There is nowhere quite like London in the run-up to Christmas. Angels float above Regent Street, a giant tree fills the Covent Garden piazza, ice rinks pop up in palace courtyards and the smell of roasted chestnuts drifts along the South Bank. For families, it is one of the easiest and most rewarding city breaks in Europe: compact enough to explore on foot, packed with free things to see, and dark early enough that even little ones can enjoy the lights before bedtime.
We have put this guide together to help you plan the whole season in one place: the key 2026 dates, the best areas for Christmas lights, a family-friendly lights walk, ice rinks, Christmas markets, festive days out and where to stay. Dates marked confirmed have been announced by the organiser; dates marked expected are based on early listings or previous years, so double-check those before you book anything.
Contents
- London Christmas 2026 at a glance: key dates
- When to visit London at Christmas
- Where to see the Christmas lights, area by area
- Our family-friendly Christmas lights walk
- Ice skating in London at Christmas
- London Christmas markets 2026
- Festive days out and Christmas experiences
- Where to stay in London at Christmas
- Tips for visiting London at Christmas with kids
- FAQs
London Christmas 2026 at a Glance: Key Dates
Bookmark this section: we will keep it updated as more 2026 dates are announced.
Christmas lights switch-on dates 2026
| Where | 2026 date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford Street | Early November (2025: 3 November) | Expected |
| Carnaby Street | Wednesday 4 November | Confirmed |
| Regent Street & St James’s | Thursday 5 November | Expected |
| Marylebone Village | Wednesday 11 November | Confirmed |
| Bond Street | Mid-November (2025: 12 November) | Expected |
| Covent Garden | Thursday 12 November | Confirmed |
| Seven Dials | Thursday 12 November | Expected |
| Christmas at Kew | 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Greenwich | Wednesday 18 November | Expected |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | 19 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Trafalgar Square tree lighting | Early December (usually the first Thursday) | Expected |
Ice rinks 2026–27
| Rink | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Skate Leicester Square | 31 October 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Glide at Battersea Power Station | 6 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Skate at Somerset House | 11 November 2026 – 10 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Queen’s House, Greenwich | 18 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park | 19 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Hampton Court Palace | 20 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Alexandra Palace (indoor) | Open all year | Confirmed |
Christmas markets 2026
| Market | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Southbank Centre Winter Market | Early November – early January | Expected |
| Christmas in Leicester Square | Early November – early January | Expected |
| Trafalgar Square Christmas Market | Mid-November – early January | Expected |
| Covent Garden | From 12 November | Confirmed |
| Winter by the River, London Bridge City | Mid-November – Christmas | Expected |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | 19 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| Kingston Christmas Market | Mid-November – late December | Expected |
| King’s Cross & Coal Drops Yard | Late November – Christmas | Expected |
| Borough Market (daily festive opening) | From 30 November; closed 25–27 December | Confirmed |
When to Visit London at Christmas
London’s festive season now stretches from Halloween to early January, so you can choose the version of Christmas that suits your family.
Late October to early November: the quiet start. Skate Leicester Square opens on 31 October and the first big West End lights go on in the first week of November. You will have the streets almost to yourself, but many markets and light trails won’t be open yet.
Mid-November to early December: our favourite window. By mid-November nearly everything is open: Covent Garden’s tree is lit, Kew’s light trail has started, Winter Wonderland is open and the rinks are running. Weekdays are still relatively calm and hotel prices haven’t yet hit their December peak. If you are travelling with young children, this is the sweet spot.
Mid-December to Christmas Eve: peak magic, peak crowds. The atmosphere is at its best, but so are the queues. Oxford Street and Regent Street can be uncomfortably busy on Saturdays, especially with a buggy. Book everything ticketed well in advance and plan your lights walk for a weekday evening.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day: very quiet, very limited. There is no Tube or bus service on Christmas Day and most attractions are closed. It is a lovely time for a walk through an empty city if you are staying centrally, but don’t plan sightseeing that relies on public transport.
Between Christmas and New Year. Most rinks and light trails stay open until early January, and the city feels more relaxed once the shopping rush ends. It is a good option if you want to stretch the festive season.
One big bonus for families: in December the sun sets just before 4pm, so you can see the lights at their best at 4.30pm and still be back at your hotel for an early dinner.
