Christmas Events in London 2024 Guide + Photos
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There are plenty of 2024 Christmas events in London this year to enjoy – like the captivating Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
Further family fun and Christmas events in London include the return of several high profile pantomimes with all star casts – plus new for 2024, the O2 Greenwich has launched the UK’s highest snow-globe!
From festive favourites to classic Christmas markets, there are also lots of Christmas events in London to suit all ages and budgets.
Here is our guide to all of London’s Christmas events, Christmas lights and Christmas Markets that will be taking place in 2024.
This article was originally published in November 2020.
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- Best Christmas Lights in London 2024 >
Table of Contents
Christmas events in London 2024
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
17th November 2023 – 1st January 2024
Likely London’s most popular annual Christmas event and easily the biggest Christmas market in London, the festive Winter Wonderland returns to Hyde Park n 2023 / 24 from mid November.
Fun Christmas events and things to do at Winter Wonderland London this year include ice-sculpting workshops, Ice Mountain, a real ice slide and the UK’s largest open-air ice rink.
New shows at Winter Wonderland for 2023 include Justin Fletcher’s Singalong Christmas, Zipp’s Christmas Circus and a stunt show from Cirque Berserk, Tornado. You’ll find us in Bar Ice, literally the coolest bar in London.
The main difference at Winter Wonderland this year compared to previous years is that the event is now ticketed and only a handful of early, off-peak sessions are free (weekday entry before 2pm is free).
Tickets for admission start from £5 for standard admission or £7 peak admission at weekends.
Book your tickets to Winter Wonderland >
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Ice skating – Skate at Somerset House
Skate at Somerset House runs from 13th November 2024 – 12th January 2025
We hope we aren’t on thin ice by saying this, but in previous years, there have been waaaay too many Christmas ice skating venues in London, of varying quality, all charging top dollar. Sadly many of the famous ice skating venues aren’t returning in 2024 like Kensington Palace or Queen’s House in Greenwich.
However, Skate at Somerset House is always one of the best and most picturesque skating rinks. This year in 2024, the courtyard at Somerset House will be transformed into an awesome seasonal setting, including specially curated skating sessions and exclusive prizes to be won.
We’ve been to the ice skating rink at Somerset House most years not only because the courtyard setting is one of the most instagrammable places in London, but also because the outer buildings in and around the main square are transformed into one of the best Christmas markets in London.
The 40 foot Christmas Tree at Somerset House is also stunning, rivalling the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree in terms of its serene setting.
You’ll find yuletide hampers, traditional decorations and all manner of festive gifts available to buy – plus returning for 2024 / 2025, a pop-up store, Shelter Boutique, will host a handpicked selection of second hand vintage, luxury, designer and high-street clothing and presents.
So even if you don’t want to ice-skate in London this Christmas, Skate at Somerset House 2024 /2025 is still very much worth a visit this winter to buy presents or watch family and friends skate on by.
Somerset House London Christmas events and skating run from 13th November 2024 to 12th January 2025.
Book your Skate at Somerset House tickets >
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Covent Garden Christmas village, tree and lights 2024
Covent Garden Christmas village, tree and lights runs from 12th November 2024 to January 2025
Fact – Christmas in London isn’t Christmas without a visit to the Covent Garden Christmas tree, set in the middle of the pretty piazza.
Covent Garden Market decorations also boast huge mirror balls and massive mistletoe hanging from the ceiling, and are one of the best free things to do in London at Christmas.
The Covent Garden 2024 Christmas tree will likely be switched on November 12 2024 (a truly magical site) and lights up nightly.
If you want a sneak preview of what Christmas in Covent Garden looks like, check out the Wham inspired Christmas movie, Last Christmas, starring Emilia Clarke and Emma Thompson (much of it was filmed in and around Covent Garden and Soho at Christmas).
For the best views of the Covent Garden Christmas tree, grab a pint of beer (or glass of mulled wine) from the Punch and Judy pub and take a seat (and blanket) on the outdoor balcony (wrap up warm).
Returning in 2024 will be the small Covent Garden Christmas Village Market (in front of Sushi Samba) with festive themed pop-up food stalls and the magical Wonder Wood, a perfect seasonal selfie spot.
You can also visit the historic Covent Garden Christmas sleigh, that dates back to the 1880s, and pose for photos in the sleigh (although Santa will alas not be around).
Festive Thursdays return to Covent Garden throughout November and December for late night shopping, Christmas discounts, festive happy hours and live performances.
