Christmas and New Year in London 2026: what to do during the holidays

I'm a huge Christmas fan (the kind of person who keeps the tree up for 2 whole months) and I love the holiday season in London. The city transforms, neighborhoods are decked out in garlands, Christmas music fills the streets and shop windows, and the atmosphere is festive but can also feel pretty intense. Between the Christmas markets, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, the big trees, and the New Year's Eve fireworks, there's no shortage of things to do.

In this article, I'll help you plan a trip to London in December, for Christmas or New Year's Eve: where to go, when to go, how transportation works, and how to organize your days. Here you'll find practical information, dates for 2026-2027 when they've already been announced, links to official websites, and some personal feedback to help you enjoy this unique time of year with less stress.

Christmas in London: weather, atmosphere, and when to go

London in December feels especially festive, with lights, markets, and events that start as early as November and, for some of them, stretch into early January.

What is London like in December?

London in December is a very lively city, often crowded in shopping districts, with cool and damp weather but a genuine Christmas feel.

In December, you can expect temperatures around 3 to 9°C (about 37 to 48°F), sometimes with wind and showers, but snow rarely settles in the city center. The days are short and it gets dark early, which makes the lights on Regent Street, Oxford Street, or Covent Garden stand out even more. I've often felt like I was walking from one movie set to another just by changing streets, but you do need to be prepared for heavy crowds, especially on December weekends and late in the afternoon.

When to go to London for Christmas?

To really enjoy Christmas in London, the best time to visit is between mid-November and the end of December, when the decorations, markets, and main Christmas events like Winter Wonderland are in place.

From early November, the major avenues start lighting up, then the other neighborhoods follow gradually as the month goes on. Most Christmas markets open sometime in November and stay open until late December or early January.

If you're aiming for a "shopping + decorations" atmosphere without the frenzy of school holidays, late November to mid-December often offers the best balance. If you want to experience December 24, 25, or 31 in London, you'll need to expect heavier crowds and more complicated transportation, but the experience is really something special.

What to do in London for Christmas?

To spend Christmas in London, you can combine Christmas markets, strolls through illuminated neighborhoods, outdoor ice rinks, and visits to landmarks decorated for the holidays.

Between Leicester Square, Southbank, the markets set up along the Thames, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, seasonal ice rinks, and Christmas carols at St Paul's Cathedral, you can easily plan several very different days. You can also use colder days to explore cozy indoor spots: decorated department stores, pubs with garlands on their facades, covered markets like Leadenhall or Borough Market, or even Christmas at Kew, the light trail organized every winter at Kew Gardens.

Personally, I like to mix outdoor sightseeing with warm indoor breaks, especially if the wind is blowing along the Thames.

Christmas markets, lights, and decorations in London

Christmas markets and neighborhood light displays are a big part of visiting London in December, with festivities starting as early as the beginning of November and some continuing until early January.

The Spirit of Christmas Fair

The Spirit of Christmas Fair is a large indoor Christmas shopping event held every year at Olympia London at the beginning of November.

In 2026, the Spirit of Christmas Fair will take place from November 2 to 8. Admission requires a ticket, with several ticket options available online on the official Spirit Of Christmas Fair website. Inside, you'll find more than 600 brands and independent shops: jewelry, fashion, home decor, children's items, gourmet food, products from independent designers.

The event is held at Olympia London, accessible via Kensington (Olympia) station. It's a good option if you like to start your Christmas shopping early in a setting that already feels festive, even if you're not yet in the middle of the London winter.

Christmas lights and decorations in the neighborhoods

Central London's neighborhoods are completely transformed for Christmas, each with its own style, switch-on date, and sometimes special events.

In Soho, Carnaby Street is one of the streets you won't want to miss. The decorations regularly change theme, often creating a colorful, imaginative display that contrasts with the more traditional lights on the major shopping streets.

At Seven Dials, near Covent Garden, the decorations are concentrated around the small central square and extend into the seven streets that radiate out from it. I really like this neighborhood at this time of year: it has a more intimate atmosphere than the very large shopping streets.

The Regent Street Christmas decorations, on one of London's best-known shopping streets, are also among London's Christmas staples. In recent years, the famous "Spirit of Christmas" illuminated angels have flown over Regent Street and the surrounding streets. The lights are usually up from early November to early January. In 2026, the Spirit of Christmas lights return on November 5, with Regent Street closed to traffic from 5 pm to 9 pm for the switch-on event.

