Best Christmas Events in London for 2025 hand picked by our editors

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. It’s all threaded together with a mission to cheer a weary Santa up and help him rekindle his Christmas spirit. Humbug’s 2025 return will include themed cocktails, festive grub from Bang Bang Burgers, a shrine to the queen of Christmas Mariah Carey, a beer can bowling alley, a grotto and cabaret from the venue’s regular cast. Saving the festive season never sounded so fun.

Launcelot Street, SE1 7AD. 

Each year, Hyde Park gets transformed from pretty park to a dazzling, snow-covered, Alpine-themed, 350-acre festive funscape. One of the largest Christmas events in the UK, Winter Wonderland returns for its eighteenth year in 2025, and is expected to welcome around 2.5 million visitors over six magical weeks. 

As you make your way around the space, you’ll find fairground rides, a child-friendly Santa Land (including a Santa’s Grotto, where presents lie in wait) and traditional Christmas markets where you’ll be able to buy gifts for all your loved ones, which has been freshly extended for 2025 with the addition of premium, artfully lit shopping spot Luminarie Lane.

Hyde Park, W2 4RU. 

A humongous light trail that takes over south west London’s 300-acre World Heritage Site botanic garden, Christmas at Kew has become a key date in London’s festive calendar since its first iteration in 2013. Visitors embarking on the 3km trail will get see the space lit up with dozens of larger-than-life illuminations, with both the venue’s glass houses and the trees that cover its grounds drenched in different hues. The whole thing is stunning, but don’t miss the lake, where you’ll catch reflections of the vibrant bulbs dancing on the water, taking the magical feeling to another level. For 2025, Kew’s iconic Great Pagoda will be adorned with festive lights for the very first time, too. Keep yourself toasty along the way with warming winter snacks from food vendors curated by Kerb, and make sure say hi to Father Christmas himself as you walk past. 

Kew Gardens, TW9 3AE.

The DIY Christmas Art Market is a veritable jamboree of potential gifts – either to give to friends and family, or to treat yourself with. As well as art prints and risograph and screen prints, the market will have t-shirts, patches, comics, tote bags, ceramics, zines and independent publications on its stalls, ready to be wrapped up and put under the tree. Sample the eclectic creativity with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to really ramp up the festivities. 

Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, SE15 3SN.

If you've ever watched curling during the Winter Olympics and thought 'pass me that broom, I could do better', you're in luck. This winter, the Curling Club will be taking up residence in both London Bridge's Vinegar Yard and in a new Waterloo location, giving you the chance to have a go at this eccentric team sport. Both venues will be given a proper apres-ski makeover with wintry cocktails, Alpine-inspired street food and entertainment on hand.

72-82 St Thomas Street, SE1 3QX.

Classical music impresario Raymond Gubbay presents his annual handpicked selection of music for the festive season. Highlights include the Christmas carol singalong (Dec 20), Gustav Holsts’s The Planeys (Dec 27), Beethoven's Ninth (Dec 29), the music of Zimmer vs Williams, featuring scores from  ‘Star Wars’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Interstellar’(Dec 31), and the New Year's Day Proms. All set to take place in the Barbican's lovely hall, these musical picks are a classy, Christmassy way to spend an evening. 

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS.

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. 

Wraysbury Skiff and Punting Club, Riverside, TW20 0AA.

Given that their nation is home to Lapland, is covered in snow for half the year and boasts a healthy population of wild reindeer, it’s no surprise than the Finns love Christmas. You can expect plenty of festive feels at this always-popular annual Christmas Market at Rotherhithe’s Finnish Church. Browse traditional Finnish toys, design pieces, Christmas cards and plenty of Moomin memorabilia before tucking into barbequed food, cinnamon buns and salmon sandwiches, all washed down with a glass of steaming glögg. 

33 Albion Street, SE16 7HZ.

Hackney Empire panto remains the one to beat, although this will be an intersting year for it: 2025 marks its first Cinderella since Clive Rowe took over its running. London’s greatest dame has always made it his policy to never perform in the beloved rags to riches story, so Rowe will simply direct. There will, however, be a familiar face in the form of affable Hackney panto stalwart Kat B, who will play one of the Ugly Sisters alongside George Heyworth, aka one half of cabaret legends Bourgeois & Maurice. 

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 1EJ.

