Our Guide To The Best Winter Pop-Ups In London

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By Kiera Chapman Editor Food, drink and nightlife specialist with 8+ years in journalism, including bylines at The Sunday Times and Marie Claire. Last updated on 18th September 2026

During December, out come the thermals as temperatures plummet and those dreary long nights set in. Let’s not get too gloomy, though, as the festive season brings with it some of the capital's most exciting experiences.

Rocking up all over the city, equipped with seasonal igloos, warming fare and all manner of quirky entertainment, these are the best winter pop-ups in London that you can't miss in 2026 and beyond.

Find out more about how we created our guide in our Editorial Policy

Cosy Winter Pop-Ups In London: Our Local Guide




Après Bar London Bridge Rooftop

  • Location: London Bridge Rooftop, Colechurch House, London Bridge Walk, SE1 2SX
  • When: from  November 2026, throughout winter
  • Price: TBC
  • Why we recommend: we love the scene the Après Bar sets at winter - the private cable car combined with vintage Alpine memorabilia makes it super cosy, and the drinks (as well as the brunch) are at an affordable price, perfect for groups

Transforming into an Après Bar for winter, London Bridge Rooftop is the perfect pick for your seasonal pop-up this year. Not only does this space have close-up views of the Shard, but now it's also fully transformed with ski memorabilia, a ski gondola seating, and fully covered and heated pergolas decked out in lights and fir.

Expect a bottomless Après Brunch, mulled wine, themed cocktails and more here too, as well as curated DJ sets that keep the party going. 

Drake and Morgan at King's Cross

  • Location: 6 Pancras Square, King's Cross, N1C 4AG
  • When: until January 2027
  • Price: cocktails start from £13.50 and large dishes from £17.95.
  • Why we recommend: this pop-up is the perfect shout for those looking to warm their cocktails with a little whisky this winter

Drake and Morgan at King's Cross are bringing you a Black Ruby Terrace this winter, in collaboration with Johnnie Walker. The outdoor space will be decked out in greenery and festive touches, and you can enjoy limited-edition drinks like the Black Ruby Sour, crafted with Johnnie Walker Ruby, raspberry, lemon, and honey.

There'll be some delicious seasonal plates up for grabs here too, including beetroot-cured smoked salmon, ox cheek with truffle mash, and sticky toffee pudding.

LIMIN SOUTHBANK

  • Location: 56 Upper Ground, Southbank, SE1 9PP
  • When: November and December 2026
  • Price: varies
  • Why we recommend: from the chalet to the shamonix, there's an array of spaces to choose from for your Christmas party or festive meet-up, and we love the sound of the add-ons. Limbo, samba dancers and snow machines, anyone? 

Get set to upgrade your holiday season shenanigans at LIMIN SOUTHBANK, a cosy alpine retreat with a Caribbean twist.

Whether you're hosting a get-together with friends or a company party, they have four fabulous spaces and even the option to hire out the whole venue. You'll get to dance with top DJs, belt out tunes at karaoke and be wowed by fire breathers and drag hosts in a magical festive wonderland decked out in fir trees and twinkling fairy lights.

1864 Rooftop Bar's Igloos

  • Location: 300 Oxford Street, Soho, W1C 1DX
  • When: from 1st October 2026
  • Price: TBC
  • Why we recommend: we love getting our Christmas shopping done in Soho before retreating to this glamorous rooftop space for some well-earned seasonal snacks and cocktails. It's a pretty, twinkling space that offers a festive break from the streets below 

On the 6th floor of John Lewis Oxford Street,1864 Rooftop Bar unveils its seasonal makeover, and this year they're also boasting Central London's biggest private igloo, with space for up to 20 seated and 40 standing.

Book in from 1st October (minimum four for lunch and six for dinner) to cuddle up in their igloos under the stars with cosy blankets, seasonal feasting menus and plenty of mulled wine. 

Humbug: Santa's Christmas Dive Bar Experience

  • Location: The Vaults, Launcelot Street, Waterloo, SE1 7AD
  • When: from 13th November 2026
  • Price: from £22 per person
  • Why we recommend: Humbug is a raucous festive pop-up that's ideal for a group party this winter. We love how dedicated and brilliant the actors are, and how there are high-energy twists and turns around every corner

Humbug is back for 2026, hosted at The Vaults in Waterloo, offering a raucous and magical Christmas party like no other. Combining live music, immersive theatre, dazzling special effects, and a world of festive mischief, Humbug transforms the night into a wild celebration.