Also worth seeing are:

• Oxford Street, which usually switches on its lights in early November, with luminous stars hanging above the street. For 2026, Oxford Street's Christmas display has a Harry Potter theme.
• Bond Street, which features particularly elegant lights.
• Marylebone Village, which organizes a switch-on event for its lights every year, along with various Christmas activities in the neighborhood (up-to-date program on the Marylebone Village website). In 2026, A Very Merry Marylebone Christmas takes place on November 11 from 3 pm to 8 pm, with the official lights switch-on at 6 pm.
• Kew Gardens, in southwest London, where the illuminated trail "Christmas at Kew" will be held on selected dates from November 13 2026 to January 3 2027. It's a standalone ticketed event, by advance booking only, with light and sound installations in the gardens.

All over the city, you'll also come across large Christmas trees, especially at Trafalgar Square and in front of or around certain landmarks, churches, department stores, and markets. The one at Trafalgar Square is probably the most famous: every year since 1947, Norway has given London a large tree in thanks for British support during World War II.

Some landmarks join in the festivities too. The skyscraper The Shard, for example, generally lights up its top floors during the holiday season, creating a kind of colorful beacon visible across much of London.

If you enjoy Christmas carols, St Paul's Cathedral hosts many concerts and services for Advent and Christmas. In 2026, the program begins with the Advent Carol Services on November 28 and 29, followed by several concerts and celebrations in December. The traditional Christmas Carol Services will take place on December 23 and 24. You can check the schedule on the official website: St Paul's program. It's also a good time to visit one of my favorite landmarks in the city, with a superb view of London from the dome.

The famous Christmas markets

The main Christmas markets in London are located right in the center or along the Thames, which makes them easy to combine on foot.

The Leicester Square Christmas market usually runs from November to early January, in the very heart of the West End. You'll find small chalets, food stalls, and various Christmas activities. The dates and schedule for 2026 are still to be confirmed.

The Southbank Christmas market, along the Thames, is just as well known. It is part of the Southbank Centre's winter celebrations, with food and drink stalls and seasonal activities. I really like walking along this stretch of the Thames, with a view of Big Ben and the London Eye, especially as night falls.
Near London Bridge and Tower Bridge, another Christmas market traditionally sets up along the Thames. Winter by the River is worth visiting mainly for its setting, between Tower Bridge, the Thames, and the City's skyscrapers. The dates and format can change from one year to the next. In 2026, the Southbank Centre Winter Market runs from November 2 to January 3, with stalls open daily from 11 am to 10 pm.

Beyond these markets, most of London's covered markets also get into the Christmas spirit. That includes Leadenhall Market, Borough Market, and Spitalfields, which add Christmas trees, garlands, and seasonal products for the holiday period.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland is a huge Christmas fair and amusement park set up every year in Hyde Park, with rides, attractions, shows, bars, restaurants, and a Christmas market.

For the 2026-2027 edition, Winter Wonderland will be open from November 19 to January 3, except on December 25. You'll find rides for all ages, an ice rink, a Christmas market, an "ice bar" where everything is carved out of ice, shows, thrill rides, food and drink stalls, and of course Santa's grotto.

Entry is by timed slot. You can buy your ticket when you arrive if there are still spaces available, but it is strongly recommended to book in advance on the official Winter Wonderland website, especially for the most popular periods. Most rides and attractions cost extra once you're inside. For 2026, spending at least £25 on attractions, rides, games, or food at the time of booking includes free admission.

I went on a weekday evening, which made it much easier to enjoy the atmosphere without being completely swept along by the crowd. Once you are there, the cost of rides and attractions adds up quickly. If you are traveling with children, it is a good idea to plan ahead and explain to them that you will not be able to do everything, because there's a lot competing for their attention.

Christmas tours and excursions in London

There are plenty of Christmas-themed tours in London, which let you see the lights without having to plan the route or research what you're seeing.

Guided tours of the lights and Christmas cruises

If you want to see London all lit up without constantly checking a map, several companies offer holiday-themed tours.

