LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR KLAXON!
It’s almost December, and London is already starting to become awash with Christmas lights — kitted out in stars, trees and ice rinks for the winter season. You haven’t been to any yet? Well, please allow us to tell you about the festive galore that the city has to offer.You’re Christmas-ed out already and there’s still a while to go? Non-festive life doesn’t just stand still this month, and there’s plenty out there for you to do.
Everyone’s cold, but everyone’s winning, and 2026 is peeking its beady eye through the snow-capped ferns. Ladies and gentlemen… December.
1. Walk into a paradise at one of London’s festive Christmas markets
You probably don’t need telling twice, but London is being doused in swathes of festive décor right now, and you are cordially invited to do the jingle bell rock at any – or, indeed, every single one – of London’s lovely Christmas markets. They’re opening up across November and will be fully in the swing of things when December rolls around.
🎅 South Bank Christmas Markets
Check out our full guide to London’s Christmas markets here!
2. Feast your eyes on the Christmas lights all around the city of London
Oxford Street boasts a twinkling display of sustainable stars; Mayfair has its sparkling triangular archways; Covent Garden has 115,000 lights illuminating the streets—and that barely scratches the surface. Check out our handy guide to the various light displays around the big smoke, get your camera ready, and prepare to be blown away.
✨ Soho
3. Take part in a ‘Big Day of JOY’ for a good cause
Oxford Street’s sparkling lights have been shining through Central London, but they’ll be hosting a ‘Big Day of JOY’ on December 7 to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. The streets will be even livelier than usual, with Christmas shoppers able to check out a Gospel Choir and Brazilian Samba band, as well as more in-store happenings in the district. As mentioned, it’s all being done to raise funds for GOSH, and there will be four donation points spread out where those enjoying the festivities will be encouraged to donate to the charity helping seriously ill children at a particularly difficult time of year. You can find out more about the day here.
4. View a trail of Snoopy sculptures
The trail no one asked for, but now has everyone utterly desperate to check out. Who wouldn’t want to go and see some adorable Snoopy characters scattered around the streets of London over the festive season? Celebrating 75 years since Snoopy hit the comic strips, the trail around the Fleet Street Quarter features 12 beautiful sculptures scattered around the district in collaboration with Wild in Art. Find out more about them here.
5. Visit a beautiful sea of white roses
The Ever After Garden is back for its sixth year in London, and has this year moved to the Duke of York Square in Chelsea to display the 30,000 glowing white roses. Every year, anyone is invited to pen a message to a loved one they have lost in the form of a shining white rose as a way to keep them close and raise money for charity. Every dedicated rose and message puts money towards The Royal Marsden Cancer Society, and blesses London with an ocean of light through a difficult period of the year. Read more about the Ever After Garden here.
6. Check out the stunning ‘Neverland Trail’ at Kenwood House
This may be the jewel in the crown of London’s spectacular festive light trails, with their Peter Pan-inspired ‘Neverland’ trail taking over Kenwood House for the Christmas period. Bringing the beloved J.M. Barrie story to life, the trail will allow you to “follow Tinkerbell’s fairy dust path from the rooftops of London to the heart of Neverland”, checking out light models, including Captain Hook’s pirate ship, along the way. No walking the plank on this one, though (at least not one with a ticking crocodile lying in wait). Find out more and plan your visit here.
7. Then drink in one of London’s other jaw-dropping light trails
One fact shines brighter than most when it comes to Christmas in London: the city sure knows how to do lighting. Whether it’s the effervescent 2.7km, fire garden-flashing trail at Kew Gardens or the magical Glow at RHS Wisley, Londoners have plenty to enjoy when it comes to being dazzled by the lights.
8. Attend a festive screening at one of London’s most beloved cult cinemas
London’s beloved Prince Charles Cinema is putting on screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol nearly every day throughout December, so if that won’t get you in the spirit, nothing will. As well as an overload of Muppets, they’ve got screenings of many other festive films, from Love Actually to The Holdovers to The Nightmare Before Christmas, so they’ll be saying Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animals to all kinds of film fans. Read more about the screenings here.
9. Gaze at the New Year’s Eve fireworks around the city
So, this is the New Year, and, in the words of Death Cab For Cutie, you may not feel any different. If you want to feel something, though – or just leave your jaw on the floor – head to Central London and look into the sky. Those end-of-year displays never get boring. Everybody ring in 2025 in style. Or not… just make sure it’s to the backdrop of these sparkly lights.
