Winter Festival London

An independent winter travel journal · 2026/2027

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Winter 2026 / 2027

Winter in London

Discover Christmas markets, ice skating, festive lights and New Year’s Eve. Plan your winter trip with our independent guides.

Explore winter events Tickets & tours

Regent Street Christmas lights and traffic light trails, December 2016.
Regent Street Christmas lights and traffic light trails, December 2016. Photo: William Warby · CC BY 2.0. Resized, compressed and displayed with responsive cropping; image remains under its stated licence.

Winter events to discover

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Christmas at Kew Gardens, December 2016.
Christmas at Kew Gardens, December 2016. Photo: m.shattock · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, compressed and displayed with responsive cropping; image remains under its stated licence.

Christmas lights

Christmas at Kew

An illuminated evening trail through the gardens. A good choice when the light installations themselves are the main event.

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Skating at Somerset House on Christmas Eve, 2014.
Skating at Somerset House on Christmas Eve, 2014. Photo: Eagleash · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, compressed and displayed with responsive cropping; image remains under its stated licence.

Ice skating

Skate at Somerset House

An outdoor courtyard rink for a classic central London winter evening. Pair it with a wander through nearby Covent Garden.

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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland attractions, December 2017.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland attractions, December 2017. Photo: Simeon87 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, compressed and displayed with responsive cropping; image remains under its stated licence.

Winter fairs

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

A full-scale festive fair with rides, food, ice attractions and skating. Choose this for a lively outing with several activities in one place.

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Season dates checked 5 September 2026. Christmas at Kew ticket distinction rechecked 8 September. See individual guides for closed days and ticket details.

Book your London experiences

Compare guided tours and admission options. Check the selected date and exactly what each ticket includes.

Snow-covered Hogwarts Castle model at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
The snow-covered Hogwarts model during Hogwarts in the Snow. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Hogwarts in the Snow

Look for studio admission with return transport, on a date during the festive feature.

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Christmas at Kew Gardens, December 2016.
Christmas at Kew Gardens, December 2016. Photo: m.shattock · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, compressed and displayed with responsive cropping; image remains under its stated licence.

Christmas at Kew

The evening light trail needs its own ticket. Regular garden admission does not include it.

Christmas at Kew tickets and advice

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A little more of London

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Christmas decorations in Covent Garden, December 2012.
Christmas decorations in Covent Garden, December 2012. Photo: Tony Hisgett · CC BY 2.0. Resized, compressed and displayed with responsive cropping; image remains under its stated licence.

An evening at the theatre

The Lion King, Wicked, Mamma Mia! and Phantom: find a West End musical to build your evening around.

New Year fireworks at the London Eye, 1 January 2015.
New Year fireworks at the London Eye, 1 January 2015. Photo: Christine Matthews · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, compressed and displayed with responsive cropping; image remains under its stated licence.

See London at your own pace

Afternoon tea on the river or a private black cab outing between festive plans.

Colourful Luminiscence projections illuminate the arches and ceiling of Westminster Cathedral in London.
Luminiscence at Westminster Cathedral, London. © Mikhail Sytenkov / LUMINISCENCE

On our watchlist

Luminiscence at Westminster Cathedral

An immersive light and music show. Winter dates are not yet confirmed: check the calendar before planning a Christmas visit.

Plan your winter visit

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