The cosiest winter pop-ups and Christmas bars in London

Somerset House’s annual ice rink pop-up has long been one of the city’s favourite festive traditions. Gliding around the rink, gazing upon the surrounding Georgian architecture and the courtyard’s magnificent 40ft Christmas tree feels like you’ve skated onto a movie set, ready to be watched by families settling in for their post-turkey food coma. Post-skate, step inside the Chalet for spiced mulled wine and decadent hot chocolate, or gather around its private tabletop raclette machine for a toasty alpine-style dinner. 

Dreaming of a kitsch Christmas? New York’s famous Miracle on Ninth Street bar is popping up in London for its eighth year, ‘50s Christmas decorations, nostalgic accessories and creative new spins on beloved cocktail favourites in tow. For festive season 2026, it’s taking over 9 Russell Street in Covent Garden. Past years have seen the bar slinging the likes of a Snowball Old Fashioned or a Christmapoliton, which includes cranberry sauce and absinthe mist – a take on Christmas trimmings that’s not for the faint-hearted. If you’re failing to get into the Christmas spirit, this is one great place to find it.

Pop-up king Jimmy Garcia’s Southbank Winter Market venue is a staple of the South Bank’s seasonal offering, and is back for another season serving up raclette burgers, baked camemberts and fondue with all the trimmings with views over the river Thames. Pop down ay time to sip mulled wine and toast marshmallows over the roaring fire pit, or book the fondue menu for oozy cheese with new potatoes, salad, crusty sourdough and cornichons.

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. It’s all threaded together with a mission to cheer a weary Santa up and help him rekindle his Christmas spirit. Humbug’s 2026 return will feature a load of festival mayhem. There’ll be a themed cocktails, live music, DJ sets, a gameshow to take part in, a cheer-up Santa challenge and, naturally, a shrine to queen of Christmas Mariah Carey. Saving the festive season never sounded so fun.

If you've ever watched curling during the Winter Olympics and thought 'pass me that broom, I could do better', you're in luck. This winter, the Curling Club will be taking up residence in both London Bridge's Vinegar Yard and Chelsea Winter Village, giving you the chance to have a go at this eccentric team sport. Both venues will be given a proper apres-ski makeover with wintry cocktails, Alpine-inspired street food and entertainment on hand. Curl your heart out for 45 minutes before rewarding yourself with a tasty cocktail.

The Lost Estate’s long-running seasonal show The Great Christmas Feast plunges visitors into Victorian London on Christmas Eve 1843, into the heart of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. For the hefty ticket prices you’ll be treated to a performance of the tale, which combines theatre and music, and served up a three-course Victorian feasting menu (think confit duck, terrine and plum pudding ice cream). There’s also a Victorian-themed cocktail menu featuring such concoctions as the ‘Smoking Bishop’ and a shareable ‘Party House Punch’. 

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. 

The Coppa Club Tower Bridge’s ever-popular igloos are up all year round, but they come into their own in the winter season, offering groups of four to eight the opportunity to dine on a specially-created menu with spectacular views over the Thames. Perfect for enjoying while snuggled up among sheepskin blankets and twinkling Christmas lights.