The Best Things to Do in London in December 2025 A Local’s Full Guide
December in London is a particular kind of magic. The daylight is short, but the city makes up for it with lights, markets, late-night museums, and big seasonal shows. Whether you’re here for five days or five hours, this guide collects the best things to do in London in December 2025 tried-and-tested local favourites, crowd-smart timing, and exactly how to get there.
1. Visit the big winter lights and switch-on ceremonies (but skip the worst crowds)
London’s neighbourhoods stage organised switch-on events across November and early December, but the glow stays all month. Oxford Street’s Sky Full of Stars lights (the main display) are already scheduled to shine through the season, and Regent Street’s angels and Piccadilly Circus area are reliably theatrical. These switch-on moments are fun if you like crowds and live performances; if you prefer peace, go on a weekday evening after the initial fanfare.
Where to go: Oxford Street / Regent Street / Piccadilly / Covent Garden.
How to reach: Tube to Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus, then wander walking is the best way to take in multiple displays.
2. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland carnival + market + ice rink (book ahead)
For a bucket-list festive outing, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is still London’s largest seasonal event rides, a huge Bavarian-style market, ice rinks and shows. In 2025 it runs from 14 November to 1 January (closed on a few days around the season) so it’s a reliable full-winter destination; buy timed-entry tickets in advance because prime slots and weekend evenings sell out quickly.
Where to go: Hyde Park (near Marble Arch / Hyde Park Corner).
How to reach: Tube to Marble Arch (for the north side) or Hyde Park Corner; follow the signs to Winter Wonderland entrances.
Tip: visit on a weekday evening or mid-afternoon (cheaper, smaller queues) and book any major attractions Santa’s Grotto, Ice Kingdom, or the XXL rides before you go.
3. Christmas at Kew the botanical light trail (tickets move fast)
If you prefer lights with atmosphere over rides, Christmas at Kew is the illuminated trail through Kew Gardens that consistently sells out. In 2025 the trail runs from 14 November to 4 January with timed entries and evening slots it’s cinematic: trees, glasshouses and water reflected in light installations. Tickets and time slots go quickly (weekends around mid-December are busiest).
Where to go: Kew Gardens (Richmond).
How to reach: Take the District Line to Kew Gardens or the Overground to Kew Bridge; allow time for transport connections it’s outside the central zone.
Local tip: arrive by train before sunset; the trail works best once it’s dark but isn’t unbearably cold when you start early.
4. South bank Centre Winter Market & riverside walks free, photogenic, easy to combine
South Bank’s free Winter Market runs along Queen’s Walk with street food, pop-up bars and craft stalls beside the Thames. It’s a low-pressure, photogenic option that works well with museum stops (Royal Festival Hall, Tate Modern a short walk away) and evening theatre on the Southbank. The market usually runs through November–January with daily hours and occasional closures on Christmas Day / New Year’s Eve.
Where to go: South Bank (Waterloo / London Eye).
How to reach: Tube Waterloo or Embankment; walk along the river from Westminster for a scenic route.
Tip: combine the market with a ride on the London Eye at sunset you’ll get day-to-night views in 30 minutes.
5. The best Christmas markets (big and indie) where to buy stuff that’s not mass-produced
London has a mix of large, tourist-friendly markets and smaller independent makers. For the classic chalets try Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Southbank Centre, London Bridge City and Greenwich. If you want indie makers and local crafts, hunt out Old Spitalfields, Columbia Road (flower-focused) and markets listed by local roundups. VisitLondon’s 2025 roundups are a great single resource for dates and openings.
Where to go: start with Leicester Square (central) → walk east to Southbank → head to London Bridge (Borough Market evenings) for food.
How to reach: Leicester Square Tube; Southbank (Waterloo); London Bridge station for bridge-side markets.
Tip: weekdays and early evenings are quieter. For gifts, avoid the final weekend before Christmas when traders may run low on stock.
6. Ice rinks worth the queue (all ages, great photos)
London’s most famous rink (apart from Winter Wonderland’s) rotates between Somerset House, Natural History Museum, and Tower of London adjacent pop-ups in different years. In 2025 check Somerset House for an atmospheric courtyard skate and the Natural History Museum’s skates near South Kensington for a child-friendly, museum-backdrop experience. Book in advance and bring gloves. (Local listings and ticket pages will show exact 2025 openings.)
Where to go: Somerset House (Temple / Covent Garden) or Natural History Museum (South Kensington).
How to reach: Temple or Covent Garden Tube for Somerset House; South Kensington for Natural History Museum.
7. West End shows, carol services and late-night museum openings
December is theatre season: West End shows run extended schedules and many museums offer late openings or special winter programmes. Book popular musicals and special concerts early. For a seasonal moment, attend an evening carol service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster Abbey or a parish church for candlelit music (check ticket/entry pages in advance).
Where to go: West End / Trafalgar / Westminster.
How to reach: Charing Cross / Leicester Square / Westminster tube stations.
Tip: many venues add matinees mid-December a smart option to avoid evening crowds.
8. Cosy food & drink best winter menus and pop-up bars
London’s restaurants and bars pull out all the seasonal stops set menus, festive afternoon teas and pop-up winter bars (igloos, alpine huts, rooftop chalets). Book ahead for popular spots in Mayfair, Soho and Shoreditch; if you want a treat after lights and markets, consider a reserved slot at a cosy hotel bar or try one of the Christmas cocktail pop-ups near King’s Cross or Coal Drops Yard.
Where to go: Mayfair / Covent Garden / Coal Drops Yard (King’s Cross).
How to reach: Bond Street / Covent Garden / King’s Cross.
9. Avoid the crowds: timing advice every local knows
Do big markets on a weekday morning.
Book Winter Wonderland and Kew tickets early (evening slots sell fastest).
Use contactless / Oyster for quick Tube access; local buses and riverside walks are often faster in evenings.
Consider arriving before sunset for light-trail attractions they look best when daylight becomes dusk.
10. A small local loop for a perfect December day (easy, one-day plan)
Start at Covent Garden for market stalls and street performers, walk to Leicester Square for the central market, stroll south across the river via Waterloo Bridge to the Southbank Winter Market, hop on the Tube to Kew for the evening light trail (timed ticket required), or stay central and finish at Somerset House for an evening skate and a drink. The loop packs lights, shopping and food into a single, pleasant day.
Final thought December in London is best savoured slowly
There’s something gentle about December in London when you stop rushing from landmark to landmark and instead follow a river of lights, markets and small rituals. Pick two big things (a market + a light trail), sprinkle in a theatre or a museum late opening, and you’ll go home feeling like you actually lived the season.
For up-to-the-minute ticket links, crowd alerts and last-minute pop-up reveals, follow @london.yaar I post daily tips, late openings and the little hacks that make London feel like a local’s city.