Events and Christmas Things to do in London – we love to visit London at Christmas and love all the different and wonderful festive things to do! From festive cinema screenings, winter wonderlands, pantomimes and Christmas Markets, there is so many wonderful Christmas things to do in London!
Also have a look at our posts for London Christmas Markets and hotels to stay in close to the Christmas Markets.
Santa Rocks: A Magical Family Santamime
Wonderville, London
24 November – 30 December 2023
Santa is hitting the West End this Christmas in his very own magical Santamime for all the family, Santa Rocks… oh yes he is! The man who brings the magic is very busy this year getting ready for the annual Snow Ball, and all is going well until the wicked Jack Frost zaps the North Pole of all its festive cheer.
Will Christmas be cancelled? Will everyone live happily ever after? Will all turn out well amidst a plethora of panto pandemonium? Help Santa with his jolly plan to raise enough festive cheer in time for the party! Get your tickets now for Santa Rocks in London and experience the ultimate festive treat, that’s sure to have you rocking around the Christmas tree.
Buy tickets for Santa Rocks here.
A Dickensian Christmas by Candlelight
Grand Temple at Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5AZ
Various Saturdays & Sundays throughout the Christmas period
Times: 3 p.m, 5 p.m, 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
Duration: 1 hour
How about a Dickensian Christmas Concert by Candlelight?
The festive season is all about coming together with friends and family and nothing brings people closer than some classic concerts! This Christmas, join the talented Belmont Ensemble and Trafalgar Sinfonia for a series of beautiful performances, including a selection of great composer pieces, festive choral works and congregational carols for all to enjoy. Enjoy the delightful concert and feel the Christmas magic spread through the beautiful Freemasons’ Hall under the magical glow of candlelight!
Buy tickets for the Dickensian Christmas Concert by Candlelight here.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
17 November 2023 – 1 January 2024
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is London’s spectacular Christmas destination! Located in the heart of London, get ready to fully immerse yourself in all things festive. Winter Wonderland is open every day from 10am to 10pm.
This year we’ve got loads in store with exciting new attractions including the world’s tallest transportable Observation Wheel, a new theme ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Magical Ice Kingdom, a Season Ride Pass, Paddington™ on Ice, Mr. Men & Little Miss and a fantastic new programme of comics at the Winter Wonderland Comedy Club.
Let’s not forget our returning favourites including the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, funky new après ski vibes at Bar Ice and jaw dropping acts in the Circus MegaDome!
See our review of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland here.
Wishmas
14 November 2023 – 7 January 2024 at Wembley in London
Ever wondered where all of your wishes go?
For as long as there have been wishes there has been Wishmas, an enchanted world where wishes take flight. See first-hand what happens to your wonderful wishes and follow them on their magical journey to Father Christmas as you share the joy of Wishmas.
Wishmas is a new fully immersive winter-time experience for all the family. For those who believe, the portal to Wishmas opens its doors for a twinkle in time during the most spectacular season: Christmas. Discover fantastical realms, meet out of this world characters, and make new magical memories.
Christmas Actually
7 – 11 Dec 2023, various times
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX
Christmas is all around you at the ultimate festive variety show, curated by Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis, in partnership with Comic Relief.
A feast for all the senses, this witty and enchanting evening captures all of the fun and laughter of Christmas through a treasure trove of entertainment, as a starry line-up performs live music, Christmas stories, poetry and comedy.
With the curation of the writer behind Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, this is a night of collective merriment celebrating exactly what makes this time of year so special.
Christmas at Backyard Cinema
Capital Studios, Ram Quarter, 13 Wandsworth Plain, London SW18 1ET
Details to be announced for 2023
Backyard Cinema brings Christmas back with a bang this year with two magic experiences guaranteed to fill you with Christmas Cheer.
The UK’s leading experiential cinema is determined to spread the joy, vowing to make this year the biggest cinematic Christmas yet with magical worlds, festive treats, nostalgia and all the mulled wine and mince pies that anyone could ask for.
Click here for prices and all the details of the Backyard Cinema.
Christmas at Kew Gardens, London
Selected dates, 15 November 2023 to 7 January 2024*
4.20pm to 10pm
*No 7.20pm, 7.40pm or 8pm time slots at any gate on 24 December 2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year as our sparkling after dark trail returns to light up Kew Gardens. The winter trail takes a magical new route and includes a host of all-new installations.
Framed by glittering spiral trees, dynamic laser projections will illuminate the iconic Temperate House. A dazzling arch leads to a cascade of glowing silvery shards at the Treetop Walkway. Walk amongst immersive vines as they surprise with changing ribbons of light, and wander beneath the branches where mysterious fairy-fire known as Will-o’the Wisp softly glows.
Journey through the mesmerising flickering flames in the Fire Garden, spot larger-than-life illuminations and say hello to Father Christmas along the way.
Lapland UK
Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Rd, Winkfield Row, Ascot SL5 8BD
Not in central London, but not too far away. We visited Lapland UK a couple of years ago and it was amazing – expensive, but amazing! There is a lovely festive play to start the proceeding and then you go through a series of workshops – all beautifully themed, before arriving in the Christmas village where you can eat, drink and be merry and take the children ice skating.
The most marvellous thing about Lapland UK though is Father Christmas himself, he knows so much about the children they can’t fail to believe!
Have a look at our review of Lapland UK here.
Spirit of Christmas Fair
Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
Spirit of Christmas Fair returns from 30th October – 5th November 2023
Following a year of shopping online, Spirit of Christmas Fair is excited to be welcoming shoppers back through the doors of Olympia London celebrating 20 years. Ensuring customers have Christmas all wrapped up before December, the UK’s leading and largest shopping event will be returning to Olympia London from 1 – 7 November.
The home of Christmas shopping, Spirit of Christmas Fair has over 650 independent boutiques with an extraordinary breadth of product ranges under one roof.
Offering items not found on the high street, Spirit of Christmas Fair shines a spotlight on British, sustainable and ethically produced products. Enabling customers to find something for even the trickiest of individuals to buy for, discerning shoppers will find endless never-before-seen items. From gifts and treats to entertaining ideas, the expertly curated fashion, decorations, jewellery, homeware, baby and children, toys and games, food and drinks brands have all been hand-picked for their quality and originality.
Christmas Shows at The Royal Albert Hall
Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall is set to return at full capacity after two years, with nearly 40 shows over 24 days as part of the venue’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
New shows include an evening with international opera star Jonas Kaufmann, an in-concert screening of movie classic The Muppet Christmas Carol, and a special Royal Albert Hall edition of variety show Christmas Compendium of Reason – hosted by Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince.
Trevor Nelson’s Soul Christmas, a favourite from 2019, returns with a new line-up of special guests including Chic’s Kimberly Davis, Basement Jaxx vocalist Vula Malinga, soul singer Tony Momrelle, and Ivor Novello-winning producer Troy Miller. Momrelle also joins Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas, which returns for a 6th year running with first guests also including soul singer Liv Warfield and Clare Teal.
And the season features many classic favourites including Carols at the Royal Albert Hall, The Nutcracker, the London Community Gospel Choir, My Christmas Orchestral Adventure, Royal Choral Society, and Handel’s Messiah – which has been performed at the Hall since 1871.
Also have a look at our Christmas events throughout the UK.