Best London Christmas Events 2024: Festive What's On Guide

Taking place while you venture along the Southbank, the Comedy Boat Party is bound to have you in fits of giggles this December. Not only will you get to watch a hilarious performance, but there's also a festive buffet to enjoy throughout. Afterwards, there'll be a live DJ to dance to at the afterparty.

On the 16th of December, experience an all-singing all-dancing affair as West End Musical Christmas hits the Lyric Theatre and invites you down in your best fancy dress to be a part of the feel-good production. Enjoy top performers as they perform classic songs and musical anthems, all hosted by West End and Broadway star Trevor Dion Nicholas (of Genie in Disney's Aladdin and George Washington in Hamilton fame).

To top off Christmas in London? Book into Rivoli Pop-Up Cinema, where you can enjoy a whole host of festive flicks on the big screen while basking in the gorgeous surrounds. Think everything from Elf to Die Hard and Love Actually.

Celebrate the jolly season with a trip to one of London's lofty legends, Sky Garden and join them for their Festive Nights event. 

Grab tickets from £15 per person and head up high to enjoy a glass of mulled wine or cider on arrival, followed by an incredible night of live music from house bands. All of this and more, paired with breathtaking views of London's skyline, make for a very merry Christmas indeed. 

To mark the Swedish tradition of Lucia this December, The LondonSwedes Choir are singing at Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall in South Kensington - led by Choir Director Michaela Lundin. expect a mesmerising show, with a vibrant community atmosphere in the audience.

Scandinavian singer Peter Jöback will also be making an appearance, having sold over a million tickets across his tours. Plus, tickets start from just £35 each.

Celebrate the season in style at LIMIN Winter Lodge with their Bottomless Brunch, a merry mix of Christmas and carnival vibes, now on sale for just £49 per person. Enjoy a festive day of indulgence with unlimited prosecco, delicious dishes, and a lively atmosphere.

Upon arrival, sip on a complimentary rum punch and get ready to feast on mouth-watering dishes like coconut milk corn chowder, juicy chicken wings, and croque monsieurs stuffed with Trini ham, scotch bonnet, and a Christmas spice glaze. Add your favourite festive jumper or carnival feathers to complete the fun.

Get ready to channel your inner diva at Mariah's Christmas Brunch at BAM Karaoke Box - where the turkey's hot, the bubbles are flowing, and the Christmas spirit is always high. This is the brunch you didn't know you needed, with bottomless fizz, festive dishes like turkey and stuffing sliders, gingerbread waffles, and scrambled eggs with truffle oil, all served up with a side of fabulous Mariah-inspired performances.

Sing your heart out to All I Want For Christmas (or any of Mariah's hits) while sipping on prosecco and indulging in a deliciously festive spread. From cheeky performances to sassy lip-sync battles, this event is the ultimate way to get into the holiday spirit – with just the right amount of glitter and glam.

It's Christmas Eve, 1843, and all is not as it seems... welcome to the home of Charles Dickens where, tonight at The Lost Estate, you're his guest as he tells a ghostly festive story. Grab tickets to The Great Christmas Feast from £175 per person and bask in an evening of immersive theatrics (with appearances from Scrooge, Tiny Tim and more), a delicious three-course meal and enjoy refreshing Victorian cocktails whipped up by master mixologists. 

The day before Christmas is just as important, which is why we've gathered a list of cool and exciting things to do on the 24th of December (so you don't have to). 

Fancy having a go at a round of darts? There's the fairground-themed activity bar Flight Club for that. Elsewhere across the city, check out immersive festive speakeasies, dinner clubs, afternoon teas and more.

This festive season, get ready for Ginger's Big Drag Bottomless Brunch: Christmas Edition, taking over Balls Brothers, Austin Friars every Thursday and Saturday with all the tinsel, sparkle, and sass you could wish for.

Snag tickets for you and your crew, and dive into a fabulously wild day hosted by the one and only Ms. Ginger Phlappage and her sizzling squad of holiday brunch queens. You're in for holiday-themed performances, outrageous games, cheeky challenges, and plenty of audience participation - all while enjoying free-flowing booze and a delicious two-course feast.

Whether you're looking to adorn your front door in the season's finest fir or simply learn something new, these Christmas activities in London see you crack on with some of the best wreath-making workshops. Think bubbles, mulled wine and binding going hand-in-hand.

A Winter Wonderland and giant ball pit all rolled into one? Yes please. If you're looking for unusual things to do in London at Christmas, Ballie Ballerson will see you chow down festive nibbles, delight in themed cocktails and party until the early hours, all in groovy setting decked out with baubles.