Here are a few Christmas-themed tour ideas:

• Christmas lights tour with Golden Tours – This 1.5-hour open-top bus tour takes you past some of London's most famous Christmas lights, including those on Oxford Street and Regent Street, as well as Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. An English-speaking guide provides live commentary throughout. It's a good option if you want to enjoy the decorations without walking all over central London.
• Guided Christmas lights walking tour – This 2-hour small-group walk takes you through some of London's best Christmas displays in central London, especially around Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Mayfair, and Oxford Street, while learning about Christmas traditions in London from an English-speaking guide. The tour ends near Hyde Park, making it easy to continue on to Winter Wonderland.
• 3-hour Christmas bike ride – Organized by The London Bicycle Tour Company, this tour takes you through London's illuminated streets for about 3 hours, including Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Soho, and Covent Garden. You need to bundle up very warmly, but it's an immersive way to experience Christmas in London.
• Christmas dinner cruise on the Thames – During the holiday season, City Cruises runs lunchtime or evening Christmas cruises on the Thames. The options vary, with festive meals, drinks, and entertainment on board while you enjoy the illuminated landmarks from the river.

The guided tours listed here are conducted in English. They can really make things easier if you're tired of the crowds or if you feel like just letting someone else handle the logistics.

Other Christmas activities in London

Aside from the markets and street lights, London offers many more seasonal Christmas activities, from ice rinks to unusual installations such as panoramic igloos.

Outdoor ice rinks

Seasonal ice rinks have become a London Christmas tradition, often set up in iconic locations that make the experience wonderfully photogenic.

In particular, you can skate:

• In Greenwich, at The Queen's House – The ice rink will be open from November 18, 2026 to January 3, 2027, in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The setting is especially beautiful, with views over the Thames, Canary Wharf, and the architecture of the Queen's House.
• In front of Somerset House, near Waterloo Bridge – This is one of the most iconic ice rinks, set up in the central courtyard of this neoclassical building. It will be open from November 11, 2026 to January 10, 2027, with daytime sessions and evening "Skate Lates" with DJs.
• In Canary Wharf – The ice rink traditionally returns to this skyscraper district for an unusually long season, generally from late October to February. The dates for the 2026-2027 season have yet to be confirmed.
• At Battersea Power Station – The former power station, renovated as a shopping and leisure center, hosts the Glide ice rink along the Thames in winter, with Battersea Power Station as a backdrop. The dates for the 2026-2027 season have yet to be confirmed.

There is also an ice rink inside Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and other seasonal rinks may be announced as Christmas approaches.

Conversely, some iconic ice rinks from years past have disappeared, including the one at the Natural History Museum and the one at the foot of the Tower of London.

These ice rinks give a winter trip a distinctly cinematic feel. Even if you do not skate, they're worth stopping by, especially at the end of the day when the lights come on.

Christmas igloos

Some London restaurants and bars set up igloos or other transparent structures on their terraces in winter, allowing you to dine outdoors while staying sheltered from the cold.

For example, I took photos of these igloos along the Thames, in Southbank. The structures are often decorated with cushions, string lights, and sometimes small blankets, creating a cozy atmosphere. The venues and setups change from year to year: if this type of experience appeals to you, it is best to look up what is available during your stay and book directly with the venue.

If you are dreaming of a dinner with a view of the illuminated London skyline, this kind of experience can make for a memorable evening, but the most sought-after spots often need to be booked in advance.

New Year's Eve fireworks in London

The New Year's Eve fireworks in London take place around the London Eye and along the Thames. It is one of London's biggest New Year's Eve events, with around 100,000 spectators spread across ticketed viewing zones that are only accessible with a ticket.

How to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks

If you want to see the fireworks from the official viewing area, you absolutely have to book a ticket in advance. Spectators are split between several color-coded zones along the Thames, each with different access points, so it's important to choose the same zone if you're traveling with other people.

For the most recent event, tickets were released in several batches starting in October via Ticketmaster, the only official seller. Prices were £40 or £55 for visitors who do not live in London, depending on the chosen zone, plus booking fees. London residents paid reduced rates.

The arrangements can change from one year to the next, so for New Year's Eve 2026-2027, I'd recommend keeping an eye on the official announcements starting in the fall and booking quickly once ticket sales open.

At midnight, the chimes of Big Ben mark the start of a large fireworks-and-light show set to music around the London Eye.

Is it possible to see the fireworks without a ticket?

Yes, it is possible to see the New Year's Eve fireworks in London without having a ticket for the official zones, as long as you have an alternative plan in place.

