Things to do this Christmas in London: Your Festive What’s On Guide

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the capital, check out theses festive activities in London to really get you into the spirit...

By Rex Adams | Updated Nov 1 2024

There's something truly magical about a city that is transformed over Christmas, and London does it very well. There's so many festive activities to enjoy around the city that you'll be spoilt for choice, from annual classics such as the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street to the bustling Winter Wonderland to your must-see pantomimes at the Paladium. But with so much to do where do you begin? Here's our guide to the top Chritmas activities to in London this winter.

Christmas At Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens, Richmond TW9 3AB

There are many beautiful Christmas light displays in London every year, but perhaps none as enchanting and all-encompassing as the festive world created for Christmas at Kew Gardens. Watch this popular and beautiful botanical park be absolutely transformed from the summery full bloom to an after-dark festivity adorend with sparkling tunnels of light, reflections dancing on the lakeside and trees drenched in arrays of colours. 

Running daily from 4.20pm to 10pm (with last entries at 8pm) from the 16th November to the 8th January, take a walk under the stars, grabbing some delicious food and drink from their independent food vendors along the way. From tasty hot food to spiced sweet treats and winter warmers you will be festooned amongst the beauty. 

Standard tickets start from £21.50 off-peak and there are special discounts for Kew members. 

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

At Christmas time we get treated to lots of wonderful Christmas markets throughout London but, if you've never been before, prepare to be wowed by the grand dame of London's Christmas markets, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park - where festive merriment reaches epic proportions. 

Whether you love the hustle and bustle or prefer a quieter experience, this colossal Christmas amusement park and market delivers something for everyone. The impressive spectacle boasts over 100 wooden cabins brimming with exquisite gifts, from handcrafted gems to dazzling jewelry. Here, you can lace up your skates at the UK's largest outdoor ice rink, take in the city from a giant observation wheel, and be enchanted by captivating Winter Wonderland Christmas shows. 

What's more, there's a Bavarian village, an ice bar called Bar Ice, thrilling rides, and a Magical Ice Kingdom that's bound to leave you spellbound. And, of course, Santa Claus himself makes daily appearances at Santaland. While Winter Wonderland can get crowded in the evenings, especially after 4 pm, it's worth the visit for the festive magic it brings to London. 

Ice Skating at Somerset House

13 November - 19 January | Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House, The Strand, London WC2R 1LA

Probably the most central ice rink youll ever get in London, Somerset House Ice Rink spans an impressive 900 square meters and boasts a towering 40ft Christmas tree as its centerpiece, making it a magnet for Instagram aficionados as much as for families on a wonderfully wintery London trip.

There’s something for everyone here, from the Somerset House Skate School to the sessions that take place to rinkside DJ sets, plus Yuletide favourites from the many pop-up food and drink outlets, and even a chance to get the Christmas shopping done with stalls by Shelter Boutique!

If you can’t make it to Somerset House, there are plenty of other great places to ice skate in London.

Pantomime At The Palladium

7 December - 12 January | The London Palladium, 8 Argyll St, London, W1F 7TF

Pantomime has been a past-time richly visited and well loved by Brits for generations, and the Palladium Pantomime (now in its ninth year) has rightly garnered a reputation as the biggest and best. Pantomime legend Julian Clary is back again as Robin Hood, with singer and Loose Women star Jane McDonald as Maid Marion and an all-star supporting cast including actor Nigel Havers, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin (winner of America’s Got Talent) and several stars of the West End stages!

The 2,286-seat London Palladium is one of the grandest theatres in all of London, and the Palladium panto is always a barrel of laughs - with that many people yelling “He’s behind you!”, it’s a wonder they never hear…

If you can’t make it to the Palladium panto, dont despair! There are plenty more Christmas pantomimes in London.

Hogwarts In The Snow

16 November - 19 January 2025 | Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR

At the worst of times, the Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter is truly mind blowing, and has to be seen to be believed. Potterhead or not, the huge sets, all crafted with extraordinary attention to detail and more than a dose of magic, fully immerse every visitor in a world that was brought to life from the imagination of the author and the filmmakers.

Hogwarts in the Snow take things to a whole new level. The entire place is transformed into a winter world and prepared especially for the coming of Christmas; see the Great Hall transformed for a Christmas feast, with towering trees and roaring fires inviting wizards, witches and muggles alike to celebrate the festive season.

You can also see what the Gryffindor dormitories, or the Slytherin Common Room, look like strewn with magical gifts as everyone at Hogwarts gets ready for Chtistmas. Do some Christmas shopping Diagon Alley and see it under blankets of snow - even the Forbidden Forests looks enchanting in the glowing white hue of winter…

If you’re going to pick a time to visit Hogwarts, we say make it Christmas time - they really go all out to make it that more magical.

Tickets must be booked in advance.

Oxford Street And Regent Street Christmas Lights

Oxford Street, Regent Street, London

It only seemed fair that we collectively write about the two most popular perpendicular streets in London and their magnificent Christmas lights. It's a must see and it's completely free!

Oxford Circus

On 5th November this year, a lineup of popular celebrities and thousands of people gather for the switching-on of the Oxford Circus Christmas lights. Running the full length of Oxford Street, the lights return with a classical display of twinkling white fairy lights and lavish red stairs. They're a sight to behold and a true treasure of London. To get the best view, why not hop on a bus, climb to the top deck and take it all in. This would be the only time we appreciate the Oxford Circus traffic!

Regent Street

Dive into the spirit of Christmas with the Regent Street return of it's glorious angel themed Christmas lights, named 'The Spirit of Christmas'. From the 7th November the 'spirits' will soar through the skies with a display of over 300,000 lights. For the best views and insta-worthy pictures, take the central reservation of the street- just remember to watch the traffic! 

Take a winter walk through a London park

We can forget that London is the greenest city in Europe, with over 3,000 green spaces from micro-gardens to sprawling spaces fit for kings to hunt in (as they often did). 

Of the many on offer, we certainly have our favourite London parks and green spaces - and, while winter walks may not be as easy-breezy as summer strolls, getting out in nature is always rewarding - and you can always reward yourself with a cosy pub lunch afterwards…

The Churchill Arms

119 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, W8 7LN

Christmas shopping and festivities can not only be thirsty work, but can also work up a heft appetite, so why not stop by The Churchill Arms in Kensington - arguably the most festive pub in London. This establishment really goes the extra mile when it comes to the winter season, with tens of Christmas trees adorning the exterior and bedecks outside. 
 

While there are plenty of cosy pubs throughout London, The Churchill Arms really takes the biscuit (and especially at Christmas); built in 1750, this extravagant pub really pulls out all the stops and doesn't spare a penny, with over 21,000 fairy lights and and expenditure of over £25,000 on the greenery each year! With a Winston Churchill theme interior and a tasty Thai restaurant, it's a great alternative for those that aren't in full favour of a Christmas roast. 

If you're planning on simply stopping by for an insta worthy image just try to keep an eye out for the buses, otherwise make sure you book a table in advance, this place is just as popular as it is festive and we don't want to see any Scrooge-worthy frowns.

You can read more about the history of the pub here.

Volunteer at Christmas

Christmas is a time for giving, and what better gift is there than time and attention to those who need it most?

Many charities rely on the help of volunteers all year round, but need them more than ever at Christmas. If you can give the gift of your time, attention and effort this Christmas and you feel like giving, we know some fantastic charities that need you to volunteer at Christmas, whether it’s with a sponsored walk in the winter cold to help the homeless, making a call to someone feeling lonely, or something as simple as packing a shoe box with small gifts.

Check out these great Christmas volunteering opportunities