London’s best alternative Christmas events

What’s more Christmassy than visiting Santa’s grotto? Going for a pint or two with the man in red in his favourite boozer, of course. Humbug, an immersive Christmas dive bar, allows you to do just that – and join Mr Claus in rounds of games, sing-a-longs, live performances, storytelling and more. The pop-up is going bigger than ever for 2026, moving to Greenwich’s cavernous Borough Hall, where you’ll find themed cocktails, live music, DJ sets, a interactive games and, naturally, a shrine to queen of Christmas Mariah Carey. It’s all threaded together with a mission to get Santa back on track, after he’s discovered a love for rock’n’roll, joined house band Johnny Whiskey & The Barflies, and decided he’d rather rock out than spend his Christmas delivering presents. Saving the festive season never sounded so fun.

Got a thirst for adventure and winter-themed beverages? Up at The O2 – the dare-devil tour that lets you climb up the outside of the Greenwich venue’s famous white dome – has been given a festive makeover. After being strapped into a harness and ascending to the top of the 52 metre-high dome, climbers will get to retreat into an immersive snow globe featuring falling snow, the sweet smell of cookies and a ‘whimsical winter set-up’ from which they’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the city from. There’ll also be gingerbread cookies to snack on and glasses of bubbly, mulled wine and hot chocolates to purchase. 

Had more festive goodwill and cheer than you can stomach? The Satanic Flea Market’s (anti) Christmas special is the perfect antidote. As always, there’ll be a whole range of traders selling stuff from the darker side of life, like taxidermy, occult trinkets and even human skulls, plus other slightly more unusual goods than you might find at your typical Christmas market. It might not be the kind of place where you can get all your gifts sorted under one roof, but at least you won’t hear ‘Last Christmas’ or any other saccharine festive hits as you’re making your way around.

Opening Dates: December 13

Best For: Pressies for the witchy people in your life.

JW3’s annual pantomime has become a welcome seasonal fixture, distinguishing itself via zany, community-centred humour, some decent names, and its compelling USP of being the only panto in London that you can catch on Christmas Day. The 2026 edition is very clearly a spin on Dick Whittington, and follows Dick and has cat Teyve as they arrive in town from the pale, hoping to make their fortune in London town. As per usual it’s written by comic Nick Cassenbaum and directed by Abigail Anderson.

One of London’s quirkiest Christmas traditions as well as being one of the oldest, the Peter Pan Cup has been contested on Christmas mornings since 1864. Strictly a spectator event – unless you happen to be a regular, not to mention hardy, member of the Serpentine Swimming Club – the name of the 100-yard swimming race in Hyde Park’s lido derives from the 1904 edition, when author and playwright Sir James Barrie presented the trophy to the winner. The race commences at 9am so head down to watch the brave folk go for it before you start opening your presents.

Got a thirst for adventure and winter-themed beverages? Up at The O2 – the dare-devil tour that lets you climb up the outside of the Greenwich venue’s famous white dome – has been given a festive makeover. After being strapped into a harness and ascending to the top of the 52 metre-high dome, climbers will get to retreat into an immersive snow globe featuring falling snow, the sweet smell of cookies and a ‘whimsical winter set-up’ from which they’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the city from. There’ll also be gingerbread cookies to snack on and glasses of bubbly, mulled wine and hot chocolates to purchase. 

The cheeky punning title of Stratford East’s 2026 pantomime suggests it definitely won't be your average Christmas entertainment. Playwright and performer Yolanda Mercy has created a version of the Robin Hood myth that's set in contemporary London, as a sharper alternative to classic panto fairytales.

If lounging around on Christmas Day and stuffing your face with treats sounds like something that gets in the way of your running streak rather than a dream way to spend a day, the Christmas Day Cracker Run is for you. Head to the outskirts of the city to a course by the Thames where you’ll be able to run for up to seven – yes, seven – hours. The minimum distance you have to complete to take part is 5km, but you can do as much beyond that as you like – up to a 50km ‘ultramarathon’. If you complete one lap (7km), you’ll get to take home a shiny medal and a goody bag full of yummy snacks. 

Now established as something like London’s flagship gay panto – it’s certainly the biggest – Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper’s annual innuendo-fest returns to Charing Cross Theatre for the festive season. In some ways all you need to know is ‘X-rated Cinderella’ but if you’re interested in the plot, this iteration is set in the seaside resort of Lob-on-Sea, where tennis champion Ivan Yassandvich – famed for his massive balls – will pick a bride, be that hotel maid Cindy, her horrible stepsister-slash-boss Mercedes… and quite possibly Cindy’s gay BFF Buttons. Andrew Beckett directs, Matthew Baldwin dames.

Curling has been growing in popularity in recent years, nudged on by its compelling showings at various Winter Olympics, and now London has not one but two pop-up outdoor arenas where you can have a go. Club Curling is setting up shop in both London Bridge's Vinegar Yard and in Chelsea this year. Go along with mates to test your skills on synthetic curling lanes, on which you can curl your heart out for 45 minutes before rewarding yourself with a tasty cocktail at the retro Italian après bar the Club Curling Lounge. 

In scenes only slightly less dramatic and probably far more entertaining than the Grand National, more than 40 pantomime horses (plus a few pretenders in the form of zebras and cows) will gallop through Greenwich on this race, dodging bizarre obstacles, stopping at the local public houses for ‘refuelling’ breaks and generally horsing around, all while raising money for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. This year's theme is ‘TV and Movie Icons’, meaning you can expect cheeky equine tributes to all your fave actors. There’ll also be plenty of entertainment throughout the day, including an opening procession on King William Walk, and an after-party with live music, comedy and DJs. 

Roving brass band Old Dirty Brasstards will be unleashing their infectious horn-based hip hop mischief at Between the Bridges for two festive specials. Expect their usual ‘drum and brass’ party jams as well as some Christmas classics, such as Mariah Carey, East 17, George Michael and The Pogues. The audience is invited to sing and dance along, so get practising those All I Want For Christmas high notes.