Events

Christmas and New Year in London 2026: Things to Do, Dates and Tickets

7 min readBy View My City Editorial5 November 2026

Things to do in London this Christmas and New Year, with 2026 dates and prices for Winter Wonderland, Christmas at Kew, the ice rinks, the Christmas markets, the festive lights and the New Year's Day Parade.

London's festive season runs from early November to the first weekend of January. The big events, like Winter Wonderland, Christmas at Kew and the ice rinks, need timed tickets booked in advance, and the best evening and weekend slots sell out first. Plenty is free too: the West End lights, the markets and the New Year's Day Parade cost nothing to see. Here's what's on, when it runs and what it costs. Details are correct at the time of writing, so check the organiser's website before you go.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

London's biggest Christmas event, with fairground rides, an ice rink, a Christmas market, circus and ice shows, and plenty of food and bars.

When: Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, daily except Christmas Day.
Tickets: Everyone aged 2 and over needs a timed entry ticket. Entry costs from about £1 off-peak to £8.25 at peak times, and it's free if you spend £25 or more on rides or food in the same online booking. Rides, the rink and shows are charged on top.
Getting there: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch on the Piccadilly and Central lines.
Worth knowing: Weekday afternoons are the quietest and cheapest time to go. Weekend evenings in December are very crowded.

Christmas at Kew

A 3km after-dark light trail through Kew Gardens, ending at the Palm House. It's one of the most popular Christmas events in London and many dates sell out.

When: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with timed entry between about 4.20pm and 10pm. Closed on Christmas Day and a few other dates, so check the calendar when you book.
Tickets: Adults £29.50 off-peak or £37 peak. Children aged 4 to 15 £20 or £24. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £89 or £108. Under-4s go free.
Cheaper dates: Off-peak dates are mostly in late November and the first days of December.
Getting there: Kew Gardens on the District line and Overground, then a 5-minute walk to the Victoria Gate.

Ice skating

Open-air rinks in historic settings are a London Christmas tradition. All of them sell timed sessions, and evenings and weekends go fast.

Somerset House: 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, in the courtyard of the 18th-century palace on the Strand. Nearest station: Temple.
Hampton Court Palace: 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day, in front of the Tudor palace. Nearest station: Hampton Court.
Skate Leicester Square: 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, a smaller rink in the middle of the West End. Nearest station: Leicester Square.
Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park has the largest outdoor rink in the UK, charged separately from entry.
Natural History Museum: The museum's rink has closed for good. The space is now a wildlife garden, so don't plan a trip around it.

Christmas markets

London's markets are smaller than the big German ones, but they're free to walk around and good for mulled wine, street food and gifts.

Southbank Centre Winter Market: 2 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, along the river by the London Eye. Nearest stations: Waterloo and Embankment.
Leicester Square: Runs alongside the rink from 31 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, with stalls and a festive bar.
Covent Garden: The lights switch on on 12 November 2026, with the giant tree, the reindeer and festive stalls in the market building until early January.
Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park's market is the biggest in central London, but you'll need an entry ticket.

The Christmas lights

Walking the West End lights is free and one of the best things to do in December. Start at Oxford Circus, head down Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus, then cut through to Carnaby Street and Covent Garden.

Regent Street: Lights switched on 5 November 2026.
Oxford Street: Switch-on on Monday 9 November 2026, with the lights turned on at about 4.30pm.
Trafalgar Square tree: The Norwegian spruce, a gift from Oslo every year since 1947, is lit on Thursday 3 December 2026, with carol singing around it most evenings until Christmas.
Battersea Power Station: A 40ft tree and light-up decorations along Electric Boulevard from 5 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Best time: Go on a weekday evening. Weekend afternoons in December are extremely crowded around Oxford Circus.

Carols and festive services

London's cathedrals and churches hold carol services through December. Many are free but very popular, so arrive early or check whether you need a ticket.

St Paul's Cathedral: Hosts several carol services and Christmas Day services, some of which need free tickets booked in advance.
Westminster Abbey: Holds Advent and Christmas services that are open to the public, with queues for the most popular ones.
Trafalgar Square: Charity choirs sing around the tree most evenings in December. Free and no booking needed.

Christmas Day in London

London is unusually quiet on 25 December, which makes it a good day for a long walk through empty streets. Plan ahead, because most things are shut.

No public transport: There are no Tube, bus, Overground or train services on Christmas Day. Walk, cycle or book a taxi in advance.
Peter Pan Cup: Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club race 100 yards in the Serpentine at 9am. Only club members can swim, but anyone can watch from the bank for free.
Eating out: Many restaurants and pubs serve set Christmas lunches, but they book up weeks ahead and usually cost well above their normal prices.
What's shut: Winter Wonderland, Kew, the ice rinks, most museums and nearly all shops are closed.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day on 26 December is when the sales start and London gets busy again.

Transport: A reduced service runs, roughly like a Sunday, and some lines may be closed for engineering works. Check TfL before you travel.
Sales: Oxford Street, Regent Street and Westfield are the busiest. Arrive at opening time if you're after the big reductions.
Football: Boxing Day is a traditional day for Premier League fixtures, so expect busy trains near the London grounds.

New Year's Eve

The midnight fireworks over the London Eye are ticket-only in the riverside areas. Tickets cost £40 to £55, or £20 to £35 for London residents. If you'd rather watch for free, Parliament Hill and Alexandra Palace give wide views over the skyline. See our full guide to where to watch London's New Year's Eve fireworks for gate times, free viewpoints and the parks that are closed on the night.

New Year's Day Parade

The London New Year's Day Parade is one of the best free things to do on 1 January, with marching bands, dancers and performers from London and around the world.

When: Friday 1 January 2027, from about 1pm to 4.30pm.
Route: Starts near The Ritz on Piccadilly and runs through Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, finishing at Parliament Square.
Tickets: Watching from the pavement is free. Grandstand seats are sold separately if you want a guaranteed view.
Worth knowing: Trafalgar Square and Whitehall get the most crowded. Lower Regent Street and Pall Mall are often easier for families.

Tips for the festive season

Book early: Winter Wonderland, Kew, the ice rinks and Christmas lunches all sell out, especially from mid-December.
Go early in the season: Late November and the first week of December are quieter and often cheaper than the run-up to Christmas.
Dress warm: Most festive events are outdoors in the dark. Bring layers, gloves and comfortable shoes.
Check transport: Engineering works are common over Christmas and New Year. Check TfL before every trip between 24 December and 2 January.