues, rooftop cinemas and immersive settings.

It’s a great way to relive a festive favourite. It’s also a good opportunity to get off your feet, which you’ll appreciate after all the walking you tend to do to see everything in London at Christmas time.

Here are some of the festive cinema events for Christmas 2025.

• Backyard Cinema – See Christmas classics in an enchanted forest setting near London Bridge. (26 Nov 2025 – 31 Dec 2025)
• Regent Street Cinema – See a holiday film in one of the smallest and most charming cinemas in London.
• Prince Charles Cinema – Each year, the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square puts on a programme of Christmas films. It’s a great thing to do after seeing the Leicester Square Christmas Market.
• JOIA Battersea – See a festive film on the rooftop of Battersea Power Station with dinner options. (18 Nov 2025 – 21 Dec 2025).

18. ADMIRE THE WINDOW DISPLAYS

Nothing combines the festive nature of Christmas in London with the commercialism of the season like the Christmas window displays at the major department stores.

The best window displays are at Selfridges, which unveils a new theme each year.

There are 15 windows in total. To see them all, start at the Orchard Street end of the store on Oxford Street and make your way down to Duke Street. Don’t miss the windows around the corner on Duke Street as well.

Some of the other window displays and decorations to visit are:

• Fortnum & Mason – The advent calendar facade has been a London staple for years.
• Harrods – Features elaborate displays often tied to their luxury brands.
• Harvey Nichols – Themed displays with a whimsical, fantasy vibe.
• Annabels – Each year, Annabels puts up a huge, elaborate Christmas installation.

You can see most of these on our London Christmas Light walking tour.

19. ENJOY A CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL

London always puts on a good cocktail. But at Christmas, pop-up bars, themed-up speakeasies and classic venues add warmth to your festive drink. Here are some places we recommend for your Christmas cocktails.

Miracle at Henrietta – Retro Christmas living room décor and a special festive cocktail menu. (10 Nov 2025 – 23 Dec 2025) Great thing to do alongside the other Christmas activities in Covent Garden.

• Common Decency – Located in the Nomad Hotel, Common Decency does a wonderful festive takeover with Christmas-themed naughty/nice cocktails.
• Discount Suit Company – A neighbourhood bar with a clandestine speakeasy vibe. It’s one of our favourite cocktail bars in London.
• Queen of Hoxton – Masquerade, a winter rooftop bar with fairy lights, fire pits and Christmas cocktails.

20. DINE IN AN IGLOO

There’s no denying that the reduced daylight and cool temperatures amplify the Christmas vibe in London.

One of the best ways to experience it all is to dine out in an igloo restaurant, where you can enjoy great food and a unique atmosphere.

There are more and more popping up every year in London, but here are a few we recommend:

• Wagtail London Winter Igloos offers a panoramic 360-degree view of the London Skyline.
• Coppa Club Tower has some of the best views over the Thames and Tower Bridge and an extensive menu.
• Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant delivers a snug space on their rooftop terrace, with heaters and fairy lights.
• Fire and Fromage on the Southbank dishes up raclette and s’mores in a thoroughly festive atmosphere.

LOGISTICS & PLANNING

WHERE TO STAY?

The best areas to stay over Christmas are the West End area around Covent Garden, Fitzrovia and Soho. These areas are all close to the Christmas lights, the main markets, and many of the attractions we covered in this guide.

South Bank is another good area which is close to Borough and the river, while being slightly away from the main tourist areas.

We have a detailed guide on where to stay in London, which has more options.

OUR CHRISTMAS ITINERARY

We have put together a Christmas itinerary, which includes many of the events in this guide and regular tourist attractions that international visitors will want to see.

The itinerary is 4 days, and we put it together so you can see most of the city on foot. (with a few exceptions).

Read our 4-day Christmas itinerary.

GETTING AROUND LONDON

Most of the attractions we have listed in this guide are within walking distance, which is a great way to see London.

Some tube stations, particularly Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, can be extremely busy over Christmas.

At times, the stations may be closed to control numbers.

This can also happen at the tube stations for Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge and Marble Arch.

Most importantly, tubes, buses, trains, and trams do not run on Christmas Day. You’ll need to get around via taxi, foot, or bike.

CHRISTMAS DAY IN LONDON

If you plan to be in London on Christmas Day, you should know that most shops and tourist attractions are not open.

All the events and attractions we have listed in this guide are closed; however, there are still plenty of other great things to do. We have a guide about Christmas Day in London, which includes some practicalities, what’s open, and some great things to do.

TIPS FOR VISITING LONDON OVER CHRISTMAS

• Book early – Hotels, attractions, West End shows, and cocktail bars get reserved months in advance. Book as early as possible.
• Things close on Christmas Day – As mentioned above, everything is closed on Christmas Day.
• Boxing Day Shopping – Boxing Day (26th December) is London’s version of America’s Black Friday. Department stores have huge discounts, but also large crowds.
• Dress Warm & Dress Up – Temperatures will be around 2–8°C (36–46°F)—Lononder’s layer up. Festive dress code applies in many high-end restaurants.
• Have a bad weather plan – The weather can be miserable, so it’s a good idea to plan your day with a few museums or cosy pubs to escape the rain.

MORE GUIDES TO PLAN YOUR LONDON CHRISTMAS

• To plan your trip, start with our 4-day London Christmas Itinerary, a day-by-day walking plan.
• To book your accommodation, read our guide to the best neighbourhoods in London which includes our hotel recommendations.
• Hit the festive spirit with our guide to the best London Christmas Markets.
• Here are all the best places to see the London Christmas lights.
• Our bumper guide to Christmas in London has the best events and things to do.
• Read our guide to Christmas Day in London to see what’s open.
• Soak up the atmosphere with Christmas in Covent Garden.
• Find the best bars, restaurants, igloos and more in our London Christmas guide.
• Take our self-guided walking tour of the London Christmas lights.
• See what’s on in Leicester Square for Christmas.