London transforms into a storybook holiday setting every winter, blending old-world charm with showstopping festive traditions. From glittering light trails and world-famous Christmas markets to West End holiday productions, iconic department store displays, and cozy seasonal pop-ups, the city feels alive with magic at every turn. Whether you’re a Londoner keeping beloved traditions alive or a visitor experiencing the capital at its most enchanting, these are the best things to do in London for the holidays this year.
London comes alive during the holidays with festive markets spread across the city, each offering its own mix of twinkling lights, seasonal street food, and unique gifts. From the riverside chalets of the Southbank Centre Winter Market to the cozy village feel of Leicester Square, these markets are perfect for picking up thoughtful presents, sampling holiday treats, and soaking up the city’s Christmas atmosphere. Weekdays and earlier hours tend to be quieter, making it easier to browse the stalls and enjoy the lights before the crowds arrive.
Below are the top Christmas markets in London for 2025 from iconic favorites to smaller neighborhood gems each offering something special for every kind of holiday outing.
· Leicester Square Christmas market
· Southbank Centre Winter Market
· Trafalgar Square Christmas market
· Covent Garden Christmas markets
· London Bridge Christmas Market
Where: Royal Hospital Chelsea
When: November 26 – December 28
Why go: Chelsea Winter Village brings a fresh dose of festive magic to one of London’s most iconic heritage settings. Begin your visit with the Chelsea Winter Illuminations, a 1.5km light trail through Ranelagh Gardens featuring large-scale art, glowing installations, interactive moments, and atmospheric soundscapes. Afterwards, wander into the Winter Village with a charming Christmas market, warming seasonal drinks, street food, live music on the bandstand, and pop-up workshops. It’s a cozy, beautifully curated alternative to the city’s bigger holiday events.
Good to know: The light trail requires a timed ticket, and popular evenings often sell out. The Winter Village is free to enter and open to all ages. Food stalls, festive bars, and attractions vary by date.
Where: Starts near Green Park Underground Station (specific location sent to you after setting up your team)
When: Daily November and December
Why go: This festive spin on the hit show turns London’s West End into your own real-life adventure. With no maps or public transport, teams race through the city’s most iconic Christmas lights across Soho, Mayfair, and Covent Garden while solving escape-room-style puzzles, stretching your virtual budget, and uncovering hidden shortcuts. Whether you’re competitive or just in it for the fun, this immersive challenge is a brilliant way to experience London decked out for the holidays and perfect for groups, couples, families, and office outings.
Good to know: The experience typically lasts 2–3 hours depending on pace. Teams can be 2–7 players, and children under 10 join free with an adult. Optional breaks at holiday-themed checkpoints offer exclusive discounts at partner venues.
Where: DUO Clapham (15–16 Lendal Terrace, London, SW4 7UX)
When: December 7, 14, and 21
Why go: DUO Clapham transforms into a festive Christmas haven where families can enjoy a cosy 2-course holiday meal, meet Santa, and explore a hands-on Creative Corner filled with seasonal crafts. It’s a joyful, atmospheric experience perfect for creating new Christmas memories.
Good to know: Family sessions run from 12:00–2:00 p.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m., while the adults-only evening takes place from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Festive drinks, hot chocolate, and juices are available to purchase.
Where: Hyde Park
When: November 14 – January 1
Why go: Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is London’s biggest festive celebration, packed with rides, attractions, shows, and endless holiday cheer. Wander through sparkling light displays, explore icy kingdoms, try your luck at carnival games, glide across the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, or warm up with mulled wine at cozy fire-pit bars. With more than 150 attractions, from rollercoasters to immersive ice experiences and live entertainment, it’s the ultimate Christmas day (or night) out.
Good to know: Entry is ticketed with peak and off-peak options. New for 2025, Winter Wonderland offers curated packages that include discounted attraction admissions, ride and game credits, and special upgrades. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for popular activities like ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom, and evening sessions.
Where: Protein Studios (31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, EC2A 3EY)
When: Select dates November 25 – December 21
Why go: The Nutcracker Noir transforms Tchaikovsky’s classic into a bold, immersive journey where theatre, dance, music, and fine dining collide. Guests begin at the Merry & More Mart before venturing through secret rooms and surreal worlds that lead into Club Noir, where a five-course menu by Gingerline’s and The Fat Duck’s Jenny McNeil unfolds in sync with the story. With West End–level talent and stunning choreography, it’s one of London’s most ambitious and unforgettable festive productions.
Good to know: Dining can accommodate major dietary requirements with advance notice. The experience lasts around three plus hours.
Candlelight’s Christmas Classics concerts are some of London’s most magical seasonal traditions. Surrounded by the warm glow of hundreds of candles, a live string quartet performs festive favorites ranging from Tchaikovsky and traditional carols to modern holiday hits. Whether you choose the grandeur of Central Hall Westminster or the historic charm of The Great Hall at Barts, each performance delivers an atmospheric, beautifully curated celebration of the season.
Event Details & Tickets
• December 13 – Central Hall Westminster (Storey’s Gate, SW1H 9NH)
• December 19 & 27 – The Great Hall, Barts North Wing (W Smithfield, EC1A 7BE)
Good to know: Each concert lasts 60 minutes and begins promptly; late entry is not allowed. Doors open 45 minutes before the performance, and seating within each zone is first come, first served.
