London’s best alternative Christmas events

What’s more Christmassy than visiting Santa’s grotto? Going for a pint or two with the man in red in his favourite boozer, of course. Humbug, an immersive Christmas dive bar, allows you to do just that – and join Mr Claus in rounds of games, sing-a-longs, live performances, storytelling and more. The pop-up is going bigger than ever for 2026, moving to Greenwich’s cavernous Borough Hall, where you’ll find themed cocktails, live music, DJ sets, a interactive games and, naturally, a shrine to queen of Christmas Mariah Carey. It’s all threaded together with a mission to get Santa back on track, after he’s discovered a love for rock’n’roll, joined house band Johnny Whiskey & The Barflies, and decided he’d rather rock out than spend his Christmas delivering presents. Saving the festive season never sounded so fun.

Got a thirst for adventure and winter-themed beverages? Up at The O2 – the dare-devil tour that lets you climb up the outside of the Greenwich venue’s famous white dome – has been given a festive makeover. After being strapped into a harness and ascending to the top of the 52 metre-high dome, climbers will get to retreat into an immersive snow globe featuring falling snow, the sweet smell of cookies and a ‘whimsical winter set-up’ from which they’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the city from. There’ll also be gingerbread cookies to snack on and glasses of bubbly, mulled wine and hot chocolates to purchase. 

Had more festive goodwill and cheer than you can stomach? The Satanic Flea Market’s (anti) Christmas special is the perfect antidote. As always, there’ll be a whole range of traders selling stuff from the darker side of life, like taxidermy, occult trinkets and even human skulls, plus other slightly more unusual goods than you might find at your typical Christmas market. It might not be the kind of place where you can get all your gifts sorted under one roof, but at least you won’t hear ‘Last Christmas’ or any other saccharine festive hits as you’re making your way around.

Opening Dates: December 13

Best For: Pressies for the witchy people in your life.

JW3’s annual pantomime has become a welcome seasonal fixture, distinguishing itself via zany, community-centred humour, some decent names, and its compelling USP of being the only panto in London that you can catch on Christmas Day. The 2026 edition is very clearly a spin on Dick Whittington, and follows Dick and has cat Teyve as they arrive in town from the pale, hoping to make their fortune in London town. As per usual it’s written by comic Nick Cassenbaum and directed by Abigail Anderson.