Top 11 Christmas activities in London

Christmas in London is a full-on sensory experience. Lights, music, cocktails, chaos – whatever you’re into, you can find it right here in the capital. From rooftop skating to immersive prison bars, here are eleven Christmas activities in London that don’t coast on nostalgia alone. Starting with…

1. Get locked up at Alcotraz

Alcotraz London is what happens when you combine cocktails, theatre, and prison roleplay. You smuggle your own booze in, dress in jumpsuits, and dodge the Warden while the bootlegging inmates turn your contraband into cocktails. It’s a lot of fun, and something worth trying as a unique Christmas activity in London, even if you only try it once — especially with a group of friends or coworkers you don’t usually see in fake prison gear. 

2. Celebrate Christmas in London with style at Kew Gardens

Forget fairy lights on the balcony. Kew Gardens takes the season seriously with its annual Christmas light trail, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. The scale, the colour, the sheer over-the-top beauty of it all, it’s the kind of place where even the most cynical Scrooge starts humming some carols! Besides light shows, you can expect to find world-class art installations, delectable toasty drinks, and the odd Santa sighting as you stroll through one of London’s most magical winter settings.

3. Possibly injure yourself at Somerset House Ice Rink

The rink at Somerset House deserves a spot at the top of London’s Christmas to-do lists. It’s romantic, ridiculous, and exactly the right amount of slippery. Whether you’re gliding like a pro or clinging to the edge with your coworkers laughing behind you, it’s always memorable. Plus, the backdrop’s unreal: fairy-lit neoclassical architecture, Christmas playlists, and hot chocolate (or something stronger) to warm up with when your ankles give out.

4. Dodge the Sheriff at Moonshine Saloon London

If you’ve done time at Alcotraz, it’s time to head west. Way west! Moonshine Saloon in London drops you into a frontier town where outlaws drink in secret, the sheriff’s always one step away, and your smuggled booze gets turned into cocktails behind the bar. So if you loved Alcotraz but want something a little different, this should be the first place you hit on the dusty trail.

5. Belt out your favourite carols at Trafalgar Square

This one’s old-school. Carol singing at Trafalgar Square is stripped-back, traditional, and wholesome in a way that not a lot of things are these days – which is really what Christmas should be about! There’s no stage, no mics, no glitz, just people singing the songs that everyone knows. It’s completely free, open to the public, and has that simple charm that makes you forget you’re in a city of ten million people. Surprisingly moving.

Keep an eye out for the traditional Trafalgar Square London Christmas tree while you’re there. It’s gifted to the people of London by the city of Oslo, and has been every year since 1947, as a token of gratitude for British support to Norway in the Second World War!

6. Scream at the top of your lungs at Sleeping Beauty panto

Christmas means panto. This year’s show at the Palladium is Sleeping Beauty, and it’s stacked with stars (Catherine Tate and Julian Clary, for a start). Expect glitter, shouting, double entendres, and plenty of proper old-fashioned audience participation. 

7. Slow things down at Charles Dickens museum

If you want your Christmas with a side of literary history, head to 48 Doughty Street. It’s the former home of Charles Dickens, and it’s decked out in classic Victorian charm all year round – plus the occasional ghost of Christmas past (probably). Even without a specific Christmas event, the atmosphere alone is worth it. It’s quieter, more thoughtful, and a solid antidote to the usual December noise.

8. Discover another world at Avora London

Avora isn’t just a cocktail bar. It’s a whole other planet. Hidden in London, this theatrical drinking experience throws you into a neon-soaked jungle where the rules are different, the cocktails are experimental, and the story unfolds around you. You’ll drink glowing liquids, meet characters from another world, and maybe even help decide its future… A top choice for unique Christmas party experiences!

9. Wander through Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. studio tour

Yes, it’s technically in Watford, but maybe Watfordians are right when they say Watford is part of London – and Hogwarts in the Snow is worth the trip, anyway. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour transforms the entire set into a Christmas dream: snowy rooftops, Yule Ball decorations, and a Great Hall that looks like it was decorated for the season by actual wizards. If you grew up with Harry Potter (or you’re just a sucker for magical scenery), it’s one of the most atmospheric ways to get festive this year. And needless to say, it’s great for the kids.

10. Indulge with Christmas afternoon tea at The Ritz

Afternoon tea at The Ritz is the full luxury Christmas fantasy: finger sandwiches, champagne, gold trim on everything, and a live choir singing carols while you eat cake. It’s exactly what it should be: over-the-top, indulgent, and probably the only time all year you’ll hear the word “savoury choux” in conversation. Ideal if you’re looking to impress, propose, or just live like royalty for an afternoon. It’s not cheap, but hey, it’s the Ritz! 

And how about a walk afterwards to take in some London Christmas lights on Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street, and Bond Street (or Covent Garden if you fancy more of a walk)?

11. Grab last minute gifts at Southbank Centre Winter Market

Forget the frantic dash through overcrowded department stores, Southbank Centre’s Winter Market is where you go when you need gifts that actually look thoughtful (even if you bought them five minutes ago). Stalls packed with handmade jewellery, quirky prints, and artisanal food line the riverbank, all wrapped up in that signature festive chaos.

If it’s a bit far, these are the best Christmas markets London has to offer this year:

• Leicester Square Christmas market
• Trafalgar Square Christmas market
• Covent Garden Christmas market
• Winter by the River at London Bridge City
• King’s Cross Christmas markets

…but there are lots more, as you might imagine for a capital city – so keep an eye out for one near you.

Why have your Christmas party at Alcotraz?

Whether you’re planning an office Christmas party or corralling a group of mates for one last night out before everyone disappears to their in-laws, Alcotraz is built for a big festive blowout. It’s immersive enough to feel like an experience, not just a bar, and weird enough to be talked about long after the hangover wears off. Why not try something new and give it a go?