A festive guide to Christmas activities in London
London does not need much to feel festive. The city already has the theatres, grand squares, department stores and streets made for wandering after dark. Add Christmas lights, decorated trees, winter markets, cosy shopfronts and crisp December air, and familiar parts of London begin to feel different.
This is what makes Christmas in London so enjoyable. The festive season adds another layer to a city that already knows how to keep you entertained. West End theatres turn to seasonal favourites, public spaces fill with Christmas trees and twinkling lights, and winter evenings give you another reason to explore.
If you’re spending Christmas in London, the best approach is to mix a few seasonal highlights, events and attractions with the things the city already does brilliantly: culture, food, shopping and exploring different neighbourhoods. With art’otel London Hoxton and art’otel London Battersea Power Station, you can choose a stay in Shoreditch or Battersea and make the hotel part of the experience.
Best Christmas activities in London
Pantomimes and festive theatre
A Christmas trip to London can easily include an evening at the theatre. Seasonal programmes bring together ballet, pantomime, comedy and familiar Christmas stories, with the line-up changing from one year to the next.
Look out for festive productions including:
- The Nutcracker
- Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
- The Snowman
- Cinderella
- A Christmas Carol
- Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas
- Cirque Alice
Current seasonal programmes include The Nutcracker at London Coliseum and A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic. A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is also returning to the West End for the 2026 festive season.
Check the latest theatre listings before booking, as productions, venues and performance dates change each season. A matinee also gives you time to see the Christmas lights before an evening meal.
Christmas at Kew
Christmas at Kew is a different way to experience festive London. The evening trail takes visitors through Kew Gardens after dark, with illuminated installations along the route.
It is worth allowing plenty of time for the experience and dressing for the winter weather. Christmas at Kew uses timed entry, and advance booking is essential.
Skate at Somerset House
Ice skating at Somerset House is a familiar part of Christmas in London. The rink sits in the historic courtyard, giving a winter activity a distinctive setting in the heart of the city.
Book a skating session in advance, then leave time for food or a stroll through central London. Somerset House works well alongside Covent Garden and the West End, so you can combine several festive activities without making the day feel rushed.
Covent Garden at Christmas
Covent Garden is an easy place to start an evening. Its Piazza and surrounding streets take on a festive look each winter, with Christmas lights, decorations and a large tree returning to the area.
Visit during the day for shopping and food, then stay into the evening when the lights become part of the experience. The area is closely connected to London’s theatreland, making it a natural stop before or after a festive show.
Christmas lights and trees across London
Christmas lights are part of what makes London feel different during the festive season. They work best as part of an evening walk, when decorated streets and shopfronts become part of the city rather than a separate attraction.
Covent Garden is a useful place to start. Its annual festive display stretches across the Piazza and surrounding neighbourhood, with its Christmas tree becoming a familiar seasonal landmark. Visitors often head to Regent Street, Carnaby Street and Oxford Street to see some of London’s most time-honoured festive displays.
For something more characterful, the Churchill Arms in Kensington covers its entire exterior with Christmas trees and thousands of lights each winter. Stop to see the display, with mulled wine and mince pies adding to the festive pub experience.
Exact switch-on dates vary by location, with many displays appearing from November onwards. Check the latest local information before travelling if you have a particular display in mind.
Christmas markets in London
Christmas markets are another easy way to spend a winter afternoon. Browse for gifts, stop for something warm and take your time before moving on to the next part of the day.
Popular Christmas markets in London include Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, Christmas by the River at London Bridge City and the festive stalls that appear around Leicester Square and Covent Garden.
There is no need to build your entire itinerary around markets. Choose one that fits naturally with your plans, then continue towards the lights, theatre or dinner. This slower approach leaves more space for the city itself.
Where to eat in London at Christmas
Food is part of the festive experience, whether that means a long lunch, afternoon tea, Christmas dinner or drinks after a show. Make room for meals in the day rather than treating them as something to fit around everything else.
Christmas markets and winter pop-ups add plenty of seasonal options, from raclette, baked camembert and fondue to mince pies, toasted marshmallows and cups of mulled wine. The South Bank is a good place for festive food and drinks while you explore the city. Covent Garden makes it easy to combine dining with Christmas lights, shopping or a West End performance.
If you plan to eat out on Christmas Day, book well in advance. Options can range from traditional pub lunches and festive menus to experiences menus and alternatives to the classic Christmas dinner. Remember there is no public transport on Christmas Day, so choose somewhere close to your hotel or arrange transport beforehand.
At art’otel London Hoxton, Solaya brings French Mediterranean dining to the 25th floor of the hotel, while The Brush has all-day dining at street level. For guests staying at art’otel London Battersea Power Station, JOIA spans two floors with views across London with curated festive menus and Christmas films on the rooftop.
Where to stay in London for Christmas
art’otel London Hoxton
art’otel London Hoxton gives you a stylish base in Shoreditch, close to Liverpool Street and Old Street. This places you close to festive shopping, seasonal dining and London’s Christmas attractions. The hotel has an art-led identity shaped by Signature Artist D*Face, with original Banksy artworks and a dedicated gallery adding another layer to the stay.
art’otel London Battersea Power Station
art’otel London Battersea Power Station offers a different perspective on the capital, with easy access to festive events while providing a quieter escape from the busiest parts of central London. The hotel sits beside Battersea Power Station and Electric Boulevard, with interiors shaped by Signature Artist Jaime Hayon. Waterloo is three stops away on the Northern Line, making central London straightforward to reach for festive plans.
What Christmas activities in London to book in advance
The festive activities in London with fixed times should be the first things you arrange. This includes:
- Theatre performances
- Ice skating sessions
- Christmas at Kew
- Festive dining at popular venues
Keep the rest of your plans flexible. Seasonal programmes change from year to year, so check the latest information before travelling.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas in London
What are the best things to do in London at Christmas?
See a festive theatre production, visit Christmas at Kew, skate at Somerset House and explore Covent Garden after dark.
Where can you see Christmas lights in London?
Covent Garden is a good place to start, with festive lighting across the Piazza and surrounding streets, alongside its large Christmas tree.
When do the London Christmas lights turn on?
There is no single switch-on date for Christmas lights across London. Individual areas and venues set their own festive schedules, with many displays beginning in November.
Are there Christmas markets in London?
Yes. Christmas markets appear across London during the festive season. Dates and opening arrangements vary, so check individual market information before visiting.
What is open on Christmas Day in London?
Christmas Day has reduced opening across London, with many shops, attractions and restaurants closing. Check individual venues before making plans.
Does the London Tube run on Christmas Day?
London Underground services are subject to Christmas holiday arrangements. Christmas Day services are particularly limited, with many transport services not operating. Check the latest Transport for London information before travelling.
