Christmas Events in London 2025 – A Festive Guide
London at Christmas is pure magic, full stop. Frosty mornings, roasted chestnuts, and entire streets glittering overhead. If you’re planning a December city break, or staying put and playing tourist, this guide rounds up the biggest Christmas Events in London for 2025 with dates, ball-park prices, and the tiny logistics that make a big difference. From Hyde Park’s mega fair to candlelit carols and brand-new light trails, there’s something for every mood, from sparkly date night to toddler-friendly fun. Grab a scarf, warm your hands on a mulled something, and let’s make a plan. 🎄
Christmas Events in London 2025: Quick Facts
| Theme | 2025 Dates | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | 14 Nov 2025 – 1 Jan 2026 | Entry free off-peak, £5 standard, £7.50 peak. Activities extra |
| Southbank Centre Winter Market | 3 Nov – 26 Dec 2025 | Free to browse, pay for food and drink |
| Christmas at Kew (light trail) | 14 Nov 2025 – 5 Jan 2026 | From about £24 adult, £16 child |
| Skate at Somerset House | 12 Nov 2025 – 11 Jan 2026 | From about £15 adult, £10 child, plus fees |
| Glide at Battersea Power Station | 14 Nov 2025 – 5 Jan 2026 | Roughly £12 off-peak to £48.50 peak |
| Ice Rink Canary Wharf | 25 Oct 2025 – 22 Feb 2026 | Timed sessions, bar on site |
| Trafalgar Sq Tree and Carols | Lighting expected Thu 4 Dec 2025, carols through 24 Dec | Free |
Costs at a glance
| Item or Event | Typical 2025 Price |
|---|---|
| Winter Wonderland entry | Free off-peak, £5 standard, £7.50 peak |
| Christmas at Kew | From about £24 adult, £16 child |
| Somerset House skating | From about £15 adult, £10 child, plus fees |
| Glide at Battersea | Around £12 to £48.50, time dependent |
| Hamleys Santa’s Grotto | From £75 for three people in Nov, £110 for three in mid to late Dec, £20 per extra guest |
| ENB Nutcracker | Tickets from £15 |
| Southbank Winter Market | Free to browse, pay as you go |
Now let me get into more detail for the events!
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Most tickets add small booking fees. Earlier time slots are often cheaper and calmer.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 🎡
The blockbuster of Christmas Events in London. Expect a huge funfair, Bavarian vibes, an ice kingdom, a big wheel, live music and London’s largest outdoor rink. Go daytime for little ones, then come back one evening for lights and live-band skating. Entry is time-slotted and priced by demand, so off-peak can be free if you’re flexible. Inside, rides, shows and food are pay as you go, so topping up a pre-paid card helps you keep track. This place is bonkers!
- Dates: 14 Nov 2025 to 1 Jan 2026
- Entry: free off-peak, £5 standard, £7.50 peak
- Book ahead: ice rink, big wheel, headline shows
- Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch
👉 Good to know: Treat it like a theme park. Lock in one or two headline activities, then graze and wander between them. 🍭
📍 Official Website: Hydepark Winter Wonderland
🗺️ More UK Christmas Cheer: UK Festive Weekenders: 8 Easy City Breaks For Maximum Cheer 🎄
Christmas at Kew ✨
Kew’s famous light trail winds through dark gardens with tunnels of light, lasers over the lake, and stalls for hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows. It sells out quickly, especially weekend evenings and the Kew Gardens Tube entrance. Book early, pick an earlier slot for a calmer pace with kids, and arrive hungry for festive snacks. It is a proper goosebump moment when the lake reflections kick in.
- Dates: 14 Nov 2025 to 5 Jan 2026
- Tickets: from about £24 adult, £16 child
- Best for: romantic evenings, families, wow-factor photos
- Allow: 75 to 105 minutes for the trail
👉 Good to know: There are multiple entrances. If one looks sold out, try a different gate before changing dates. 🌟
📍 Official Website: Christmas at Kew
🗺️ Christmas Guide: Christmas in York: A Festive City Guide
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Southbank Centre Winter Market 🎪
Riverside fairy lights, warming drinks, and the skyline glowing across the Thames. The Southbank Winter Market is free to browse and perfect for an easy festive plan. Go midweek daytime for elbow room, then swing back after dark for atmosphere. It pairs nicely with a concert at the Royal Festival Hall, so consider making a whole evening of it.
