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Christmas in London | Things To Do 2026

ByDonna Wishart

Prices correct at the time of writing. Click through to each venue for up to date pricing and information.

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Christmas is just around the corner and there are so many festive activities and magical Christmas events coming up that I thought I’d share them with you. They’re great for inspiration if you have a free weekend, a few hours spare after school or are looking for ways to fill up the Christmas holidays.

So here are some ideas of things to do over the festive season taking place across London:

Meeting Father Christmas in London

I know one of the main things people want to know at this time of year is where to see Father Christmas so I’ve put together a post that tells you just that. Santa events and activities are also listed on this page but if you’re specifically looking for Father Christmas, this post might be helpful.

Days Out in London

If you’re just looking for a day out to enjoy over the festive period then we have a lot of inspiration for you across London and a little further afield. These posts should be helpful:

But, carry on reading for special Christmas themed days out and activity ideas across London over the festive season.

Christmas Afternoon Tea

If you fancy going for afternoon tea as a festive treat there are plenty of places to choose from and these guides may help you find somewhere perfect!

Christmas Tree Farm London

A great festive activity is going to choose a Christmas tree and it’s lovely being able to go and pick one freshly cut from a Christmas tree farm.

Some options across London include:

You can read about more places to get Christmas trees in London here.

Christmas Events in London

Wherever you are in London, there are so many festive events to keep the whole family entertained. Here are a few ideas from across the county suitable for all ages.

Here are a couple of specific posts that you might find useful:

Days Out with Christmas Activities in London

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew – Kew, Richmond, London TW9 3AE

Christmas at Kew – Selected dates, 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027

Enjoy Christmas at Kew, the iconic Christmas lights trail in London, where you’ll be welcomed into a stunning botanical world filled with light, music and the enchantment of the season. Experience Kew Gardens illuminated in vibrant hues through an extraordinary array of new light displays.

London Zoo – Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY

Christmas at London Zoo – 21 November to 3 January 2026

Wander through the magical Christmas forest and be transported to the North Pole HQ! In the HQ, you will find a host of festive activities to enjoy throughout your visit. Little ones can write a personal note to Santa and share all their Christmas wishes, or get creative decorating and filling their very own Christmas cracker, complete with a party hat and joke, ready to make you roar with laughter on Christmas Day. You’ll also find even more arts and crafts activities, like Christmas card decorating, or festive origami.

Read about our time at London Zoo here

The Paddington Bear Experience – Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB

A Magical Winter Wonderland – 10th November 2026 until 4th January 2027

Have an unforgettable festive family day out this winter at The Paddington Bear Experience at County Hall on London’s South Bank. With stunning decorations including a 5.5 metre centrepiece Christmas tree and a gorgeously lit Windsor Gardens, the whole family can enjoy Paddington’s World at Christmas.

Westminster Abbey – 20 Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA

Concert: A Seasonal Celebration of Benjamin Britten – 5th December 2026

Two Christmas classics from Benjamin Britten, in a candlelit concert with the St Margaret’s Choristers and Consort of Westminster Abbey.

Family day: Christmas crafts and carols – 5th December 2026

Join our world-famous choristers for carol singing, get creative with Christmas crafts and enjoy family-friendly festive fun.

Lunchtime talk: The origins of carols – 9th December 2026

Music historian Jeremy Summerly shares the history of Christmas Carols with music brought to life by a quartet of singers from the Special Service Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Concert: Christmas with the Choir of Westminster Abbey – 19th December 2026

Drawing inspiration from the traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols, the Choir of Westminster Abbey presents an enticing Christmas programme featuring festive choral works interspersed with much-loved carols and seasonal readings.

Fulham Pier – Stevenage Rd, Fulham, London SW6 6HH

Christmas at Fulham Pier – From 12 November 2026

This winter swap the shopping crowds of central London for a magical Christmas by the river. Fulham Pier will transform into a woodland-inspired winter escape with immersive decorations, a jam-packed calendar of events, delicious festive food and drink, live entertainment, Christmas markets, family experiences and more.

Share the Light of Christmas: A Festive Family Musical – 20th to 23rd December 2026

The Christmas stars have mysteriously lost their sparkle and without their magical glow, Father Christmas won’t be able to find his way across the skies on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to all children around the world.

Join Tinselbottom, a kind and trusted fairy and her best friend Mary Christmas – Father Christmas’ wonderfully chaotic great-granddaughter – as they set off on a festive adventure to restore the stars magic before it’s too late.

Tower of London – London EC3N 4AB

Christmas at the Tower – 27 November 2026 to 03 January 2027

This festive season, follow a trail of festive traditions around the Tower, discovering how the Victorians helped shape the Christmas we know and love today.

Carols by Candlelight – 10th December 2026

Join the choir of the Chapels Royal, HM Tower of London, for a festive concert of carols and readings celebrating the Christmas season. The programme includes a new work composed especially for the choir by acclaimed composer Becky McGlade.

You can read about our visits to the Tower of London here

Kensington Palace – Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX

Victoria’s Countryside Christmas – 25 November 2026 to 03 January 2027

Join the future Queen Victoria and her family as they spend Christmas in the countryside. To mark 190 years since Victoria’s rural festivities, decorations and displays at Kensington Palace will capture the magical atmosphere of the young Princess’s outdoor surroundings.