10. Welcome back the annual gift of Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree
Ahh – it’s time, folks. The moment for our beautiful square to come alive with the lights of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is almost upon us. Every year since 1947, Norway has blessed London with a tree as a thanks for helping them out during World War II. The ceremony for the tree’s grand switch-on takes place on the first Thursday of the month on December 4 this time around, and it’s set to be a glowing affair once more. Yes – people have been known to be mean about how it often looks, and yes – some of the jokes are funny. It wouldn’t, however, be Christmas without this loveable Norway Spruce tree in the centre of our city now, would it?
11. Check out another one of London’s fine array of Christmas trees scattered around the city
Pretty dapper Christmas tree they’ve got there at St. Pancras, wouldn’t you say? This year’s one is adorned with hand-painted baubles made by children in Great Ormond Street Hospital to celebrate hope and imagination. And if you think this 12-metre stunner will be the only tall king that London has dressed up to the nines, you, my friend, are sorely mistaken. Anyone looking for a city not peppered with smartly decorated saplings is barking up the wrong tree, and here is the evidence.
12. Embark on a brand new route on Race Across The World: The Experience in London
Take part in the Christmas edition of Race Across The World: The Experience in London, where you can scurry around the West End as it’s adorned in glimmering festive decorations. Work together with your team to fidn the clues and uncover the secret guestbook in London as you weave through the Christmas crowds in the city. It’s a surefire way of catching London in all its end-of-year splendour while taking on the challenge of the most wonderful time game of the year. Plan your visit and find out more details here.
13. Ride a train that’s doused in Christmas lights
The Epping Ongar Lights Express is back in festive business this season, with its Christmas timetable going full speed ahead into the new year. The train itself is covered in Christmas lights to make things merry and bright, with colourful installations set up along the way to gaze out on as you make the most festive of train rides from Epping to Ongar. Find out more here.
14. Check out the new Wes Anderson exhibition in London
A brand new Wes Anderson retrospective exhibition has landed at the Design Museum in London, showing off a pathway into the acclaimed director’s mind and creative process. You’ll be able to check out everything from notepads to outfits worn in his movies to a screening of his 1993 short film, Bottle Rocket. It’s running for a lengthy period at the Design Museum, and you can find more information here.
15. Glide around a dreamy ice rink
In winter, London is less big smoke and more grand ice. Your skills on the rink might – much like that opening comparison – not be the Olympic gold medal standard, but if Bambi can give it a go, so can you. Plus, many of them have mulled wine and lots of food, so there’s really no way you can lose. From the epic rink at Somerset House to the dreamy atmosphere of Queen’s House, where you can skate around with a UNESCO World Heritage Site as your backdrop, there’s plenty of pirouetting opportunities in the city. Read our guide to London’s enchanting Ice Rinks here.
16. Have a ball at a London gig
December doesn’t have to be all about the Christmas music (though there’s a lot of that around, of course). Have a dance-along at one of the many gigs happening in London this month.
🦁 Hans Zimmer (December 1): The O2 – expect the triumphant sounds from the star-studded career of the legendary composer.
🐺 Wolf Alice (December 2): The O2 – Bloom Baby Bloom into the O2 for a beautiful concert.
🤘 Loathe (December 5): Electric Brixton – time to let it in…
🍽️ The Last Dinner Party (December 7-8): Brixton Academy – fresh from the release of ‘From The Pyre’, The Last Dinner Party will be giving us a triumphant pair of gigs in December.
🎶 Mumford & Sons (December 10-11): The O2 – back after some years away for a gig during the most wonderful time of the year.
🌱 Robert Plant (December 11): Royal Festival Hall – legendary Led Zeppelin frontman uses those pipes to bow out the year in style.
💃 Becky Hill (December 13): The O2 – rave at the O2 before 2025 is out? Go on then…
🎄Slade (December 17): Shepherd’s Bush Empire – are you hanging up your stockings on the wall?
🎸 Thurston Moore (December 17): Vortez Jazz Club – Sonic Youth member takes to the stage in London to end the year with a bang.
🎤 Public Image Ltd. (December 27): Kentish Town Forum – John Lydon and co. waste no time after Christmas day before getting back on stage.
17. Bag yourself a free burger
While the end of the month might be more about turkey and roast potatoes, you can wait by making room for a burger on December 3. Why this day specifically? Well, the folks at Honest Burgers have 4,200 free double smashed cheeseburgers to give away to anyone who’s fast enough! This equates to 100 free burgers at each Honest Burgers location, so find your nearest and may the odds be in your favour. It’ll be first-come-first-served from the minute the doors to each restaurant open. Find out more here.
