Last updated: November 11, 2024
Explore the must-see festive events in Chelsea! Discover all the top holiday highlights with our guide. From locals to holiday tourists, this guide showcases the best of Chelsea's festive season.
Popular events include Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, where visitors can enjoy traditional market stalls, rides, and seasonal treats in a magical setting. Covent Garden Christmas offers stunning decorations and vibrant entertainment, making it a lively gathering spot during the holidays. And the enchanting ice rink at Somerset House is something you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Illuminated botanical garden with festive food and Father Christmas.
Christmas at Kew is a botanical garden event featuring twinkling lights, seasonal sounds, and festive food. The event includes glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, and larger-than-life illuminations. Visitors can enjoy delicious independent street food vendors and glimpse Father Christmas along the way.
Where: Kew | More Info: Christmas at Kew
Spectacular LED light display with handcrafted spirits.
Regent Street's "The Spirits of Christmas" features over 300,000 LED lights, showcasing 45 handcrafted spirits soaring through the skies above Regent Street and St James's. The display includes stunning lights along Piccadilly, Fortnum & Mason's iconic windows, and the majestic Waterloo Place Christmas tree.
Where: Regent Street | More Info: Regent Street “The Spirits of Christmas”
Opulent Christmas lights on historic Mount Street.
Mayfair's iconic Mount Street is being illuminated with a sparkling new set of opulent Christmas lights this year, adding a vibrant touch to the festive season.
Where: Mayfair | More Info: Mayfair Christmas Lights
A symbol of gratitude and solidarity between Norway and Britain.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is a 50- to 60-year-old Norwegian spruce, over 20 metres high, gifted annually by Oslo to London as a token of gratitude for Britain's support during World War II. The tree is selected with great care, felled in November, and transported to London where it is decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion with vertical strings of lights.
Where: Trafalgar Square | More Info: Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
Traditional Christmas decorations and activities in a historic London setting.
Covent Garden transforms into a vibrant winter wonderland with iconic decorations, a 60ft Christmas tree, and festive dining options.
Where: Covent Garden | More Info: Covent Garden Christmas
Unique blend of art, shopping, and interactive installations.
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival is a vibrant celebration featuring spectacular shows, luminous art, and a wondrous Winter Market offering a diverse range of inspiring books, homeware, prints, and accessories. The event includes Modified Social Benches, Klaus Weber's Thinking Fountains, William Pye's Zemran sculpture, and Natura Nostra Forest, creating a natural oasis.
Where: Southbank | More Info: Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Iconic building decorated with over 120 Christmas trees and a riverside ice rink.
Battersea Power Station transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with over 120 Christmas trees, sparkling lights, and a riverside ice rink. Enjoy family-friendly activities, arts and crafts sessions, live performances, and a variety of shops and restaurants.
Where: Battersea | More Info: Christmas at Battersea Power Station
Interactive storytelling and character encounters in an art-deco mansion.
The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace is an immersive theatrical journey through the stunning art-deco mansion, where Father Christmas needs help restoring the true meaning of Christmas. Visitors will meet delightful characters, uncover the essence of the season, and enjoy interactive storytelling and captivating performances.
Where: Eltham | More Info: The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace
Interactive storytelling with Father Christmas in a Science Themed Grotto.
Meet Father Christmas in the Chelsea Physic Garden for a special storytelling experience. He will tell a story in the Science Themed Grotto, and each child will receive a lovely gift. There will also be an opportunity to take a picture with Father Christmas and enjoy eco-friendly Christmas decoration craft activities.
Where: Chelsea | More Info: Father Christmas Storytelling at Chelsea Physic Garden
Live music, playful puppets, and a magical set bring this timeless classic to life.
Join Santa as he awakens from a dream of sun, sea, and sand to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Watch as he prepares for his deliveries, feeds his reindeer, and takes flight into the snowy night.
Where: Hammersmith | More Info: Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith
Live orchestral accompaniment to beloved children's stories.
Cadogan Hall presents a delightful array of Christmas events, featuring the Mozart Symphony Orchestra's annual performance of "The Snowman," accompanied by live orchestral music, and the return of "The Gruffalo" and its sequel "The Gruffalo's Child," each character represented by a different instrument in the orchestra. These family-friendly concerts offer a perfect antidote to pantomime, with 15-year-old Alice Mackenzie singing the iconic aria "Walking in the Air."
Where: Chelsea | More Info: Cadogan Hall Christmas Events
Extensive range of festive activities and attractions.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a six-week event featuring a variety of attractions, shows, and culinary delights. It includes the UK's largest outdoor ice rink, a Magical Ice Kingdom with intricate ice sculptures, and thrilling rides like the Giant Observation Wheel and Wilde Maus XXL rollercoaster. The event also offers festive food and drink options, live music, and themed areas like Santa's Grotto.
Where: Hyde Park | More Info: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Live performances of Dickensian Christmas tales in a historic setting.
Celebrate Christmas at Charles Dickens Museum, where you can explore his home, enjoy festive decorations, and experience live performances of his classic tales.
Where: Bloomsbury | More Info: Charles Dickens Museum Christmas Events
Unrivalled skating experience with gourmet dining and trailblazing DJs.
Skate at Somerset House offers an unparalleled winter experience with skating lessons, contemporary music, and gourmet dining. Enjoy exclusive evenings, DJ takeovers, and festive shopping in the heart of London.
Where: Somerset House | More Info: Skate at Somerset House
A seasonal gathering with a focus on community and festive atmosphere.
London Bridge City's Winter River event is a gathering of bold, beautiful, and curious individuals as the nights grow longer. It is a place where people come together to experience the allure of the season.
Where: London Bridge | More Info: London Bridge, Christmas By The River
Immersive exploration of Dickensian London with a focus on Christmas traditions.
Join Charles Dickens London Walks to explore the Victorian London that inspired his iconic works, including A Christmas Carol. This guided tour delves into Dickensian lore and traditions, visiting historic sites and alleyways that shaped his stories. Discover how Dickens re-invented Christmas and delve into the social and political landscape of his time.
Where: Trafalgar Square | More Info: Charles Dickens London Walks
Interactive sleigh and immersive digital story trail.
The London Transport Museum offers a variety of Christmas activities, including climbing aboard a Routemaster-inspired sleigh, crafting holiday cards, and following an immersive digital story trail. Families can enjoy festive story screenings, colouring activities, and delicious seasonal treats.
Where: Covent Garden | More Info: London Transport Museum Christmas Events
Unrivalled skating experience with gourmet dining and exclusive events.
Skate at Somerset House offers an unparalleled winter experience with unrivalled skating, contemporary music, and tasty food and drink. Enjoy skating lessons, Chilled Out sessions, and trailblazing DJs on the rink-side decks. Exclusive evenings hosted by Virgin Atlantic Holidays feature signature special touches and the chance to win exclusive prizes. Pop-up restaurants and bars, including Chalet and Skate Lounge by Whispering Angel, provide gourmet dining options. Festive shopping at Shelter Boutique offers a handpicked selection of pre-loved clothing, homewares, and gifts.
Where: Somerset House | More Info: Somerset House Ice Skating