Best London Christmas Events 2026: Festive What's On Guide

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from free
• Why we recommend: there's nothing more gorgeous than London at Christmastime, and these light trails are the epitome of that. You'll get to see the city in a whole new way, and they make for some great photos too

If you're after free Christmas events in London for 2025, many of these festive lights and trails fit the bill. Expect Covent Garden's finest alongside Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Leadenhall Market and even whole projections on the side of the Shard - plus some paid-for options at Kew Gardens or Kenwood House.

Whether lit-up Battersea Power Station or a Christmas lights pub covered in over 90 conifer trees is more your thing, these displays deliver.

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from free
• Why we recommend: whether you're after a cute date idea, a family day out or even a solo activity, Christmas markets are a versatile festive experience - and they only cost as much as you want to spend, so they can be an affordable choice too

The festive season wouldn't be complete without a trip to a London Christmas market and luckily for you, we've compiled a guide to help you find the best of the best. From Christmas shopping to grabbing seasonal food and, of course, drinking plenty of mulled wine, these must-visit locations have loads in store across their stalls.

Whether you fancy visiting Southbank Christmas Market and indulging in all things fondue, or hitting up the iconic Spitalfields Christmas Market for fun games while sipping hot chocolate, we've got options all across the city.

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: varies
• Why we recommend: ice skating is the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit, and the vast number of rinks around the city mean that you're never too far from one

After the coolest places to skate in our capital? From Skate At Somerset House to GLIDE Battersea, Hampton Court ice rink, Alexandra Palace ice rink and more, these are the very best skating spots that are making waves across London just in time for Christmas.

Complete with Instagrammable 40ft Christmas trees, Swiss fondue pop-ups and gut-busting burgers, these picks will get you in the festive spirit.

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: varies
• Why we recommend: every child deserves a magical Christmas, and these events and activities will ensure that your little ones are never short of festive joy

On the hunt for Christmas events in London for kids? We're here to help with our handy guide. Plenty is going on throughout the city to keep the little ones entertained - all of which you'll find thoroughly enjoyable too. 

Get involved with carols and have a very Dickensian Christmas, or sing your heart out in theatreland with tickets to West End Musical Christmas. There are even some themed afternoon teas to indulge in too.

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: varies
• Why we recommend: with so many great shows to suit all ages, a trip to the theatre is a must in London at Christmas

There's no better time to visit the West End (or off-West End) than at Christmas, and there are so many great shows to watch this winter. Whether you're more into musicals or immersive performances complete with a delicious meal, there's something for everyone here.

We've rounded up the very best shows to catch during the season - from classics like The Snowman or Elf The Musical to fantastic cabaret acts and interactive murder mysteries.

• Location: across London
• When: 24th December
• Price: varies
• Why we recommend: celebrations don't have to be limited to the 25th, so these Christmas Eve events are a great way to get into the spirit early

The day before Christmas is just as important, which is why we've gathered a list of cool and exciting things to do on the 24th of December (so you don't have to). 

Fancy having a go at a round of darts? There's the fairground-themed activity bar Flight Club for that. Elsewhere across the city, check out immersive festive speakeasies, dinner clubs, afternoon teas and more.

• Location: Emerald Theatre London, 8 Victoria Embankment, London, WC2R 2AB
• When: Wednesday 4th November 2026 and four other dates
• Price: from £38.50
• Why we recommend: Santa's Secret Cabaret is much more than a Christmas night out. With fine dining, circus performers and high-flying fun, it's Christmas reimagined 

Santa's Secret Cabaret at the iconic Emerald Theatre at Eight Embankment combines world-class entertainment with indulgent dining. From circus acts to spellbinding performers, a magical festive world unfolds around you throughout the night. 

To fuel you up for the fun, there's a choice of canape receptions, three- or five-course meals and an epic chef's table experience. Secure your seat at the table from just £38.50.

• Location: 72 St John Street, Farringdon, EC1M 4DT
• When: every day
• Price: from £11
• Why we recommend: cocktail lovers and those with a sweet tooth can both rejoice at The Chocolate Cocktail Club - and we love the festive feel of their seasonal creations

After a run of successful pop-ups, The Chocolate Cocktail Club has found a permanent home in Farringdon. This Christmas, it's serving some seriously delicious chocolate cocktails.

On the menu are edible reindeers filled with liquor, plus drinks like The Giggling Gingerbread Man. What's more, each ticket includes a drink on the house. Chocotini, anyone?