Where to See London’s Christmas Lights, Area by Area
Rather than racing between individual streets, it helps to think about London’s lights by neighbourhood. Each area has a different feel, and most can be explored in an hour or two.
The West End: Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby
This is the classic London Christmas, and the busiest.
Regent Street is the headline act: rows of illuminated angels arc over the curve of the street between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, and they look especially good from the top deck of a bus. Halfway down you will find Hamleys, which is a Christmas stop in its own right for most children. The lights continue into St James’s, where the displays are a little more traditional and the crowds a little thinner.
Oxford Street is in the middle of a big change. Part of the street is due to become traffic-free from autumn 2026, and early reports suggest a Harry Potter-themed display this year alongside the usual overhead lights. Expect it to be very crowded on weekends.
Carnaby Street, tucked just behind Regent Street, is always the most playful display. The theme changes every year and is usually announced on switch-on night (4 November 2026). Children love spotting the details, and the surrounding lanes of Soho are full of family-friendly places to eat.
Covent Garden and Seven Dials
If you only have one evening, make it Covent Garden. The piazza is home to one of London’s biggest real Christmas trees, the market hall is hung with oversized baubles and mistletoe, and there are street performers most afternoons. The lights are switched on on 12 November 2026.
A few minutes’ walk north, Seven Dials has its own festive decorations strung across the seven streets that meet at the sundial pillar. It is smaller and calmer, which makes it a good place to catch your breath with children.
Mayfair and St James’s: Bond Street, Burlington Arcade and the shop windows
This is London Christmas at its most elegant. New Bond Street and South Molton Street are lined with designer boutiques dressed for the season, while the Regency-era Burlington Arcade is decorated end to end with garlands. Just around the corner on Piccadilly, Fortnum & Mason‘s Christmas windows are a London institution, and inside the ground floor is a treasure trove of festive biscuits, hampers and chocolate.
Don’t miss the exterior of Annabel’s on Berkeley Square, a private members’ club whose façade becomes one of the most extravagant (and photographed) Christmas displays in the city. You can’t go in, but you can admire it from the pavement.
Marylebone Village
For a gentler, neighbourhood feel, head to Marylebone High Street. The lights go on during the Merry Marylebone celebration on 11 November 2026, and the village-style shops, bookshops and bakeries make it a pleasant place to spend an afternoon without the West End crush.
Knightsbridge, Chelsea and Belgravia
Harrods is lit up with thousands of bulbs all year round, but at Christmas its windows and grand food halls take things to another level. Further west, King’s Road and Sloane Square in Chelsea, and the quiet garden squares of Belgravia, have elegant, understated decorations. Look out too for the Ever After Garden at Duke of York Square, an installation of glowing white roses that has raised money for cancer charities in recent years. Its 2026 dates had not been announced when we last checked.
The City and East London
Leadenhall Market, with its painted Victorian roof and cobbled lanes, looks wonderful with its Christmas tree and garlands, and is a great stop if you are visiting the Tower of London or Tower Bridge. Nearby, Old Spitalfields Market decorates its covered hall and fills with independent makers in the run-up to Christmas. Both are worth combining with the riverside market at London Bridge City (see below).
Greenwich
Greenwich feels like a small town inside London. The lights in the town centre are expected on 18 November 2026, and you can combine them with Greenwich Market, the Cutty Sark and the ice rink at the Queen’s House. Arrive by Thames Clipper for a festive boat trip along the way.
Trafalgar Square
Every year Norway sends London a tall spruce from the forests around Oslo, a thank-you for Britain’s support during the Second World War. The tree goes up in Trafalgar Square in late November and is lit at a free public ceremony in early December, usually with carols. It is simply decorated in the Norwegian style, with vertical strings of white lights, so don’t expect baubles!
Our Family-Friendly Christmas Lights Walk
This route links the best West End displays in roughly 3km, almost all on pavements and pedestrian streets. With children and stops for hot chocolate, allow two to two and a half hours. Start around 4pm so it is dark by the time you reach Regent Street.
- Start at Bond Street station (step-free via the Elizabeth line) and walk down South Molton Street to New Bond Street.
- Head south along New Bond Street, admiring the designer window displays, then cut through Burlington Arcade to Piccadilly.
- Cross to Fortnum & Mason for the Christmas windows, then walk east to Piccadilly Circus.
- Turn up Regent Street under the angels, stopping at Hamleys if you dare.