Read about our visit to Kensington palace here

Eltham Palace – Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich SE9 5NP

Festive Fun at Eltham Palace and Gardens – 5th to 20th December 2026

Visit Eltham Palace and Gardens for a festive day out the whole family will love. Make magical memories as you explore and enjoy seasonal activities.

Hyde Park – London W1K 7AN

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – 19th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is set to transform London’s Hyde Park once again, welcoming visitors of all ages to discover 150 rides, attractions and magical experiences.

Adult Christmas Events in London

Wreath Making

These are so many wreath making events across London and you can see all the dates and up to date information here:

London Wetland Centre – WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, London SW13 9WT

Festive Cyanotype Printmaking Workshop – 5th December 2026

Get creative and dive into festive fun at our hands-on workshop in the heart of our tranquil wetland centre. Join Ecologist Connor Butler for a hands-on cyanotype printmaking workshop with a seasonal twist. 

Stained Glass Workshop – 13th December 2026

Discover the art of stained glass! Join our creative workshop and design a stunning decoration to brighten your home. Discover the art of stained glass making with a choice of inspiring designs, from delicate insects and shining stars to abstract patterns. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this workshop is perfect for everyone. All materials and tools are provided so you can focus on unleashing your creativity.

London Transport Museum – Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB

Iconic Silent Disco: Jingle Beats – 5th December 2026

Get into the Christmas spirit as DJs spin tunes across three channels, including a dedicated channel packed with festive favourites and holiday classics. Sip on a drink from the bar and dance the night away among historic vehicles and iconic posters, all dressed in seasonal splendour. Need a break from the dance floor? Take part in our cosy yuletide craft activity and soak up the festive atmosphere.

Hen Corner – Lateward Road, Hounslow TW8

Making Christmas Food Gifts – 18th November 2026 – £95 per person

Sara Ward will welcome you to Hen Corner with fresh coffee and homemade treats. After an introduction to our time together you will have opportunity to stroll around the garden visiting the chickens and bees, then off to the conservatory and kitchen to prep and preserve!

Making Christmas Puddings: Stir Up Sunday – 22nd November 2026 – £50 per person

Sara Ward will welcome you to Hen Corner with mulled wine, mince pies and homemade biscuits. After an introduction to our time together you will have opportunity to stroll around the garden visiting the chickens and bees, then off to the conservatory and kitchen to prep and preserve.

Making Linen Christmas Crackers – 23rd November 2026 – £50 per person

Sara Ward will welcome you to Hen Corner with seasonal drinks and homemade treats. After an introduction to our time together, we’ll get busy choosing fabrics and designing our crackers.

Introduction to Christmas Baking – 16th December 2026 – £130 per person

Sara Ward will welcome you to Hen Corner with fresh coffee and homemade treats. After an introduction to our time together you will have opportunity to stroll around the garden visiting the chickens and bees, then off to the conservatory and kitchen to get busy baking.

Petersham Nurseries – Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AB

Christmas Calligraphy Workshop – 17th November 2026 – £75 per person

Join Petersham Nurseries’ in-house calligrapher, Kate Ridyard, for a special festive-themed calligraphy workshop, held in the beautiful and relaxed setting of Petersham Nurseries, Richmond.

Festive Tablescaping – 18th November 2026 – £65 per person

Learn how to make your festive table look effortlessly chic in our festive Tablescaping Masterclass, led by our in-house experts, you will be guided through the art of festive Tablescaping – discuss colour schemes, seasonal flowers and foliage, using sustainable materials and learn how to make the most of items you may already have in your home. You will learn the importance of symmetry and how to assemble a sumptuous table using different heights and shapes which suit the surroundings. We will be using beautiful pots, plants, flowers, and decorations from around Petersham Nurseries to create magical scenes. During the class, we will be demonstrating two unique styles of tablescape. As this class is a demonstration, you will not be required to participate in any practical elements of the class.

Festive Stylish Containers – 25th November 2026 – £65 per person

Horticultural experts will guide you on how to create a wistfully wild and romantic festive planting style using seasonal perennials, shrubs, bulbs, twiggery and foliage for which Petersham Nurseries is so well known. We welcome gardeners of spaces both large and small, or those who want to add vibrancy to their window-boxes, patios and balconies, for a beautiful festive display to celebrate the Christmas season. This class is a demonstration only, and you will not be required to participate in any of the practical elements of the class.

Yougi at Honey & Co – 54 Lamb’s Conduit St, London WC1N 3LW

Christmas Candle Workshop – 2nd December 2026 – £55 per person

For the season, and the evenings that come with it. In just over an hour you choose a festive scent, Peace with its orange and clove, Manifest with sage and frankincense, or Forest Bathing with pine and cypress, then pour a 180g candle into a copper glass you keep. It sets while you finish your drink, and leaves in a gift bag: around 40 hours of burn. A Yougi host teaches you throughout, and no experience is needed.