• Location: Sheraton Grand Park Lane, Piccadilly, London, W1J 7BX
• When: 21st-30th December 2025 
• Price: from £79.50 per person
• Why we recommend: this is a spellbinding festive experience blending mind-reading, sleight of hand, and old-world charm in one of London's most elegant settings

Step into the candlelit world of The Magic Hour, London's most enchanting parlour magic show. This critically acclaimed experience offers an intimate evening of illusion, intrigue, and Christmas wonder.

Hosted in the opulent Sheraton Grand Park Lane, this exclusive show brings the golden age of magic to life with a festive twist. Expect jaw-dropping feats, Victorian parlour elegance, and a sense of nostalgia that makes for a perfect seasonal night out, whether you're celebrating with friends, family, or looking for something truly unique this Christmas.

• Location: 127 Hackney Road, Hoxton, E2 8GY
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £35.99
• Why we recommend: this is the ultimate immersive experience, providing everything from killer cocktails to amazing photo opportunities

While prison might not be the ideal destination this festive season, Alcotraz is an immersive experience you won't forget in a hurry. Smuggle your booze into this jail, past the eagle-eyed warden, and you'll be rewarded with bespoke cocktails with a Christmas twist from your inmate bar tenders.

But that's not all, since live actors make this a full interactive show filled with deception, deceit and plenty of your participation. 

• Location: The City, Finsbury Park and Soho
• When: various dates throughout December
• Price: from free
• Why we recommend: there's wall to wall Christmas anthems and prizes to be won

Agency Unknown is spreading the Christmas spirit with epic events right across London. Its legendary Musical Bingo nights are popping up in Soho, Finsbury Park and the City.

Expect all the usual high jinx, mystery boxes and big prizes - plus more than a few festive tunes.

• Location: a Central London pier
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £33
• Why we recommend: you can combine sightseeing and partying at one event, and who doesn't love a fun boat trip?

When it comes to Christmas events on the water, this London Festive Boat Party has your back. You'll set sail along the Thames for four whole hours of cruising, taking in the sights and illuminations along the river as you go.

Santa's ship will also be serving a light buffet, as well as having a great DJ covering party anthems and Christmas chart toppers from past to present, all for £35 per person.

• Where: 13 Kingly Court, Carnaby, W1B 5PW
• When: 16th November to 21st December 2025
• Price: from £59.40 per person
• Why we recommend: from quizzes and games to live entertainment, it's impossible to get bored here - and their quirky cocktails are a real bonus

An immersive theatre experience at Soho venue Cahoots, the Black Market Knees-Up is a fantastic choice for entertainment all year round - and they're adding in some festive twists this winter. This is a cool speakeasy bar inspired by the 1940s, promising illicit activity and secretive sips.

Choose between a standard ticket or bottomless drinks, both getting you access to rationed snacks and quirky cocktails - disguised as milk bottles tea pots or even poison. The theatrical event also features games, live actors and a 1940s-style pub quiz.

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £17
• Why we recommend: this is a wild twist on your usual quiz night, and we can't get enough of singing along to our favourite Christmas tunes

Taking over venues across the city this season, including Islington, Soho and more, Sounds Familiar Music Quiz is sorting you out with song trivia and hilarious antics, packing over 100 tunes into one night. 

Head over to your nearest event for some of the best London Christmas activities. You'll be able to show off your musical knowledge in their quirky quiz rounds, with ticket options for groups of all sizes.

This festive season, get ready for a range of drag-drenched Christmas brunches, like Ginger's Big Drag Christmas brunch, taking over Balls Brothers, Austin Friars every Saturday with all the tinsel, sparkle, and sass you could wish for.

Snag tickets for you and your crew, and dive into an event hosted by the one and only Ms. Ginger Phlappage and her drag queens. You're in for holiday-themed performances, outrageous games, cheeky challenges, and plenty of audience participation - all while enjoying free-flowing booze and a delicious two-course feast.

She'll also be hosting Christmas drag bingo every Thursday at The Shoreditch, where you can bag 2-4-1 margarita cocktails, outrageous prizes, festive disco anthems and jaw-dropping performances.

But that's not all, as there will also be drag-tastic bingo brunches on Saturdays over at Phoenix Arts Club in Soho that will be equally entertaining, not to mention KIKI Christmas cabaret on Saturdays over at Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch.

• Location: Soho, Notting Hill and Clapham Junction
• When: multiple dates
• Price: from £10
• Why we recommend: their wholesome Christmas carol evenings promise a whole lot of festive cheer - and the cocktails are a welcome bonus

Archer Street's bars in Notting Hill, Soho and SW11 have Christmas brunches in store for your festivities this year, promising everything from 90 minutes of bottomless booze to pros serenading you for entertainment.

