Generally, December in London is taken up by Christmas, Christmas, Christmas — but not everyone's into that. With that in mind, here's a mixture of festive — and completely unfestive — things happening in the capital in December 2025
KINGSTON FESTIVE FUN: Soak up the community spirit this month with Christmas Together in Kingston. The welcoming riverside town is celebrating the festive season with bespoke twinkling lights, Santa visits and a Christmas market. Download the InKingston app to make your day out all the more magical, with exclusive perks, offers and discounts. The festivities run until 28 December (sponsor)
GINGERBREAD CITY: December kicks off on a tasty note, with the return of annual exhibition The Gingerbread City, featuring a miniature town made from gingerbread and decorated with icing and sweets. It's serious stuff, constructed by teams of engineers and architects — but it's a lot of fun too, with model trains and gingerbread-making workshops. 29 November-4 January
CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together leading musicians from around the world to perform in unique combinations. Expect a mix of concerts at St Anne's Highgate, including a screening of Buster Keaton comedy classic College, accompanied by a live piano quintet. 3-7 December
MAKERS FROM JAPAN: Japan House in Kensington opens free exhibition Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan, a celebration of contemporary Japanese craft with works in clay, glass, wood, metal, leather and bamboo. FREE, 3 December-10 May
TRAFALGAR SQUARE TREE: See London's most famous Christmas tree illuminated for the season in a special lighting ceremony in Trafalgar Square. As always, it takes place on the first Thursday in December, which this year falls on 4 December (though you'll likely see the tree in situ a little while before that)
ALDGATE WINTER FESTIVAL: Watch a lantern parade wend through the streets of east London at the Aldgate in Winter Festival. The main festival is extended this year, taking place across two days with live music and dance performances. Additionally, a lantern trail takes place around the area 24 November-15 December. FREE, 4-5 December
CANINE CAROL CONCERTS: As is tradition, Battersea Dogs Home holds its fundraising carol concerts at St Luke's in Chelsea — and brings the dogs into church to join in the fun. No confirmation yet on exactly which carols will be sung, but we'd hazard a guess at Bark! The Herald Angels Sing. 4, 5 and 12 December
HMS PINAFORE: The English National Opera offers a new production of Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. Mel Giedroyc stars in the nautical comic opera about a love triangle on the high seas, on at the London Coliseum. 4 December-7 February
NATIONAL THEATRE: Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) star in The Playboy of the Western World at the National Theatre. It's the story of a man who walks into a pub and confesses to murder... and finds himself a local hero. 4 December-28 February
FESTIVE FAYRE: Head to the Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre for Christmas grub galore. Wander among the courtyards and grounds perusing artisan food stalls selling everything from Christmas pudding and brownies to chocolate, cheese, biltong, coffee, cakes — plus gallons of booze. 5-7 and 12-14 December. For a thoroughly festive day out, take a twirl on the palace's winter ice rink while you're there.
SANTACON LONDON: Hundreds of Santas descend on London for Santacon, which sees members of the public "dress up in Santa suits, run around, give gifts, sing songs, have strangers sit on our laps and decide who is naughty or nice". Festive chaos in the best possible way — and a bit of a mad one if you stumble across it unexpectedly. 6 December
EEL PIE ISLAND: The secretive Eel Pie Island in west London hosts one of its open weekends, inviting the public to cross the footbridge and step inside the artist studios to meet the people who work there. Browse and buy ceramics, oil paintings, jewellery, sculptures and more. Note that although the event is free, you need to book tickets in advance to access the island. FREE, 6-7 December
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Ancient Rome roars to life
Here's a thrilling thing to do in London this month, without having to worry about the weather. Colosseum: The Legendary Arena is a new (indoor!) immersive VR experience which transforms 2,000 years of Roman history into a breathtaking 360° journey.
Travel back to Ancient Rome and experience life as a citizen of the legendary civilisation that shaped the world as we know it today. During your epic, family-friendly adventure, cinematic visuals and atmospheric soundscapes will plunge you into the emotion, grandeur and decadence of the empire.
As soon as you put your headset on, you'll feel like you’re stepping directly into the streets of ancient Rome. Smell the spices as you walk through the vibrant, bustling markets. Descend into the forbidden hypogeum, where gladiators prepared for glory and fear, and see history's greatest gladiator, Flamma, in action in the arena.