Celebrate the holiday spirit with The Whisky Exchange. This festive season, their renowned Big Christmas Tasting Events will take place at London Bridge, Covent Garden, and Great Portland Street.

For £10 per person, enjoy a two-hour session sampling exquisite seasonal drinks that include festive whiskies, decadent rums, and warming Cognacs.

Head on over to The Flamingo Room this December for Dabbers' Evening Sleigh Bae Bingo. Tickets to this Soho event cost only £20 and will include plenty of dazzling festive fun, including bingo games with epic Christmas-themed prizes and so much more.

Head to The Albany on Great Portland Street for a brilliant performance this December, courtesy of Glitter & Titter Christmas Cabaret. You can expect all their usual antics with a festive twist, from stand-up comedians to burlesque artists and drag queens. Tickets start from just £10 per person, and there's all sorts of delicious food and drink available from the bar too.

One of the most recognisable Christmas displays can be found at Churchill Arms on 119 Kensington Church Street - just a stone's throw from the palace. Expect over 90 conifer trees and an OTT amount of nights at Notting Hill, which has been a beacon of festivities for more than 30 years.

Taking place at The Hippodrome Casino, an iconic Leicester Square venue that's been around for over 120 years, House of Burlesque is a spectacular Christmas show that promises unbelievable choreography, fabulous costumes and plenty of naughty and nice surprises.

You can nab tickets for as little as £18.50 per person, or upgrade to table service and drinks packages for an extra cost. Plus, they'll be revealing saucy secrets throughout the performance.

One of the most fun things to do at Christmas in London? Head back to a Bad Santa Bottomless Brunch at The Cocktail Club, of course. There's plenty of chaos on the cards as you'll be treated to thumping Christmas party hits and pop favourites that'll get you up and dancing, not to mention wild games, delicious food and bottomless cocktails, prosecco or beer.

Kirsty's Christmas Poptastic Singalong is returning to The King's Head in Crouch End for another year, taking over their downstairs space. Kirsty and her sister Heather will be taking requests for your favourite festive tunes, with more than 1,500 songs to choose from.

This piano karaoke session costs just £15 to enter, with lyrics on the big screen so that everyone can sing along.

Taking family Christmas events in London for 2024 up a notch? With cute cafes in both Notting Hill and Belgravia, you can find several fun and arty happenings at Biscuiteers. They've got kids holidays-timed classes to keep them entertained, otherwise head here as a couple or with friends for the adults-only cookie decorating sessions.

All The Jingle Ladies Bottomless Brunch is Tonight Josephine's answer to getting festive in our city, bringing us an all-drinking, all-dancing festive bonanza to Clapham, Shoreditch and Waterloo. Expect 90 minutes of booze, three drag queens, food and prizes.

Taking over venues across the city this season, including in Angel, Brixton and more, Sounds Familiar Music Quiz is sorting you out with tough song trivia and some hilarious festive antics. Head over to your nearest night for some of the best London Christmas activities.

Taking place across two dates in November and December, the Clapton Christmas Bazaar promises a festive atmosphere and over 30 different independent traders selling their unique gifts and seasonal treats. Hosted by historic venue The Clapton Country Club, you can expect lots of designers and traders that offer great Christmas gift options and tasty eats.

Expect carol singers bringing a festive vibe to the occasion, as well as a magical Santa's grotto and plenty of mulled wine to sample. What's more, tickets cost just £5 per person.

Looking for a Woofmas celebration like no other? Head to Winter Woof: The Ultimutt Doggy Woofmas Event at The Ministry in Elephant & Castle. This festive gathering is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with your dog, featuring delicious doggy treats, festive drinks for the humans, and plenty of tail-wagging fun.

You and your furry friend can snap festive photos, shop at the dog-friendly market, and even meet some new furry pals. It's a must-attend event for anyone who believes the holidays are for pets too.

Head over to The Cricketers or CoBalance in London for a magical winter workshop, where you can make your own Christmas wreath while sipping on bubbly. Tickets start at £75 and include all the supplies you'll need to create a stunning holiday decoration.

With florist Primrose as your guide, you'll get hands-on with festive greens, and enjoy prosecco and treats along the way. There are only ten spots per workshop, so grab your ticket and get ready for a festive day of creativity.

Archer Street's bars in Notting Hill, Soho and SW11 have Christmas brunches in store for your festivities this year, promising everything from 90 minutes of bottomless booze to pros serenading you for entertainment. But that's not all, as they're also hosting Christmas carol evenings, where you'll get to enjoy live music and festive cheer by the bucketload, complete with a welcome Christmas cocktail and complimentary mince pies. They're sure to jingle your bells. 