Where: Cadogan Hall (5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ)
When: December 30
Why go: Enjoy a festive evening of sweeping waltzes, sparkling polkas, and iconic holiday classics performed by the acclaimed London Concertante. Set inside the elegant Cadogan Hall, this Viennese Christmas Spectacular features favorites like the Nutcracker Suite, Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Blue Danube, and more making it a perfect seasonal outing for classical music lovers and first-timers alike.
Good to know: The concert runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and is suitable for all ages. Cadogan Hall offers comfortable seating and excellent acoustics, making it a beautiful venue for a holiday night of music.
Where: The Vaults Theatre (Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD)
When: Select dates in November and December
Why go: If you like your Christmas with a dash of chaos and a lot of personality, Humbug is the holiday night out you’ve been waiting for. Hosted by Santa himself, this raucous dive-bar spectacular mixes cabaret, immersive theatre, live music, interactive games, and festive mayhem. With themed cocktails, street-food snacks, and unpredictable entertainment unfolding. It’s one of London’s most unique and delightfully unhinged holiday experiences.
Good to know: This is an adults-only event (18+). Shows run over three hours. A portion of each ticket supports CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a suicide prevention charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives.
Where: The Camden (65 Crowndale Rd, London NW1 1BD)
When: December 11–12
Why go: This immersive retelling of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol blends theatre, mixology, and a deliciously dark Victorian atmosphere. Across 90 minutes, you’ll follow Scrooge’s ghostly journey while sipping four themed cocktails, each crafted to match the mood of the spirit guiding him. With atmospheric staging, inventive storytelling, and a festive twist on a London classic, it’s one of the city’s most creative holiday nights out.
Good to know: This is an 18+ experience. Each ticket includes four cocktails served throughout the show.
Where: Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath
When: November 21 – January 3
Why go: Neverland at Kenwood transforms the historic estate into a magical, illuminated journey inspired by the world of Peter Pan. Follow Tinkerbell through glowing London skylines, enchanted forests, pirate coves, and dazzling scenes like Skull Rock and Captain Hook’s ship. With festive food, warm winter drinks, and beautifully crafted installations, it’s one of North London’s most enchanting Christmas experiences.
Good to know: The trail runs outdoors and takes place after dark, so dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.
Where: The Clapham Grand (21–25 St John’s Hill, London SW11 1TT)
Why go: The Clapham Grand turns holiday movie nights into full-blown festive parties, complete with themed cocktails, live hosts, snow machines, confetti drops, sing-alongs, dance-offs, and costume competitions. Guests watch Christmas classics on a massive 25-foot screen while enjoying pigs in blankets, mulled wine, mince pies, and all the nostalgic chaos of the season. With its mix of interactive games, pre-show entertainment, and after-party fun, these drink-along nights are some of London’s most lively and joyfully unhinged holiday traditions.
Event Details & Tickets
December 7: The Muppets Christmas Carol (Family-Friendly!)
December 11: The Holiday Drink-Along
December 13: Love Actually Drink-Along
Good to know: Prizes for best costumes so dress for the occasion.
Where: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
When: November 15 – January 18
Why go: Step inside the wizarding world as the Studio Tour is transformed for the holidays. Hogwarts in the Snow brings Christmas to life across some of the series’ most iconic sets, from the Great Hall dressed for the Yule Ball to the Gryffindor common room adorned with festive touches created by the original film crew. Wander through a snow-covered Forbidden Forest, explore Diagon Alley dusted with wintry charm, and finish your visit at the Hogwarts castle model blanketed using the same filmmaking techniques seen on screen. It’s one of London’s most magical seasonal experiences for Harry Potter fans of all ages.
Good to know: Tickets must be booked in advance. The on-site Christmas Shop returns with exclusive gifts and collectibles.
Where: Departing from The Ritz (150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR)
When: Select dates from November 21 – December 31
Why go: Experience London’s world-famous Christmas lights from the best seat in the city: the top deck of an open-top bus. This festive tour takes you past the capital’s most iconic illuminated streets including Piccadilly, Oxford Street, and Regent Street, all shimmering with holiday displays. With a live guide sharing stories and fun facts along the way, it’s a cozy, atmospheric way to see London glowing at its brightest.
Good to know: The tour lasts 75 minutes round-trip. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to secure your spot. The bus is open-top, so dress warmly for the evening air.
Where: Kew Gardens
When: Select dates from November 14 – January 4
Why go: Christmas at Kew is one of London’s most breathtaking festive traditions, transforming the gardens into a glowing world of light, color, and seasonal atmosphere. This year’s trail features stunning new large-scale installations, shimmering tunnels, illuminated landscapes, and a few magical appearances from Father Christmas along the way. With festive food stalls, winter warmers, and a beautifully designed route through the gardens at night, it’s a holiday experience that feels both enchanting and uniquely London.
Good to know: Entry is timed and must be booked in advance; the event often sells out. Public transport is strongly recommended; limited parking must be pre-booked.
London transforms into pure magic at Christmastime, with historic streets draped in sparkling lights, grand landmarks glowing after dark, and festive traditions unfolding in every corner of the city. From enchanting light trails and candlelit concerts to immersive theatre, Christmas markets, and family-friendly experiences, London offers endless ways to celebrate the season. Whether you're planning cozy outings, unforgettable nights out, or a full holiday itinerary, the city delivers something for every kind of festive mood. For even more Christmas events and activities across London, visit Fever and explore what’s happening all season long.
Inspired by what you read?
Get more stories like this—plus exclusive guides and resident recommendations—delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to our exclusive newsletter
Resident may include affiliate links or sponsored content in our features. These partnerships support our publication and allow us to continue sharing stories and recommendations with our readers.