What to do in London in December

There’s no shortage of things to do in London in December! Whether you live in London or are visiting for the holidays, there are countless ways to celebrate the festive season.

You’ll find things to do in London in December organized below by:

Christmas guide and sales on activities

Want to have the best Christmas in London? If you don’t want to risk missing out on the activities and things to do in London for Christmas that are most likely to be sold out, get this guide!

Christmas in London

Don’t ruin your trip to London with a bad itinerary! Your dream Christmas in London starts here.

From twinkling lights to perfect routes, self-guided walks and everything in between, our all-new Christmas in London the guide is full of festive magic! (and Mr. Sunny’s Holiday Sausage Roll Recipe)

Don’t miss your Christmas like a movie!

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Next update December 1, 2025

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Things to do in London in December: Candlelight concerts

I have attended several of these concerts and highly recommend them for date nights, special occasions like birthdays or just a fun night out! You can read more about my first experience at the Tribute to Coldplay. I also attended the Taylor Swift tribute, Hans Zimmer candlelight concerts, Christmas movie soundtracks, and EDM.

We have reserved our Holiday Candlelight Concert tickets for this year and I will share this experience with you as well.

Holiday concerts 2025

• Dickensian Christmas, December 6 to 12
• Christmas Classics, December 13
• Christmas movie soundtracks, December 13-20
• Baroque Christmas with The Four Seasons, December 19
• Viennese Christmas show, December 30

New Year

• Viennese Christmas show, December 30
• Moonlight Sonata on New Year’s Eve by candlelight, December 31
• Candlelight New Year Extravaganza, January 1, 2026

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

December in London transforms the city into a magical winter wonderland. You will find Christmas markets in the most popular neighborhoods and ice rinks in iconic locations. For theater lovers, the season also offers a variety of holiday shows.

Christmas markets

• Christmas by the river at London Bridge
• District market at Christmas
• Trafalgar Square
• Southbank Center
• King’s Cross Christmas Markets

• Greenwich Christmas Market
• Leicester Square
• Spitafields Christmas Market
• Winter
• Victorian Christmas Village Wonderland Christmas Market

Christmas shows

• English Ballet The Nutcracker
• Elf: the musical
• The snowman
• A Christmas Carol
• National Theater: Ballet shoes

Festive Afternoon Tea: Things to do in London in December

December is the perfect time to enjoy a festive afternoon tea. This is one of my favorite British traditions. Combining it with a Christmas-themed bus tour is a fun way to enjoy the city. I personally took two of these bus tours at Christmas. They’re ideal for those on a tight schedule who want to see the highlights and enjoy seasonal treats at the same time.

Bus tours

• Grinchmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
• Guided Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
• Paddington Christmas Lights Bus Tour
• Peppa Pig Christmas Bus Tour

Luxury hotels

• Pan-Pacific London
• Royal Horseguards Hotel
• Festive Afternoon Tea at InterContinental Park Lane
• Festive afternoon tea at the Langham

Food & Drink, Pubs & Bars

At this time of year, festive menus appear in London’s restaurants, pubs and bars, offering seasonal dishes like turkey with all the trimmings, mulled wine and indulgent desserts.

Whether it’s a historic pub with a fire or a chic bar serving creative Christmas cocktails, there’s no shortage of delicious options to try. I always look forward to discovering the festive flavors that London has to offer.

Pubs to visit

• Churchill weapons
• The holly bush
• The ship at Holborn
• The Spanish Inn, Hampstead
• The bottle, Highgate
• The Grenadier
• The May flower
• The Orange, Belgravia

Food

• Silver Rooster
• Galvin Bistrot & Bar
• The Ivy Grill & Bar
• Ads for young people
• The surprise at Chelsea
• Sandwich before Christmas
• Byron Burger (try the urgent Cheesemas!)

Miracle bar

Known for its extravagant Christmas decor and festive cocktails, Miracle Bar is a must-visit during the Christmas period. While reservations fill up months in advance, weekday walk-ins or joining the waitlist during the day can often guarantee a spot. Sunny News email subscribers are notified as soon as reservations open.

Cookie makers

Famous for its finely hand-iced cookies, Biscuiteers offers a whimsical treat for every occasion. You can even book a class to learn their icing techniques and create your own edible masterpieces at their Notting Hill location. This is great for a gift or a fun activity to do in London at Christmas.