Find out about all the London Christmas events in Covent Garden here >
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Up at The O2 – the UK’s Highest Snow-Globe
22nd November 2024 – 5th January 2025
A brand new London Christmas event for 2024 with real ‘altitude’, and skating rink for 2024 / 2025, head to Greenwich Peninsula and the O2 Greenwich this winter for one memorable experience – especially if you aren’t a fan of heights!
An ‘immersive’ winter wonderland has been installed on the roof of the former Millennium Dome, with a snow-globe upon high.
With an extra 25 minutes added to the usual Up on the O2 climbing sessions, the globe at the summit promises a snowy experience, Christmas cookies and some real Christmas spirits (well, a glass of bubbles or soft drinks).
The Up at the O2 Christmas snow globe experience costs from £44 per person and is suitable for all all fitness levels and ages 8 and above.
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Oxford Street Christmas lights 2024
Oxford Street Christmas lights are on from 5th November 2024 until early January 2025
The grand-daddy of Christmas lights in London 2024 and possibly the best known anywhere in the world, Christmas continues on Oxford Street and the festive light displays are already up and in full force this year.
Running the full length of this top London shopping district, the 2024 Oxford Street Christmas lights are a return to form with a very classical Christmas display – white fairy lights and red stairs adorn London’s premier shopping street.
Last year, Oxford Street’s lights were switched on in unison with 20 other neighbouring streets making it the biggest Christmas light switch on in the world – nice!
BOOK IT: Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour >
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Regent Street Christmas lights 2024
Regent Street Christmas lights 2023 light up from 7th November 2024 until January 2025
Hark the herald angel sing! Regent Street’s Christmas lights in London this year again feature a gamut of glorious angels from upon high.
To get the best views of the 2024 Regent Street Christmas Lights, take your photos from the central reservation by the pedestrian crossings (try not to get hit by a taxi) – or jump on one of the numerous red London buses that run along Regent Street and try to bag a front row spot on the top deck.
Best combined with a spot of Christmas shopping in London, Regent Street at Christmas is a great way to combine retail therapy with a late night Christmas lights trip.
Regent Street features in our Best London Shopping Malls and Shopping Streets guide >
You might like these London Christmas events and tours for 2024
- London Christmas Lights Tour by open top bus with Get Your Guide or Viator
- Christmas Lights Walking Tour in London
- Christmas Lights Bike Tour of London
- Christmas Party Tour – Silent Disco Walking Tours
- Magical Walking Tour of the Christmas Lights in London
Carnaby Street’s Christmas Lights 2024 – ‘Into the Light’
Carnaby Street’s Christmas Lights 2024 from 7th November
This year’s Christmas installation on Carnaby Street is called ‘Into The Light’ and shoppers will be immersed in a colourful display of neon colourscapes and lightwaves created by 60,000 LEDs, along with huge Christmas arches at each end of the street.
On 7th November 2024 at Carnaby Street, over 100 shops, local business and bars will unite to offer a night of Christmas celebrations to launch the festival period, all counting down to the big Christmas light switch on – ‘Into The Light’.
Carnaby Street Christmas Lights in 2024 will have hourly light shows and the new light boxes are to be used for the next five years, to encourage a more ‘sustainable’ Christmas on Carnaby Street.
There is a special Christmas shopping and dining event at Carnaby Street on 7th November between 4pm and 8pm and we think it is worth making a night of it by seeing the lights and then having some dinner / Christmas shopping.
Check out our things to do in Soho guide >
Try these London Christmas Tours for 2024 with GetYourGuide >
Hogwarts in the Snow – Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour
Hogarts in the Snow runs from 16th November 2024 – 19th January 2025
Harry Potter is magical at the best of times but even more so at Christmas with Hogwarts in the Snow this winter in 2024 at Warner Brothers Studio Tour.
The wizarding world becomes a wintery snow scene (think the ultimate snow globe) with a self-guided tour that ‘yule’ love.
The Great Hall becomes the ultimate winter wonderland with Christmas trees covered in snow, ‘flaming’ Christmas puddings (we aren’t swearing – we mean they are on fire) and roaring log fires and a delightful Diagon Alley makeover.
Plus the gift shop will have an incredible array of Harry Potter gifts perfect for anyone’s Christmas stocking. Tickets are also already on sale for the 2025 / 2026 Hogwarts in the Snow event too which runs from 15th November 2025 to 18th January 2026.
If you are a big Harry Potter and visiting London this Christmas, also make sure you visit the free Harry Potter platform 9 ¾ attraction at King’s Cross plus the Harry Potter gift shop – as featured in our things to in King’s Cross guide.
