Last updated: 11 November 2024
Ready for holiday magic in Canary Wharf? Our guide has all the top events and activities lined up for you. For Canary Wharf regulars and holiday explorers alike, this guide is your passport to seasonal delight.
Popular events bring festive cheer to the area, such as the enchanting Winter Wonderland, where visitors can enjoy thrilling rides and delightful festive treats. The Canary Wharf Winter Lights, featuring stunning light installations, transforms the waterfront into a captivating display of colour and creativity. And the Covent Garden Christmas, known for its beautiful decorations and charming atmosphere, is something you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Canary Wharf Holiday Light Displays
Canary Wharf Winter Lights
- What to Expect
- Interactive light installations and suspended lights.
- Description
- Canary Wharf Winter Lights is an immersive light festival featuring 19 installations by UK and international artists, including interactive exhibits and suspended lights. The event transforms Canary Wharf with a dynamic collection of artworks, showcasing the intersection of nature and technology.
- Where
- London | More Info : Canary Wharf Winter Lights
Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- A 50-60 year old Norwegian spruce decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion.
- Description
- The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is a 50-60 year old Norwegian spruce, over 20 metres tall, selected from Oslo's forests with great care. It is felled in November, shipped to the UK, and decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion with energy-efficient lights. The tree remains in Trafalgar Square until just before Twelfth Night, when it is recycled.
- Where
- London | More Info : Trafalgar Square Christmas Market
Canary Wharf Holiday Markets and Shopping
Covent Garden Christmas
- What to Expect
- Traditional Christmas decorations and activities in a historic London setting.
- Description
- Covent Garden transforms into a vibrant winter wonderland with iconic Christmas bells, giant baubles, and a 60ft Christmas tree. The area offers a variety of festive activities, including Mulled Wine stations, Santa's sleigh, and immersive dining experiences.
- Where
- London | More Info : Covent Garden Christmas
Southbank Centre Winter Festival
- What to Expect
- Interactive art installations and diverse cultural performances.
- Description
- The Southbank Centre Winter Festival transforms the South Bank of the Thames into a vibrant winter destination with spectacular shows, luminous art, and a wondrous Winter Market offering a range of festive treats.
- Where
- London | More Info : Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Greenwich Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts and seasonal items in a bustling marketplace setting.
- Description
- Greenwich Christmas Market offers a vibrant atmosphere with 88 stalls selling art and crafts, 49 market stalls featuring a variety of food, and numerous shops selling antiques, jewellery, and lifestyle items. The market is a perfect place to find unique gifts and seasonal items.
- Where
- London | More Info : Greenwich Christmas Market
Spitalfields Christmas Markets
- What to Expect
- Seasonal shopping with unique gifts and festive food.
- Description
- Spitalfields Christmas Markets offer a vibrant shopping experience with unique gifts, seasonal items, and festive food, set amidst the historic Victorian market hall.
- Where
- London | More Info : Spitalfields Christmas Markets
Kingston Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- European-style festive market with unique retailers and diverse food options.
- Description
- Kingston Christmas Market offers a European-style festive experience in a traditional British setting. Explore twinkling fairy lights, enjoy mulled wine, and savor a variety of delicious foods. Discover unique gifts and immerse yourself in festive cheer with classic Christmas carol singers and live music.
- Where
- Kingston upon Thames | More Info : Kingston Christmas Market
Canary Wharf Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- UK's largest open-air ice rink and diverse entertainment options.
- Description
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a vibrant holiday event featuring an ice skating rink, carnival rides, live music, and themed areas like Santa's Grotto and the Magical Ice Kingdom. Visitors can enjoy traditional German cuisine, mulled wine, and festive cocktails while exploring the various attractions and shows.
- Where
- London | More Info : Winter Wonderland
Leicester Square Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of circus, cabaret, and music performances.
- Description
- La Clique, a renowned cabaret show, returns to Leicester Square Spiegeltent for its 20th anniversary, featuring daring acrobatics, eye-popping stunts, and raucous comedy.
- Where
- London | More Info : Leicester Square Christmas Market
Christmas Carols at Westminster Abbey
- What to Expect
- Traditional and modern carols performed by the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir.
- Description
- Join the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir for a special Christmas carol service, featuring traditional and modern elements, poignant readings, and musical performances by notable guests.
- Where
- London | More Info : Christmas Carols at Westminster Abbey
Christmas at The Dorchester
- What to Expect
- Luxurious holiday celebration with indulgent dining and special treats.
- Description
- Celebrate Christmas at The Dorchester with a luxurious two-night stay, daily English breakfast, and festive treats. Enjoy a festive cocktail and canapés in Vesper Bar or Artists' Bar, and indulge in Christmas Day lunch served in the Holford & Orchid Room.
- Where
- London | More Info : Christmas at The Dorchester
Live Music Performances at Canary Wharf
- What to Expect
- World-class live music in a luxurious setting.
- Description
- Boisdale Canary Wharf offers an exceptional live music experience with daily performances featuring renowned artists like Rebecca Ferguson, Omar, and the Definitive Rat Pack. The venue boasts a sophisticated atmosphere with an extensive whisky bar, Cuban cigar library, and elegant dining options.
- Where
- London | More Info : Live Music Performances at Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf Holiday Giving Opportunities
Santa Stair Climb at Canary Wharf
- What to Expect
- Climbing 48 floors to support food charity.
- Description
- The Santa Stair Climb at Canary Wharf is a charity event where participants climb 1,031 steps to the 48th floor of One Canada Square, raising funds to deliver meals to Londoners in need. Participants receive a green Felix Santa hat, an exclusive themed t-shirt, and a medal. The event aims to raise enough funds to provide over 825,000 meals.
- Where
- London | More Info : Santa Stair Climb at Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf Other Holiday Activities
Winter by the River at London Bridge City
- What to Expect
- Bold, beautiful, and curious gathering with seasonal allure.
- Description
- As the nights grow longer, Winter by the River at London Bridge City becomes a gathering place for the bold, beautiful, and curious. This event is where people come to experience the allure of the season, with a mix of activities and attractions that make it a standout event.
- Where
- London | More Info : Winter by the River at London Bridge City
Ice Rink at Battersea Power Station
- What to Expect
- Unique interconnecting ice rinks with a 30ft Christmas tree.
- Description
- Glide at Battersea Power Station is an open-air ice rink set against the backdrop of one of London's most iconic buildings. It features three interconnecting rinks, a 30ft Christmas tree, and offers a variety of activities including vintage-style fairground rides, live entertainment, and a selection of food and drink venues.
- Where
- London | More Info : Ice Rink at Battersea Power Station
The Ivy Chelsea Garden Christmas
- What to Expect
- Elegant Christmas dining with modern British cuisine and stunning garden settings.
- Description
- The Ivy Chelsea Garden transforms into a vibrant Christmas setting with lush foliage, Art-Deco details, and beautiful burnt orange banquettes. Enjoy modern British cuisine, café-style classics, and fantastic vegan and vegetarian dishes. The outdoor garden and orangery offer a delightful dining experience, while festive menus and special events add to the holiday cheer.
- Where
- London | More Info : The Ivy Chelsea Garden Christmas