All weekend
CHRISTMAS TRANSPORT: Before you make any plans for this weekend, check the Christmas transport situation in London. Thankfully there's not as much disruption as there has been in previous years, but you'll find a couple of big station closures worth knowing about.
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON: Our complete guide to Christmas 2025 in London has everything you need to know about this time of year, spanning things to see and do, festive food and drink, the best Christmas shows and LOADS more. Read it, share it, bookmark it for everything you need this weekend.
ICE SKATING: London's festive ice rinks remain open throughout the Christmas period and into January, so why not have a twirl this weekend? Somerset House, Battersea Power Station and Hyde Park are some of the places you can take to the ice this year — here's a full ice skating guide.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: London's Christmas lights stay on up until and after the big day, illuminated every evening until early January. Have a read of our guide to London's Christmas light displays for tips on seeing them — you can do it by TfL bus (not Christmas Day) or book a Christmas lights bus tour, or on foot with our self-guided festive walking route though central London.
CHRISTMAS WITH KIDS: Got children to entertain during this weird in-between week? We've compiled a guide to family-friendly things to do in London during the Christmas holidays to keep the entire clan happy.
TWIXMAS: Our full guide to things to do in London between Christmas and New Year has oodles more ideas for ways to keep out of mischief this week.
WINTER WONDERLAND: Huge festive fair Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is all-systems-go throughout the festive season, closing only on Christmas Day. Fairground rides, markets, food and drink stalls, circus shows and an ice rink are all part of the fun. Just bear in mind that you need to book entry in advance. Until 1 January
SNOOPY SCULPTURES: In need of some fresh air (and a break for your wallet)? The free Snoopy in the City sculpture trail is in situ in the Fleet Street Quarter until the new year. Get out and stretch your legs as you seek out a dozen differently decorated incarnations of the beagle atop his kennel. FREE, until 16 January
BOWIE: THE FINAL ACT: From Boxing Day, the Bertha DocHouse cinema in Bloomsbury screens new release documentary Bowie: The Final Act. It traces his journey from the 1990s, to his headline set at Glastonbury at the turn of the millennium, to crafting Blackstar, his final album which was released just days before his death in 2016. 26-30 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 from Boxing Day, including three shows each on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. 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
THE SNOWMAN: Spend an evening walking in the air, as the Birmingham Repertory Theatre brings the classic kids' book-turned-animated-film The Snowman alive on stage as a ballet for an impressive 28th year. Skilled choreography, an enchanting set with fake snow and that famous soundtrack combine for a show that melts the hearts of kids and adults alike. This weekend, pick from three showtimes on Saturday, and three on Sunday. Until 4 January
FLEETWOOD BAC: Fleetwood Bac bring a Rumours‑era Fleetwood Mac tribute to the Half Moon Putney, performing a theatrical show that includes costume changes and an acoustic section — with material spanning the Peter Green period to Stevie Nicks solo hits. 27-29 December
Saturday 27 December
ELF THE MUSICAL: Didn't manage to squeeze in a festive theatre trip before the big day? Elf the Musical is still on at the Aldwych Theatre, telling the all-singing, all-dancing story of Buddy, a human baby who is raised as an Elf at the North Pole. 2pm/7pm (until 4 January)
THE PLANETS: Catch a rendition of Gustav Holst's The Planets, performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Barbican. The suite captures the character of each planet with iconic power and emotion, and is performed here alongside works by Verdi and Rachmaninov. 2.30pm
MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL: Backyard Cinema offers several festive film screenings at its indoor 'Enchanted Forest' in Bermondsey this weekend, but for our money it's got to be The Muppet Christmas Carol. Wander through three immersive spaces filled with live cabaret, surprise performances, themed bars and cosy hideaways. Then, join a carol-singing procession to the Cosy Forest Cinema, a retro-style theatre where it snows before every screening. 4pm
BLUES JAM: Whether you want to bring along your own instrument and join in, or simply amble along to soak up some live sounds, the Great British Blues Jam is back at Elephant and Castle's Temple of Art and Music. FREE, 4pm-7pm
DIE HARD: Look, we don't want to get into the debate about whether it's a Christmas film or not, so we'll just say this: The W Film Club is screening classic Bruce Willis film Die Hard in the private cinema at the W London on Leicester Square. 5pm
DICKENS AFTER DARK: Join Footprints of London guide Mark Rowland to follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens on his night walks through London, which gave him inspiration for his themes and characters. Begin outside the old St Peter Cheap churchyard (Cheapside) and wander for two hours before ending at the Old Bailey. 5pm
BONGO'S BINGO: Bongo’s Bingo mounts a year‑end show at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, combining traditional bingo games with music, raving and comedy as it riffs on 2025 memes such as Lafufus, 100 Men vs Gorilla, Donald Trump's micro penis and Ibiza Final Boss. 7pm-11.30pm
POP UP PAINTING: Join a sip-and-paint evening at the London Art Bar in Holborn inspired by Gordon Bruce's Lights Of London. All materials are provided and a professional artist gives step-by-step guidance to create your own version of the artwork. Your ticket includes a glass of prosecco and there is an optional cheeseboard. 7.30pm-10pm
Sunday 28 December
WINTER BOAT TRIP: Head to the London Canal Museum in King's Cross and board a "mince pie cruise" winter boat trip. As you travel by canal boat through the Islington Tunnel, enjoy a mince pie and hot drink, along with guided historical commentary about the tunnel and the route. 10.30am-2.45pm
MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION: The Model Railway Club — the world's oldest model railway club — opens the doors of its King's Cross HQ for a mini exhibition. Drop by to see a selection of layouts in operation, and browse and buy pre-owned models to make your own. 11am-4pm
LA DANSE: As part of its Frederick Wiseman series, Bertha DocHouse screens La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet, a 2009 documentary following the production of seven ballets by the Paris Opera Ballet across 12 weeks. 2pm
JOHN WILLIAMS: Immerse yourself in music you'll absolutely recognise from very well-known films, as the London Concert Orchestra celebrates the work of composer John Williams in a special concert at Barbican. Experience the sweeping, emotional soundtracks of films including Jaws, Harry Potter, E.T., Star Wars, Jurassic Park Indiana Jones and many more. 3pm
ICE HOCKEY: Local London ice hockey team Romford Raiders host Basingstoke Bison in a Planet Ice National League fixture at Sapphire Ice & Leisure. 5.15pm
COMEDY TAKEOVER: Headliners include Guz Khan, Tez Ilyas, Jeremy McLellan, Azhar Usman, Aatif Nawaz and Ali Official bring 20-night tour The Comedy Takeover to London, raising funds for Gaza’s orphan appeal. Catch them at the ILEC Conference Centre in West Brompton tonight. 6pm
MOTORHEADACHE: A three-piece tribute to Lemmy Kilmister's musical career, fronted by lifelong Motörhead fan Rob Campbell, Motörheadache perform a gig at the O2 Academy Islington. Doors 7pm
REGGAE CHOIR: The Jazz Cafe House Choir takes to the stage at the Camden venue, reimagining the biggest hits from reggae legends like Bob Marley, Toots & The Maytals, Dawn Penn, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs and Sister Nancy. 7pm-10.30pm
MYSTERY MOVIE: After an epic December of seemingly endless festive film screenings, the Prince Charles Cinema steps away from Christmas (or does it?) for the night with a mystery movie screening. We don't know what the film is, who directed it, who stars in it, or any other info... and neither will you until you arrive on the night. And if you really enjoy it, you'll be pleased to know that the venue is stepping up its Mystery Movie schedule in 2026 — so keep an eye on the programme for similar upcoming events. 8.25pm