- Slip through Foubert’s Place or Ganton Street into Carnaby Street to see this year’s installation.
- Wander east through Soho, across Shaftesbury Avenue to Seven Dials.
- Finish at Covent Garden, under the giant tree. Covent Garden station gets very congested in the evenings, so walk five minutes to Leicester Square for the Tube.
Short on time or energy? Do just steps 4 to 7: Regent Street, Carnaby, Seven Dials and Covent Garden is about 1.5km and takes an hour at a toddler’s pace.
Prefer to sit down? A Christmas lights bus tour is a brilliant option with tired legs or bad weather, and children love the open views from the top deck. Compare options, including Santa-themed and afternoon tea buses, on GetYourGuide.
Ice Skating in London at Christmas
Skating outdoors under fairy lights is one of the best Christmas experiences in London, and most rinks run special sessions for younger skaters. A few tips before you book:
- Book a specific session online. Weekend and December slots sell out, and walk-up tickets are rarely available.
- Check the minimum age and skate sizes. Most rinks offer small children’s skates and penguin or seal skating aids for beginners, but numbers are limited, so arrive early.
- Gloves are essential, even on mild days, for little hands on the ice.
Skate at Somerset House: best for a classic London setting
The rink fills the grand neoclassical courtyard of Somerset House on the Strand, with a giant Christmas tree at one end. It is the most atmospheric rink in central London and runs from 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, with tickets from around £11 for off-peak and children’s sessions. Club nights and the rinkside lodge make it fun for teens and parents too.
Skate Leicester Square: best for an early start
Now in its second season, this circular rink around the Shakespeare statue opens first, on 31 October 2026, and runs to 3 January 2027 (closed on Christmas Day). Combine it with the Leicester Square Christmas market and the lights on the way to Covent Garden.
Glide at Battersea Power Station: best for confident skaters
Glide is not one rink but three linked ones, with a skating trail of around 200 metres beneath the power station’s famous chimneys. Open 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with plenty of family-friendly places to eat in the shopping centre afterwards.
Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich: best for younger children
Set in front of the elegant Queen’s House beside the National Maritime Museum, this rink has doubled in size for 2026 but kept the same number of skaters per session, so it feels roomy for beginners. Open 18 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed on Christmas Day.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink: best for a day trip
Skating beside Henry VIII’s palace is a memorable day out, and selected dates include DJ sets, ice sculpting and a skating Santa. Open 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed on Christmas Day. Trains from Waterloo take around 35 minutes.
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park: best as part of a bigger day out
The Winter Wonderland rink is one of the largest outdoor rinks in the UK. Book skating separately from your entry ticket. Open 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Alexandra Palace: best for skating lessons
“Ally Pally” in north London has a full-size indoor rink open all year, so it is unaffected by rain. It runs public sessions and beginner lessons, plus festive ice discos in December.
London Christmas Markets 2026
London’s Christmas markets are less about one big market and more about a scattering of smaller ones across the city. Rather than listing them by location, we have grouped them by what kind of day you are after.
Best for families with young children
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (19 November 2026 – 3 January 2027) is London’s biggest festive event: hundreds of wooden chalets, fairground rides, a giant observation wheel, circus and ice shows, and enough food stalls to feed an army. Entry uses timed tickets (free at off-peak times, with a small charge at peak times), and rides and shows are paid for separately. Go on a weekday afternoon if you can, and set a ride budget before you arrive.
Covent Garden combines its Christmas market stalls with the tree, the lights and street performers, all within a few minutes’ walk. Easy to do with a buggy, and close to the London Transport Museum for a warm indoor break.
Best for food lovers
Borough Market opens every day from 30 November through December (closed 25–27 December), and it is the place for mince pies, mulled cider, cheese, sourdough and Christmas lunch ingredients. Weekday mornings are calmer. Read our guide to the Christmas market foods you must try before you go.
Southbank Centre Winter Market runs along the river from early November to early January, with a strong line-up of street food and hot drinks plus views of the London Eye. It is free to wander and makes a perfect starting point for an evening walk along the Thames.
Best riverside setting
Winter by the River at London Bridge City sits on the south bank between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, with festive stalls and a giant tree framed by Tower Bridge lit up after dark. It is expected to open in mid-November and pairs well with Borough Market and Leadenhall Market.
