Archway Other Christmas Activities 2026

Skaters take to the open-air rink surrounded by the architecture of The Queen's House and views of the London skyline. Visitors can bring their own skates or swap shoes for a pair at the skate exchange, with food and drinks...

Visitors can celebrate midwinter with music, dancing, storytelling, and hands-on crafts inspired by global folklore and traditions. Activities include interactive tales of the holly and oak king, lantern making, and shadow puppetry. Royal Observatory astronomers will also be on hand...

The annual winter season transforms the Southbank Centre with outdoor pop-ups, luminous art, and festive market stalls. Visitors can enjoy street food, hot drinks, and views of the Thames from the balcony bar. The programme spans multiple venues with cabaret,...

Choirs perform one-hour carol singing sessions at the base of the Christmas tree. To preserve an authentic, traditional, and intimate atmosphere, performances take place without a stage or public announcement system. Visitors can gather around the tree to enjoy the...

Guests wander through festively dressed palace staterooms featuring immersive sets, atmospheric soundscapes, and live music. Along the way, visitors encounter live actors, friendly puppets, and gentle mythical creatures including a unicorn foal, panther, and sleeping dragon guardian. For those wishing...

Visitors can wander through a Christmas forest to North Pole HQ, where children can write letters to Santa, craft crackers, fold festive origami, and decorate cards. Across the grounds, guests can listen to seasonal keeper talks about penguins, capybaras, and...

Visitors glide across the ice rink beneath a towering Christmas tree surrounded by twinkling lights, festive tunes, and falling snow. Off the ice, guests can visit the East Court Café to enjoy seasonal treats including mince pies, mulled wine, and...

Santa Claus sets up camp in the East Court for festive family visits. Children meet Santa inside his grotto and receive a small gift. There is also an opportunity to have a photo taken with Santa at the end of...

Visitors celebrate a Victorian Christmas across the Castle, St George's Chapel, and the Learning Centre. Guests can discover Victorian foods with historical demonstrators, take in storytelling sessions, and hear community choirs singing under the tree in the State Apartments. Other...

Families stay overnight in LEGO-themed accommodation or nearby partner hotels and receive one-day entry to the festive theme park. Guests enjoy winter rides, live holiday shows, building activities, and character meet-and-greets. Those staying on-site on New Year's Eve can also...

Visitors can experience a festive evening of live musical entertainment and sparkling stage performances to welcome the holiday season. The concert features global pop, soul, rock, and dance artists including Natalie Imbruglia, Heather Small, T’Pau, Texas, Alison Limerick, and 911....

Led by expert guides, visitors explore London's iconic wooden 'O' and discover how Christmas was observed in Shakespeare's day. The tour covers folk traditions practiced to welcome winter, including wassailing, the winter solstice, kissing boughs, and traditional mince pyes.

Visitors step through a magical wardrobe into a snowy wonderland created in the historic walled gardens of Fulham Palace. Guided by the Guardians of the Winter Garden, families explore a world of movie-quality falling snow, twinkling lights, and holiday surprises....

Guests explore London's festive illuminations from the comfort of a private black taxi, stopping to take photos at major displays. The route travels through central areas including Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden, Soho, and Knightsbridge. Throughout the drive, a...

Passengers embark on a circular sightseeing voyage along the River Thames to take in scenic views of historic riverside sights. The journey includes live or recorded commentary provided by the crew. Guests can take in the sights from an open...

Families step into a magical festive grotto to meet Santa during an exclusive time slot. Visitors join whimsical elves in the workshop to craft a festive keepsake and write letters with their Christmas wishes. Children can also mix up reindeer...

Join local florist Liz Aston for a hands-on workshop to fashion foliage into a unique holiday wreath to take home. Attendees can wander through the Castle precincts, St George's Chapel, and the State Apartments to gather inspiration from the seasonal...

Visitors take part in a lively family celebration filled with games, dancing, and hands-on crafty activities led by performer Len Blanco. The session encourages children and their families to come together, express themselves, and create art alongside artists. It offers...

Families step into Santa’s workshop surrounded by twinkling presents, stockings, and letters to enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas celebrating Black British culture. Visitors join Mrs. Kringle and her helpers to make reindeer food with her secret recipe and participate...

Guided walkers explore the London streets that inspired Charles Dickens's famous story A Christmas Carol, following the footsteps of Scrooge, Marley, and the Cratchits. Along the route, guides share warming seasonal stories of Victorian Christmas puddings, turkeys, mince pies, pantomimes,...

Participants take a guided walking tour exploring the holiday traditions of medieval St Albans. The route delves into how locals celebrated during twelve days of licensed misrule with feasting, carolling, dancing, and games. Guides recount stories of churches bedecked in...

Participants spend an evening exploring their creativity while listening to sweet festive tunes, guided step-by-step by professional artist Virginia Sutton. Each guest is provided with an easel, palette, canvas, and a set of paintbrushes to work with throughout the session....

Children get the chance to craft their very own wooden car alongside the Elite Transformation team. After building their creation, young racers can test out its speed on a specially designed race track. The festive workshop provides hands-on creative fun...

Visitors spend a calm and crafty morning creating their own holiday card or collage under the guidance of professional artist Virginia Sutton. The workshop provides all necessary art and crafting materials while playing festive tunes to celebrate the season. It...