Book your Hogwarts in the Snow tickets online >
Love Harry Potter? Take a tour Harry Potter Tour of Warner Bros. Studio with Luxury Transport from London >
Liberty’s Christmas shop 2024
Central London’s best known luxury shopping destination has a beautiful, old black and white Tudor style exterior, which was founded in 1875. Liberty’s also has (in our humble opinion) the best Christmas shop in the whole of London.
The Libertys 2024 Christmas shop is already open (it opened at the end of the summer – very keen!). The range of Christmas tree decorations is legendary (some nice, some tacky) but if you want a Black London Cab or Buckingham Palace bauble hanging on your Christmas tree in 2023, you know where to go.
Libertys was founded in the 1870s but moved to its current timbered building in the 1920s (incredibly, the store timbers were taken from two old ships, HMS Hindustan and HMS Impregnable). It is now a listed building and one heck of a cute Christmas shop in London.
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Leicester Square Christmas Market 2024
Leicester Square Christmas Market 2024 runs from 6th November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Leicester Square as a London destination is often quite divisive (awful tourist trap vs the bustling heart of London’s theatreland) but we can all hopefully agree that the Leicester Square Christmas Market is a welcome addition (apart from the price of their mulled wine).
The Leicester Square Christmas Market in 2024 is open from 6th November 2024 – expect live shows such as La Clique, gift stalls, German bratwurst, cider lodges and all manner of festivities.
You can also check out the Leicester Square Scenes from the Square film statues all year round including a Harry Potter statue and a cute Paddington Bear – an Indiana Jones statue and ‘Get Out’ statue were also recently unveiled.
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Trafalgar Square Christmas tree and Christmas market 2024
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree will be switched on 5th December 2024
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is always switched on during the first Thursday of December by Norwegian dignitaries and the Mayor of Westminster.
Every year since 1947, the good people of Norway have donated a tree-mendous festive fir tree to the people of London, as a thank you for our assistance in WWII.
Lighting up on 5th December 2024 the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is free to visit and is adorned with hundreds of lit bulbs (plus the occasional pigeon). It is also a prime spot to see London’s Christmas lights sparkle in the nearby side streets.
No word yet on whether there will be a Trafalgar Square Christmas Market in 2024 but if so, it usually also runs from 5th December until early January.
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South Bank Christmas Market
South Bank Christmas Market runs from 4th November 2023 – 26th December 2024
The walk along the River Thames and South Bank is always one of London’s best free things to do with stunning views of the city and a variety of bars and restaurants to choose from.
At Christmas, the area is bedecked with Christmas lights and Christmas wooden huts selling festive gifts and street food kiosks plus more hot alcoholic beverage stalls than is probably good for you – but hey, it is Christmas so wine not?
A Christmas caveat – the Southbank Winter Market can be a little hit and miss, some years only comprising a small number of stalls nestled below Hungerford bridge, selling quite similar fare, dimly lit by some meagre fairy lights – hopefully it is better in 2024!
Check out our South Bank walk guide >
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Kingston Christmas Market
Kingston Christmas Market runs from 14th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
Kingston Christmas Market 2024 begins in mid November and runs until the first week of January. The annual Kingston Christmas market is always a festive delight, with alpine themed festive stalls festooned around the cobbled square, with a huge Christmas tree as a focal point.
Getting into the European Christmas spirit, a Bavarian curling slide is also available for some festive fun, costing £10 per lane (for a 45 minute session) and located in the grounds of Kingston’s All Saints Church.
Also, if you have a sense of deja vu when visiting the Kingston Christmas Market but you aren’t sure why, it may be because the festive favourite Mr Bean’s Christmas was filmed in the square here (the carol singing scene).
For information on the 2024 Kingston Christmas Markets near London, visit their website >
Christmas at Kenwood / Kenwood House Christmas lights
November 2024 update – it looks like Christmas at Kenwood is not returning in 2024 but you can visit Father Christmas and a Christmas Market on selected December 2024 weekends
Christmas at Kenwood, one of London’s premier visitor attractions, perched high on the hill in north London runs for one month exactly from 1 December 2023 – the Christmas at Kenwood Light Trail is brand new for 2023 too!
The grounds of Kenwood House light up in an immersive, illuminated winter wonderland, with light and sound installations all around the historic house and gardens.
2023 sees 13 new installations on the edge of Hampstead Heath accompanied by a Christmas market and festive street food stalls.
