Celebrate the festive magic of Islington with our holiday event guide. From Islington regulars to first-time tourists, our guide highlights the season's best activities.
Kick off your holiday season with the enchanting Christmas at Kew, where illuminated trails transform Kew Gardens into a winter wonderland. Experience the thrills and festive fun at the Winter Wonderland, boasting seasonal rides and ice skating. And the spectacular Christmas Lights on Regent Street 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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The Top Christmas Events in Islington
See these and even more events listed below!Islington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Islington Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisan market in a vibrant London borough
Description:
Islington Christmas Market showcases the borough's creative spirit with stalls featuring local artisans and designers. The market pops up in charming locations across Islington, from Angel to Highbury. Visitors can discover unique, handcrafted gifts while supporting local businesses. Islington, known for its thriving arts scene and independent shops, infuses this market with a distinctly local flavor, offering an alternative to larger commercial events.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at Kew (London)
What to Expect:
Botanical gardens transformed with over a million lights
Description:
Kew Gardens transforms into a luminous spectacle for Christmas at Kew. The historic botanical gardens come alive with over a million twinkling lights, creating a dazzling trail through ancient trees and iconic buildings. Visitors can warm up with a spiced cider while exploring the illuminated Rose Garden. This event combines horticultural heritage with cutting-edge light art, offering a fresh perspective on one of London's most beloved green spaces.
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Winter Wonderland (London)
What to Expect:
Massive holiday theme park in Hyde Park
Description:
Hyde Park bursts with holiday cheer during Winter Wonderland. This sprawling event covers 350 acres with thrilling rides, ice sculptures, and bustling markets. Visitors can test their skills at the UK's largest outdoor ice rink. Winter Wonderland has grown from a small Christmas market in 2007 to become London's largest winter festival, attracting millions of visitors annually. The event seamlessly blends traditional holiday elements with modern entertainment.
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Christmas Lights on Regent Street (London)
What to Expect:
Iconic shopping street adorned with suspended light sculptures
Description:
Regent Street glows with suspended light sculptures during its annual Christmas display. The elegant curved facades of this historic shopping thoroughfare provide a stunning backdrop for the illuminated angels soaring overhead. Visitors can admire the lights while exploring the street's luxury boutiques. Regent Street, designed by John Nash in 1825, has hosted Christmas lights since 1954, making it one of London's longest-running holiday light displays.
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Christmas Lights on Regent Street
Southbank Centre Winter Festival (London)
What to Expect:
Riverside cultural complex hosting diverse winter events
Description:
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival enlivens the Thames riverbank with a diverse array of seasonal events. This cultural hub buzzes with activity, from choir performances to art installations. Visitors can browse the riverside chalets for unique gifts and artisanal treats. The festival takes place at the Southbank Centre, a complex built for the 1951 Festival of Britain, continuing its legacy of bringing arts and culture to the heart of London.
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Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Somerset House Ice Rink (London)
What to Expect:
Ice skating in a grand 18th-century courtyard
Description:
Somerset House's neoclassical courtyard transforms into a grand ice rink for the winter season. Skaters glide beneath the towering Christmas tree, surrounded by the elegant facades of this historic building. After dark, the rink comes alive with DJ nights, offering a unique twist on traditional ice skating. Somerset House, once home to the Royal Academy of Arts, now hosts this beloved winter tradition, blending history with contemporary fun.
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Hogwarts in the Snow (London)
What to Expect:
Harry Potter film sets decorated for winter
Description:
Hogwarts in the Snow brings the magic of winter to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. The Great Hall sparkles with icicles and snow-covered Christmas trees, while iconic sets receive a frosty makeover. Visitors can discover how filmmakers created fire, ice, and snow effects for the Harry Potter films. This event offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the beloved magical world was brought to life for the holiday scenes.
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Christmas by the River (London)
What to Expect:
Riverside market with views of Tower Bridge
Description:
Christmas by the River combines stunning views of London's iconic skyline with a charming holiday market. Wooden chalets line the Thames Path near London Bridge, offering artisanal gifts and seasonal treats. The aroma of mulled wine fills the air as visitors browse the stalls. This market, set against the backdrop of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, offers a uniquely London twist on the traditional Christmas market experience.
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Frost Fair at Museum of London Docklands (London)
What to Expect:
Historical reenactment of Thames frost fairs
Description:
The Frost Fair at Museum of London Docklands revives a forgotten London tradition. This event recreates the atmosphere of the Thames frost fairs, which took place during the Little Ice Age when the river froze solid. Visitors can try their hand at traditional printmaking, echoing the souvenir presses that once operated on the frozen river. The museum brings to life a fascinating chapter of London's history, last seen over 200 years ago.
