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 country, we've rounded up the best Christmas music shows in London for 2025.
That'll Be The Day! Christmas Show 2025, Beck Theatre (16 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 in Hayes. Info and tickets
Massaoke - Christmas Live, various venues (throughout December): At least two London venues (at time of writing Clapham Grand on 5 December, and Kentish Town Forum on 19 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
Christmas shows at Royal Albert Hall (throughout December): The Salvation Army (3 December), Trevor Nelson's Soul Christmas (11 December) Jamie Cullum doing The Pianoman at Christmas (12 December), and Anna Lapwood's Christmas (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 now. 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! (6-23 December) and A Gypsy Jazz Christmas!. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Info and tickets
Christmas at Ronnie Scott's (throughout December): While some festive shows have already sold out, there's still a sleigh-load of holiday-themed shows going down at London's premier jazz club, including Giacomo Smith's Big Band playing Ellington's Nutcracker Suite (4-6 December) and two chances to nurse your Boxing Day hangover with Liane Carroll's annual show, featuring jazzed up Christmas fayre, and Tom Waits-esque black humour (26 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 Janet Kay & Carroll Thompson's annual Christmas concert (12 December) and Swing Into Christmas with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra (21 December). Info and tickets
Rat Packs at Christmas (throughout December): For some (us included) Christmas ain't Christmas without a generous scoop of Rat Pack numbers. Various tribute acts do the rounds during London's festive season, including The Rat Pack – Swingin' at the Sands, at the Adelphi Theatre (2 December) and The Rat Pack at Christmas at Cadogan Hall (13 December). More shows will inevitably reveal themselves as we get closer to December.
Ben Thompson Elvis Christmas Special, CryerArts (3-7 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. He's accompanied live by the Big Boss Band. Mercy. Info and tickets
Old Dirty Brasstards Big Brass Xmas Bash, The Garage (6-20 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. Info and tickets
A Holly Dolly Christmas, Bush Hall (8 December): Kelly O'Brien, the UK's No. 1 Dolly Parton tribute, comes to Bush Hall armed with "sparkle, sequins, and a whole lotta seasonal sass". Expect tracks off the 2020 album A Holly Dolly Christmas, among others. Info and tickets
Two Turtle Doves, Wilton's Music Hall (8-9 December): Performing seasonal numbers by Tom Waits, Ray Davies, Joni Mitchell and *checks notes* The Chipmunks, Two Turtle Doves' — aka Dillie Keane and Barb Jungr — gift to you this Christmas is some serious eclecticism. Info and tickets
Ian Shaw – Shaw Shimmers Into Xmas, The Exchange (14 December): Jazz vocalist, pianist, songwriter, presenter, record producer, actor... there is very little Ian Shaw does not do. In this one-man show, he explores the joys, tears — and sheer horror — of the festive season. The same show also has a couple of outings at Crazy Coqs (see above). Info and tickets
Northern Soul Xmas Party, 100 Club (18 December): Some of the best Xmas songs ever written fall into the Northern Soul category, so hopefully the DJ will weave plenty of festive foot-stompers into the 100 Club's Xmas Party mix. Info and tickets
Funky Soulful Christmas with Michael Mwenso & The Shakes, Kings Place (18 December): Returning to King's Cross this year is A Funky Soulful Christmas with Michael Mwenso & The Shakes, applying their groovy riffs to the likes of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer. Info and tickets
The Pogue Traders Christmas Shindig, O2 Academy Islington (20 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 the Pogues' legendary Christmas gigs. Expect the walls to come down when Fairytale of New York starts up. 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