Does a £150 bar tab sound like it might come in handy during December’s largesse? Then grab your smartest pals and head to cosy Shepherd’s Bush hideout The Hawk’s Nest for a special festive edition of its ever-popular weekly quiz hosted by comedian Jamie Allerton. The winning team will drink for the rest of the night, but even if your general knowledge falls short, you can make use of the venue’s excellent weeknight offer and grab a margarita (the cocktail) and a margherita (the pizza) for £14.50. Just get down nice and promptly so you have time to order before the quiz starts at 7pm. 

Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush Market, W12 8DF.

Festive karaoke is a bit of a tradition for us lot in the Time Out office. If you’re also a fan of necking half a bottle of prosecco and belting out some Michael Bublé, you’ll love this festive edition of the phenomenon that is Massaoke, or ‘mass karaoke’. Popping up at O2 Kentish Town Forum this December, it’s offering you plenty of chances to warble along to Mariah, Wham, Slade and all your other favourite festive bangers soundtracked by a live band, and with lyrics on the screen in case you somehow don’t have every word of ‘Fairytale of New York’ etched into your brain. Christmas jumpers and festive fancy dress are of course encouraged.

O2 Forum Kentish Town, 9-17 Highgate Road, NW5 1JY.

There’s always something faintly Christmassy about Leadenhall Market, thanks to its Victorian architecture, and it really comes into its own when the festive season arrives, when twinkling lights and pretty Christmas trees return to the shopping arcade. In 2025, three pop-up markets offer an added incentive to visit. SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market will happen on two Saturdays (Nov 16; Dec 7), offering handmade delights aplenty, and there's also The Vintage Furniture and Flea Christmas Market (Nov 24) for retro treasure hunters to pick up gifts with stories attached. 

Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, EC3V 1LT.

In 2025 A Christmas Carol returns to the Old Vic for the ninth year in a row. Don’t miss out because this is possibly its last run, as it’s Matthew Warchus’s final Christmas at the Old Vic. Paul Hilton will play Scrooge in this festive classic that’s guaranteed to get you in the feels. 

Old Vic, 103 The Cut, SE1 8NB.

The world of solid dairy has some truly devoted fans and they’ll do well to pay a visit to Borough Market’s annual Evening of Cheese, where they’ll find an enormous range of products from all over the world to tempt turophiles, including wines, ciders, chutneys and – obviously – absolutely loads of top quality cheese from around Europe. Looking to craft the perfect festive cheeseboard? Head down to get your paws on loads of tasty little samples, and some expert advice from the market’s artisanal traders. There will, of course, be drinks on hand to complete the gouty vibes. 

Borough Market, SE1 9AL. 

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.

Hyde Park, W2 2UH. 

Hit up Urban Makers’ festive special for plenty of stocking-filler buying opportunities. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this Christmas, the market features 50 carefully curated, handpicked local and independent makers who will be manning stalls packed with homeware, textiles, accessories, jewellery, ceramics and original prints, all made with sustainability in mind. Once you’ve filled your bags tuck into festive street food, warming drinks and coffee.

Mile End Arts Pavilion, Clinton Road, E3 4QY.

The Rivoli Ballroom’s interior is already enough to get you in the mood for Christmas, thanks to it being decked out in opulent red and gold. Imagine, then, how festive you’ll feel after watching some fantastic Xmas movies from within its four walls. This year, it’ll be once again screening some Christmas classics, from both ‘Home Alone’s to ‘Gremlins’, ‘Elf’, ‘Love Actually’ and, yes, ‘Die Hard’. Fight over whether that last one is a Christmas movie or not among yourselves – we’re going to be too busy tucking into popcorn and ice cream.

Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY.

Dreaming of a kitsch Christmas? New York’s famous Miracle on Ninth Street bar is popping up in London for its seventh year, ‘50s Christmas decorations, nostalgic accessories and creative new spins on beloved cocktail favourites in tow. Past years have seen the bar slinging the likes of a Snowball Old Fashioned or a Christmapoliton, which includes cranberry sauce and absinthe mist – a take on Christmas trimmings that’s not for the faint-hearted. If you’re failing to get into the Christmas spirit, this is one great place to find it.

Henrietta Hotel, 10 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8PS.

In one of his best works, Matthew Bourne transforms the classic 1948 Powell and Pressburger film, The Red Shoes, into a dance-drama that uses Bourne’s gift for storytelling in full force. The audience is whirled through the tragic story of Vicky Page, the dancer who must choose between her art and her heart on her quest to become the world’s best ballerina. 

Sadlers Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN.