Barrio Bars across London are steering you right into the festive season from £39 per person with its Bad Santa Bottomless Brunch across Angel and Shoreditch.

At these parties, not only will you get to tuck into the venue's signature classic quesadillas and wash them down with 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks, but you'll also be in for some themed fun as the naughty cousin of St Nick is roaming about, making sure this feast is as unholy as hell.

Offering some of the best Christmas festivities, Electric Shuffle's venues are sure to hit the spot when it comes to fun activities. Their festive brunch is the place for shuffle board, pizza and a bottle of prosecco each to celebrate the season.

If you're looking for Christmas movie screenings, you'll want to check out One Aldwych's offering. At their Film and Fizz with Curzon events, you can enjoy a three-course meal before catching flicks like Elf, Love Actually, It's A Wonderful Life and more.

This December, join award-winning Garden Designer Butter Wakefield for a festive floral workshop, where you'll learn how to arrange a Christmas display using winter foliage and flowers. She'll demonstrate a range of ideas, before you create a masterpiece to take home.

Your £125 ticket includes all the materials you'll need, as well as a glass of Champagne or mulled wine and mince pies. Plus, you can book lunch at Oscar Restaurant afterwards, where you can enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles of dessert.

A Dickensian Christmas is a festive fiesta featuring heartwarming carols, yuletide tunes to lift your spirits, and special storytelling sessions of Charles Dickens's timeless tale, A Christmas Carol, at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church. Join in the merry melodies of the Covent Garden Carollers Vocal Quartet as they serenade you with classic Christmas songs from Dickens's era, filling the air with joyous harmonies.

The Egerton House Hotel is drawing inspiration from one of the most famous ballets and tales, The Nutcracker, for its festive afternoon tea this year. 

Secure tickets from £48 per person and look forward to a quaint, themed post-midday feast filled with miniature sandwiches and sweet treats like Land Of The Snowflakes (a choux bun with a vanilla creme centre) and a vanilla panna cotta-based Sugar Plum Fairy. 

Step into a world of sultry elegance and festive cheer with London Tango at Christmas on Saturday the 30th of November. This enchanting event brings together the sensual art of tango with the magic of Christmas in a stunning celebration of music, dance, and holiday spirit.

Set in a glamorous venue, the evening features live tango performances, twinkling lights, and a warm, intimate atmosphere perfect for the holiday season. Whether you're a tango enthusiast or just looking for a unique way to celebrate Christmas, this captivating cabaret-style event is sure to leave you spellbound.

For singalong cheer and immersive festive fun, make your way to Covent Garden for Bunga Bunga's Christmas Lunch Live Show. Feast on antipasti and metre-long pizzas, then get involved with interactive games and very merry singalongs. It'll be hard to walk away without a big grin on your face.

Experience the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age with A Gatsby Christmas at The London Cabaret Club. Travel back in time as you step into F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic tale brought to life in a thrilling and immersive performance. With Champagne flowing and music in the air, you're in for an evening of intrigue and extravagance courtesy of a secretive millionaire. Prepare for a night of mystery, scandal, and dazzling entertainment priced at £75 a pop.

Why settle for just drinking cocktails when you can create them? This Christmas, The Heathcote And Star invites you to join their Absolut Christmas Cocktail Bauble Making Class on the 21st of November.

Not only will you have the chance to craft your own beautiful glass bauble, but you'll also learn how to shake up a selection of holiday-inspired cocktails with expert mixologists. Bring your friends, bring your holiday spirit, and get ready for an evening of creative fun and festive libations.

When it comes to Christmas events in London with 2024 dates aplenty, this London Festive Boat Party has your back. You'll set sail along the Thames, spreading yuletide joy while bopping to classics, nibbling on a seasonal buffet and taking in unparalleled views of the city. 

Get ready to be swept off your feet with nostalgia and holiday cheer at Celebrating Festive Film: 70 Years of White Christmas. This special screening honours the timeless classic that has captured the hearts of audiences for seven decades. Settle in at The Soho Hotel with a warm drink, cosy up in the festive atmosphere, and experience Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney like never before.

Whether it's your first time seeing this Christmas favourite or your fiftieth, this screening promises to bring all the joy and magic of the holiday season straight to your screen. Don't miss the chance to celebrate this unforgettable film's anniversary in style.

Who said pantomimes has to be for kids? This December, Karen's Diner in Angel are hosting an adults-only edition of the popular musical Cinderella, complete with plenty of slapstick comedy, raucous jokes and audience participation. 