National Trust Days Out with Activities

Ham House and Garden

The Robin’s Tale: Christmas 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027

Get into the Christmas spirit with a day out at beautifully decorated Ham House in Richmond. Follow the jolly robin as he flies from room to room on as adventure to reunite the phoenix with her tail.

Take in twinkling candlelight and fairy lights, Christmas trees and aromatic greenery as you discover the magnificent Stuart interiors and spot stunning paper bird sculptures along the way, created especially for Ham House by a local artist.

Morden Hall Park National Trust

Where: Morden Hall Road, London, Morden, Surrey SM4 5JD

Save the Sleigh Trail – 28th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027

Father Christmas needs your help! Six important pieces of his sleigh have gone missing around Morden Hall Park, and he needs them back before Christmas Eve so he can navigate his way across the globe.

Follow the festive trail, find the locations of all six missing pieces and help get Father Christmas’s sleigh ready for its big journey. Once you’ve found the locations of them all, head to the Garden Centre to collect your Christmas gift.

You can read about our visit to Morden Hall Park here

Other National Trust sites in London haven’t announced their Christmas events yet but I will add details as soon as they do:

  • Fenton House and Garden
  • Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard
  • Red House
  • Rainham Hall
  • Osterley Park and House

For something different

Natural History Museum – Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD

New Year’s Eve: Party at the Museum – 31st December 2026

Celebrate the arrival of a whole new year with the Natural History Museum! Prepare your moves to get the earth quaking, get ready to heat up the dancefloor and make meteoric waves into an unforgettable 2027.

Warner Bros Studios Tour: The Making of Harry Potter – Warner Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LP

Hogwarts in the Snow – 14th November 2026 to 17th January 2027

Just slightly north of Lond, experience Christmas at Hogwarts with a visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London during the iconic festive feature. Experience the wizarding Christmas you’ve seen on-screen brought to life, perfect for a spellbinding festive day out. Hogwarts in the Snow returns to the Studio Tour this winter, with original Harry Potter film sets dressed for the festive season. Uncover how filmmakers create snow that crunches under foot, frost that sparkles under studio lights and icicles that never melt.

Dinner in the Great Hall – Selected dates throughout December 2026

Enjoy a Christmas meal at Hogwarts during the iconic Dinner in the Great Hall events. Take your seat in the authentic Great Hall set, decorated with towering Christmas trees and flaming puddings, ready to “let the feast begin”! After enjoying a three-course menu, explore the Studio Tour after-hours and discover snowy surprises around every corner.

Live Events and Theatre Shows

Going to the theatre is a great activity that the whole family will enjoy and London has a lot of great theatres to really make the most of. Here are the family shows on over the Christmas period:

Royal Naval College – London SE10 9NN

The 02 London – Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

Arts Depot – 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London N12 0GA

Christmas in the Garden – The Actors Church, Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ED

OSO Arts Centre – Old Sorting Office, 49 Station Road, Barnes, London SW13 0LF

Brick Lane Music Hall – 443 North Woolwich Road, London E16 2DA

Dominion Theatre – 268-269 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7AQ

The Old Vic – 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB

Lyric Theatre London – 29 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7ES

Lyric Theatre Hammersmith – Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL

Eventim Apollo – 45 Queen Caroline St, London W6 9QH

Cambridge Theatre – Earlham St, London WC2H 9HU

Barbican Centre – Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS

South Bank Centre – Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

King’s Head Theatre – 116p Upper St, N1 1QP

Apollo Theatre – Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EZ

The Other Palace Theatre – 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

Royal Ballet and Opera –  Bow St, London WC2E 9DD

London Coliseum – St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4ES

The London Palladium – 8 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Globe Theatre – 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT

  • Pinocchio – 28th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027

Charing Cross Theatre – The Arches, Villiers St, London WC2N 6NL

Royal Albert Hall – Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP

Peacock Theatre – Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT

Sadler’s Wells Theatre – 62 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN

Hackney Empire – 291 Mare St, London E8 1EJ

Theatre Royal Stratford East – Gerry Raffles Square, Theatre Square, London E15 1BN

Wilton’s Music Hall – 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB

Richmond Theatre – 1 Little Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ

Churchill Theatre – High St, Bromley BR1 1HA

Broadway Theatre – Rushey Green, Catford, London SE6 4RU

  • Cinderella – Wednesday 9 December to Thursday 31 December 2026

Greenwich Theatre – Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES

New Wimbledon Theatre – 93 The Broadway, London SW19 1QG

JW3 – 341-351 Finchley Rd, London NW3 6ET

Rose Theatre Kingston – 24-26 High St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1HL

Alexandra Palace Theatre – Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY

Leicester Square Theatre – 6 Leicester Pl, London WC2H 7BX

Aldwych Theatre – 49 Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF

Gillian Lynne Theatre – 166 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5PW

Theatres that haven’t announced shows over the festive period yet:

I hope that’s given you some inspiration of things to do in London over the festive season. I’ll add more London Christmas events as I become aware of them and if I’ve missed your favourite event please do get in touch and let me know. I’m sure there will be more winter wonderlands announced nearer the time. I hope you have a lovely Christmas!

If you’re looking for other festive activities and inspiration, these posts may help:

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