Things To Do On Christmas Eve In London

Celebrate the festive season with a Christmas Eve Dinner at The Montague on the Gardens in Fitzrovia.

Enjoy a delicious à la carte menu, complete with an array of wines and champagne, to set the mood for the upcoming Christmas Day celebrations. With a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, this is the perfect place to enjoy a festive meal with friends and family.

Have you been put on the naughty list this year? Check out Alcotraz on Christmas Eve so you and your pals can channel your inner delinquent. Don orange jumpsuits as you smuggle your own alcohol at this immersive experience in London. But beware of the warden...

There's nowhere better to be this Christmas Eve than The New York Bar, where they're transforming the cosy space into a wintery paradise. Their talented bar manager Silvu Stan will be whipping up a range of signature festive cocktails to enjoy with your friends, to be enjoyed alongside four bar snacks from their small plates menu. Even better? There'll also be live music from their resident singer.

Located along the South Bank, Fire & Fromage at Jimmy's Pop-up is the fun winter pop-up that promises amazing views of the Thames and beyond. Ideal for couples, friends and families alike, this place promises cosy Alpine-style seating and lots of delicious street food.

Their amazing unlimited cheese offer includes all-you-can-eat raclette for 90 minutes, paired with freshly baked bread, salad, potatoes and cornichons, followed by mini doughnuts and hot chocolate - all for just £35 per person. Plus, there's mulled wine on the cards too.

Decked out in over-the-top festive decor, there's nowhere better to be than Humbug: The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar when it gets to Christmas Eve. Celebrate with Santa while you enjoy seasonal cocktails and non-stop tunes, promising lots of cheeky surprises along the way.

Whether you're partying on the dancefloor or taking pictures at the shrine to Mariah Carey, you're guaranteed to have a good time. Head to The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane to discover this quirky pop-up, with tickets starting from only £35 each.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea's light trail is a magical escape into holiday cheer, complete with glowing arches, illuminated trees, and charming Christmas displays. Whether you're planning a romantic evening, a family adventure, or just want to enjoy the festive vibes, this trail is guaranteed to impress.

Gourmet street food options are aplenty, with something to please every palate. Feast on raclette, bratwurst, Moroccan specialities, and vegan dishes before finishing your evening with churros and chocolate or a steaming cup of mulled wine to toast the season.

Head to The Egerton House Hotel for a magical winter experience: the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea. Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, this stunning venue features elegant dining spaces full of flowers and grand furnishings, where you can enjoy a seasonal feast from £95 per person.

Tuck into choux buns filled with fluffy vanilla cream, freshly made smoked salmon sandwiches, home-baked scones and more - with classic, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus available.

The Milestone Hotel and Residences is hosting a festive six-course Christmas Eve Dinner complemented by carol singers and a pianist to create the perfect yuletide atmosphere. Boasting sparkly decorations and a welcoming ambience, you can indulge in a scrumptious meal whipped up with love and a sprinkle of holiday magic. Priced at £245 per person, the menu includes treats such as French onion soup, North Atlantic halibut, and gingerbread sticky toffee pudding under the expert culinary guidance of executive chef Daniel Putz.

One of the best festive activities on Christmas Eve in London has got to be Club Curling, found at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross. There are six sustainable lanes for curling here, each fitting up to six players at a time - and you can secure tickets for as little as £9 per person, or free for under 12s.

From 12 until 8pm, you can get stuck into this seasonal activity. There'll also be a bar on site, serving hot drinks, beer and wine.

Back after popular demand for another year, the London Christmas Lights Tour is a great way to soak up the festive atmosphere in the city on Christmas Eve. This walking silent disco promises pop and Christmas hits playing through your headphones, alongside hilarious commentary from the hosts.

You'll get o see all the lights and sights of Central London as you stroll around Soho, with tickets starting from £19 per person.

After a totally unique event this Christmas Eve? Then set off on a journey through the bioluminescent woodland of Avora, an immersive experience in Hoxton brought to you by the brains behind Alcotraz and Moonshine Saloon. You'll kick off your adventure at Roscorp Laboratory, donning a custom jumpsuit and receiving your briefing on all the scientific missions along the way.