Somerset House’s annual ice rink pop-up has long been one of the city’s favourite festive traditions, with thousands of Londoners and tourists alike making it part of their celebrations each year, and for good reason. Gliding (or nervously shuffling) around the rink, gazing upon the surrounding Georgian architecture and the courtyard’s magnificent 40ft Christmas tree feels like you’ve skated onto a movie set, ready to be watched by families settling in for their post-turkey food coma. 

There’s more to this rink than just skating, though. There are seasonal drinks and warming food options available from a rinkside chalet, alongside a Shelter Boutique with takeovers from sought-after brands including Oliver Bonas, All Saints and Nobody’s Child in the run-up to Christmas. And there also a variety of events to keep you entertained throughout the season, including the venue's famous Skate Lates, where you can soar round the rink to a DJ soundtrack. The line-up for 2025 includes trailblazing women-run radio station Foundation FM, NTS Radio host Ruf Dug and queer dance party Sue Veneers.

RECOMMENDED: More places to go ice skating in London.

Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA.

This is the tenth anniversary of the Palladium panto, which is remarkable in a way as it kind of feels like London’s biggest festive show has been around forever. In part that’s because there is relatively little annual variation: as ever it’s built around Julian Clary, who effortlessly walks off with the show by playing a series of flimsily disguised variants on himself, with his every utterance a virtuosically smutty innuendo that blessedly sails over the heads of primary schoolers. This year big guest star is Catherine Tate, who’ll be playing Carabosse the Wicked Fairy.

London Palladium, 8 Argyll St, W1F 7TF.

There's arguably nowhere in London more Christmassy than Covent Garden's Piazza in December. Every year, the shopping district aims to outdo itself for sheer festive pizzaz. In 2025, the theme is 'The Theatre of Christmas', which means that there'll be decorations taking inspiration from the nearby playhouses and the performances in them. And of course, this year will also see the return of Covent Garden's 55ft Christmas tree, decked with 30,000 lights. Meanwhile, the roof of the Market Building is adorned with 40 gigantic bells, 12 giant baubles and 8 spinning mirror balls in a reprise of its oh-so-festive annual display.

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8HD. 

Choosing just which grotto in London to meet Santa in can be hard, but London Zoo might just have the edge. Where else can you shake hands with the big guy and then go off and meet some of Mother Earth’s cutest creatures? This year, kids can take part in special Christmas crafts activities before they’re introduced to the man, the myth, the legend himself in his cosy grotto and receive a special gift to remember the day by. An audience with the man in red will cost extra, but the zoo’s other seasonal attractions – including a giant animal advent calendar, Christmas-themed animal talks and marshmallow toasting– will be open through to January.

Outer Circle, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY.

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 O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX.

Prepare for a feast for the eyes, but resist the urge to nibble! The sweetest festive event you’ll find, the Museum of Architecture’s edible exhibition tasks leading architects and designers to ditch their conventional building materials for dough bricks and sugar paste mortar to construct a miniature biscuit metropolis erected in King’s Cross’s Coal Drops Yard for the festive season. With a new theme each year, the exhibition aims to encourage innovation and future-forward city planning, and this year’s ‘Playful City’ theme has resulted in some really fun designs, from school buildings with slides between classrooms to candy-coloured climbing walls. As well as marvelling at all the confectionary craftsmanship on display, visitors can take part in a series of hands-on gingerbread house workshops where they’ll be able to construct a delicious souvenir to take home. 

Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4LW. 

There are few venues as Christmassy as Royal Albert Hall – its iconic music hall evokes memories of Decembers past in chilly church halls, listening to organs play and choirs sing, no matter what time of year you visit. Stopping by ahead of Christmas, then, is a guaranteed way to get yourself in a festive mood and what better event to attend than one of its sing-along carol services. Warm up your pipes and practice your keys, even the most tone-deaf among us won’t be able to help joining in.

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, SW7 2AP.

The Lyric’s 2025 panto reunites last year’s creative team of writer Sonia Jalaly and director Nicholai La Barrie – excellent news following their work last year on Aladdin which was funny, warm, locally orientated and with the sharpest pop culture references in town. This year’s edition is a new spin on the classic story, in which Jack and Jill are pupils at the strictest school in Hammersmith where their mum is the chaotic dinnerlady and the villainous Fleshcreep is in charge of the show. Joey James and Sienna Widd lead the cast as Jack and Jill, with West End veteran John Partridge as Fleshcreep.

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King Street, W6 0QL.