You can enjoy themed cocktails, delicious street food, a shrine to Mariah Carey, and fun games such as beer-can bowling. This ticketed show is ideal for groups and corporate events seeking an interactive, unforgettable alternative to the usual Christmas dinner.

The Happenstance

  • Location: 10 Paternoster Square, EC4M 7DX
  • When: November and December 2026
  • Price: free entry
  • Why we recommend: whether you're wrapping up after work or celebrating the season in style, this elegant terrace is London's answer to winter glamour

This winter, The City just got its sparkle back. The Happenstance has teamed up with Perrier-Jouët to create a stunning Champagne Terrace right under the glow of St Paul's Cathedral.

Perfect for winter catchups, this glimmering terrace serves the likes of Blanc de Blancs and Blason Rosé, plus playful cocktails that shimmer with seasonal cheer, such as absinthe-laced French 75s and grapefruit-bright Palomas. 

The Sipping Room

  • Location: West India Quay, 16 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, E14 4AX
  • When: until January 2027
  • Price: cocktails from £10.95 and dishes from £17.95
  • Why we recommend: perfect for private parties and small, seasonal get-togethers, The Sipping Room's igloos are some of our favourites in the city 

While The Sipping Room is a gorgeous spot all year round, thanks to its view of the docks in Canary Wharf, they're really stepping things up for winter. Their cosy terrace features three heated igloos, where you can cosy up with blankets under the night sky.

This is in partnership with The Singleton Whisky, who are bringing you themed cocktails like the Singleton Hot Choco, a mix of Singleton 12-year-old whiskey, hot chocolate mix, honey syrup and a toasted marshmallow. Plus, you can enjoy dishes from £17.95 in these cute dining pods.

Queen of Hoxton

  • Location: 1 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3JX
  • When: winter 2026
  • Price: varies
  • Why we recommend: the winter theme is strong here, and you can enjoy stunning views of the city as well

This winter, Queen of Hoxton's rooftop reopens as a snug hideaway high above Shoreditch, featuring a giant heated yurt, glowing fires, and panoramic East London views. Seasonal cocktails like the Tiramisu Espresso Martini and Spiced Clementine Margarita join a menu of burgers, mac & cheese balls, and vegan bites fresh off the grill.

It's the ultimate spot for festive drinks, date nights, and cosy catch-ups under the stars.

Winter Lodge at the Montague on the Gardens

  • Where: 15 Montague Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 5BJ
  • When: October - December 2026
  • Price: drinks packages for events from £115 per person for groups of 10 to 30
  • Why we recommend: après ski never looked so good at this cosy hideaway - you can expect all the works, from pretty throws to dashes of fake snow

On the hunt for a Christmas pop-up near Covent Garden? The Log Cabin at The Montague Hotel is a real winner. For 2026, the gorgeous terrace will be transformed into a hub boasting a Christmas tree, cosy armchairs and a flickering fire. 

It's the perfect spot for a party, offering food and drinks packages starting from £115 per person and filled with welcome glasses of mulled wine, spiced cider and more. You can even enjoy dinner at the much-loved Blue Door Bistro Restaurant, too. 

The O2 Snow Globe

  • Location: Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0DX
  • When: 6th November 2026 - 3rd January 2027
  • Price: from £44 per person
  • Why we recommend: whether you're looking for a romantic winter date, a family adventure, or a festive day out with friends, this one-of-a-kind experience proves that in London, even Christmas can reach new heights

A London winter pop-up for thrill seekers? Sign us up. While the city's festive season is full of dazzling cosy spots, there's none quite as sky-high as The O2's Snow Globe Climb. From late November, you can scale the iconic roof on a guided adventure before stepping into a magical, 52-metre-high snow globe perched at the summit.

With fairytale flurries of snow swirling against the backdrop of the city skyline, it's the ultimate festive photo opportunity. Climbers get an extended 20 minutes at the top to soak up the views (and the snow), with mulled wine, bubbly, hot chocolate, and more on hand to toast the season. 

Netil 360

Complimentary Bubbles Reception

  • Location: 1 Westgate Street, E8 3RL
  • When: November and December 2026
  • Price: food and drink vary 
  • Why we recommend: this cool East London hangout is a great place to enjoy a couple of casual drinks and pizza with your mates this Christmas 

Netil 360's private winter cabins are the ultimate seasonal treat. Designed for warmth, candlelight, and comfort, they transform the rooftop into a festive, intimate escape from the chill. 

