Looking for things to do once Christmas Day is out of the way? Wondering what's open between then and New Year? Just want to get out of the house and away from the Monopoly/cheese board? Here's what's cooking over Twixtmas.
CHRISTMAS TRANSPORT: Before you make any plans for the upcoming week, check the Christmas transport situation in London. There's not *too* much disruption this year, but there are a couple of big station closures you'll want to know about.
ICE SKATING: London's festive ice rinks remain open throughout the Christmas period and into January. Somerset House, Battersea Power Station and Hyde Park are some of the places you can take to the ice this year — here's a full ice skating guide.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Similarly, London's Christmas lights stay on after the big day, illuminated every evening until early January. Have a read of our guide to London's Christmas light displays for tips on admiring them, either on foot or by bus. We've even put together a self-guided walking route through central London so you can see as many lights and decorations as possible in one go.
WINTER WONDERLAND: Huge festive fair Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is all-systems-go throughout the festive season, closing only on 25 December. Fairground rides, markets, food and drink stalls, circus shows and an ice rink are all part of the fun. Just bear in mind that you need to book entry in advance. Until 1 January
PANTO: From classic Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Hammersmith and Cinderella at the Hackney Empire, via Sleeping Beauty and Robin Hood, London's panto scene is thriving this year. Read our guide to London's pantomimes to choose your show. Just be aware: some are strictly adults only, and not suitable for a family theatre trip — oh no they're not!
FESTIVE THEATRE: The Snowman, Cinderella, The Nutcracker — all these festive productions, and a slew more, are staged in London this year. From ballet to circus to musicals, take a look at these fantastically festive theatre shows in London, and book yourself a seat this Twixmas. We've also got a guide to family-friendly shows, if you're treating the whole clan to a festive outing.
AFTERNOON TEA: If turkey and cheese stocks are running low in your house by the middle of this week, why not treat the family to a festive afternoon tea instead? Restaurants, hotels and cafes all over town offer a Christmas twist on the traditional afternoon tea, with most of the limited edition menus only available until late December or early January.
LIGHT FESTIVALS: Wrap up warm and head out to one of London's ongoing light festivals, from Christmas at Kew to Neverland at Kenwood House, and even rides on an illuminated steam train. Top tip for last-minute planners: Winter Light at Southbank Centre is free and doesn't require booking.
WEEKEND WALKS: This week is practically one long weekend anyway, so grab your walking boots and head out on one of our weekend walk routes. See a part of London you haven't visited before, and best of all, it's free — unless you stop in a pub for a pint or two...
DUVET DAY: Can't be bothered with the outside world? Stock up on mince pies, kick back and work your way through the videos on our YouTube channel. Or get stuck into the library of recorded lectures from Gresham College.
DAY TRIPS: Want to get out of London for a day? Browse some of our favourite day trips and weekend breaks from from the capital (just remember that train services are a bit hit-and-miss this week). Perhaps leave the seaside trips until the summer, but how about a visit to a new town, city or museum?
CHRISTMAS DAY: Yep, we've got a guide for that too. Here's our pick of things to do in London on Christmas Day, and we've also covered what's open on Christmas Day as well as where you can go swimming on Christmas Day. A selection of restaurants and pubs in the capital even serve food on 25 December — though you'll need to have booked in advance for most.
BOXING DAY: You guessed it — we've already covered that too. Here's the lowdown on Boxing Day events in London.
NEW YEAR'S EVE: Whether you're looking to get glammed up and go out on the town, or usher in 2026 in a more sedate manner, we've got it all covered.
Current exhibitions in London: Christmas 2025
If you've got some free time, why not spend it seeing one or two of the exhibitions you've been meaning to catch. Note that gallery and museum opening times may vary over this week, but all those listed here are open at least some days between Christmas and New Year — check with individual venues before you travel. For further inspiration, check out our art critic's guide to the biggest exhibitions to see in London this winter.
GINGERBREAD CITY: Festive favourite the Gingerbread City is open until early January at its new home in King's Cross, displaying a mini metropolis fashioned from gingerbread and edible decorations. Architects and civil engineers are behind the designs, which feature buildings, bridges and a working train set. Until 4 January
PIRATES: Avast! The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is all about Pirates, in an exhibition covering both fictional and real pirates. Long-John Silver, Jack Sparrow and Captain Pugwash feature on the pop-culture side of the exhibition, while the Global Pirates section delves into issues such as the bombardment of Algiers. Until 4 January
GILBERT & GEORGE: More than 60 large-scale installations feature in Hayward Gallery's exhibition dedicated to the work of east London-based artistic duo Gilbert & George. New artworks covering the past 25 years — a sort of retrospective of the century so far — feature, looking at how technology has changed the way the two self-styled 'living artworks' create their images, and how they began digitally distorting their pictures to reflect the anxieties, fears and desires of modern society. Until 11 January
SECRET MAPS: Some of history's most mysterious maps, and the stories hidden within them, are revealed in Secret Maps at the British Library. See places which have been erased from official records, or where treasures were hidden... all the maps you were never supposed to see, basically. Until 18 January
LEE MILLER: Tate Britain hosts a retrospective of photographer Lee Miller, showcasing her work both behind and in front of the camera. It's a seductive and shocking exhibition, with material ranging from London during the Second World War, to Miller's friend Pablo Picasso. Until 15 February
MARIE ANTOINETTE STYLE: Get a dose of high-fashion at the V&A's Marie Antoinette Style exhibition, and find out how the famous queen of France influenced over 250 years of design, fashion, film and art. On display are beaded slippers which belonged to Marie herself, among many other treasures. Maybe swing by the museum's cafe for a sliver of cake afterwards? Until March
TURNER AND CONSTABLE: Celebrate the lives and work of two of Britain's greatest landscape painters, 250 years since their births, at Tate Britain. J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, who were rivals, expressed the changing world of their era through their art. The exhibition features key works, personal items, and sketchbooks that reveal their artistic journeys. Until April
WES ANDERSON AT DESIGN MUSEUM: Wes Anderson: The Archives displays 600 items from film director Wes Anderson's personal archive, and was partly curated by the man himself. A three-metre wide model of the candy pink Grand Budapest Hotel, and the vending machines from Asteroid City are among the props featured, along with costumes, storyboards and sketches. Definitely book in advance for this one. Until July
