December can be an expensive time of year, especially in London. So if you're looking for ways to save cash and enjoy the festive season on a budget, indulge in these free and festive ideas for things to do in London for Christmas 2025. You won't have to spend a penny, though of course there are plenty of chances to get rid of your cash if you're so inclined. Merry Thriftmas!
See the London Christmas lights
London's various Christmas light displays are switched on from early November (see the exact switch-on dates), and they're free to visit. Wander round Regent Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Carnaby and other areas in the dark to see London at its twinkly, festive best — we've put together a guide to when, where and how to see them, including a handy map.
If you can spare a couple of quid, hop on a TfL public bus for an even better way to see the lights.
Wander around London's Christmas markets
London has numerous Christmas markets and fairs, and many have free admission — although you will of course have to part with your pennies if something tempts you, or if you fancy warming up with a mulled wine.
Top of the list is Southbank Centre's Winter Market (until 4 January 2026), a cute collection of wooden chalets decked in sparkling lights, right next to the river. It's free to stroll along, soaking up the festive atmosphere, though it gets very busy at weekends. While you're there, check out...
Southbank Centre's Winter Lights
London's packed with light trails and festivals this time of year, but some are pricey to get into. Not so with Winter Light at Southbank Centre (until 18 January 2026), which is free to admire, and consists of a series of outdoor artworks by a dozen artists, colourfully illuminated at night. You could combine it with a visit to the Southbank Centre Winter Market (above).
Seek out Snoopy in Fleet Street
Last year it was penguins, this year it's beagles 12 sculptures of Snoopy have been dotted around the Fleet Street area in a free Snoopy Sculpture Trail (19 November 2025-16 January 2026), each one uniquely designed by different artists. It's a collaboration with Wild in Art, an organisation which has brought plenty of joy to Londoners over the years in the form of free art trails, to mark 75 years of the Peanuts comic strip.
Admire the Ever After Garden in Duke of York Square
Over 30,000 glowing roses light up London again this winter, but the Ever After Garden has a new home for 2025 (13 November-16 December 2025, 3pm-9pm daily), moving to Chelsea's Duke of York Square. It provides somewhere for Londoners to remember absent loved ones in the run-up to Christmas, and there's the option to dedicate a rose, for a minimum donation of £15 to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
It's free to visit, but as it's for charity, do considering donating a couple of quid if you can.
Visit the Outernet Ice Palace
Immersive experience Outernet - located next to Tottenham Court Road station - unveils an Ice Palace in central London (12 November-31 December 2025). Head inside the building to take a journey through a winter wonderland via giant screens. Glide through the Nutcracker’s ballroom, watch gingerbread castles swirl to life in a cloud of sugar and spice, and experience the merry chaos of Santa’s Workshop.
Sing your heart out at a carol concert
If you wanted to, you could go to a carol concert every evening in December, and still barely scratch the surface of London's carol services. They're not all free, but many are for charity, so that's understandable — but why not see what's on at your local church?
Watch the Peter Pan Cup on Christmas Day
What'll you be doing at 9am on Christmas Day? One hardy group of swimmers takes to the frigid waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park for the Peter Pan Cup, a traditional race dating back to the 1860s under different names. The race itself isn't open to the general public — so you're off the hook for a chilly festive dip — but it is free to watch, with spectators welcome around the lake's edge. Just remember there's no public transport (except cycle hire) in London on Christmas Day to get you there.
