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Looking for things to do in London at Christmas 2026? Here are my five top picks – from a London journalist who’s done them all.
London is honestly at its peak during Christmastide, but it can be very difficult to know what to choose for day trips out.
Which afternoon tea to book? What show is worth your hard-earned money? Is Kew Gardens worth a visit?
Well, I’m here to answer some of those questions, as a London-based journalist who has visited plenty of attractions in London at Christmas and seen the best of what it has to offer.
Here are five things I’d recommend anyone do in London this Christmas as a Londoner who’s done them all:
If you’re planning a festive day out, you can also check my London Christmas lights switch-on dates for 2026 to combine an attraction with the city’s seasonal displays.
When: 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 (selected dates)
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Nearest station: Kew Gardens (District Line and London Overground) or Kew Bridge (National Rail)
Ticket Prices: Adults £29.50 off-peak or £37 peak. Children’s tickets (ages 4–15) from £20–£24. Under-fours go free.
Probably one of the most popular attractions in London for Christmas, Christmas at Kew draws people in their droves every year, and it’s certainly one of the most beautiful seasonal spectacles.
Spread over 3km across the historic botanical gardens of Kew, this light trail transforms the gardens into a glittering display with projections and light installations.
During the walk, you’ll see some of its famous buildings, like the Palm House and the Temperate House, illuminated for Christmas, along with new installations.
New for 2026 are displays such as Infinite Choir, an immersive sound and light installation, Drift, featuring illuminated spheres inspired by seeds floating in the wind, and an enchanting garden of giant flowers that move in time with music.
Visitors can also look forward to a magical willow tree with cascading lights, new illuminated displays around the Temperate House and a reimagined Palm House fountain show.
For the first time, Christmas at Kew will also host exclusive adults-only evenings on 3 and 9 December.
There are also festive characters to meet, along with a traditional fairground with rides and stands where you can grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine.
I’ve visited numerous times in the past, and it remains one of my favourite light trails during the festive season.
Booking: Christmas at Kew
When: From 13 November 2026 (final closing date to be confirmed)
Where: The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RL
Nearest station: Knightsbridge or Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
Ticket Prices: £90 per person for the Alpine sharing menu.
If you’re looking for something a little different to do in London this Christmas, dining inside your own private ski gondola at The Berkeley is certainly one of the cosiest experiences you can book.
The five-star hotel in Knightsbridge transforms its rooftop into a festive Alpine retreat, complete with private red ski gondolas, twinkling fairy lights and miniature Christmas trees.
Previously known as Feast Off-Piste, the experience returns for 2026 as The Berkeley Rooftop Cabins, offering guests the chance to enjoy a festive feast with some pretty spectacular views across Hyde Park.
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Add a short description of the place, what makes it special, and why it is worth visiting.
And what could be more festive than dining in a cosy gondola with views of the illuminated Winter Wonderland in the distance?
The experience includes a generous Alpine sharing menu, beginning with a glass of mulled wine or non-alcoholic cider.
The menu features traditional Swiss raclette served with sourdough, charcuterie and pickles, truffle-topped dauphinoise potatoes, buttered new potatoes and a seasonal winter salad.
For dessert, there’s an indulgent milk chocolate fondue with fruit and sweet treats for dipping, along with gingerbread s’mores.
There’s also a winter cocktail menu and a rather fabulous ring-for-Champagne bell inside each gondola.
One of the reasons I’d recommend this experience is that it’s incredibly cosy and highly Instagram-worthy, but there’s also plenty of food to enjoy.
It’s a wonderful option for a festive date night or an evening out with friends, especially with the views of Winter Wonderland making the whole experience feel even more Christmassy.
Booking: The Berkeley
When: 6 November – 31 December 2026
Where: The Lost Estate, 7–9 Beaumont Avenue, West Kensington, London, W14 9LP
Nearest station: West Kensington (District Line)
Ticket Prices: Classic Dining from £150, Private Dining from £195 and VIP Dining from £235, plus a £4.85 booking fee per ticket.
If you love Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this is one of the most magical festive experiences you can have in London.
The Great Christmas Feast at The Lost Estate combines theatre, live music and food into one spectacular immersive experience, transporting guests back to Victorian London.
Set on Christmas Eve in 1843, the experience invites guests into the home of Charles Dickens, where they become part of an evening of Victorian festivities and storytelling.
Over the course of approximately three and a half hours, you’ll enjoy a three-course Victorian-inspired feast while watching a live retelling of A Christmas Carol unfold around you.
This year’s menu includes dishes inspired by the markets of Victorian London, with starters featuring seafood or seasonal vegetables, followed by a traditional roast duck dinner or a vegetarian alternative.
