London is a city that can be enjoyed at any time of year, but there’s always something special about the capital during the festive season. Whether you live here or are just visiting, there are some great options for making the most of the entertainment on offer this year.
Christmas-Themed Entertainment at Home
Watching one of the many Christmas movies set in London is a terrific way to soak up the atmosphere without even leaving home. The classic romantic comedy Love Actually starts and ends in Heathrow Airport, with scenes in Notting Hill and Oxford Street among other locations. The list of new films for 2025 includes A Christmas Carol, which is Gurinder Chadha’s take on the timeless Charles Dickens tale. Jingle Bell Heist is a new Netflix release that involves a raid on a London department store.
Festive themes can also be found in a variety of online slots. Cops and Robbers Bigger Big Money Christmas by Inspired has festive symbols, including a police sleigh, with what looks like a version of the London skyline in the background. Big Bass Christmas Frozen Lake by Pragmatic Play takes you out to the countryside for a fishing trip with a difference when you want to get away from the big city for a few spins.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
This is the city’s biggest festive event, featuring one of the UK’s top Christmas markets. Winter Wonderland is in its 18th year and runs until the first of January. It gives you the chance to go for a spin on an ice skating rink that’s classed as the biggest in the country. Live entertainment and lots of market stalls ensure that you can spend hours browsing here.
Not everyone loves it, with one review claiming that it’s too big to feel authentic and comparing it unfavourably to Birmingham’s Christmas market. However, there’s no doubt that plenty of people go here to get into the festive spirit. You can use several Tube stations, including Green Park or Marble Arch, to reach one of the multiple entrances.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
If you like the idea of strolling along the Thames and eating something festive while looking for gifts, this could be the ideal spot. The Southbank Centre Winter Market is packed with street food stalls and pop-up bars. Dutch pancakes, churros and hot dogs are among the top choices for foodies. If you’re feeling adventurous, Yorkshire Burrito combines tortilla wraps with Yorkshire pudding. Gifts can be found in stalls selling everything from handcrafted jewellery to books and Andean clothing.
These aren’t the only ways of getting your festive cheer in London this year. Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square both have Christmas markets, while the events at Covent Garden and Greenwich are also worth taking a look around.
The range of different ways of spending some great moments at this time of year is getting bigger each year. Take a look at some of London’s top festive events, and you’re sure to find something you want to do the next time you step outside.