Standard Christmas at Kenwood House tickets for 2023 start from £25.50 per adult and £19.25 per child for a standard off-peak ticket; peak prices for the Kenwood House Christmas trail start from £30 per adult in 2023.
Book your Christmas at Kenwood House ticket >
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Christmas / Winter By The River, London Bridge
Winter By The River runs from 12th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
Returning to London Bridge for 2024, Winter By The River (formerly ‘Christmas By the River’) was one of our favourite Christmas markets last year, with a series of seasonal stalls and alfresco alpine style food and drink outlets running along the Thames river (near to Tower Bridge and city hall / The Scoop).
Winter by the River 2024 will likely see numerous craft, gift and food / drink stalls pop-up around the Scoop, Potter’s Field as well as Hays Galleria. Christmas By the River runs 7 days a week (except Christmas Day) from 12th November 2024 to 5th January 2025, between 11am and 10pm daily (except Christmas Day).
New for 2024, there will be a pop-up curling experience called ‘Swift Stone’ – it is located in a glass dome so you can curl whatever the weather!
With stunning ice-cool views of the London skyline including the Shard and the historic Tower of London, this is one London Christmas Market you won’t want to miss.
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Christmas at Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace Ice Skating Rink runs from 22nd November 2024 to 5th January 2025
By Royal Appointment, the Hampton Court Palace Ice Skating rink opens daily from 22nd November 2024 to 5th January 2025 (except Christmas Day) at Henry VIII’s former home.
Set up right in front of the palace, this is an ice skating rink fit for a King with over 500 years of history all around, with incredible Tudor splendour the perfect setting for your skating.
Skating sessions at Hampton Court Palace Skating Rink in 2024 / 2025 starts from £18 per adult and £13 per child under 12 at off peak times including booking fees – entry to Hampton Court Palace itself is extra.
Ice skating sessions last up to 45 minutes long and include skate hire. Ice skating runs from 10am until 8pm daily.
Afterwards, you can grab the usual hot winter fare like mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine from the Hampton Court Palace cafe and bar – Henry VIII would have (probably) approved of all this sumptuous seasonal fare.
Book your ticket for Hampton Court Christmas ice skating 2024 / 2025 >
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It’s A Wonderful Ally Pally Christmas
It’s A Wonderful Ally Pally Christmas 2024 runs from 27th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
Swapping the North pole for North London this festive season, Alexandra Palace (or Ally Pally as it is affectionately known) hosts a whole season of Christmas crackers for all the family this year.
Santa will be setting up home in his grotto at Alexandra Palace this year. ‘Festive Skate’ ice-skating ticket packages are also available at Alexandra Palace from 11th December 2024 until 5th January 2025 – you can also see the Wizard of Oz on ice on 6th to 9th December 2024.
There are also three Ice discos held every night at Alexandra Palace from 11th December 2024 excluding Christmas Day.
Click here for more details about It’s A Wonderful Ally Pally Christmas >
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Harrods Christmas window display
Harrods Christmas shop is open from summer 2024 – festive window displays from November
Stay classy, Kensington. No Christmas shopping trip to London is complete without a visit to Harrods department store, possibly the capital’s best known luxury shopping destination.
Each year, the opulent exterior of the Harrods building is bedecked with Christmas lights and the window displays are something to behold. They also have a dedicated Christmas department on the first floor which is always a joy to explore.
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Christmas at Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew Gardens runs from 13th November 2024 to 5th January 2025
Cool as a Kew-cumber left out overnight, Kew Gardens Christmas lights return in 2024 (along with a Christmas market and pop-up street food stalls).
Running daily from 4.20pm until 10pm until from the 13th November 2024 to 5th January 2025, old favourite light displays will be joined by new installations (who doesn’t love a Christmas light tunnel?) plus the Temperate House will be festooned with winter colours.
2024 London Christmas at Kew Gardens prices start from:
Non-member; Adult; Off Peak £25.50/ Peak £30+ (please note most ‘peak’ tickets for Kew at Christmas 2024 have already sold out). Kew Members get a discount to Kew at Christmas
Book your 2024 Christmas at Kew Gardens ticket >
Jimmy’s Lodge – ‘Fire & Fromage’, South Bank
Jimmy’s Lodge is now open all year round on Southbank; Christmas theming from late October 2024
Jimmy’s jovial snow globes, festive hot cocktails and street food pop-ups return for 2024 with a ‘Fire and Fromage’ theme , once again setting up shop along the banks of the River Thames on the South Bank.