Before the show, you'll get to enjoy a two-course meal at the viral sensation restaurant, where the staff are deliberately rude to you. Tuck into tasty burgers followed by chocolate fudge cake, all as part of your £40 ticket.

Step into a winter wonderland at Balfour at Bow Wine Vaults this festive season with tickets from £60 per person. Picture this: twinkling lights, the rich scent of mulled wine filling the air, and the warm, inviting atmosphere of an exclusive wine cellar.

Join fellow wine lovers for a Bow Wine Night: Festive Edition, where you'll sip your way through a handpicked selection of seasonal wines, paired with delicious bites. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, there's something magical about celebrating the season in such an intimate, stylish space. So grab your best mates, don your cosiest attire, and let the festivities begin.

It's the season to be jolly, so get your pals together and down to Flight Club. Venues in Victoria, Islington, Shoreditch and Bloomsbury are celebrating with a special brunch social featuring Christmas jumpers, festive cocktails on arrival and bottomless pizza, as well as a bottle of prosecco each.

If you're after 2024 Christmas events in Central London, then hop aboard the Dutch Master for the Silent Disco Christmas Special. So, what's in store? On this two-storey boat, you'll get to dance to yuletide bangers, all while overlooking the stunning city.

The Office Christmas Party is a cool festive experience from Jury Games - a chance to try your hand at solving a mystery at Theatre Deli. Expect live actors, questioning witnesses, looking at CCTV evidence and more across the event.

Christmas things to do in London for 2024 don't get much better than a festive edition of Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tours. Here, you'll be grooving through the city to all your favourite hits with an energetic guide.

The Hot Tub Film Club from Skuna Boats is making waves this winter. Set sail with a snack, kick back in a bubbling 38°C tub, and watch your favourite films under the stars. Surrounded by the dazzling Canary Wharf skyline, this floating cinema experience is truly one for the books.

At £35 a ticket, you get popcorn, changing rooms, and lockers to stow your stuff. Swimsuit? Check. Movie lineup? Legendary - Elf, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Home Alone await.

The hottest immersive Christmas experience in London for 2024, Humbug is the over-the-top festive dive bar where you'll get Santa back in the seasonal spirit of things. You can find this unique pop-up on Brick Lane, tucked away inside The Truman Brewery.

This interactive event features rowdy live performances, shrines to Mariah and tunes galore, all while you're sipping on some naughty cocktails. Expect the debauchery to turn up as the night goes on, with tickets starting from just £35 per person.

Returning after a huge success last year, Silent Disco Walking Tours are coming to the Soho area with a festive edition of their outdoor parties. Pop on your headphones and boogie to seasonal tunes, all while admiring London's gorgeous Christmas lights and discovering some hidden gems. There'll be hilarious commentary throughout the walk too, with tickets starting from just £19 per person.

At their venues in Waterloo, Soho, Islington, Liverpool Street and Holborn, Lucky Voice are hosting a series of free-flowing Christmas karaoke brunches. They're putting a festive twist on their popular event, promising a private room for you and your friends to belt out seasonal tunes in.

You'll enjoy two hours of karaoke, bottomless drinks and pizza from £50 per person, so you can pair sparkling wine or their special Gin'gle Bell Rock cocktail with cheesy slices - topped with pepperoni, mushrooms and more.

This festive season, climb aboard a vintage 1960s Routemaster bus and whizz around the city, soaking up its sights and, most importantly, all its festive decorations with tickets starting from £17 to the Top Deck London Christmas Lights Tour. 

The bus itself will be decked out in all things tinsel and you'll be taken around iconic locations like Oxford Street, Harrods and Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, seeing them lit up in all their glory at this time of year. 

Utilise your detective skills this Christmas with tickets to Mr Fogg's Victorian Murder Mystery. Taking place at his Mayfair residence, Phileas J. Fogg invites you to uncover who killed his friend, John Sullivan, along with solving the Bank of England robbery. It's one mighty task, and on Sundays in December, there's an exclusive Christmas special too.

Get excited for the Sleigh Bougie Christmas Bottomless Drag Brunch & Dinner Show in London at Fire & The Garden. This fabulous festive bash starts at just £16, offering a four-hour party experience with top-notch sound, lighting, and visuals. Enjoy fierce and fabulous Christmas performances from The Bougie Girls, savour a delicious street food feast, and sip on 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco, cocktail jugs, vodka, rum punch, bottled beer, or soft drinks.

On the hunt for Christmas events in London for families? We're here to help with our handy guide. Plenty is going on throughout the city to keep the little ones entertained - all of which you'll find thoroughly enjoying too. 

Get involved with carols and have a very Dickensian Christmas, or sing your heart out in theatreland with tickets to West End Musical Christmas. There are even some cute, themed afternoon teas to indulge in too.

