Excited for the festive season in Dagenham? Our guide has all the holiday activities you need!
One of the must-see attractions this season is Winter Wonderland, a magical experience with rides, ice skating, and festive markets. Glittering lights and unique performances make Christmas at Kew truly spectacular. And the Greenwich Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering handcrafted gifts and delicious seasonal treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Dagenham Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Dagenham
See these and even more events listed below!Nearby Events
Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park, London)
What to Expect:
Largest outdoor ice rink in the UK
Description:
Hyde Park transforms into a winter spectacle, boasting the UK's largest outdoor ice rink. Glide across the expansive frozen surface, surrounded by twinkling lights and frosty air. The park's history dates back to 1536 when Henry VIII acquired it from Westminster Abbey. Beyond skating, visitors can explore over 100 rides and attractions, including a giant observation wheel that offers panoramic views of London's skyline.
Website:
Christmas at Kew (Richmond)
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through botanical gardens
Description:
Kew Gardens illuminates its vast botanical landscape with a mesmerizing light trail. Stroll through the historic gardens, established in 1840, as they glow with artistic installations and synchronized light shows. The scent of mulled wine wafts through the air as you explore. Pause at the Fire Garden, a captivating display of flames dancing amidst the flora. You'll discover a new perspective on these world-renowned gardens after dark.
Website:
Greenwich Christmas Market (Greenwich)
What to Expect:
Market set in a UNESCO World Heritage site
Description:
Greenwich Market, nestled within a UNESCO World Heritage site, buzzes with holiday cheer. Artisans and craftspeople showcase unique wares in this historic setting, which has been a market since 1737. Browse handcrafted gifts and savor local delicacies as you explore. The market's covered roof, added in 1908, protects visitors from winter weather while preserving the open-air atmosphere. Admire the craftsmanship of the Victorian-era architecture surrounding the market stalls.
Website:
Southbank Centre Winter Festival (Southbank, London)
What to Expect:
Riverside festival with Nordic-inspired chalets
Description:
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival enlivens the Thames riverbank with Nordic-inspired wooden chalets and twinkling lights. This cultural hub, born from the 1951 Festival of Britain, infuses art into the holiday season. Visitors can sip on hot chocolate while enjoying pop-up performances by local artists. The festival's unique location offers stunning views of London's skyline, including the iconic London Eye, as you stroll along the river.
Website:
Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Hogwarts in the Snow (Leavesden)
What to Expect:
Harry Potter film sets decorated for winter
Description:
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London unveils Hogwarts in the Snow, transforming the iconic Harry Potter film sets into a wintry paradise. Marvel at the intricate details of the Great Hall adorned with Christmas trees and golden baubles. The tour reveals the filmmaking secrets behind the series' winter scenes. You can even sample Butterbeer, the wizarding world's favorite beverage, as you explore the snow-covered Diagon Alley.
Website:
Covent Garden Christmas Lights (Covent Garden, London)
What to Expect:
Giant mistletoe chandeliers in historic market building
Description:
Covent Garden dazzles with its holiday transformation, featuring enormous mistletoe chandeliers suspended within the 19th-century market building. These unique decorations pay homage to the area's history as a flower market dating back to 1654. Wander through the cobblestone piazza, taking in the glow of thousands of lights. Street performers entertain crowds, continuing a tradition that has thrived here since the 17th century.
Website:
Covent Garden Christmas Lights
Christmas by the River (London Bridge, London)
What to Expect:
Market with views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
Description:
Christmas by the River offers a unique shopping experience with unparalleled views of London's iconic landmarks. Wooden chalets line the Thames Path, selling artisanal gifts and seasonal treats. The market's location near London Bridge places it at the heart of the city's history, with the nearby Tower of London standing since 1066. Visitors can savor mulled wine while gazing at the illuminated Tower Bridge, a Victorian engineering marvel.