Meet gods and emperors, and experience the emotion of the crowds in the Colosseum — site of gladiator combats, animal hunts, and dramatic reenactments — during awe-inspiring battles, as the roar of 80,000 spectators surrounds you. Feel like you've time travelled — all without leaving 21st-century London.
Colosseum: The Legendary Arena by Eclipso is open now at 213–219 Camden High Street, NW1 8QR - but only until 4 January 2026! Tickets from £20. Age eight+.
MAGIC LANTERN SHOW: Experience the enchantment of a Victorian-style magic lantern show at the Florence Nightingale Museum. Lanternists Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker present a bespoke show combining original glass slides from the 19th and 20th century paired alongside modern slides showing a Victorian Christmas. 8 December
COMEDY FUNDRAISER: Midlands comedy twosome Bab invite some seriously funny pals to join them for a comedy fundraiser they're ho-ho-hosting at Aces and Eights in Tufnell Park. They include Stepdads, Pravanya Pillay and Jordan Brookes. 9 December
WOMAN IN MIND: Alan Ayckbourn's darkly comic psychological drama Woman in Mind opens at Duke of York's Theatre, with Sheridan Smith in the lead role of Susan, whose world splits in two when she gets a bump on the head. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan makes his West End debut too. 9 December-28 February
AN EVENING OF CHEESE: Borough Market's annual Evening of Cheese is a fromage-themed shopping event where the market's cheesemongers are on hand to talk you through their products — just in time to fill your festive cheeseboard. Sample cheeses from across the UK and Europe beneath the market's twinkling festive lights. FREE, 10 December
HARLAND MILLER: Kensington's Design Museum opens a display showcasing paintings by artist Harland Miller, including brand-new works specially created for the exhibition. Miller's work combine bright, saturated colour palettes and a wide range of typefaces designed by the artist himself. FREE, 10 December-25 January
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY: Dig out your most festive knitwear for Save The Children's Christmas Jumper Day 2025 — it's on a Thursday this year, though you can do it on another day if that works better. The idea is that you get your whole workplace/school involved, with everyone donning a Christmas sweater, and making a donation to Save the Children. 11 December
GUINNESS BREWERY: The long-awaited Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden opens this month. The part-brewery, part-visitor experience offers limited-edition brews, guided tours, tasting sessions, a pour-your-own-point experience, and all manner of other activities to immerse yourself in the black stuff. From 11 December
CAROLS AND ICES: London has plenty of carol concerts at this time of year, but London Canal Museum can probably claim the most unusual venue, with Camden Town Community Choir performing inside its historic ice well, which is specially illuminated for the occasion. There's also the chance to take a short boat trip on the canal at night, plus free mince pies, ice cream-making demos and other entertainment. 11 December
MARKET PLACE LEICESTER SQUARE: Market Place Leicester Square — a new five-storey food hall in the former Chiquito building — opens today, with stalls from 16 food traders (including Bread Ahead, Cheeky Burger, Duck Shed, Mister Lasagna and Yorkshire Burritos) plus three bars. Opens 11 December
HANNUKAH: The Jewish holiday of Chanukah (or Hannukah) this year takes place 14-22 December. Keep an eye out for details of menorah lightings and other events closer to the time.
HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN ERA: The London Symphony Orchestra is the most recorded orchestra for film, featuring on some of the most famous soundtracks in history: think Star Wars, Superman and Harry Potter. This month, catch the LSO performing music from the Golden Era of Hollywood and beyond, from Ben-Hur and Gone with the Wind to The Godfather and Cinema Paradiso, in two special concerts at Barbican. Tickets from £18, and Londonist readers get two-for-one tickets using code LDNHOLLYWOOD at checkout. 17-18 December (sponsor)
LONDON HORSE SHOW: The London International Horse Show returns to Excel, with equestrian sport and seriously impressive displays across two arenas, as well as three FEI World Cup competitions – in Show Jumping, Dressage and Driving. 18-22 December
MEAT AUCTION: Every Christmas Eve, as the meat suppliers of Smithfield Market close down for the holidays, their surplus meats are sold off to the public during a raucous meat auction. Even if you're not looking to score a hunk of bargain meat, it's a chance to witness a quirky London ritual dating back more than 100 years. 24 December
PETER PAN CUP: If you do one thing on Christmas Day in London, head to Hyde Park to watch the Peter Pan Cup. A group of hardy swimmers from Serpentine Swimming Club take to the chilly waters; you can't take part unless you're a member, but you can watch them from the comfort of dry land. FREE, 25 December
DISNEY ON ICE: Don't know about you, but Disney On Ice was a staple of our childhood, and it's back at The O2. This year's theme is Find Your Hero, taking you through several Disney stories, featuring characters including Mirabel (Encanto), Moana and Maui (Moana), Elsa (Frozen), plus Princesses Ariel, Belle and Rapunzel. You'll be singing and clapping along to this one, guaranteed! 26 December-4 January
NEW YEAR'S EVE: The biggest party night of the year is approaching. Whether you want to go full-on drinking and dancing for a last hurrah of 2025, or see in 2026 in a more sedate manner, take a look at our curated list of things to do in London on New Year's Eve. Oh, and here's the lowdown on seeing London's New Year's fireworks. 31 December
Ongoing Christmas events in London in December 2025
By the time December rolls around, it feels like Christmas has already been in full swing in London for several weeks. Here's a reminder of some of the festivities taking place around town (though do check opening times around Christmas Day itself, as they may vary):
EVER AFTER GARDEN 2025: Chelsea's Duke of York Square is aglow with 30,000 illuminated roses, forming the Ever After Garden. The installation is a fundraiser for the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Charity, and though it's free to visit, you're invited to dedicate a rose to a loved one (suggested minimum donation £15). 13 November-16 December, 3pm-9pm
WINTER WONDERLAND 2025: Once again, the huge festive funfair has taken over Hyde Park, with rollercoasters and fairground rides, theatre and circus shows, an ice kingdom, food and drink stalls, a Christmas market, ice rink and plenty more. Be aware that you still need to book your entry in advance this year. 14 November-1 January
CHRISTMAS WEDNESDAYS: One of our favourite London festive traditions is Christmas Wednesday on Columbia Road. For four Wednesdays across November and December, the independent businesses on the charming east London Street stay open late for Christmas shoppers. Note there's no road closure or carol singers this year. 26 November-17 December
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: The Oxford Street and Regent Street Christmas lights are world-famous — and with good reason. Glowing stars dangle elegantly over the former this festive season, with those twinkling angels back over the latter. And with Christmas light displays in Covent Garden, Carnaby, Bond Street and elsewhere in the capital to see as well, you'll be needing our guide to London's Christmas light displays 2025. You can also see them by bus, if that's more your speed.
SANTA'S GROTTOS: The man in red makes multiple appearances in London at this time of year, at grottos and meet-and-greets all over town. You'll need to book way in advance for most — here's the lowdown on Santa's grottos in London this year.
LIGHT FESTIVALS: London gets LIT at this time of year, and not just with Christmas lights (above). Illumination festivals take over botanical gardens, parks and the like, with light tunnels, illuminated animal sculptures, fire gardens and other installations to ogle. Get booking for London's best light festivals this year — and a few beyond the capital too.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Stock up on Christmas gifts (or treat yourself) at London's best Christmas markets, which feature independent makers, wooden chalets, twinkling lights and plenty of food and drink to enjoy as you shop.
ICE SKATING: A festive staple, skating rinks pop up all over town for the Christmas season, so you can take to the ice outside palaces, skyscrapers and all manner of other backdrops. These are London's best ice rinks for Christmas 2025, including Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace and a brand new one in central London.
CAROL CONCERTS: You can barely move in London in December without stumbling across a carol concert or two. The best-known ones such as St Paul's and Westminster Abbey are notoriously difficult to get into, but why not see what's on at your local church?
FESTIVE DRINKING: 'Tis the season for warming your cockles at cosy pop-up bars — and London is absolutely covered in them. These are our picks for winter drinking pop-ups to sink a drink or two. Miracle at Henrietta is a particular favourite, because it's SO DAMN CHRISTMASSY. We also know a thing or two about the best places in London to drink mulled wine.
FESTIVE FILMS: From posh hotels to independent and pop-up cinemas, plenty of places offer screenings of Christmas films (think Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Holiday, It's A Wonderful Life and plenty more), with varying levels of festive bonhomie thrown in. Take a look at this year's festive film screenings.
PANTO AND CHRISTMAS THEATRE: As if there's not enough drama in an average December, the London theatre scene comes into its own with ample pantomimes (some which are family-friendly, and others which are strictly for adults), as well as festive theatre, dance and comedy shows, and family-friendly Christmas productions. London's also blessed with multiple renditions of A Christmas Carol.