18. Have a festive pint at London’s most Christmassy pub
The Churchill Arms outdoes itself every year, doesn’t it? Looking like Santa Claus himself gave it a glow-up, it’s safe to say it’s the most Christmassy pub in London. So, without further ado, it’s time to catch the bus sleigh and make a beeline for the bar – this next pint has a big fat (figurative) CHRISTMAS logo in the foam. Salut. Read about it here.
19. Bag yourself a free sweet treat for National Cookie Day
December is a month for saying yes to plans, and giving a thumbs up to a free offering of a delightful cookie is most certainly a no-brainer. National Cookie Day falls on December 4, nicely thrown in at the beginning of the month before the true Christmas Day indulgence arrives later on. Chocolate Dino Company, an award-winning bakery, are celebrating by giving away hundreds of free NYC-style cookies to Londoners before the year is out, and who could say no to that? Find out more here.
20. Embark on a festive steam train ride
Vintage steam train ride on your Christmas list? Why ever not?! A Christmassy day out on the Santa Steam Train is just what the elves have recommended, and you can look forward to an enchanting hour-and-a-half ride away with a magical festive day in store. Find out more details here.
21. Get festive at a Candlelight Christmas concert
Festive tributes to iconic Christmas songs are shining in London this December. Lit up by a sea of candles, these classical concerts celebrate the Christmassy songs we all know and love, from “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “Last Christmas” to scores from movies like Home Alone and Love Actually. This December, they’re taking place inside two of London’s most prestigious venues: Central Hall Westminster and The Great Hall at Barts North Wing. Get your tickets to Candlelight’s Christmas concerts here.
22. Have a drink and a highly-rated burger at this new West London pub
There’s nothing like trying a brand new spot, and this one combines a fresh pub spot with some recognised burger slingers. The Bush Tavern has just opened, and they’ve brought No Drama along for the ride with them to provide some devilishly good bites, which comes after their previous spot in Acton closed earlier this year. If you don’t trust us when we say they’re good, you can take the advice of one Edward Sheeran, who called No Drama the best burgers in London on his visit with Topjaw. Find out more here.
23. Dine inside a floating igloo
Set sail inside an igloo to float into your evening out in style. Diners can step inside their igloo, which will float along the waters at West India Quay at Canary Wharf with seasonal drinks and festive snacks. The fondue will only add to the warm and cosy feels out on the igloos, which is bound to be a unique way of dining in the domes at the end of this year. Read more about the floating igloos here.
24. Try out some grub at Tod’s Festive Feast
EatingWithTod, who you may have seen dominating your Instagram and TikTok feeds, has opened up his dream festive market in Central London, with some of his favourite vendors taking over the Outernet building. Circle through the space to try a Festive Frank from Ruben’s Rubens before eyeing up a Whole Hog Roast at From The Ashes. Wash it down with Flaming Mulled Wine from Beltane & Pop before indulging in a Crème Brûlée Doughnut from the connisseurs at Bread Ahead. Find out more about Tod’s Festive Feast here.
25. Bend your mind at this museum of optical illusion
Perhaps the only place in London where the children can look down on their adults (at least, in a literal sense). The optical illusions can make the smallest member of your party tower over any basketball-playing, six-foot-plus member of your group with ease, and that’s just one room! Paradox Museum is your place to go if you want a hilarious time being sent upside down on this mind-bending experience. Find out more and plan a visit here.
26. Enjoy all the festivities at the London Transport Museum
Kids go free to this one, and it’s the perfect place to head for a jolly festive day out in the centre of London. They can meet Santa at the Covent Garden space, soaking up the Christmas spirit on a trail through the museum that helps you learn about 200 years of history in London transport. Find out more about it here.
27. Take your last chance to play the Squid Game experience
Squid Game: The Experience is perhaps the closest one can get to being in the show (without the gruesome parts, obviously), and there’s not long left to try it out. It’s sticking around in London until January 4, meaning you can gather up a group and head over for a challenge before the year is out. Red light/green light to pass the time between Christmas and New Year? Yes, I think I will. Find out more and plan your visit here.
28. Enjoy drinkalong, singalong Christmas movie screenings
Credit: @theclaphamgrand, via IG
Sure, you can just whack a movie on at home, but if you want to truly get in the festive spirit, then you can join these lively watchalong screenings of Christmas movies over at the Clapham Grand in December. As part of their stacked seasonal calendar, you can watch the films with a Christmas tipple while joining in on the singalong versions. Look forward to screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Holiday, and Love Actually to keep you holly and jolly in December.
If movies aren’t your bag, there’s plenty of other events you can check out, from the ‘Not Another Quiz Night’ Christmas party to the venue’s own free Christmas parties throughout the month. Find out more and plan your visit here.
