Last updated: 11 November 2024
See the essence of the festive season in Finchley. Our guide highlights all the key holiday events. Whether Finchley is your backyard or a new destination, our guide reveals the top holiday activities.
Experience the magic of the Winter Wonderland, where enchanting stalls and thrilling rides create a festive atmosphere for all ages. The Southbank Centre Winter Festival, known for its vibrant lights and seasonal offerings, features a delightful Christmas market and live performances. And the Carols by Candlelight at St Paul's Cathedral is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its stunning music and breathtaking ambiance. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Finchley Holiday Light Displays
Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights
- What to Expect
- Colour-changing LED lights on a historic Victorian market.
- Description
- Leadenhall Market's Christmas lights feature a 18ft giant real Christmas tree adorned with colour-changing LED lights, large baubles, and fir tree garlands. The twinkling light tunnel returns, bringing festive cheer to Beehive Passage.
- Where
- London | More Info : Leadenhall Market Christmas Lights
The Shard Light Display
- What to Expect
- Dynamic mosaic light show on London's tallest building.
- Description
- The Shard Light Display features vibrant mosaic-inspired designs across its top 20 storeys, including a larger-than-life snowman, a softly illuminated candle, and a bold green and gold pattern. These dynamic light shows are visible from over 40 miles away, reflecting the rich artistic endeavours of London.
- Where
- London | More Info : The Shard Light Display
Light Up Orpington
- What to Expect
- Colourful festivities with live music and fireworks.
- Description
- Join fellow Orpingtonians for a vibrant celebration marking the start of the festive season. Enjoy live music, a festive market, fun fair, and fireworks.
- Where
- Orpington | More Info : Light Up Orpington
Ilford Christmas Light Switch On
- What to Expect
- Unveiling of a brand new and improved Christmas tree and light scheme.
- Description
- Join Ilford for a vibrant Christmas celebration featuring a new and improved Christmas tree and light scheme, artistic displays, trails, performances, and a fireworks show. Sing along to your favorite Christmas tunes and enjoy a variety of activities for all ages.
- Where
- Ilford | More Info : Ilford Christmas Light Switch On
Finchley Holiday Markets and Shopping
Southbank Centre Winter Festival
- What to Expect
- Diverse cultural and artistic events along the Thames.
- Description
- The Southbank Centre Winter Festival offers a vibrant array of events, including spectacular shows, luminous art, and the wondrous Winter Market, featuring a range of festive treats and activities.
- Where
- London | More Info : Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Covent Garden Christmas
- What to Expect
- Traditional Christmas decorations and activities in a historic London setting.
- Description
- Covent Garden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with iconic Christmas bells, giant baubles, and a 60ft Christmas tree. Enjoy festive menus, mulled wine, and shopping across hundreds of brands.
- Where
- London | More Info : Covent Garden Christmas
Battersea Power Station Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday celebration with a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
- Description
- Battersea Power Station transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with over 140 shops, bars, and restaurants. The event features sparkling lights, more than 120 Christmas trees, live performances, festive arts and crafts sessions, and the return of the capital’s only riverside ice rink, Glide. Visitors can enjoy seasonal games, facepainting, storytelling, and special appearances from Father Christmas.
- Where
- London | More Info : Battersea Power Station Christmas
Chelsea Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts and seasonal treats in a historic garden setting.
- Description
- The Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair features over 100 curated stands showcasing fine food, specialty drinks, unique homewares, and gifts from independent suppliers. Enjoy seasonal treats and drinks at the newly refurbished café, and explore essential winter plants and hand-crafted wreaths and table decorations.
- Where
- London | More Info : Chelsea Christmas
Finchley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- UK's largest open-air ice rink and intricate ice sculptures.
- Description
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a six-week event in London featuring over 200 activities, including ice skating, thrilling rides, and spectacular shows. Enjoy traditional German cuisine, mulled wine, and live music in a festive atmosphere.
- Where
- London | More Info : Winter Wonderland
Carols by Candlelight at St Paul's Cathedral
- What to Expect
- Traditional Lessons and Carols service with the St Paul's Cathedral Choir.
- Description
- Join St Paul's Cathedral for a traditional Christmas Carol Service, featuring the St Paul's Cathedral Choir and readings from London life, celebrating the birth of Christ through words and music.
- Where
- London | More Info : Carols by Candlelight at St Paul's Cathedral
Carols by Candlelight at St Martin-in-the-Fields
- What to Expect
- Candlelit carol singing with a historic choir.
- Description
- Carols by Candlelight at St Martin-in-the-Fields features a serene evening of festive music and carol singing, illuminated by candlelight, with a selection of traditional and contemporary carols.
- Where
- London | More Info : Carols by Candlelight at St Martin-in-the-Fields
Westminster Abbey Midnight Mass
- What to Expect
- Traditional Christmas service with the Abbey Choir.
- Description
- Join Westminster Abbey for a traditional Midnight Mass, featuring the Abbey Choir and traditional Christmas carols, as you celebrate the birth of Jesus in a historic and sacred setting.
- Where
- London | More Info : Westminster Abbey Midnight Mass
The Great Christmas Feast
- What to Expect
- Immersive retelling of 'A Christmas Carol' with Victorian dining and live music.
- Description
- The Great Christmas Feast is an immersive dining experience set in Victorian London, where guests are transported to Christmas Eve, 1843. Charles Dickens guides them through his timeless tale, 'A Christmas Carol,' while enjoying a three-course Victorian-inspired feast and savoring specially crafted Yuletide cocktails.
- Where
- London | More Info : The Great Christmas Feast
Finchley Other Holiday Activities
Gingerbread City exhibition at Westfield White City
- What to Expect
- Sustainable design ideas showcased in a sweet architectural installation.
- Description
- Explore a city constructed entirely from gingerbread, candy, and frosting, featuring intricate designs by over 50 architects and designers.
- Where
- London | More Info : Gingerbread City exhibition at Westfield White City