You can enjoy hot cocktails, natural wines, and local craft beers while listening to live DJs spinning soul, hip-hop, house, or Balearic grooves. Stone-baked Neapolitan pizzas keep the energy high, perfect for sharing with friends in a cosy setting. 

The Refinery, Bankside

  • Location: 110 Southwark Street, London Bridge, SE1 9AN
  • When: until January 2027
  • Price: varies
  • Why we recommend: conveniently located in the heart of the city, this winter pop-up is a super snug stop-off with some indulgent cocktails 

Situated on the Southbank, The Refinery is a stunning spot for winter drinks. This year, they've partnered with Grey Goose to bring you a beautiful terrace. Head over to get snuggly in their huts, complete with heating, among twinkling fairy lights and cosy blankets.

They will be serving up an indulgent Ferrero Rocher Martini and a new selection of Mini Tinis, not to mention a range of comforting dishes that will warm you through. Think everything from braised ox cheek with truffle mash to a vegan pithivier and a mince pie cheesecake.

Aviary

  • Location: Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, City of London, EC2A 1DX
  • When: TBC
  • Price: TBC
  • Why we recommend: hunker down in your very own igloo this winter at one of the prettiest rooftop bars in the city. Not only does Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant have the throws and fairy lights to create a cosy atmosphere, but it also has the festive food and drinks to match

The best igloos in London? Make your way to Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant on Finsbury Square to enjoy an evening in the heated rooftop pods, complete with Instagram-worthy views and cosy blankets.

On the food front, expect traditional British fare, Swiss cheese fondue, and seasonal cocktails thanks to collaborations with brands such as Grey Goose, or mulled wine.

Miracle At Henrietta

  • Location: 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8QH
  • When: 9th November - December 2026
  • Price: varies 
  • Why we recommend: because Christmas isn't Christmas without a little sparkle - and Miracle at Henrietta goes all out. Returning for its eighth London outing, this US-born festive pop-up has mastered the art of merry-making, packing in lots of lights, tinsel, and tongue-in-cheek seasonal kitsch

On the hunt for Christmas-themed restaurants in London? Transforming Henrietta Hotel into a scene from a 70s festive postcard, the tinsel-doused haven will be channelling homely vibes with massive fireplaces, retro cocktails and oh-so-tasty comfort food.

From cranberry-spiked Christmapolitans to rum-laced Snowball Old Fashioneds, the cocktails alone are worth the visit, all served in gloriously kitschy glassware that's just begging for a photo.

Skate At Somerset House's Ski Chalet

  • Location: Strand, Covent Garden, WC2R 1LA
  • When: 11th November 2026 to 10th January 2027
  • Price: from £15 per adult, £10 per child 
  • Why we recommend: a sparkling centrepiece of London's winter season, Skate at Somerset House proves that Christmas in the capital is as much about atmosphere as it is about tradition

Somerset House's ice rink has long been a festive rite of passage for Londoners, and it's not hard to see why. Skating beneath the grand Georgian façade and its glittering 40-foot Christmas tree feels like stepping into a Christmas film, whether you glide gracefully or cling for dear life to the sides. 

The courtyard transforms into a winter playground, with Skate Lates bringing in DJs from the likes of NTS and Foundation FM, plus takeovers from queer collectives and party-starters alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a winter pop-up in London?

 A winter pop-up is a temporary venue or experience that appears for the festive season — typically from November through to January — before disappearing again in the new year. In London, they range from heated riverside igloos and Alpine ski lodge bars to immersive Christmas experiences, outdoor markets, and rooftop rinks.

Are there any free winter pop-ups in London?

Yes — while many of London's most popular winter pop-ups require a booking or entry fee, there are plenty of free options to enjoy. The Christmas lights displays across Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, and Covent Garden are free to wander through, as are most of London's outdoor Christmas markets, including the South Bank Christmas Market and the stalls at King's Cross.

When do winter pop-ups open in London?

Most of London's winter pop-ups open in mid-to-late November, with the majority launching in the week leading up to or just after Bonfire Night (5th November). The busiest period runs from late November through to Christmas Eve, with some venues — particularly those with New Year's Eve events — staying open until 1st or 2nd January.