December in London: you're never more than six feet away from a Christmas carol. But what about all the other festive choons? From jazz to cabaret to soul to folk, we've rounded up the best Christmas music shows in London for 2026.
That'll Be The Day! Christmas Show 2026, Churchill Theatre, Bromley (27 November): If, like Granny, you think the old songs are the best, this nostalgic medley show will be top of your wish list this Christmas. A 'rollercoaster sleigh ride through the golden age of rock and pop' is promised at this toe-tappin' night out. Info and tickets
Jazz Noël, Wilton's Music Hall (27 November): Revel in seasonal numbers by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole — as performed by a tight, groove-driven rhythm section — and what a setting, too! Info and tickets
Old Dirty Brasstards Big Brass Xmas Bash, the Garage (3-19 December): Like a Salvation Army band who've added something seriously funky to the mulled wine, Old Dirty Brasstards bring the party to the Garage in Highbury on a number of dates this Christmas, with their metallic takes on standards like Stay Another Day and All I Want for Christmas. Previous years have sold out, so hop to it. (Otherwise, they have a couple of late November shows elsewhere in London.) Info and tickets
Ben Thompson Elvis Christmas Special, CryerArts (9-13 December): You won't have a Blue Christmas if you get tickets to Ben Thompson's festive Elvis tribute, playing a number of shows at Carshalton's CryerArts theatre this December. He's accompanied live by the Big Boss Band. We went last year and — mercy — are they good! Info and tickets
Massaoke - Christmas Live, various venues (11 and 12 December): Clapham Grand (11 December) and Kentish Town Forum (12 December) will erupt with the collective revelry of hundreds of people belting out Slade, Mariah et al, ably assisted by a live band. Even if karaoke isn't usually your thing, 'tis the season to sing/screech at the top of your lungs. Info and tickets
Northern Soul Xmas Party, 100 Club (17 December): Some of the best Xmas songs ever written fall into the Northern Soul category, and hopefully the DJ will weave plenty of festive foot-stompers into the 100 Club's Xmas Party mix. Info and tickets
Cara Dillon - Upon a Winter's Night, Union Chapel (18 December): The frantic festive season takes a beat with this evening of simple songs routed in Celtic hymns, ancient carols and traditional folk. Aaaand breathe. Info and tickets
Christmas shows at Jazz Cafe (20-26 December): Christmas at Camden's Jazz Cafe is invariably a cool affair, with A Gospel Christmas (20 December) and A Motown Christmas (24 December) — now THAT'S how to celebrate Xmas Eve — followed by a DJ Luck & MC Neat Boxing Day Rave (26 December). Info and tickets
A Christmas Party with The Kimberleys (20 December): Festive faves get a folky makeover with the Kimberleys' much-loved Christmas show, which draws a very tinselly line under 2026's Walthamstow Folk Club's calendar. We're also promised some home baking, which you certainly don't get at the O2... Info and tickets
The Pogue Traders Christmas Shindig, Half Moon (21 December): Now Shane McGowan's gone to that great pub in the sky, the Pogue Traders are possibly the closest you'll get to seeing one of his group's legendary Christmas gigs. Expect the walls of this Putney pub to come down when Fairytale of New York starts up. Info and tickets
Christmas shows at Royal Albert Hall (throughout December): Christmas with the Salvation Army (1 December), Anna Lapwood's Christmas (8 December) Jamie Cullum doing The Pianoman at Christmas (10 and 11 December) and Trevor Nelson's Soul Christmas (17 and 18 December) — just an amuse bouche of the festive hoe-downs happening in South Ken's Christmas pudding bowl-shaped concert hall this December. Hate to use the phrase 'something for everyone', but there really is. Unless you hate Christmas, in which case close this tab immediately. Info and tickets
Christmas shows at Crazy Coqs @ Brasserie Zedel (throughout December): Zedel's pint-sized yet plush cabaret space pulls out all the stops this season, much of the month glittering with festive showcases, including Gary Williams: A Swingin' Christmas! (5-31 December) and Michael Dore's Christmas Celebration (6 and 13 December). There's much more too, although bad news for Mrs Parton fans: Holly Dolly Christmas is already sold out! Info and tickets
Christmas at Ronnie Scott's (throughout December): While some festive shows have already shifted 100% of their tickets, there's still a sleigh-load of holiday-themed shows going down at London's premier jazz club, including Ronnie Scott's Gospel Choir at Christmas (8-22 December) and Ronnie Scott's Classical All Stars present Christmas Classics (14-21 December). Info and tickets
Christmas shows at Cadogan Hall (throughout December): Aside from hosting more traditional carol concerts, this swanky Sloane Square venue is garlanded with festal shows, including Giacomo Smith’s Big Band playing Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite (14 December) and Swing Into Christmas with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra (28-29 December). Info and tickets
Rat Packs/Sinatras at Christmas (throughout December): For some (us included) Christmas just ain't Christmas without a generous scoop of Rat Pack numbers. Various tribute acts do the rounds during London's festive season; this year listen out for A Sinatra Christmas by Candlelight at Aldwych Theatre (6 December)— featuring a 17-piece big band, and Sinatra the Musical star Joel Harper-Jackson as Ol' Blue Eyes. Aside from that, Stephen Triffitt (Frank), Mark Adams (Dean) and Darren Charles (Sammy) appear in The Definitive Rat Pack Christmas Show at Boisdale (5-22 December) and in The Rat Pack at Christmas at Cadogan Hall (12 December). It is frankly (or should that be Frankly?) a show we've enjoyed many times over.
Fox & Firkin (throughout December): Fill your (snow) boots at Lewisham's community-driven music pub this Christmas, with shows including the Cutashine Christmas Ceilidh (15 December) and A Buena Vista Christmas (23 December). Booking is recommended — their Cockney & Caribbean Christmas Takeover has already sold out... Info and tickets
Arab Christmas by Candlelight, Grand Junction (7 January): The stunning Grand Junction venue near Warwick Avenue (its ceiling is a belter) is lit by candles for an atmospheric evening of Arabic, Syriac, Coptic and Byzantine chants — an Arab Christmas by Candlelight. Taking place on 7 January, it's surely one of the last festive events of the season. Info and tickets