But that's not all, as they're also hosting Christmas carol evenings, where you'll get to enjoy live music and festive cheer by the bucketload, complete with a welcome Christmas cocktail and complimentary mince pies. They're sure to jingle your bells. 

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: varies
• Why we recommend: this wholesome activity is a great way to get you feeling festive, and there's bound to be a workshop near you

It's the time for decorating your house, and the front door deserves some love too. Luckily, there are multiple different opportunities this winter to craft your very own masterpiece to take pride of place there.

These London wreath workshops can be found everywhere from Wandsworth to Tottenham and Crouch End, with options to suit all budgets. Create a beautiful display of foliage, dried fruit and more, with experts on hand to help you out.

• Location: Oxford Street and Vauxhall
• When: multiple dates
• Price: from £19.50
• Why we recommend: if you fancy an event that you can get involved in, this lively pick promises fun, games and lots of prizes

Taking place on Oxford Street and in Vauxhall, Old Skool Bingo's Christmas specials are a great way to celebrate the festive season. There'll be DJs playing non-stop hip hop and RnB tunes, while you get stuck into lively rounds of bingo.

There are also dance battles and other fun competitions to get involved in, with some fantastic prizes to be won. Plus, tickets start from only £19.50.

• Location: 8 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5BY
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £17
• Why we recommend: it's a great way to fit in some sightseeing with Christmas lights 

Step aboard a classic 1960s Routemaster bus, beautifully decorated with festive Christmas décor, for a magical open-top tour of London's most iconic holiday light displays. This charming vintage bus cruise takes guests through the city's twinkling festive hotspots, including Oxford Street, Harrods, and Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park.

As the bus winds its way through London's glowing streets, passengers can fully immerse themselves in the enchanting holiday atmosphere from a unique, nostalgic perspective. The London Christmas Lights Tour offers a perfect way to experience the city's festive magic, making it an unforgettable seasonal treat for locals and visitors alike.

• Location: King's Cross, London Bridge and Canary Wharf
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £38
• Why we recommend: the interactive screens at Electric Shuffle add a fun, competitive element to your game, and the cocktails are seriously impressive too

Offering some of the best festivities, Electric Shuffle's venues in London Bridge and Canary Wharf are sure to hit the spot when it comes to fun Christmas activities. Their festive brunch takes their mini game-led, automatic-scoring shuffleboard to a whole new level.

Think one hour of gaming for your group, unlimited pizza, a bottle of prosecco each, and an extra festive cocktail per person on arrival too. And for £35 to £40 each? It's a steal.

The holiday season hasn't begun until you've ticked off your first festive flick. At Rivoli Pop Up Cinema, you can take your pick from cult classics like Elf, Gremlins and the best two Home Alones - plus decide for yourself whether Die Hard counts as a Christmas film. 

It's impossible not to feel festive beneath the warm lights and cosy, classic interiors of the Rivoli Ballroom, one of the last to remain intact from the 1950s. In your jazziest jumper, with popcorn in hand and a drink from the bar, you'll be in doubt that Old Saint Nick is just around the corner. 

• Location: Shoreditch, Islington, Victoria and Bloomsbury
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £38
• Why we recommend: we love Flight Club no matter what time of year it is, for its unique interactive darts concept and killer cocktails - but it's just that extra bit special at Christmas

It's the season to be jolly, so get your pals together and down to Flight Club. Venues in Victoria, Islington, Shoreditch and Bloomsbury are celebrating with a brunch social that takes mini game-packed darts to a whole new level for the holidays.

Throw on your finest Christmas jumper and enjoy a festive cocktail each on arrival, with an hour in front of your group's dartboard, bottomless pizza and a bottle of prosecco per person on the cards too. Prices start at £38 per person for this top choice of 2025 Christmas events in London.

• Location: across London
• When: 13th December
• Price: from £26
• Why we recommend: it's a quirky night out that's perfect for groups and Christmas parties, and we love the views of London's landmarks that you get to admire too

Get ready for the ultimate festive celebration with the Silent Sounds Christmas Special, a sold-out sensation returning for one final epic night aboard the magical Dutch Master party boat. This two-storey floating venue cruises along the Thames, offering stunning views of London's iconic landmarks while you dance the night away wearing hi-tech silent disco headphones.

