Things to Do in London in December

Step into a festive adventure in the West End with the latest Race Across The World experience. 

Like the original, this race takes place over three legs filled with puzzles, challenges, and budget-management decisions. 

In this festive edition however, you’ll bundle up and dash through Covent Garden, Mayfair, Soho and beyond on a Christmas-themed quest to track down the guest book, and see some of the West End’s most glorious Christmas lights as you go.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for one of the best things to do in London in December that everyone can enjoy, whether they celebrate Christmas or not, give the original Race Across The World live experience a try. 

Race Across The World: The Experience is the official live experience of the award-winning hit TV show, brought to life in a high-stakes adventure across London.

Important Info: You must be 18+ to purchase tickets. The experience is designed to be accessible and inclusive. See FAQs for details.

Treasure hunts like these are perfect for anybody who wants to get out and explore London during the festive period (and locals, that includes us, too!). 

Solve riddles, discover quirky spots, and uncover city secrets as you journey across famous landmarks and lesser-known nooks.

Looking for things to do in London in December, you just can’t skip the markets.

If you haven’t managed to do all your Christmas shopping, market browsing is a great opportunity to pick up something that is a little unusual or handmade. 

Otherwise, it’s all about the treats. Depending on where you go, there’s something for everyone (and, let’s be honest, it’s a ready-made excuse to grab some mulled wine along the way).

Here are some of our favourites:

• 📍Seven Dials Market
• 📍Greenwich Market
• 📍Columbia Flower Market
• 📍Broadway Market

Escape the cold in one of London’s historic pubs, preferably one with an authentic fireplace for maximum cosiness.

Bring a loved one (at least one) and grab something to sip or, why not, tuck into some warming hearty pub grub while you’re at it. No regrets!

• 📍The Trafalgar (Greenwich)
• 📍Fitzroy Tavern (Fitzrovia)
• 📍White Cross (Richmond)
• 📍The Lamb & Flag (Central London)
• 📍Tapping The Admiral (Kentish Town) 

If you’re looking for things to do in London in December that satisfy your sweet tooth, this is for you.

Indulge in themed afternoon teas with seasonal treats with mince pies, scones and Christmas cakes in cosy settings.

If you’re feeling fancy, check out The Langham or The Four Seasons, or if you want to save the turkey and cranberry for the big day itself, opt for a themed afternoon tea instead.

If you’re in the mood to get creative, sip prosecco while painting Christmas baubles with Brush and Bubbles. 

Perfect for anybody who’s looking for a fun, festive night with friends (and hey, you get to bring home an extra decoration for your tree at the end!).

A great indoor activity for chilly December nights, nothing says winter like getting competitive over a board game at a snug café. 

Grab your friends or family, pick a game, and lose hours strategising (or bickering) over whether it’s really fair to allow hotels on Mayfair or try out some games you’ve never played before.

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas in London, you might just find yourself dreaming for a long old while.

That said, Scandinavian-style Christmas is still available closer to home. The celebration of St Lucia is a big deal in Sweden and it’s celebrated right here in London courtesy of the Swedish church (Svenska Kyrkan). 

Hear traditional Swedish Christmas carols at Westminster, St Paul’s or Southwark Cathedral and turn up your festive feeling to the max!

What could be more Christmassy than channelling your inner Bake Off contestant and decorating your own gingerbread treats? 

Decorate gingerbread biscuits at a festive workshop that mixes creativity, sugar, and Christmas spirit. Best of all, you get to eat your masterpiece at the end. Delicious and creative!

It’s only a matter of time before social media finds out that a classic British Christmas tradition is...going to a local theatre to watch an innuendo-filled show with local celebrities playing unlikely characters from fairytales. 

If you’ve not been before, expect slapstick comedy, outrageous costumes, and plenty of audience participation (Repeat after me: “he’s behind you!”).

Look up a theatre near you and grab tickets!

If you’re looking for things to do in London in December that have nothing to do with Christmas at all, this is for you!

Test your problem-solving skills in an outdoor escape game. A mix of adventure, teamwork, and London sightseeing.

Outdoor escape rooms like these allow you to take on London’s streets where you’ll solve clues, crack codes, and race against time to complete your mission: to uncover as many city secrets as possible.

If you’re an outdoorsy, fitness-oriented sort of person, this is for you. Grab your trainers (and Santa hat) and prepare for a jolly jog around Victoria Park. 

It’s not every day you get to see hundreds of Santas dashing around–and, if you need a bit more persuading to get involved, there are free mince pies to be had…

Best of all, this is a charity event so you’ll be contributing to those in need at a time that’s all about giving.

Wind back the clock to the 19th century and see how a young Queen Victoria celebrated Christmas in London at her birthplace, Kensington Palace. 

Many of us know that Queen Vic and Prince Albert were instrumental in popularising the Christmas tree in British homes, but how else did Christmas evolve during the 19th century? Here’s where to go if you want to find out! 

If you’re looking for things to do in London in December with kids who love animals, this is for you.

The zoo is a great place to visit any time of the year but on select Friday nights in December, “after-dark” tickets allow you and the family to enjoy some Christmas games, crafts and activities at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo.

If you’re in need of romantic things to do in London in December that don’t break the bank, go back to basics, my friend. 

Nothing warms your heart (and your hands) like a cup of velvety hot chocolate, but for a hot drink staple, finding top-tier options is surprisingly hard to find… unless you’re us, and you’ve made it your mission to track them down. 

Here are our favourites:

• 📍Knoops
• 📍Dark Sugars
• 📍Scottalia

Here’s a hands-on Christmas activity that doubles as a romantic date idea: making your own Christmas wreath together.

They provide all the fresh greenery, festive decorations and guidance, so all you need to bring along is plenty of creative flair.

If you’ve never been before, Rivoli Ballroom is a beautifully-preserved 1950s venue that, as the name suggests, used to be where the grandparents of London threw some shapes. 

During the festive season though, it’s where you can go to get your hands on tickets to see some absolute Christmas classics like Home Alone, Die Hard, Gremlins, Elf and, of course, Love Actually.

If you really want to push the boat out, head on over to the romantic, twinkling wonderland that is Chelsea Physic Garden’s Christmas fair.

Browse gifts, sip mulled wine and enjoy one of the city’s most enchanting festive spots, and since you’re in the area, round it off with a warming walk along the Thames.