The Very Merry Shuffle Brunch returns this festive season, promising to jingle your bells with a Christmas cocktail on arrival followed by unlimited sourdough pizza and prosecco. But that's not all, as you'll get your go at gaming on the shuffleboard tables too, with tickets starting from £40 per person.

Art Social Club, usually home to BYOB sip and paint classes on more traditional canvas, are this time hosting a chance to paint your very own Christmas card. Unleash your creativity and then the team will turn them into Christmas cards delivered to your door within 48-hours of the event.

Step into a winter wonderland at Sky Garden's Winter Bar and enjoy jaw-dropping views of the city skyline alongside a festive selection of cocktails. For a ticket price starting at £15, you'll be treated to an unforgettable evening in the clouds, where twinkling lights and frosty vibes meet expertly crafted drinks and live music.

From complimentary spiced winter warmers to glasses of Moët & Chandon on arrival to celebrate, it's the perfect place to sip and celebrate the season at London's highest garden.

Prepare for a holly, jolly time at Fire & The Garden's Buff Bingo Christmas Bottomless Drag Brunch London. It's not your average bingo game - it's a festive extravaganza filled with sass, sparkle, and fabulous prizes, including a £200 jackpot. Hosted by London's funniest drag duo, featuring sexy buff butlers and a DJ spinning the hottest tracks, it's the ultimate Christmas party brunch.

All I Want For Christmas Is Cabaret is a glittery show packed with some of the best performers around, taking place at The Phoenix Arts Club for a limited period of time. Grab tickets starting from £20 per person to catch all things burlesque, musical theatre, comedy and so much more. 

While prison might not be the ideal destination this festive season, Alcotraz is whipping up an experience you won't forget in a hurry. From entertaining immersive costumes down to fittingly-themed cocktails, this is one of the best Christmas team events.

Taking place at Tooting Works, Lady Berry Cupcakes is hosting a handful of delicious and crafty festive events with tickets from £55 per person. 

Create a quintessentially Christmas gingerbread house as part of its workshop, or decorate your own cupcakes. All materials will be provided and you'll be guided on how to really nail cute designs. Just grab your friends, harness your inner sweet treat connoisseur and get decorating.

Family-friendly festive show The Snowman is returning to the West End's Peacock Theatre for its 27th year, bringing the iconic book and film to stage for a magical Christmas extravaganza. Expect spellbinding storytelling, choreography and costume, as well as music and lyrics by Howard Blake (including famous song Walking in the Air) played by a live orchestra.

The festive season wouldn't be complete without a trip to a London Christmas market and luckily for you, we've compiled a guide to help you find the best of the best. 

Whether you fancy strolling along the Thames and indulging in all things fondue, or hitting up the iconic Winter Wonderland for fun games while sipping hot chocolate, we've got just the thing.

Book the London Comedy Lunch for your festive soiree this year and you'll not be disappointed. Taking place at City Central at The HAC, it provides some incredible standup from the best acts in the business (this year it's Jo Caulfield, Simon Brodkin and Tom Stade) alongside some delectable fare. Packages start from £325 per person and include a three-course meal, a drinks reception and plenty of wine and beer.

If Winter Wonderland just isn't hitting the spot like it used to, then you'll want to check out our guide on alternative destinations that'll still give you the festive feels. Think Christmas at Kew, riverside or rooftop igloos and snowy ski lodges.

Wind your way around the capital's wintery walking routes - it's the only logical way to help that turkey go down. Whether strolls along the Thames, cultural trails with public artworks included or parks are more your thing, we've also found a pub to finish up at.

Don't wait for the weather forecast to know if you're going to get your fix of flurries, as this list of places to go for faux snow is a must on your Christmas agenda. There are parties with Santa, rooftops filling your feed with flakes and hourly showers in Covent Garden.

After the coolest places to skate in our capital? From Somerset House to GLIDE Battersea, Ally Pally and more, these are the very best rinks that are making waves across London just in time for Christmas.

If you're after free Christmas events in London for 2024, many of these festive light trails and displays fit the bill. Expect Covent Garden's finest alongside Oxford and Carnaby Street - plus some paid-for options at Kew Gardens or Kenwood House. This guide has it all.

Christmas in London isn't complete without Winter Wonderland - the famous attraction has been setting up camp in Hyde Park since 2007, wowing visitors with its games, rides and delicious food stalls ever since. 

Gather your mates and head on over to explore over 100 vendors whipping up everything from candles to hot chocolates. There'll also be chalet-style bars serving mulled wine and gourmet cheese toasties. Sign us up.