29. Relax on the beautiful roof terrace at John Lewis on Oxford Street
John Lewis gets us ready for Christmas with their advert each year, but they also run a popular roof terrace that’s doused in festive joy. This year, you can expect the same top-notch food, cocktails and views, alongside their festive igloos to dine in and say goodbye to 2025 in style. Read all about it here.
30. Go and hang out with some dinosaurs
Experience what it would be like to walk among the dinosaurs in the prehistoric age at Jurassic World right here in London. Jurassic World is here for the whole of December, but will be leaving the city after a successful run at Battersea Power Station, so take up your last chance to see it this month if you’re a fan of the old dinos. Read more about it and plan your visit here.
31. (Maybe) witness a dusting of snow across the city
London hasn’t had a white Christmas in yonks, but the chillier temperatures we can expect at the end of the year mean that a dusting of chilly flakes (and not the kind you find in the kitchen) can never be totally ruled out on the big day. While it may just turn to slush after ~10 minutes, the initial snowfalls will at least be fun and look great on the IG feed, right?
32. Or, head to Covent Garden for snowfalls
Yes, it’s true. It does snow every day in Covent Garden over Christmas (between the scheduled hours of 12pm-9pm). Later in the festive season, you can do your best Bing Crosby impression and wander around under the snowfalls beside their enormous Christmas tree and glittering light display.
33. Witness an overload of cuteness at a festive parade of sausage dogs in Christmassy outfits
Have you ever heard of or seen anything this adorable? Any dog lovers will want to be around Hyde Park on Sunday, December 14, with the Sausage Dog Christmas Parade landing in London. It’s exactly like it sounds, with dachshunds dressed up to the nines in cute Christmas wear as they wag their tails and stroll along in their toasty outfits. Find out more about it here.
34. Book your annual December theatre trip
Everyone knows that a trip to the theatre in December just hits that little bit sweeter. For starters, the West End is awash with Christmas decorations, you’re surrounded by lights and lots of people shuffling in from the cold to catch a play. Les Mis, The Lion King, The Play That Goes Wrong… whatever! Get the family together and enjoy the brilliance that is theatre season, Christmas edition.
35. Or skip into a pantomime
Yes, Christmas season means pantomime season (oh no I’m not going to do the ‘oh no it doesn’t’ gag… dammit), and there are more to choose from in London than candy canes in Santa’s factory. Take your pick from this handy guide to the pantomimes in London and get ready for an energetic day out with the family.
36. Pick up some Oasis merch at the pop-up store
While the reunion tour on everyone’s lips this year might be over, there’s one last merch drop before the year is out. Items from the tour will be on sale at stores in London and Dublin in December, with the Piccadilly site opening up on December 4 to offer anyone who missed out on the tour or didn’t face the merch queues a chance to get kitted out in Oasis t-shirts, hats, and more. Get all the details here.
37. Dine aboard the Murder Express in London
All aboard the Murder Express. Offering up a 1930s-style dining experience with a full murder mystery storyline with live actors. Ponder on that whodunnit as your food is served to you all evening, as you have a fantastic time gourging while uncovering the truth of the tale from the train carriage. Find out more and book your spot here.
38. Find a new area of the city to explore
However long you’ve lived in London, be it two months or your whole life, there’s always somewhere new to explore. Not ventured to Camden yet? Fancy heading down to Greenwich, or having a stroll around Marylebone? Now’s the time! We’ve got plenty of handy area guides on the site, so take your pick and see what a new area of the city has to offer.
39. And that includes places outside of zone three!
It might take a little longer, but there are plenty of beautiful parks, tasty food halls, and lovely buildings outside the realms of the Tube map’s zone three. Here are a few places in zone four and beyond to get you started.
40. Witness a real-life Martian invasion at Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience
The end of the year is the perfect time to remove yourself from reality and go off to Victorian London to place yourself in the midst of a Martian invasion through the means of virtual reality. Let Jeff Wayne’s iconic platform music be your guide as you experience both live theatre and multi-sensory special effects in the murky depths of a steampunk meets old-world decor, where the Martians are looming large. If this sounds like your kind of immersive experience, then you can find out more and plan your visit here.
41. Keep exploring this wonderful city
Of course, it’s nigh-on impossible to name every single brilliant thing happening in London this month, as hard as we may try. We’re shouting about places, people, and news in the big smoke all year round, and here are a few more things that should be on your radar as we enter the final month of another rollercoaster year.
More things to do and inspiration…
142 fab and FREE things to do in London
