The London Christmas season officially begins in mid-November and runs through the start of the New Year, offering everything from spectacular light shows to intimate dining experiences.
1. Major Festive Attractions & Light Trails
| Activity | Location & Details | Dates & Booking |
| Winter Wonderland | Hyde Park, Central London. A massive festive fair with over 150 rides, attractions, and food stalls, including the Ice Rink, Magical Ice Kingdom, Giant Observation Wheel, and Zippos Christmas Circus. | Nov 14, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026 (Closed Christmas Day). Entry is free during off-peak hours but requires a booked ticket. Peak entry costs up to £7.50. Separate tickets are required for attractions. |
| Christmas at Kew | Kew Gardens, Richmond. This popular event features a mile-long illuminated trail winding through the botanical gardens. Highlights include the Christmas Cathedral tunnel of lights and a dramatic light show on the Palm House. | Selected dates from Nov 14, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026 (Closed Christmas Day). Adult tickets start from £27.50. Advance booking is essential. |
| Hogwarts in the Snow | Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Leavesden. The iconic film sets, including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the vast Hogwarts Castle model, are transformed with festive decorations, fireplaces, and a blanket of filmmaking snow. | Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026. Tickets must be purchased in advance for the Studio Tour. Special events like “Dinner in the Great Hall” require separate booking. |
| Christmas Lights Open Bus Tour | Central London. Several operators offer open-top bus tours to see London’s famous festive displays. The route typically covers Regent Street, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square. | Late November 2025 – Early January 2026. Tours run daily; book tickets for your preferred time slot in advance. |
2. Iconic London Traditions
| Activity | Location & Details | Dates & Booking |
| Carol Singing in Trafalgar Square | Trafalgar Square, Westminster. Gather around the famous Christmas Tree, a gift from the people of Norway since 1947, to enjoy over 40 different choir groups performing Christmas carols. | Expected Dec 8 – Dec 23, 2025. Free to attend. Carol singing sessions typically run from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (weekdays) and 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (weekends). The Tree Lighting Ceremony is expected on Thursday, Dec 4, 2025. |
| Carol Concerts at St Paul’s | St Paul’s Cathedral, City of London. The majestic cathedral hosts various festive services and ticketed concerts. Key events include the charitable “A Celebration of Christmas” concert and the traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. | Throughout December 2025. Services are often free to attend, but due to popularity, you should arrive very early. Ticketed concerts sell out extremely fast. Check the Cathedral’s official website in the autumn for the definitive schedule and booking links. |
3. Luxury Dining & Unique Experiences
| Activity | Location & Details | Dates & Booking |
| Festive Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s | Claridge’s (The Foyer & Reading Room), Mayfair. A quintessential luxury experience featuring a selection of festive finger sandwiches, pastries, and warm scones, served with a glass of champagne (optional) and Claridge’s Christmas Pudding. A choir performs on weekends until Christmas Eve. | Nov 4, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026. Price: From approximately £95 per person. Booking: Reservations are essential and are typically released 90 days in advance (often booked out within minutes). |
| Winter Igloo at the Coppa Club | Coppa Club, Tower Bridge (other locations available). These heated, private glass igloos on the terrace offer one of London’s most sought-after festive dining spots with unmatched views of Tower Bridge and The Shard. The igloos are decorated with an Alpine theme for winter. | Available throughout the winter season. Booking: Essential and must be done far in advance. The Tower Bridge location usually has a minimum spend (e.g., £35–£45 per person) for a 2-hour slot. |
| Sky Garden Festive Nights | Sky Garden, Fenchurch Street (City of London). Enjoy live music from DJs and bands (Wednesdays–Saturdays) and an exciting atmosphere with panoramic 360° views of the city at night. The event often features a partnership with Moët & Chandon. | Various dates from late Nov/early Dec 2025. Tickets: Standing access tickets start from around £14 and often include a welcome drink (e.g., mulled wine or cider). Age 18+ only. |