Best for unique gifts
Old Spitalfields Market fills its Victorian hall with independent designers, makers and vintage traders, making it ideal for presents you won’t find on the high street.
King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard host makers’ markets and pop-ups from late November. While you are there, children can visit Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross station (expect a queue for photos).
Best in the heart of the West End
Christmas in Leicester Square and the Trafalgar Square Christmas Market are central, compact and easy to add to a lights walk or a theatre trip. Both are expected to open in November and run into early January. Trafalgar Square’s market sits right beside the Norwegian tree.
Best for a change of scene
Kingston Christmas Market (expected mid-November to late December) brings traditional wooden chalets to the riverside town of Kingston upon Thames in south-west London, a short train ride from Waterloo. It works well combined with Hampton Court Palace’s ice rink.
Greenwich Market is open all year, but it is at its best in December with Christmas gifts, crafts and food stalls in its covered hall.
Festive Days Out and Christmas Experiences
Christmas at Kew
Kew’s after-dark light trail is one of the most magical things to do in London at Christmas, with tunnels of light, illuminated trees and the Palm House lit up across its lake. It runs on selected evenings from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and is closed on some dates, including Christmas Day. Under-4s go free, and off-peak child tickets start at around £20. Off-peak evenings in late November are the best value. Book through Kew’s official website.
Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
For Harry Potter fans, the studio tour’s Christmas makeover is hard to beat: the Great Hall is laid for a Christmas feast and the sets are dusted with snow. The 2026 season is expected to run from mid-November to mid-January. Check dates and book on the official Warner Bros. Studio Tour website, as Christmas weekends sell out months ahead.
A Christmas pantomime
Oh yes it is! Panto is a very British Christmas tradition, with audience participation, slapstick and outrageous costumes, and it is the perfect first theatre trip for children. The London Palladium’s star-studded production and the Hackney Empire’s much-loved panto are two of the best-known, and many local theatres across London run their own.
Carol concerts and candlelight concerts
Hearing carols in one of London’s historic churches is a lovely, calmer counterpoint to the shops. St Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square holds a full programme of Christmas concerts, and Candlelight concerts of festive and film music run in venues across the city (see listings on Fever).
Christmas at Eltham Palace
This English Heritage property mixes a medieval great hall with glamorous 1930s Art Deco interiors, and both look wonderful dressed for Christmas. Its Christmas fair is expected on the first weekend of December; check English Heritage for 2026 details.
Festive afternoon tea
Many London hotels serve Christmas-themed afternoon teas through December, with gingerbread, mince pies and Christmas pudding-inspired cakes. Some offer children’s menus, which are a great treat for little ones. The most popular book up weeks ahead, so reserve as soon as menus are released. If you’d rather combine tea with sightseeing, an afternoon tea bus tour passes the landmarks while you eat.
A grown-ups’ night out
If you have a babysitter for the evening, Miracle at Henrietta in Covent Garden is a pop-up Christmas cocktail bar covered floor to ceiling in kitsch decorations. Check the official website for 2026 dates and age restrictions.
Where to Stay in London at Christmas
Where you stay makes a big difference with children, as you will want to pop back for naps, warm-ups or an early night.
| Area | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Covent Garden & the West End | First-time visitors, lights walks | Pricey in December; can be noisy |
| South Bank & Waterloo | Families, river walks, markets | Easy access to Westminster and the London Eye |
| Kensington & Knightsbridge | Museums, Winter Wonderland, Harrods | Quieter evenings; a short Tube ride to the West End |
| Marylebone | A calmer central base | Walkable to Oxford Street and Regent’s Park |
| Greenwich | Value, space and a village feel | Allow 25–35 minutes into central London |
Our tip for families: the South Bank is hard to beat. You can walk to the Southbank Centre Winter Market, the London Eye and Westminster, cross the river to the West End in 15 minutes, and Waterloo station makes day trips to Hampton Court and Kingston easy.
Hotels known for their Christmas decorations
If the hotel is part of the experience, these are some of London’s most festive:
- Claridge’s, Mayfair. Each year Claridge’s invites a different designer or artist to create the Christmas tree in its lobby, and the unveiling is one of the events of the London festive calendar. Even if you’re not staying, you can see it over afternoon tea. Check availability.
- The Savoy, Strand. Grand, central and within walking distance of Covent Garden and Somerset House’s rink. Check availability.
