What Is Cable Car-aoke? A Full Guide to London’s Christmas Karaoke Cable Car
You know when something sounds a bit gimmicky… and then you do it and it turns out to be the most chaotic + wholesome thing you’ve done all Christmas? That’s Cable Car-aoke.
This is TfL’s IFS Cloud Cable Car turned into a private karaoke booth in the sky mics, party lights, thousands of songs and the London skyline rolling past underneath you. It’s a limited-time festive thing, and honestly, it’s now on my “London must-do” list for December.
Here’s a full guide so you know exactly what it is, how to book, what to expect, and how to get there without stress.
So… what actually is Cable Car-aoke?
Cable Car-aoke is a special Christmas experience on the IFS Cloud Cable Car (London’s urban cable car that runs over the Thames between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks). For a few weeks in November and December 2025, two of the cable cars are transformed into private karaoke cabins in a collaboration between Time Out and the cable car team.
Inside your cabin you get:
microphones
party lights
a proper speaker system
and a playlist of around 1,000+ songs (some pages say up to 2,000) covering pop, rock, guilty pleasures and festive hits
You and your friends basically get to scream-sing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” while gliding 90 metres above the Thames. It’s silly, surreal and very London.
When does it run in 2025?
For 2025, Cable Car-aoke is a limited-run Christmas experience:
Dates: Every Thursday and Friday, from 13 November to 19 December 2025
Times: Typically 5pm–10pm on those evenings (check your chosen date when you book)
Where: On the IFS Cloud Cable Car, between IFS Greenwich Peninsula Terminal (by The O2) and Royal Docks
It’s only on those evenings and only for that mid-Nov to mid-Dec window, which is why I’m calling it a December “must-book-before-it-goes” experience rather than a permanent attraction.
How long does it last and what happens on board?
A standard cable car trip is about 10 minutes each way, but the Cable Car-aoke ride is usually extended to give you more singing time (often around 20–25 minutes total, depending on the package and evening). Check the exact wording on the booking page, because it can vary with demand.
What it feels like in real life:
You check in at IFS Greenwich Peninsula Terminal (that’s the North Greenwich end, near The O2).
Staff assign your group to a Cable Car-aoke cabin.
You step in, the doors close, the city drops away… and the screen + playlist + mics are already there waiting for you.
The lights dim, the party lights kick in, and you’re suddenly in a tiny flying karaoke pod over the river.
It’s just you and your group in that cabin no strangers. The ride is long enough for a few songs, some laughing, some filming and at least one chaotic group chorus.
How to book Cable Car-aoke (don’t just turn up)
You have to book in advance; this is not a “just rock up and see” thing.
You book it via the official IFS Cloud Cable Car website under their “Experiences” section you’ll see “Cable Car-aoke Experience” listed alongside things like the Glass Floor Experience and Champagne Experience.
A few practical bits:
Group size: It’s marketed for small groups think you + 4–5 friends (a cabin usually fits up to 6 comfortably).
Price: Pricing can vary by date and offer (there have already been promo codes like “SingInTheSky20” for 20% off certain nights), so always check the live page rather than any screenshot you see on social.
What’s included: your own private karaoke cabin, return trip across the Thames, sound + lights, and the playlist. Some packages may offer optional add-ons like drinks before boarding.
If you’re visiting in December, I’d treat this like any other limited-capacity Christmas thing (Kew, Winter Wonderland attractions, etc.): pick your date early and lock it in.
Where is it exactly? (And how to get there without getting lost)
The cable car runs between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, just a few minutes from The O2.
Nearest stations
For Cable Car-aoke departures:
Most of the marketing and booking pages specify departures from IFS Greenwich Peninsula Terminal.Nearest Tube: North Greenwich (Jubilee line)
From North Greenwich station: it’s about a 5–7 minute walk following signs for the IFS Cloud Cable Car / London Cable Car / Emirates Air Line (old name).