Families can celebrate the snowy season dancing to disco, acid house, and techno tunes spun by DJ HiFi Sean inside a Grade I-listed warehouse. The celebration includes bubbles, balloons, foam, confetti, a parachute dance, a snow-themed sensory room, and hands-on...

Tour guide Maria leads an exploration of London's Christmas highlights and the history of winter celebrations. The tour covers how holidays were observed across eras, including ancient Celtic and Roman traditions, Medieval and Tudor feasts, Victorian customs, and Second World...

Celebrate the end of the year with a friendly, inclusive social dance session. Participants join dancers for a dance workshop followed by open social dancing. The event features seated adaptations and movement alternatives designed for every body, welcoming attendees of...

Guided walkers explore Victorian hideaways and alleyways off the Strand and Covent Garden districts associated with Charles Dickens's life and works. The route highlights London's finest Georgian alleyway and a surviving subterranean fragment of the Victorian underworld. Along the way,...

Led by guide Ann, this walking tour explores the stories and traditions behind classic British holiday dishes, from turkeys that walked to London to the chequered history of the sprout. Participants hear about historical pudding recipes, workhouse festive fare, and...

Visitors can explore the museum galleries in the evening before attending a talk on the pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia. Archaeologist Gillian Hovell examines ancient and modern artwork to reveal how customs like gift-giving, holly, and party hats originated in...

City of London Guide and Lecturer Jill Finch leads an illustrated talk examining festive traditions in the Square Mile from Roman Saturnalia and Saxon Yule to Medieval mumming and Tudor feasts. Attendees learn about historical figures such as Boy Bishops,...

Mrs H and the Singalong Band bring live music to children and families with an emphasis on theatrical engagement. Audiences take part in communal singing and active participation throughout the performance. Visitors can also reserve a table for afterwards or...

Participants hand-dip their own beeswax candles following a traditional Swiss holiday craft surrounded by twinkling lights. The beginner-friendly activity allows attendees to shape wax creations into tall, twisted, or custom designs. Guests leave with their finished handmade candles to keep...

Bach to Baby presents a festive performance designed specifically for babies, toddlers, and their carers. The concert features professional musicians performing across a variety of musical genres, instruments, and styles.

Guided by independent florist Bloom of the Block, participants design and assemble a bespoke festive wreath. Crafters work with a pre-mossed wire frame, fresh pines, firs, and mixed greenery, customizing their piece with ribbons, dried fruits, cones, and decorative accents....

Gather your team to test your general knowledge skills at this festive pub quiz. Teams compete across trivia rounds with a winner-takes-all outcome.

Visitors gather in central London to celebrate the arrival of the new year with the Mayor of London's fireworks display. Attendees watch the celebrations from designated ticketed viewing areas across the central event footprint. The area is managed with security...

Visitors can enjoy a fun and creative craft session inside Wardown House Museum & Gallery. Participants make their own handmade seasonal cards to take home.

Experience the magic of London's iconic Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. This cherished annual event celebrates the 78-year tradition of a Christmas tree gifted from Oslo, Norway, as a symbol of gratitude. The ceremony features carols from The Choir...

Embark on a magical journey aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride London, departing from Euston Station. This immersive theatrical experience brings the beloved film to life, offering families a chance to don their pajamas and enjoy a festive adventure. Sing...

Experience the magic of Christmas at the London Transport Museum with a festive trail through the galleries. Meet Santa and his elves in a charming grotto, and encounter costumed characters sharing tales of transport and holiday traditions. It's a delightful...

London Zoo hosts 'Meet Santa at London Zoo' this holiday season. Visitors can register interest for ticket releases for this event, which aims to bring holiday cheer to the zoo for families.

Embark on a magical journey to Santa's Enchanted Grotto at John Lewis Oxford Street. This unique experience, inspired by a LEGO® set, takes visitors on an adventure to Santa's Post Room before a special meeting with Santa Claus himself. Children...

Step into the world of Charles Dickens this holiday season at his former London home. The Charles Dickens Museum offers a unique journey back to 1837, bringing his iconic stories to life through special events, immersive tours, and captivating performances....

Experience the magic of the holiday season at St Martin-in-the-Fields with a spectacular array of Christmas concerts and services. Immerse yourself in festive carols, classical performances, and unique candlelight concerts set within the stunning architecture of this historic London landmark....

Glide into the festive season at JW3's popular ice rink, located under the new Dorfman Piazza. This covered, weatherproof rink offers 45-minute skating sessions for all ages. Penguin stabilisers and banana toboggans are available for younger or less confident skaters,...

Experience the magic of the holiday season with a guided walking tour through London's City of Westminster. Discover the most enchanting Christmas light displays as they illuminate the city's iconic streets and landmarks. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and...

Experience a truly unique holiday tradition with the Serpentine Swimming Club's Peter Pan Cup race. This historic 100-yard handicap swim has taken place every Christmas morning since 1864. Spectators are welcome to witness this unique event, which has a special...

Experience a one-of-a-kind festive charity fun run in London's iconic Covent Garden. Teams of four, adorned in fantastic fancy dress, navigate a playful obstacle course while balancing a Christmas pudding on a tray. This exciting event raises vital funds for...

Families can enjoy free craft and sensory storytelling sessions at Angel Central, hosted by the Little Angel Theatre. These engaging activities are designed for children aged 3-9 and younger, offering creative fun with themes ranging from seasonal crafts to space...