However, don't rely on the area around the London Eye or the nearby bridges as a last-minute option: on the evening of December 31, a large area in central London is controlled, and several streets and bridges are either closed or included within the ticketed area.
A good alternative is to book a restaurant, bar, hotel, or New Year's Eve event with a view of the Thames and the London Eye. Some venues offer special New Year's packages with dinner or an evening party and a view of the fireworks. There are also New Year's Eve cruises on the Thames, some of which let you watch the show from the river. These options are generally quite expensive and need to be booked well in advance.

If you're more interested in a free option, some more distant viewpoints on higher ground let you catch a glimpse of the fireworks above the London skyline. The experience is very different, though: you're far from the London Eye, visibility depends on where you are, and you don't get the same atmosphere as in the official viewing area.

In any case, the Mayor of London's office advises people without tickets not to head to the edges of the official zone hoping to find a viewpoint at the last minute.

Transportation in London at Christmas and New Year

Between Christmas and New Year's, London public transport operates on modified schedules, with several days of partial or complete closures. This is important to keep in mind when planning your trip, especially if you're traveling on December 24, 25, 26 or 31.

Overview of transportation during the holidays

The most important change to keep in mind is simple: on December 25, London public transport is almost completely shut down. On other days, the Tube, buses, and trains generally run on modified timetables, and there may also be engineering works and line closures.

Each year, Transport for London (TfL) publishes a detailed summary of service changes for the Christmas and New Year period. You can check it here as December approaches: Christmas and New Year travel info. This is the key resource to check before your trip to find out about schedules and closures for your specific dates.

The London Underground and buses at Christmas

On Christmas Eve, the Underground and buses generally run during the day, but services start being reduced earlier than usual in the evening.

On Christmas Day (December 25), there is no London Underground or TfL bus service at all. This is particularly important if you need to get to a restaurant, friends, or your hotel: plan to get around on foot or book a taxi or rideshare.

On December 26 (Boxing Day), part of the network usually resumes with a reduced service, but service varies by line and from year to year.

For New Year's, special overnight services may run during the night of December 31 to January 1. However, many streets in central London close and some stations may close temporarily or operate entry-only or exit-only because of the fireworks. So make sure you check your return route in advance, especially if you are spending the evening in the center.

London Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR

The London Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR are also affected by the special Christmas and New Year timetables.

They do not run on Christmas Day and service may be significantly reduced or altered around December 24 and 26, in particular because of engineering works scheduled during the holiday period. Again, I recommend checking your exact journey on TfL rather than relying on the usual timetables.

National Rail trains over Christmas and New Year

If you are planning to arrive in London by train, head to another British city, or travel to an airport, be especially careful around Christmas.

For 2026-2027, National Rail has already announced:

• December 24 – Many trains will stop running earlier than usual.
• December 25 – No National Rail trains will run.
• December 26 – Most train companies will not run any services; only a few companies are expected to operate a very limited number of trains.
• December 31 – Some services will also stop earlier, while additional trains are scheduled on some London routes after midnight.

Major engineering works also take place on the rail network during the holidays. If you need to take a train to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton, check your journey a few days before departure and again on the day itself.

Other transportation options at Christmas

Apart from the Underground, buses, and trains, a few other options can be useful during the holidays.

The Santander Cycles self-service bikes are available all year round and can be handy for short trips if you feel comfortable cycling in London. Be cautious at night and when the weather is bad.
The river buses on the Thames also adjust their service during the holidays: check the timetable for your line if you plan to use the river to get around.

Finally, if you are driving, the Congestion Charge does not apply between Christmas Day and the New Year's bank holiday inclusive. Be careful though, that doesn't mean all driving restrictions are lifted: the ULEZ is a separate scheme, with its own rules.

When to visit London over Christmas and New Year's

If you're unsure about the dates of your stay, here's what each period is like.

The traveler's memo for Christmas and New Year's in London

Here are the answers to the most common questions about a stay in London in December, for Christmas or for New Year's Day.

Finally, I hope all this information helps you plan a memorable Christmas or New Year's trip to London, in a way that suits your interests and pace. The holiday season can feel intense, but if you plan ahead for transportation, bookings, and rest time, it offers some genuinely memorable moments, from the lights in the streets to the smell of mulled wine in the markets, and Christmas concerts in historic venues.