Last updated: 11 November 2024
Join the holiday celebrations with the Highbury community! Find all the events and activities in our guide. For Highbury connoisseurs and newcomers alike, our guide reveals both popular attractions and hidden treasures.
One of the season's highlights is the stunning Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square, renowned for its beautiful lights and festive atmosphere. The Southbank Centre Winter Market offers an inviting blend of seasonal food, craft stalls, and entertainment, bringing a delightful charm to the riverside. And the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a variety of attractions including an ice skating rink and themed rides. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Highbury Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square
- 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 meters tall, selected from Oslo's forests with great care. It is felled in November and brought to London by sea, then erected in the square using a hydraulic crane. Decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion with vertical strings of energy-efficient lights, the tree stands as a symbol of gratitude for Britain's support during World War II.
- Where
- London | More Info : Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square
Christmas at Kew Gardens
- What to Expect
- Illuminated botanical garden with festive food and drink options.
- Description
- Stroll through Kew Gardens after dark to enjoy twinkling lights, festive food, and seasonal sounds. Discover glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, and trees drenched in jewel-like colour.
- Where
- London | More Info : Christmas at Kew Gardens
Highbury Holiday Markets and Shopping
Southbank Centre Winter Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional alpine-style chalets with diverse food and gift options.
- Description
- The Southbank Centre Winter Market offers a delightful array of traditional alpine-style chalets along the Thames, featuring indulgent drinks, scrumptious street food, and handmade gifts. Enjoy truffle burgers, duck wraps, and sweet treats like Dutch pancakes and churros while browsing through the stalls.
- Where
- London | More Info : Southbank Centre Winter Market
Covent Garden Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional Christmas decorations with iconic bells and baubles.
- Description
- Covent Garden Christmas Market features over 40 gigantic bells, 12 giant baubles, and 8 spinning mirror balls, along with a 60ft Christmas tree decorated with 30,000 lights. The market offers a variety of seasonal goods, festive food, and mulled wine, creating a vibrant atmosphere for holiday shopping and dining.
- Where
- London | More Info : Covent Garden Christmas Market
Selfridges Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of international street food and festive attractions.
- Description
- Selfridges Christmas Market features gourmet street food, festive decorations, and fairground rides in an open-air setting behind the iconic department store.
- Where
- London | More Info : Selfridges Christmas Market
Seven Dials Christmas
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of local flavors and festive cheer in a historic marketplace setting.
- Description
- Seven Dials Christmas offers a vibrant celebration with independent food stalls, festive drinks, and cozy atmosphere in the heart of Covent Garden.
- Where
- London | More Info : Seven Dials Christmas
Highbury Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park
- What to Expect
- UK's largest open-air ice rink and intricate ice sculptures.
- Description
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a six-week event featuring over 200 activities, including ice skating, carnival rides, and festive entertainment. It offers a variety of attractions, activities, and culinary delights, making it a premier destination for holiday fun.
- Where
- London | More Info : Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park
Hyde Park Santa's Grotto
- What to Expect
- Meet Santa and receive a gift in a festive setting.
- Description
- Visit Santa's Grotto, a special meeting place where well-behaved children can receive a gift from Santa himself. The grotto is free to enter, and Santa is ready to meet all children and their families.
- Where
- London | More Info : Hyde Park Santa's Grotto
London Palladium Pantomime
- What to Expect
- High-flying comedy and special effects in a classic pantomime.
- Description
- The London Palladium Pantomime presents Robin Hood, starring Julian Clary as Robin Hood and Jane McDonald as Maid Marion. This spectacular show features stunning sets, costumes, and comedy, with a talented cast including Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, and West End stars Marisha Wallace and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.
- Where
- London | More Info : London Palladium Pantomime
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
- What to Expect
- Immersive staging of Charles Dickens' classic with a talented cast.
- Description
- A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic is a joyous adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, featuring a talented cast and immersive staging.
- Where
- London | More Info : A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
Christmas Markets at Leicester Square
- What to Expect
- Daring acrobatics and eye-popping stunts in a cabaret setting.
- Description
- La Clique, a renowned cabaret show, returns to Leicester Square Spiegeltent for its 20th anniversary. This Olivier Award-winning spectacle combines daring acrobatics, eye-popping stunts, raucous comedy, and more, offering a unique blend of entertainment.
- Where
- London | More Info : Christmas Markets at Leicester Square
Dickensian Christmas Festival in Rochester
- What to Expect
- Victorian-themed festivities with guaranteed snowfall.
- Description
- Step back in time to celebrate Christmas in a Dickensian style in Rochester, featuring street entertainment, readings, and Victorian delights.
- Where
- Rochester | More Info : Dickensian Christmas Festival in Rochester
Highbury Other Holiday Activities
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
- What to Expect
- Ice skating in a historic palace setting.
- Description
- Glide through the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace on the outdoor ice rink, surrounded by the stunning backdrop of Henry VIII's Tudor home. Enjoy festive refreshments at the Ice Café & Bar and explore the palace's gardens and maze.
- Where
- London | More Info : Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Somerset House Ice Rink
- What to Expect
- Unrivalled skating experience with Swiss-inspired sessions and gourmet dining.
- Description
- 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 and gourmet dining at The Chalet add to the festive atmosphere.
- Where
- London | More Info : Somerset House Ice Rink
Warner Brothers' Harry Potter Studio Tour
- What to Expect
- Immersive exploration of Harry Potter film sets and props.
- Description
- The Warner Brothers' Harry Potter Studio Tour offers an immersive experience where visitors can explore the iconic sets, costumes, and props from the Harry Potter films. The tour includes breathtaking sets like the Great Hall and Forbidden Forest, authentic props, and original costumes. It also features special exhibits like the Dark Arts and Hogwarts in the Snow, providing a detailed look into the filmmaking process and the creative world of Harry Potter.
- Where
- London | More Info : Warner Brothers' Harry Potter Studio Tour