Website:
Christmas at Leicester Square (Leicester Square, London)
What to Expect:
Traditional Bavarian-style market in the heart of London's entertainment district
Description:
Leicester Square, London's entertainment hub since the 19th century, transforms into a Bavarian-style Christmas village. Wooden chalets brimming with handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats transport visitors to alpine Europe. The square, once home to a private garden for local aristocrats, now hosts a vintage Spiegeltent featuring cabaret and circus acts. Sample authentic German bratwurst as you explore this festive oasis in the bustling West End.
Website:
Winterville (Clapham Common, London)
What to Expect:
Alternative Christmas experience with an ice rink and roller disco
Description:
Winterville in Clapham Common offers an alternative take on holiday celebrations. This pop-up town features an ice rink alongside a retro roller disco, blending winter traditions with modern fun. The event takes place on one of London's oldest commons, first mentioned in records from 1086. Visitors can enjoy street food from around the world, reflecting London's diverse culinary scene. You'll find unexpected twists on holiday classics throughout this unconventional winter festival.
Website:
Skate at Somerset House (Strand, London)
What to Expect:
Ice skating rink in a 16th-century palace courtyard
Description:
Somerset House, a 16th-century palace on the Thames, hosts a stunning ice rink in its neoclassical courtyard. Skaters glide across the ice surrounded by the building's grand architecture, which has witnessed centuries of London history. The rink offers special "Skate Lates" sessions featuring live DJs, transforming the historic setting into a contemporary nightlife destination. After skating, warm up with a hot chocolate in the rinkside alpine-inspired lodge.
Website:
Enchanted Woodland (Isleworth)
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through historic arboretum
Description:
Syon Park's Enchanted Woodland illuminates its 600-year-old gardens and arboretum with a dazzling light display. The trail winds through the grounds of Syon House, home to the Duke of Northumberland for over 400 years. Visitors can explore the Great Conservatory, a 19th-century iron and glass structure, bathed in colorful lights. The event showcases the park's diverse collection of rare trees, some dating back to the 16th century, in a new light.
Website:
Christmas at the London Zoo (Camden, London)
What to Expect:
After-hours light trail through the world's oldest scientific zoo
Description:
London Zoo, the world's oldest scientific zoo, established in 1828, opens its gates after hours for a unique light trail. Illuminated animal sculptures guide visitors through the historic grounds, offering a new perspective on the zoo's inhabitants. Learn about the zoo's conservation efforts as you explore. The trail passes by the clock tower, a Victorian landmark that has kept time for visitors since 1856. You can warm up with a hot chocolate at the festive village.
Website:
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink (East Molesey)
What to Expect:
Ice skating at Henry VIII's Tudor palace
Description:
Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII's grand Tudor residence, hosts an ice rink in its historic gardens. Skaters glide against the backdrop of the palace's distinctive red brick façade, which has stood since the early 16th century. The rink offers a unique opportunity to experience this royal setting after dark, when the palace is illuminated. After skating, explore the courtyards where Tudor courtiers once strolled, now adorned with subtle holiday decorations.
Website:
Christmas Fair at Leeds Castle (Maidstone)
What to Expect:
Christmas market in a medieval castle setting
Description:
Leeds Castle, dating back to 1119, hosts a Christmas fair within its ancient walls. The castle's rich history, including its time as a royal residence for six medieval queens, provides a unique backdrop for holiday shopping. Artisans showcase their wares in the shadow of the Norman stronghold. Visitors can explore the castle's state rooms, adorned with period decorations, offering a glimpse into how Christmas was celebrated in centuries past.
Website:
Christmas Fair at Leeds Castle
Queen's House Ice Rink (Greenwich)
What to Expect:
Ice skating at a 17th-century royal villa with views of the Thames
Description:
The Queen's House, a 17th-century royal villa in Greenwich, provides a stunning setting for ice skating. Glide across the rink with views of the Thames and the historic Royal Naval College. This architectural masterpiece, commissioned by Anne of Denmark in 1616, represents a pivotal moment in British architecture. After skating, you can warm up in the rinkside café and admire the first Classical building in England, now housing world-class art.