- Dates: 3 Nov to 26 Dec 2025
- Cost: free to browse, pay for food and drink
- Vibe: cosy huts, river views, good for groups
- Nearest stations: Waterloo, Embankment
🔹 Fact: The wider Southbank Winter Festival runs through December, so check what performances line up with your visit. 🎶
📍 Official Website: Southbank Christmas Market
🗺️ Christmas Cheer: A Global Christmas: How the World Celebrates the Holiday Season
Skate at Somerset House ⛸️
A postcard scene in a neoclassical courtyard, complete with a towering tree. Sessions run by day for families, then turn into DJ-soundtracked nights later on. Prices start around £15 for adults and £10 for children, plus fees. Non-skaters can still have a lovely time with rink-side drinks and people-watching.
- Dates: 12 Nov 2025 to 11 Jan 2026
- Tickets: from about £15 adult, £10 child
- Session length: roughly 45 minutes
- Photogenic: the tree backdrop is a stunner
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Weekday daytime slots mean clearer ice and shorter queues for skates. 📸
📍 Official Website: Skate on Somerset House Tickets
🗺️ Recommended Read: Christmas Markets and Festive Light Shows: European Winter City Breaks
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Glide at Battersea Power Station ⚡
Three interlinked rinks and that iconic power-station backdrop. This one feels sleek, with skyline views and plenty of food options in the mall and riverside. Pricing varies widely by date and time, from early-bird bargains to premium December evenings. If you like a full evening out in one spot, this is your winner.
- Dates: 14 Nov 2025 to 5 Jan 2026
- Tickets: roughly £12 off-peak to £48.50 peak
- Good for: date nights, groups, a full dinner-and-skate plan
- Nearby: riverside bars and restaurants
📍 Official Website: Glide at Battersea
Ice Rink Canary Wharf 🌆
Skate under a canopy of fairy lights while the towers sparkle above. It runs long into the new year, which is brilliant if you are avoiding December crowds or visiting after Christmas. Sessions are timed, with a bar on the terrace for warm-ups and debriefs. After work, it is a simple, festive pick-me-up.
- Dates: 25 Oct 2025 to 22 Feb 2026
- Session style: timed, skates included
- Vibe: city lights, covered ice, after-work friendly
- Nearest stations: Canary Wharf, Heron Quays
📍 Official Website: Ice Rink Canary Wharf
👉 Good to know: Family and off-peak tickets sell fast for December weekends, so pounce when your slot appears. 🕺
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Late-evening midweek slots feel calm and photo-friendly. 📷
Trafalgar Square Tree and Community Carols 🎄
Old-school festive cheer in the middle of London. The giant Norwegian spruce is lit on the first Thursday in December, then community choirs sing daily up to Christmas Eve. It is simple, free and lovely, especially if you bring a flask and a friend. Hold hands, hum along, and let the city feel small for a moment.
- Tree lighting: expected Thu 4 Dec 2025
- Carols: most days until 24 Dec
- Cost: free
- Pair with: St Martin-in-the-Fields concerts
💡 Fact: The tradition dates back to 1947, a thank-you gift from Norway to London.
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Covent Garden Christmas 🎁
Snowy moments, a towering tree and extra-sparkly decorations. The piazza flips to festive in mid November, with performers and photo ops around every corner. Wander in the morning for calm shots, then return at dusk for the glow. It is one of the most photographed spots in the city for a reason.
- Lights on: from Wed 12 Nov 2025
- Cost: free to enjoy
- Why go: decorations, shopping, easy West End pairing
- Best photo time: sunrise or blue hour
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Grab coffee early, shoot your photos, then circle back at dusk for the full twinkle without the daytime crush. ✨
📍 Official Website: Christmas at Covent Garden
Regent Street and West End Lights 🌟
The famous angels float above Regent Street and St James’s from early November. There is no big switch-on party now, one evening the lights are simply on and London feels instantly festive. Link Regent Street with Carnaby, Piccadilly and Jermyn Street for a whole circuit in one go. It is the definition of an easy win.
- Switch on: from Thu 6 Nov 2025
- Cost: free
- Route idea: Oxford Circus to Piccadilly, loop via Carnaby
- Best time: weeknights after 8 pm
Royal Albert Hall at Christmas 🎺
A December classic that mixes films with live orchestra, carol singalongs and choral showstoppers. The circular auditorium and brass fanfares give you goosebumps in the best way. Pick your vibe, cosy carols or blockbuster scores, then make a night of it with pre-show bites in Kensington. Dress up a touch, it suits the setting.
