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It happened again—Christmas crept up on us fast. Left planning to the last second or festive ideas fallen through? Here’s our list of last-minute things to do in London this Christmas to get you feeling festive right up until 25 December and beyond. From classic London Christmas markets to cosy Christmas concerts, discover loads of fun, unique and free Christmas activities in London that require little to no planning at all.
1. Soak up the magic of a London Christmas market
What’s Christmas in London without a Christmas market? From South Bank to Winter Wonderland, Christmas markets in London usually come complete with giant Christmas trees, twinkling lights, fairground rides and too many food stalls to count.
2. Feel festive at a Candlelight Christmas concert
Christmas Candlelight concert at Central Hall Westminster
Candlelight is marking the festive season in London with a run of classical concerts built around much‑loved Christmas music. Soft candlelight fills venues like Central Hall Westminster and Barts North Wing while a string quartet plays favourites such as “Last Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, plus classics from films like The Holiday and Home Alone. Pick your concert (in advance or on the same day), settle into your seat and let the festive tunes on strings do the rest.
Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks
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4.29
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20 December, 2025 6:30 PM
Central Hall Westminster
From £34.65
Candlelight: Christmas Classics
27 December, 2025 9:00 PM
The Great Hall – Barts North Wing
From £34.65
3. Visit a festive edible world at London’s Gingerbread City
Credit: The Gingerbread City
Imagination meets innovation at Gingerbread City in London. Open until 4 January 2026, this edible architecture exhibition is nestled inside Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross. There are several miniature cities made entirely out of gingerbread and topped with icing, chocolate buttons, candy canes and more.
You can marvel at the gingerbread landmarks that put Bake Off to shame before building your very own gingerbread creation to take home—a perfect Christmas day out in London with kids that you can also book the day of.
4. See London at Christmas from the best viewpoints
Source: I Wei Huang via Shutterstock
If you can brave the cold, there are several viewing points in London that offer gorgeous views of the city, especially at Christmastime. From Primrose Hill, Oxford Street, Regent Street and the West End’s lights twinkle in the distance; Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath reveals the warm glow from Leadenhall Market, Bond Street and Trafalgar Square’s iconic tree. Both parks are also popular walking spots for a Boxing Day stroll.
5. Explore London’s Christmas movie locations for free
Credit: Covent Garden
London gives NYC a run for its money as cinema’s top Christmas filming locations. The city’s provided the festive backdrop for loads of films: Emilia Clarke’s Last Christmas has countless scenes shot in Covent Garden and beyond.
And of course, we have to mention Love Actually: filming spots include Selfridges on Oxford Street, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge and of course, Heathrow Airport. String together a self-guided film tour and relive your favourite Christmas movie moments—a brilliant free Christmas activity in London.
6. Gaze at the Christmas lights in London
Credit: Getty Images
Bold claim incoming: central London has some of the best Christmas lights in the world. As soon as you hop off a bus or emerge from the tube station, you’re met with dazzling Christmas light displays as far as the eyes can see. You’ll find some of the best this year on Oxford Street, King’s Cross and Regent Street— touring these street light displays is one of the easiest free Christmas things to do in London.
7. Go for a Christmas Day run
Source: Shakir Mohamed via Pexels
Fancy getting your steps in on the big day? This is one of the more unique Christmas things to do near London city centre for active types. Christmas Day Cracker Run 2025 stretches along the River Thames and runners are welcome to run (or walk) between 3km to 50km.
Entry price ranges between £16-£35 and registration is open for latecomers until the night before (24 December). The starting point is at Wraysbury Skiff & Punting Club in Egham and festive food and drinks including mulled wine will be able on site.
8. Step into the glow of a luminous ballet show
Ballet of Lights is a series of glow-in-the-dark ballet shows that’s lighting up London’s Shaw Theatre this December. Fairytales like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella shine under a brand-new light because ballerinas take to the stage wearing glowing costumes decorated in fibre-optic lights. It’s a unique, family day out for Christmas and you can snag tickets on the day no problem.
Ballet of Lights: Cinderella in a Sparkling Show
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4.22
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20 December, 2025 4:00 PM
Shaw Theatre
From £37.28
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show
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4
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27 December, 2025 4:00 PM
Shaw Theatre
From £31.50
9. Get your skates on at an ice rink
Credit: Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Ice skating in London—another Christmas plan that never fails. Slip on your skates at one of the many London ice rinks like Somerset House and Leicester Square and show off your gliding skills (or lack thereof) with your nearest and dearest, no preparation or training required.
10. Watch a Christmas film at a London cinema
Loads of cinemas in London are hosting special festive screenings this December. From now until 31 December, Backyard Cinema near London Bridge is screening iconic Christmas films back-to-back: Elf, Home Alone, The Nightmare Before Christmas, It’s A Wonderful Life, The Grinch and many more.
There are plenty of screenings throughout the day and you can book your ticket on the day either online or at the ticket office—it’s one of the easiest indoor last-minute Christmas activities in London. After the film, you can also head to Maltby Street Market and get 10% off food and drink by showing the vendor your cinema ticket.
11. Cheer on swimmers at the Peter Pan Cup
Source: Burçin Ergünt via Unsplash
The Serpentine Swimming Club’s Christmas morning swim is a tradition dating back to 1864. The ‘Peter Pan Cup’ was named after J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, who first presented the swimming race in 1903. It starts at 9am on 25 December at the south bank of the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park and non-club members are welcome to cheer on the brave swimmers as they battle the freezing cold.
12. Venture out of the city: last-minute Christmas days out near London
Source: Veda Wildfire via Shutterstock
If a spontaneous festive trip outside of London sounds like a plan, we’ve got a few ideas that’ll make the journey totally worth it. Easy Christmas trips from London include: