Things to do in London at Christmas 2026: 20 festive ideas with dates

London does Christmas properly, and it starts earlier every year. These are 20 of the best festive things to do, in order of when they start, with the 2026 dates we could confirm.

Christmas markets

• Leicester Square: the first to open, on 31 October.
• Southbank Centre Winter Market: 2 November to 4 January by Hungerford Bridge, free.
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: 19 November to 3 January. Off-peak entry is free if you book. How to get in free.

Every market with dates is in our Christmas markets guide.

Christmas lights

• Carnaby switches on first, on 4 November.
• Regent Street follows on 5 November, with a free evening event.
• Covent Garden lights up on 12 November.

All the dates: London Christmas lights 2026.

Ice skating

• Skate at Somerset House: 11 November to 10 January, in the 18th century courtyard.
• Hampton Court Palace: 20 November to 3 January, closed on Christmas Day.

Every rink, in opening order: ice skating in London.

Light trails and palaces

• Christmas at Kew: 13 November to 3 January on selected dates, 4.20pm to 10pm. Adult tickets from £25.50. There are adults-only evenings on 3 and 9 December. Our Kew guide.
• Winter Palace at Hampton Court: a new immersive Christmas show from 28 November to 3 January, included in the palace ticket.
• Hampton Court Festive Fayre: 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December.

Ballet and panto

• The Nutcracker: the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House from 3 December, English National Ballet at the London Coliseum from 17 December. Dates.
• Panto: Cinderella at the Palladium with French and Saunders from 5 December, or the Lyric Hammersmith from £10. Every big panto.

Festive food

Christmas afternoon tea at the Ritz starts on 14 November and One Aldwych’s festive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea on 11 November. See Christmas afternoon tea in London.

New Year’s Eve

The fireworks on the Thames are ticket-only. Tickets go on sale at 12 noon on Friday 23 October, from £20 for Londoners. How to get them.

Good to know

In past years there has been no Tube, bus or Elizabeth line service on Christmas Day. TfL hasn’t published its 2026 plans yet, so check before you travel.

Want every date in one place? Here’s our Christmas in London 2026 calendar.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in London at Christmas?

The big ones are the Christmas markets, ice skating at Somerset House, Christmas at Kew, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, the Regent Street lights, the Nutcracker and a festive afternoon tea. Most of the Christmas events in London start in November.

When does Christmas in London start in 2026?

The first Christmas market opens in Leicester Square on 31 October and the first lights switch on in Carnaby on 4 November. Winter Wonderland opens on 19 November.

Are there free Christmas activities in London?

Yes. Walking the Christmas lights is free, and most Christmas markets are free to enter, including the Southbank Winter Market. Off-peak entry to Winter Wonderland is free if you book.

Sources

• Winter Wonderland: tickets guide
• South Bank: Winter Market
• Kew: Christmas at Kew
• Gardens Illustrated: Christmas at Kew 2026
• Historic Royal Palaces: Christmas at Hampton Court
• Time Out: Skate at Somerset House
• Londonist: Christmas 2026 calendar
• Visit London: Christmas markets
• London.gov.uk: New Year’s Eve 2026

Last checked: 20 October 2026. Dates and prices can change, so check with each venue before you go. Photo: m.shattock / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.