London's best Christmas events are the Christmas at Kew light trail, ice skating at Somerset House, the lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, candlelit carol services at Westminster Abbey and St Paul's, and the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Most run from mid-November to early January.
A light trail through Kew Gardens, London's most popular festive night out.
A trail of light installations winds through the Royal Botanic Gardens after dark, ending at the Palm House with a light show over the pond.
It sells out on peak evenings, so book early.
Good to know: Weeknights in November are easiest to book.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 3AE
Ice skating in an 18th-century courtyard beneath a giant tree.
Somerset House's neoclassical courtyard becomes an ice rink every winter, with a huge Christmas tree and late-night club skates.
Sessions sell out, especially evenings in December.
Good to know: Book an early-morning or weekday session for space on the ice.
Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Norway's annual gift to London, lit with carols in early December.
Since 1947 Oslo has sent a Norwegian spruce to stand in Trafalgar Square, lit at a free ceremony with carol singing.
Choirs sing beneath it most evenings until Christmas.
Good to know: Arrive early for the lighting ceremony; it gets crowded.
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Carol services and Christmas worship in the coronation church.
Westminster Abbey holds carol services, Advent services and Christmas Day worship, some ticketed and some open to all.
Services are free; check the abbey's website for the 2026 Christmas schedule.
Good to know: Ticketed carol services are allocated in advance; queue early for unticketed ones.
20 Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA
Candlelit carols under Wren's dome.
St Paul's Cathedral's Advent and Christmas services, including its popular carol services, fill the cathedral with music and candlelight.
Some need free tickets released in advance.
Good to know: Watch the cathedral's website for ticket release dates in November.
St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
The science lectures Michael Faraday started, televised every Christmas.
The Christmas Lectures have been held since 1825 and are filmed in front of a live audience at the Royal Institution each December, then broadcast over Christmas.
Tickets for the filming are allocated by ballot.
Good to know: Enter the ticket ballot in the autumn.
21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS
A Christmas morning race in the Serpentine, held since 1864.
Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club race across the cold lake on Christmas morning, watched by crowds on the bank.
Only club members swim, but anyone can watch.
Good to know: Arrive by about 9am on Christmas Day to watch.
Serpentine Road, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Victorian Christmas in the house where Dickens wrote Oliver Twist.
Dickens's Doughty Street home is dressed for a Victorian Christmas, with readings of A Christmas Carol and festive evening events.
It's a cosy alternative to the big crowds.
Good to know: Book the candlelit evening events early.
48–49 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX
See the lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street, skate at Somerset House, walk the Christmas at Kew light trail, visit the Christmas markets and go to a carol service or a Nutcracker. Book the ticketed events early.
Very little: public transport doesn't run, and most attractions and shops close. Hotel restaurants, some pubs and the Serpentine's Christmas Day swim are the exceptions. Plan Christmas lunch in advance.
The tree, a gift from Norway each year, is usually lit in early December with a carol ceremony. Check the Mayor of London's website for the 2026 date.
Many are: the street lights, the Trafalgar Square tree and carol services. Christmas at Kew, Somerset House skating and the Christmas Lectures need tickets.