- Dates: throughout December 2025
- Tickets: wide range, from budget seats to premium
- Great for: couples, families, first-time visitors
- Pair with: lights stroll via Knightsbridge
📍 Official Website: Royal Albert Hall
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Balcony seats can be brilliant value and sound great for carols. 🎶
Hogwarts in the Snow (Studio Tour) 🪄
Not central, but worth it if you are Potter-mad. Sets are dressed for winter, the Great Hall is ready for the Yule Ball and the Hogwarts model gets a dusting of snow. It is catnip for photos and family memories. Book early, this one is very popular in December.
- Dates: 15 Nov 2025 to 18 Jan 2026
- Allow: 3 to 4 hours
- Getting there: shuttle from Watford Junction, parking available
- Good for: families, fans, bad-weather days
📍 Official Website: Hogwarts in the Snow
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre and Ice Rink 👑
Two treats in a royal setting. The front-of-palace rink runs from late November into early January, which is an incredible backdrop for your glide. Pair it with the Festive Fayre in early December for tastings, entertainment and seasonal shopping. Train from Waterloo, then a short walk across the bridge.
- Rink: 21 Nov 2025 to 4 Jan 2026
- Festive Fayre: 6 to 8 Dec 2025
- Why go: Tudor façade views, foodie extras
- Handy tip: book rink at dusk for golden photos
📍 Official Website: Hampton Court Palace Christmas Fayre
👉 Good to know: Warm up at the Ice Café, then stroll the riverside lights.
🎃 Need something Spooky? Pumpkin Lights and Ghost Nights: Where to Go This Halloween 🎃
Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights 🕯️
A City of London gem under soaring Victorian arches. The market gets a giant spruce and a golden glow, then a lively switch-on with music. It is compact, atmospheric and very photogenic, perfect for a quick after-work festive fix. Wrap up, grab a mulled drink, enjoy.
- Switch on: Thu 13 Nov 2025
- Cost: free
- Pair with: St Paul’s exterior, Millennium Bridge walk
- Best time: early evening after work
📍 Official Website: Leadenhall Market
London Zoo: The Magic of Christmas 🐾
Storytime with elves, festive animal talks and a proper Santa meet. If you are travelling with children, this is an easy win, with pram-friendly paths and plenty of snack stops. Book Santa early, those dates go fast, then layer up and let the kids lead the way.
- Dates: 22 Nov 2025 to 4 Jan 2026
- Tickets: day tickets plus add-ons for some activities
- Best for: young families
- Location: Regent’s Park
📍 Official Website: The Magic of Christmas
Hamleys Santa’s Grotto 🎅
London’s most famous toyshop gets festive in a big way. The grotto uses tiered pricing that rises nearer Christmas. If a classic Santa meet is on your list, jump on slots as soon as they appear. Regent Street outside is also great for surprise character moments.
- Pricing: from £75 for three people in Nov, £110 for three from mid to late Dec, £20 per extra guest
- Good for: under 10s, keepsake photos
- Extra: look for quiet morning slots
- Allow: 30 minutes plus browsing time
📍 Official Website: Hamleys Grotto
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Now, over to you…
That is your Christmas Events in London cheat-sheet for 2025, from blockbuster rinks to cosy carols and riverside glow-ups. If you try any of these, I would love to hear how it went, the wins, the oops moments, and the secret hot chocolate spot you found. Drop your tips in the comments so other Tinker readers can plan smarter too.👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
Simliar Articles:
- A Global Christmas: How the World Celebrates the Holiday Season
- Christmas Markets and Festive Light Shows: European Winter City Breaks
- 8 Best Places to Travel at Christmas: Festive Escapes
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FAQs
Is London expensive at Christmas?
It can be, but there are plenty of freebies, from West End lights and Trafalgar Square carols to Southbank browsing and museum displays. Pick one or two paid “hero” experiences, then fill the gaps with free sparkle.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes for most ticketed events, especially Kew, the big rinks, grottos and concerts. December weekends sell first. Weeknights and earlier time slots are your friend.
What should I wear for outdoor events?
Layers, a proper coat, and shoes you are happy to stand in. Trails and markets are outdoors, and rinks feel cold even if you are spectating.
Can I do it all in one day?
You can do a lot. Try a lights bus tour, Southbank market and a skate. Save Kew or Kenwood for its own evening, you will enjoy it more.
Are dates set in stone?
Organisers sometimes tweak hours or extend seasons. Always check your ticket for the latest timings, and set a reminder the day before.
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Sam Fisher
I go by the name Sam, and I'm a 24-year-old digital creator and photographer. I'm passionate about embracing simpler, budget-friendly adventures.
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