- Corinthia London, Whitehall. Spacious rooms and suites a few minutes from Trafalgar Square and the Embankment. Check availability.
- The Langham, Regent Street. Right at the top of Regent Street’s lights, with a famous festive afternoon tea in the Palm Court. Check availability.
Good-value family options
- Premier Inn London County Hall. Family rooms next to the London Eye, on the doorstep of the Southbank Centre Winter Market. Check availability.
- Serviced apartments in Kensington, Marylebone or the South Bank give you a kitchen and more space, which is very handy with toddlers. Browse London apartments.
Tips for Visiting London at Christmas with Kids
Book the big-ticket experiences first. Kew, Hogwarts in the Snow, skating sessions, pantos and festive afternoon teas are the things that sell out. The markets and lights are free and need no planning.
Children travel free on public transport. Under-11s travel free on the Tube, buses and the Elizabeth line with a paying adult (up to four children per adult). Use a contactless card or phone, which is capped daily, so there is no need for paper tickets.
Plan around step-free stations if you have a buggy. Not every Tube station has lifts. The TfL Go app shows step-free routes, and buses are always buggy-friendly and often quicker for short hops in the West End.
Mind the Christmas transport gaps. There is no Tube or bus service on Christmas Day, a reduced service on Boxing Day, and engineering works are common between Christmas and New Year. Check TfL before you set off.
Dress for damp rather than snow. A white Christmas is the exception here; drizzle and a biting wind are far more likely after dark. Waterproof layers, a hat and gloves will keep everyone happy on a lights walk far longer than a heavy coat alone.
Don’t try to do it all in one day. Group sights by area: the West End lights and Covent Garden one evening, Southbank and Borough Market another day, and Greenwich or Hampton Court as a separate trip.
Weekday evenings beat weekends. Oxford Street and Regent Street on a December Saturday are no fun with small children. A Tuesday to Thursday evening is far calmer.
Look for indoor back-ups. If the weather turns, the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and London Transport Museum are all brilliant with kids. See our guide to the best things to do in London with kids for more ideas.
On a budget? Many of the best festive experiences in London cost nothing at all. See our guide to free Christmas things to do in London with kids.
FAQs About Christmas in London 2026
When are the London Christmas lights switched on in 2026?
The first major displays go on in early November: Carnaby Street on 4 November and Regent Street expected on 5 November. Marylebone Village follows on 11 November and Covent Garden on 12 November 2026. Oxford Street and Bond Street had not confirmed their dates at the time of writing.
What is the best time to visit London for Christmas?
Mid-November to early December. By then almost all the lights, markets, rinks and light trails are open, but you avoid the heaviest crowds and peak hotel prices of mid-to-late December.
When does Winter Wonderland open in 2026?
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, every day except Christmas Day.
Which London ice rink is best for kids?
The Queen’s House rink in Greenwich is great for beginners, as it has more space per skater this year. Somerset House offers the most festive setting in central London, and Hampton Court Palace makes a memorable day out.
Are London’s Christmas markets free?
Yes, most of London’s Christmas markets are free to enter, including Southbank, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Borough Market. Winter Wonderland uses timed entry tickets, which are free at off-peak times, with rides and shows charged separately.
Is London good for families at Christmas?
Very. Many of the highlights, including the lights, the Trafalgar Square tree, the markets and the shop windows, are free, outdoors and walkable. Early sunsets mean children can see the lights before bedtime.
Does public transport run on Christmas Day in London?
No. There is no Tube or bus service on Christmas Day, and services are reduced on Boxing Day. Plan to stay local, walk or book a taxi in advance.
Does it snow in London at Christmas?
Rarely. A white Christmas in London is unusual, so expect cold, damp days around 5–8°C and pack waterproofs rather than snow gear.
Planning Your London Christmas
London at Christmas rewards a little planning: book the ticketed treats early, keep the lights and markets for spontaneous evenings, and give each area its own day rather than racing across the city. Whether it is a single day trip to see the lights or a long weekend of skating, markets and panto, there is a festive London to suit every family.
If you are making a longer winter trip of it, see our guide to the most beautiful places in the UK in winter, and if you are shopping for a travel-loving friend, try our Christmas gift ideas for travel lovers.
For more family travel inspiration, follow us on Instagram @travelingbambinos.