London Highlight
Step into Dickens’ Victorian London for an immersive evening of A Christmas Carol, live music and a three-course festive feast at The Lost Estate.
For dessert, there’s a festive Christmas pudding served with warm brandy sauce, while Victorian-inspired cocktails and other drinks are available to purchase throughout the evening.
But what makes this experience so special is the incredible attention to detail.
From the setting and costumes to the music and performances, everything is designed to immerse you in the world of Dickens’ London.
When I visited, I genuinely felt as though I’d stepped back in time and was attending a Christmas party in the Victorian era.
It’s this combination of theatre, food and immersive storytelling that makes The Great Christmas Feast such a memorable experience and one I’d highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Dickens, history or a good Christmas show.
Booking: The Great Christmas Feast
When: 6 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Where: Up at The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich, London, SE10 0DX
Nearest station: North Greenwich (Jubilee Line)
Ticket Prices: From £44 per person.
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous to do this Christmas, why not climb over the roof of one of London’s most famous landmarks and experience the UK’s highest snow globe?
Up at The O2 is bringing back its festive Snow Globe Climb for 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of London from 52 metres above the ground.
The experience begins with a guided climb over the roof of The O2, before reaching the summit where you’ll find a beautifully decorated winter wonderland.
Complete with falling snow, whimsical decorations and a festive backdrop, the snow globe provides plenty of opportunities to capture some wonderful Christmas photographs.
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Climb over The O2 for panoramic London views and a festive snow globe at the summit, complete with falling snow and Christmas photo opportunities.
You’ll also get an extended 20 minutes at the summit to enjoy the views, take photographs and soak up the atmosphere.
For those wanting to make the experience even more festive, there’s also the option to purchase drinks including Champagne, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
One of the best things about this experience is the combination of beautiful Christmas decorations and fantastic panoramic views across London.
It’s certainly one for the Christmas bucket list, whether you’re planning a festive date, family outing or Christmas activity with friends.
And because it’s located at The O2, there’s plenty more to do afterwards.
You can enjoy a post-climb drink, grab something to eat at one of the many restaurants or indulge in a little Christmas shopping at Outlet Shopping at The O2, which has a plethora of fashion and lifestyle shops.
I’ve previously written about what it’s like to climb over The O2 as a visually impaired person, including my experience of the climb and some useful tips.
Booking: Up at The O2 Snow Globe Climb
When: 16 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Where: The Park Room, JW Marriott Grosvenor House, 86 Park Lane, London, W1K 7TN
Nearest station: Marble Arch (Central Line)
Ticket Prices: Festive Beatrix Potter Afternoon Tea £80 per person, or £93 with Champagne. Children’s Afternoon Tea £38.
There’s something rather lovely about enjoying a traditional afternoon tea in London during the festive season, and Grosvenor House is certainly one of my favourite places for a themed afternoon tea.
Situated on Park Lane, overlooking Hyde Park, the five-star JW Marriott Grosvenor House is known for its whimsical and beautifully presented afternoon teas.
For Christmas 2026, The Park Room is offering a festive version of its Beatrix Potter Afternoon Tea, inspired by the enchanting world of one of Britain’s most beloved children’s authors.
The afternoon tea combines traditional finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, a selection of teas and a collection of beautifully crafted pastries inspired by Beatrix Potter’s famous characters.
London Highlight
Enjoy a festive afternoon tea in The Park Room, with delicate sandwiches, warm scones and beautifully crafted pastries beside Hyde Park.
The regular Beatrix Potter menu features treats inspired by characters such as Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Tom Kitten and Squirrel Nutkin, although the exact festive selection may differ.
One of the things I love about Grosvenor House is the incredible attention to detail that goes into its themed afternoon teas.
Everything from the presentation of the pastries to the elegant surroundings is carefully thought out, making the experience feel wonderfully whimsical and charming.
There’s also live music from a pianist, who performs in The Park Room daily between 2pm and 6pm, adding to the atmosphere.
Another reason I’d recommend this afternoon tea at Christmas is its location.
Grosvenor House is right beside Hyde Park, making it an ideal place to enjoy a festive afternoon tea before or after visiting Winter Wonderland.
For anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of London’s Christmas shopping crowds, it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours enjoying delicious food in beautiful surroundings.
Booking: The Park Room at Grosvenor House
Location
Use the map below to see where this place is located.
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Planning a Christmas escape beyond London too? Take a look at my guide to visiting Lavenham at Christmas for medieval streets, independent shops and festive atmosphere.
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