Other side (Royal Docks):
Nearest station: Royal Victoria (DLR)
You’ll see the Royal Docks terminal right by the water.
If you’re staying central, you can be there in roughly 15–20 minutes from London Bridge or Waterloo: Jubilee line straight to North Greenwich, then a short walk.
If you want to make it easy on yourself, stay somewhere that’s a simple Tube ride to the Jubilee line this is where a base like HOTEL makes life very simple, and you can just hop on the line and go.
What makes it actually special (not just a gimmick)?
There are a few reasons this doesn’t feel like a tacky add-on:
The view is the main character.
You’re not shut in some dark booth in a basement bar; you’re literally watching the Thames, The O2, the city skyline and planes lining up for London City Airport float past.It’s short and intense.
Because the ride isn’t very long, it forces you into a few chaotic, high-energy songs instead of a tired three-hour karaoke slog.It’s limited.
Only Thursday and Friday nights, only until 19 December. If you do it, you know it’s a specific 2025 Christmas memory not something you could just repeat any random weekend in March.It’s very “London”.
TfL, the Thames, Time Out, a slightly bonkers idea that somehow works this is peak modern London energy.
Accessibility & who it’s good for
The IFS Cloud Cable Car itself is wheelchair accessible, bike-friendly and integrated into TfL’s network. The general cable car cabins can accommodate wheelchairs and prams, and the terminals have step-free access. For Cable Car-aoke specifically, if someone in your group has access needs, it’s worth contacting guest services ahead of time just to double-check anything specific to the karaoke cabins.
Who this works best for:
Small groups of friends who like being a bit silly
Work mates doing something different instead of a traditional Christmas dinner
Couples who are chaotic together and want a weirdly memorable date night
Visitors who have already done the “big sights” and want a story they can’t get anywhere else
Probably not ideal if:
You hate heights
You hate singing
You really hate both at the same time in front of your friends
How to combine it with the rest of your evening
You don’t need to build an entire day around Cable Car-aoke, but it slots perfectly into a South/East London night.
A few easy combos:
Cable Car-aoke + dinner at The O2:
Sing in the sky, then walk back to The O2 for dinner and drinks.Cable Car-aoke + Greenwich
Go earlier in the day to explore Maritime Greenwich, the Covered Market and the Cutty Sark, then Jubilee line up to North Greenwich for your evening slot.Cable Car-aoke + Royal Docks / ExCeL side:
After your ride, explore the Royal Docks vibes, or visit the London Cable Car Experience space (VR, exhibition, café) next to the Greenwich terminal if you’re with family.Cable Car-aoke + river:
For full “sky and water” energy, pair your cable car slot with a Thames river boat ride from central to North Greenwich on Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, then back by Tube.
Practical tips from someone who’s actually been
Book one of the later slots if you want full darkness and city lights outside. The 5pm slots in early December will still have some twilight.
Decide your first songs before you board. You don’t want to waste half the ride arguing about which Ed Sheeran track wins.
Dress for outside. The cabins are sheltered but you’ll be queuing and walking in December air.
Check TfL’s Christmas travel page if you’re visiting towards the end of December; some services change around Christmas and New Year.
Film sparingly. Get a couple of good clips for your Reel, then put your phone down and actually enjoy screaming into the void with your friends.
Final thought chaotic, wholesome, and very London
Cable Car-aoke is one of those things that sounds unhinged in theory, then halfway through your second song you realise you’re actually having the best time. It’s intimate, a bit ridiculous, and gives you that “I can’t believe we just did that” feeling that you remember long after your trip.
If you decide to book it after reading this, genuinely tell me how it went and if you post a Reel, tag me so I can see your high-note attempts over the Thames.
For more odd little London experiences like this, real-time December tips and last-minute ticket finds, follow @london.yaar on Instagram think of it as your slightly chaotic but very useful London friend, sending you the fun stuff before it disappears.