With multiple music channels to choose from - including Christmas classics, disco, rock, pop, and more - partygoers can curate their own soundtrack, making this one of the most unique and memorable Christmas parties in London. After ten sold-out dates this year, Silent Sounds wraps up the season with a festive night full of Mariah Carey madness, merry vibes, and non-stop dancing.

• Location: Covent Garden Tube Station, 41 Longacre, London, WC2E 9JT
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £10
• Why we recommend: it's a joyful sightseeing experience packed with great tunes, bound to get you in the festive spirit 

Experience the ultimate festive celebration with the Silent Disco Walking Tours Christmas Party, a unique dance-walk adventure through London's iconic West End Christmas lights and famous holiday markets. Don hi-tech silent disco headphones to groove along to a curated mix of smash hits from the '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, and classic Christmas tunes, all accompanied by entertaining commentary.

This fun-packed one-hour tour winds through festive hotspots including Covent Garden, Regent Street, Seven Dials, Trafalgar Square, Carnaby Street, Chinatown, Soho, and more. Perfect for groups, friends, families, and office parties, the event invites everyone to put on their sparkles, lace up comfortable shoes, and join the magical festive party atmosphere. 

• Location: across London
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £15
• Why we recommend: this isn't just any old brunch, the guys go all-out with their entertainment - especially at Christmas 

In the mood to do something a little different this Christmas? Join Fabulous Brunch Events for their jam-packed schedule of festive happenings, from a yuletide take on drag brunch to a Christmas Britney concert tribute brunch and a boy toy brunch complete with male dancers.

At all events, you can also enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless drinks while tucking into your choice of street food dish from the hosting venue.

• Location: various locations across the city
• When: various dates throughout December
• Price: from £33
• Why we recommend: with the festive lights in full force, London's even better looking than usual at this time of year

See the city in its full festive finery with Cross Paths Tours. Whether you take in Winter Wonderland or the twinkling lights of Buckingham Palace, Westminster or Mayfair, you'll learn a thing or two about London along the way.

Your expert guide is never far away with a fact about the history, culture or architecture of our fair city. Tickets to a tour start from just £33.

• Location: Hyde Park, SW1X 7LY
• When: 14th November 2025 - 1st January 2026
• Price: entry from free
• Why we recommend: any trip to London at Christmas is incomplete without Winter Wonderland, the ultimate seasonal activity

Christmas in London isn't complete without Winter Wonderland - the famous attraction has been setting up camp in Hyde Park since 2007, wowing visitors with its games, rides and delicious food stalls ever since. 

Gather your mates and head on over to explore over 100 vendors whipping up everything from candles to hot chocolates. There'll also be chalet-style bars serving mulled wine and gourmet cheese toasties. Sign us up.

• Location: 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8HQ
• When: 10th November - 23rd December 2025
• Price: free entry
• Why we recommend: this over-the-top festive bar is bound to get you in the Christmas spirit, and we love how inventive their themed cocktails are each year

The New York-born Miracle At Henrietta is returning to Covent Garden for another year, promising kitsch Christmas decor, lights and music. You'll also find brilliant themed cocktails - we recommend the hot buttered rum.

Ideal for capturing those festive photos and boogieing to seasonal tunes, it's open until the 23rd December.

• Location: Kew Gardens, TW9 3AB
• When: throughout the festive period
• Price: from £27
• Why we recommend: Kew Gardens is one of the most stunning spots in the whole city, and at Christmas it's truly beautiful thanks to all the lights

Make your way to Richmond to discover Kew Gardens, the stunning botanic royal gardens that transform into a winter wonderland each year. There are more than 50,000 living plants to see here, as well as over 7 million preserved specimens, and the world's largest Victorian glasshouse is also waiting to be discovered.

This festive season, take a wander down their famous light trail, which spans across more than three kilometres of gorgeous illuminations, glittering tunnels, decorated trees and much more . Feeling peckish? There'll also be independent vendors selling hot food, warming drinks and Christmas treats.

• Location: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
• When: 15^th November 2025 – 18^th January 2026
• Price: from £56 per person 
• Why we recommend: if you're a Harry Potter fan, this place will give you everything you could ask for, and at Christmas the sets are transformed into magical festive scenes - we never leave here without some amazing photos

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter is a beloved attraction all year round, but it's especially magical during the festive season. Boasting the real sets and props from the Harry Potter films, this magical destination is transformed into Hogwarts at Christmas over the winter.

The Great Hall will be decked out in stunning decorations, reflecting scenes from the Yule Ball. You'll also get to explore Gryffindor common room, Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and more, making for great photo opportunities. For a behind-the-scenes look at these iconic films, there's nowhere better.