You'll get to enjoy three creative cocktails as part of your £42.50 payment, including a colour-changing one, and for every ticket sold a tree will be planted. Not only is this a highly Instagrammable venue, but it's non-stop fun through its challenges and activities.

If you want to go all-out this Christmas Eve, look no further than Lodge D'Argent at the stunning Coq d'Argent in the City of London. This gorgeous, festive rooftop haunt is the most beautiful place to celebrate, promising top-notch views and a cosy Alpine atmosphere.

You can hire out one of their lodges for up to six guests, with a minimum spend of £300. Enjoy a range of Courvoisier cocktails, paired with seasonal treats such as wild mushroom tarts, charcuterie boards, dark chocolate fondant and much more.

Be transported to the Wild West for one night only, when you enter Moonshine Saloon in Houndsditch. This unique immersive experience will have you smuggling in your favourite spirit to give to the bartenders, who'll whip up four bespoke cocktails from it - but be sure to avoid the Sheriff. 

You'll become a part of the story here, playing card games with locals and getting involved in the covert liquor operation. Plus, their tailor will give you a themed outfit so you'll fit right in.

If you're looking for the best things to do on Christmas Eve in London, there's nothing better than taking a last trip to one of the city's greatest Christmas markets. Whether you're buying some last minute presents or just hunting down some mulled wine to celebrate the occasion, there are plenty of festive hotspots open on the 24th.

Southbank Christmas market is always a top choice for views of the Thames while you browse, or check out options in Covent Garden, Greenwich or Spitalfields instead - being sure to head to a nearby bar afterwards.

When you think of Christmas in London, there's one thing that springs to mind: Winter Wonderland. There's nowhere that'll get you feeling more festive ahead of the 25th, so head to Hyde Park and soak up the atmosphere from one of its many themed bars.

There are also a huge variety of street food vendors and market stalls - great for any last minute gifts. You can also hop on fairground rides such as the helter skelter or a giant wheel that provides amazing views, and there's an ice-skating rink as well.

Situated in Marble Arch, FRAMELESS is a a mind-blowing immersive exhibition that transforms classic works of art into a virtual display. There are four different rooms with a different theme to each, with every one bringing the pieces to life in unique ways.

Expect to see work from Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt and other famous artists, providing hours of entertainment. Plus, there's a cosy cafe and bar for afterwards.

There's an undeniably wintery feel to the Harry Potter stories, and the musical version is a great choice of outings on the 24th. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is being performed at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, with tickets starting from £34 per person.

Follow Harry's story as he struggles with his adult life, telling the tale of past and present through his son Albus. A play by Jack Thorne, this show takes the franchise we all know and love to a whole new level.

Located in Richmond, Kew Gardens is the stunning royal palace that's been transformed into a botanical hotspot, dating back to the 18th century. There are more than 50,000 living plants on display, as well as over 7 million preserved specimens. You'll also find the world's largest Victorian glasshouse here, while the Palm House features an indoor tropical rainforest.

Christmas At Kew features their famous light trail, spanning across over three kilometers of mesmerising illuminations, glittering tunnels, bejeweled trees and more. Plus, there'll be independent vendors selling hot food, sweet treats and winter warmers.

There's nothing nicer than a family walk on Christmas Eve, and luckily for us, there are plenty of places to go in the city. We've rounded up ten of our very favourite routes, finishing up at a cosy pub to toast to the occasion.

Whether you feel like strolling through the Walthamstow Wetlands, admiring the beauty of Richmond Park or setting off from Hackney Wick to Angel, there's something to suit everyone here.

To make the day before Christmas an extra special affair for the whole family, check out The Snowman - the festive show returning to the West End's Peacock Theatre for the 27th year in a row. Embark on the stage adaptation of this magic adventure, complete with a live orchestra, iconic songs like Walking in the Air and spellbinding storytelling to rival the famous book and film. For a family Christmas eve in London, there's no better pick.

Celebrate Christmas Eve in London 2024 with the ultimate winter activity: ice skating. Whether it's with friends or family, whirling round the rink (or hugging the wall) is a guaranteed way to get you feeling festive ahead of the big day.

We've rounded up the top spots across the city to get your skate on, from Glide at Battersea Power Station to Somerset House and Alexandra Palace - with a variety of locations and budgets.