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Frost Fair at Museum of London Docklands
Greenwich Christmas Market (London)
What to Expect:
Market in a UNESCO World Heritage site
Description:
Greenwich Christmas Market unfolds in the heart of maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The market's covered walkways, adorned with twinkling lights, house an array of craft stalls and food vendors. Visitors can shop for unique gifts while soaking in the area's rich naval history. Located near the Prime Meridian, this market offers a chance to celebrate the holidays at the center of world time.
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Christmas at the Charles Dickens Museum (London)
What to Expect:
Victorian Christmas in Dickens' former home
Description:
Christmas at the Charles Dickens Museum transports visitors to a Victorian yuletide celebration. The author's former home is decked out in period decorations, bringing to life the Christmases Dickens himself might have experienced. Visitors can participate in dramatic readings of "A Christmas Carol" in Dickens' study. This event offers a unique glimpse into the life and times of the author who helped shape modern Christmas traditions.
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Christmas at the Charles Dickens Museum
Winterville on Clapham Common (London)
What to Expect:
Alternative winter festival with a focus on local culture
Description:
Winterville on Clapham Common presents an alternative take on the traditional winter festival. This event celebrates local culture with indie market stalls, street food vendors, and live performances from up-and-coming artists. Visitors can enjoy outdoor cinema screenings under the stars. Winterville embraces the creative spirit of South London, offering a fresh and contemporary approach to holiday entertainment.
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The Great Christmas Pudding Race (London)
What to Expect:
Charity obstacle race with participants in costume
Description:
The Great Christmas Pudding Race injects humor into holiday charity events. Participants don outrageous costumes and navigate an obstacle course while balancing a Christmas pudding on a tray. Spectators cheer on the racers in Covent Garden's iconic piazza. This quirky event, which has been running since 1980, raises funds for Cancer Research UK while providing a uniquely British spectacle.
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The Great Christmas Pudding Race
Christmas Carol Service at St Paul's Cathedral (London)
What to Expect:
Traditional carol service in Christopher Wren's masterpiece
Description:
St Paul's Cathedral resonates with the sound of carols during its annual Christmas service. The majestic dome and intricate mosaics provide a breathtaking backdrop for this cherished tradition. Attendees join in singing beloved carols, their voices rising to the cathedral's lofty heights. This service takes place in one of London's most iconic buildings, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century, offering a profound connection to the city's history.
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Christmas Carol Service at St Paul's Cathedral
Hamleys Christmas Toy Parade (London)
What to Expect:
Toy-themed parade from world-famous toy store
Description:
Hamleys Christmas Toy Parade brings beloved characters to life on Regent Street. Giant balloons, marching bands, and dancers fill the street with color and excitement. Children delight in seeing their favorite toys and characters come to life before their eyes. This parade, organized by the world's oldest toy store, has become a modern London tradition, kicking off the holiday season with a celebration of childhood wonder.
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Alexandra Palace Christmas Carnival (London)
What to Expect:
Winter carnival in a historic entertainment venue
Description:
Alexandra Palace Christmas Carnival revives the spirit of Victorian entertainment. The historic "People's Palace" hosts an array of attractions, from ice skating to circus performances. Visitors can ride the carousel while taking in panoramic views of London. This event pays homage to Ally Pally's rich history as a place of public entertainment, dating back to 1873 when it first opened as a recreation center for Londoners.
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Alexandra Palace Christmas Carnival
Pantomime at the London Palladium (London)
What to Expect:
Star-studded pantomime in a legendary theater
Description:
The London Palladium's annual pantomime brings together top performers for a uniquely British holiday tradition. This lavish production features elaborate sets, dazzling costumes, and plenty of audience participation. Theatergoers can expect topical humor and surprising celebrity cameos. The Palladium, a landmark venue that has hosted everyone from Harry Houdini to The Beatles, provides a fitting stage for this beloved form of festive entertainment.
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Pantomime at the London Palladium
Covent Garden Christmas (London)
What to Expect:
Historic market transformed with giant decorations
Description:
Covent Garden bursts with oversized holiday decorations during its Christmas celebration. A massive reindeer statue, towering Christmas tree, and giant mistletoe chandeliers transform the 19th-century market building. Visitors can watch daily "snow" fall in the piazza, adding to the wintry atmosphere. This event turns one of London's most popular shopping and dining districts into an impressive holiday spectacle.
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Christmas at ZSL London Zoo (London)
What to Expect:
After-hours light trail through the world's oldest scientific zoo
Description:
Christmas at ZSL London Zoo illuminates the world's oldest scientific zoo with an after-hours light trail. Visitors stroll past glowing animal sculptures and through tunnels of light, experiencing the zoo in a whole new way. Along the trail, you'll learn about ZSL's conservation efforts around the world. This event offers a unique blend of holiday cheer and wildlife education, set against the backdrop of the zoo's historic Victorian architecture.