
London’s best Christmas lights
See our city decked out in all its best bling this winter
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in London. Read on for maximum festive feels
The information on this page was correct at the time of publication, but please check with venues before you head out
Christmas in London really is magical. Yes it’s dark, cold and none of us can afford to put the heating on, BUT the antidote to all the midwinter gloom is that the city is transformed into a wintry wonderland, glittering with Christmas lights and creatively decorated trees. It’s also chock-full of winter pop-ups, there’s Christmas markets around every corner and Christmas songs are wafting through the air where ever you go.
When December comes around, everyone suddenly seems to be that little bit friendlier, and you can fill your free time sipping hot booze, watching festive shows and pantos, revisiting your favourite Christmas films, gliding around picturesque ice rinks and having a proper knees-up at all the Christmas parties.
Get the lowdown on all the fun festive events for Christmas 2022 in London in our comprehensive round-up. And be sure to check back regularly as we continue to update the list with newly announced markets, pop-ups, parties and other festive things to do happening in London.
RECOMMENDED: It’s never too early to start planning a spectacular New Year in London.
See our city decked out in all its best bling this winter
Glide (or fall over) in style at these awesome ice rinks
We’ve got your plans wrapped up with a bow on top
Snuggle up under a blanket, it’s time for some spicy wine!
For when London turns into a twinkling romcom set
London is abuzz with unusual Christmas experiences this winter
Make the most of every minute of this year’s festive season.
Do you baulk at the idea of imposed downtime? You can still get out into the city and do stuff on December 25.
Find a festive play or panto that your lot will love
Is it even Christmas without the smell of pine needles?
There’s nothing tastier than a meal you didn’t have to cook
Wrap your mitts round a steaming, spicy bevvy
Soak up all the festive fun at these holly jolly nights out
Find somewhere to belt out ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’
Catch your favourite Christmas film on the big screen
Learn how to make wreaths, decorations, gifts and traditional Christmas food
Swap Oxford Street for one of these festive fairs
Tackle your Christmas shopping tasks in the most joyful way
If your child is aged nine-plus and disabled, they could tread the boards in ‘A Christmas Carol’
It’s the latest in a recent slew of big-name West End Shakespeare announcements
Its acknowledging the millions of Ukrainians who’ll go without power this winter
Low temperatures could bring snow, sleet and ice to the capital as Londoners struggle to heat their homes
The Alexandra has been serving up special festive feasts to those on their ones since 2014
For some Londoners, money *really* is no object
HRH will deck the halls of Westminster Abbey on December 15
You can call pretty much anything a tree these days
Trader Vic’s will be shutting its rattan doors and serving its last Mai Tai on December 31
The big red brand is coming to town!
There’s so much fun to be had for the little ’uns at this time of year
How to make a date with the one-and-only Father Christmas
Keep grannies, dads and toddlers on side at one of these shows
Festive theatre shows created especially with small people in mind
We tried 26 – TWENTY-SIX! – Christmas sarnies: here’s our verdict
From glamorous traditional firs to minimalistic art installations
Make the most of the daylight with a bracing winter walk
Not all festive tunes are totally naff
Pick from our top 50 festive flicks.
20 Londoners share their festive stories
Discover Time Out original video