All weekend
HAMPSTEAD ARTS FESTIVAL: Artistic Directors Gemma Rosefield and Benjamin Nabarro curate three days of world-class music, in the form of Hampstead Arts Festival. Take the kids to family concert Sir Scallywag and the Battle of Stinky Bottom on Saturday morning, catch late night jazz at Rosslyn Hill Chapel — or watch a brunch performance of works by Back at Keats House, among other events. 19-21 December
BLACK EATS CHRISTMAS MARKET: 40+ independent Black-owned brands offer fashion, homeware, beauty, art, and unique gifts at the Black Eats Christmas market at Boxpark Croydon. Entry is free but donations are being accepted for the Caribbean Hurricane Fund. 20-21 December
WINTER ZOO NIGHTS: Battersea Park Zoo stays open for after-dark event Winter Nights, for both adults and children. Hear keeper talks by lantern light, watch carol performances, browse for gifts at pop-up craft stalls and tuck into festive food and drink. 20-21 December
FREE CAROL SERVICES: Make your way to All Souls Langham Place (Oxford Circus) for its annual festive singalongs, a series of free concerts which 14,000 people attended last year. Each hour-long service is packed with nativity readings, solo performances and joyful carol sing-alongs. There's no booking, and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early for your chosen event (though if you don't get in, the full service is shown on a giant projection screen outside the church). 20-21 December
THE ELMER ADVENTURE: Beloved children's book character Elmer the Elephant comes to the stage at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. The Elmer Adventure features three classic David McKee stories – Elmer, Elmer and the Tune, and Elmer and the Hippos, suitable for ages three+. Wearing your most colourful festive clothes is absolutely encouraged. 20 December-4 January
ICE SKATING: 'Tis the season for taking to the ice and making a fool of yourself (just us?). Seasonal ice rinks are in situ all over the capital, from Somerset House to Hampton Court Palace, including one on a rooftop, and a couple of newbies for Christmas 2025. Most of them have cafes or bars alongside so you can warm up with a hot chocolate or mulled wine after your sesh. They're likely to be very popular this weekend, so book your slot in advance.
FESTIVE FILMS: The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Frozen in Concert... just some of your options for Christmas film screenings taking place at various cinemas and venues around London this weekend. Grab the popcorn and get stuck in.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: For us, one of the best things about Christmas in London is the lights. The West End is aglow with festive illuminations right now. Unsure where or how to see them? This self-guided walking route takes you through the best bits — pick and choose, or walk it all in one thoroughly illuminating evening. Alternatively, book yourself on a Christmas lights bus tour to admire them from the warmth of a bus (some have live commentary too). The cheaper alternative to that is hopping on a TfL bus — and we know just the route.
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON: If the above suggestions just aren't yuletidey enough for you, take a look at our huge guide to spending Christmas 2025 in London. It covers everything you need to know about the festive season in London, from things to see and do, to where to eat and drink, which theatre shows to book, and what's open when.
ESCAPE CHRISTMAS: Alternatively, if Christmas just isn't your thing (hey, we get it) have a look at our pick of non-festive things to do in London in December.
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Saturday 20 December
SNOW SCIENCE: The science of snow and ice takes centre stage in a family-friendly show at the Royal Institution. Find out how snow is made, and why we associate it with Christmas, with exciting experiments along the way. Aimed at children aged 12 and under, and their families. 2pm-3.15pm
CAROL SINGALONG: Warm up your pipes and head to Barbican Hall for a Christmas carol singalong, led by musical director Jonathan Cohen and West End star Louise Dearman. The London Concert Choir and the London Concert Orchestra also take part in the lively performance, which includes tunes such as Winter Wonderland, Frosty the Snowman, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Once In Royal David's City. 2pm/5.15pm
CRICK CRACK CLUB: Storytelling collective Crick Crack Club takes over Hoxton Hall for a family-friendly version of its festive show, complete with Christmas carols. Expect winter wonderland-themed fairytales, mince pies and mulled wine (for the adults), sing-along carols and a Christmas tree shrine. Christmas jumpers encouraged! 2pm
DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY CONCERT: Songhaven, an organisation which produces professional concerts for people with dementia and their carers, puts on a show at Conway Hall in Holborn. The relaxed event features a 45-minute programme of well-loved songs from stage and screen, performed by a trio of professional classically trained musicians. 3pm-4.30pm
BIG GAME 17: Though it usually takes place between Christmas and New Year, the Big Game at Twickenham is slightly early this year. The family-friendly sporting spectacle sees the Harlequins Womens team take on the Bristol Bears, followed by the men's match later in the day. Throw in a pre-match set by DJ duo Groove Armada, free fairground rides, a pyrotechnics display and loads of other entertainment, and you've got quite the day out. 3.05pm/6pm
TANGO NUTCRACKER: Festive magic meets the dark, passionate rhythm of Argentine Tango at The Nutcracker- A Twisted Tango Tale. Head to Le Gothique in Wandsworth for a reinterpretation of The Nutcracker featuring UK Tango Champions David Chartoriski and Daniela Delerci, alongside fellow dancers Emma Lucia Reyes and Cuan Durkin. Live music and 3D projections accompany the performance, with a VIP experience including a two-course festive meal available. 6.30pm-11.30pm
SHREK THE HALLS: The swamp's getting festive at the Ogrepalooza Christmas special, a Shrek-themed Christmas night out at Between the Bridges on South Bank. The UK’s number one Shrek tribute band, The Ogretones headlines the event, playing tunes from the film's soundtrack as well as a sleigh-load of Christmas bangers. 7pm-11pm
DIVINE FEMININE: Comedian Prashasti Singh performs her show Divine Feminine at Soho Theatre Dean Street, in which she covers her experiences of growing up in a patriarchal family, questions all her life choices, and meticulously assigns blame to the women and men who shaped her into this being. 7.15pm
CELTIC CHRISTMAS: Experience festive music with a folk twist at Tim Edey's Celtic Christmas at Kings Place. The guitarist and folk musician performs seasonal music around the world, including The Wexford Carol, The Galician Carol, Ding Dong Merrily on High, The Snowman and Fairytale of New York. 8pm
RESISTANCE COMEDY: Jingle Bell Funny is the festive edition of Resistance Comedy. Stephen K Amos headlines the evening of laughs at Enfield's Dugdale Centre, along with Lateef Lovejoy, Jason Patterson, Olivia Lee and Elaine Fellows. 8pm
SCARED TO DANCE: Welsh indie rock band The Tubs are guest DJs at tonight's Scared To Dance alternative club night. Head to the Shacklewell Arms in Dalston for a night of tunes by the likes of David Bowie, Wet Leg, The Smiths, Manic Street Preachers and other post-punk, indiepop, new wave and art rock acts. 11pm
Sunday 21 December
THE MERRY MACABRE: The Last Tuesday Society & Viktor Wynd Museum in Hackney hosts The Merry Macabre, a Christmas market with a dark twist. Browse stalls by a selection of alternative vendors offering everything from unusual art and eccentric crafts to peculiar jewellery. 10am
SWING INTO CHRISTMAS: There are a few tickets remaining for the Down For The Count Orchestra's annual Swing Into Christmas shows at Cadogan Hall. The vintage-style 30-piece big band with strings is one of the largest swing bands currently touring the UK, and covers festive songs including The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting), Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. 1pm/6pm
CHRISTMAS RUCKUS: Festive chaos descends on the Hope & Anchor in Islington, with A Menacing Christmas Ruckus — a seasonal celebration that's "less jingling bells and more rattling amps". Among those stirring up seasonal trouble are Jack the Lad, and London Sewage Company — alongside a mystery band calling themselves The Evil Bastards... 2pm-8pm
SNOW QUEEN: Vanessa and George of London Dreamtime host a family storytelling session themed on the Snow Queen. Head to Peckham's Asylum Chapel to hear the story told by candlelight on the Winter Solstice. 3pm-5pm
MUSIC FOR MIDWINTER: American vocal quartet Windborne are at Kings Place performing songs from their seasonal album, To Warm the Winter Hearth. They blend English carols, solstice songs, wassails, and early American folklore for an atmospheric performance showcasing their harmonies. 5pm
CHRISTMAS COMEDY: Comedian and Fantasy Football host Andrew Mensah is joined by Travis Jay, Kae Kurd and Chantel Nash for Brixton House Comedy, a festive edition of the regular show packed with laughs. 7pm
COMEDY STORE PLAYERS: Neil Mullarkey, Josie Lawrence, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Ruth Bratt make up The Comedy Store Players, a troupe which performs an entirely improvised show every Sunday at the London Comedy Store — taking suggestions for characters, stories and locations from you, the audience. 7.30pm
KANE BROWN: Comedian Kane Brown celebrates Christmas at Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green, joined by an as-yet unannounced selection of special guests live on stage. 8pm-10.30pm