The snow globes are available for private hire for groups of 6 to 10 and booking in advance is highly recommended.
2024 highlights at Jimmy’s pop-up snow globes include cosy fire pits which you can book for £35pp and includes unlimited raclette and toast-your-own s’mores served with hot chocolate!
Make a day of it and follow our ‘Walk along the South Bank‘ guide before joining Jimmy and his band of festive helpers.
Christmas Lights by Night Open-Top Bus Tour
8th November 2024 – 3rd January 2025
Catch the sparkling sight of Christmas in London with an open-top bus tour (although do wrap up warm).
See some of its most famous neighbourhoods and landmarks including Regent Street, Oxford Circus and Trafalgar Square, all lit up for the London Christmas holidays.
An open top bus tour in London gives you the best seat in the house and is a fine festive way to see all the London Christmas lights up close.
Christmas Lights by Night Open-Top Bus Tour start from November 8th and often sells out especially at weekend – book your tickets in advance here >
London Christmas Carol and Candlelight Concerts
There are several Christmas Carol concerts in London that you can book in advance for Christmas 2023 including:
Viennese Christmas Spectacular at St James’s Church; December 2024 >
Christmas at the Movies 2024 at Cadogan Hall >
Christmas by Candlelight at the Freemasons’ Hall – various dates in December 2024 >
To book these and other Christmas concerts, visit Fever London >
Robin Hood – Christmas Pantomime at the London Palladium
Saturday 7th December 2024 – Sunday 12th January 2025
Robin Hood at the Palladium will be taking place at this historic London theatre this Christmas, from Saturday 9th December 2024 to Sunday 14th January 2025.
The London Palladium’s star-studded cast for 2024 / 2025 includes Julian Clary, Jane McDonald, Paul Zerdin and Nigel Havers – you can expect festive fun and games for all the family.
Book Peter Pan at the Palladium >
London Christmas Party Dinner Cruise
30th November 2024 to 20th December 2024
Get into the Christmas spirit (or should that be spirits?) and celebrate Christmas in London on a boozy cruise along the River Thames.
Pull a cracker, enjoy London’s Christmas cityscape and dine one a 3 course Christmas dinner. At the end of the night, hit the dancefloor and enjoy a cheesy DJ set before heading back to land.
Book your Christmas Party Dinner Cruise >
Christmas Pantomime at the Richmond Theatre, South West London
Saturday 7th December 2024 – Sunday 5th January 2025
Overlooking Richmond Green and entertaining Londoners with a Christmas pantomime for many a year, Richmond Theatre opened in 1899 and is one of the best preserved Victorian theatres in the whole of London (Grade II listed).
The Richmond Theatre pantomime for Christmas 2024 / 25 will be Beauty and the Beast starring Maureen Lipman and magician Pete Firman.
Dick Whittington in Richmond runs from Saturday 7th December 2024 to Sunday 5th January 2025.
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Hamleys window display on Regent Street / Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys
Hamleys 2024 Christmas events run from 25th November 2024 – 24th December 2024.
Hamleys Christmas window display on Regent’s Street previously was based around several themes including one dedicated to Harry Potter, the wonderful wizard himself, plus another given over to Jurassic Park movie merchandise and games.
A topLondon Christmas event for 2024, you will also be able to meet Santa Christmas in Hamley’s Christmas Grotto from 25th November to Christmas Eve 24th December 2024 – expect a gorgeous grotto to be built.
Churchill Arms pub decorations, Kensington High Street
One of our favourite London pubs, the Churchill Arms, a Fuller’s pub near Notting Hill Gate and Kensington High Street goes the extra mile at Christmas and bedecks the outside of the pub with tens of Christmas trees (and they also serve beer inside – bonus!).
If you are planning to grab a Thai meal here (delicious), make sure you book in advance and try not to be one of those Instagrammers who almost gets knocked over by a bus as you stand in the centre of the road taking pictures of the pub…
Check out our guide to Churchill Arms pub >
Other Christmas in London 2024 posts you might like
- The best Christmas ice skating rinks in London 2024
- The best Christmas markets in London 2024 guide
- The best Christmas lights in London 2024
- Best Christmas shopping in London 2024
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Amazing info thank you’
My family and I are travelling from Australia to London for Christmas.
I want to book somewhere amazing for Christmas Day lunch.
Would you have any suggestions ?
Many thanks
Kasey
Hi Kasey, how exciting! Where abouts in London are you staying? Public transport won’t be running on xmas day so you will prob want to have lunch somewhere near your hotel.