We’re here! It’s December — and London feels utterly magical. The city glows under a sea of twinkling lights from Marylebone Village to Oxford Street, turning every stroll into a festive fairy tale. Sip mulled wine at riverside winter markets, take cosy refuge in historic pubs, or glide across an ice rink at Somerset House. With carol singing drifting from candlelit chapels, Christmas trees towering in Trafalgar Square, and the soft hum of seasonal music all around, London at Christmas is more than just beautiful — it’s enchanting.

London in December comes alive with beautiful carol services: head to Westminster Abbey on 5 December for the Princess of Wales’s annual Together at Christmas concert, which features the Abbey Choir, celebrity readings, and traditional carols in a moving, candlelit setting. For a more intimate evening, join St Martin in the Fields for “Carols by Candlelight” or their “Joys of Christmas” performances, where their choir and brass ensemble deliver timeless carols and seasonal readings. Meanwhile, Place2Be’s Carol Concert on 4 December at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, combines festive songs, celebrity readers, and warm community spirit to raise funds for children’s mental health. And on 10 December, the GOSH Christmas Carol Concert at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge brings together choral music, readings, and family friendly festive cheer—all to support Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

Selfridges London goes all out for Christmas with a dazzling lineup of festive shows and installations. Their “A Most Magical Christmas” campaign (in collaboration with Disney) features a light and music spectacle on the Oxford Street façade, where every 15 minutes between 5pm and 9pm, Tinker Bell’s pixie dust triggers a 100 metre display of sparkling lights set to Cinderella’s soundtrack. Inside, the Atrium hosts the Confetti Spectacle (8–17 December), with Santa, elves, dancing characters, a choir and confetti cannons. At Dolly’s Café, you can enjoy a “Disney Classics” afternoon tea while watching live performances amid a festive sky-themed décor. Meanwhile, a choir, DJs, and live harmonies bring seasonal cheer to the store during its “Sounds Like Magic” events. 

400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB

More information here

London’s Christmas markets in December are nothing short of magical — from the riverside glow on the Southbank Centre Winter Market, where alpine-style wooden chalets line the Thames under twinkling lights, serving mulled wine, sweet treats, and handmade crafts. Over in Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, the fairground extravaganza pulses with festive energy, offering a Scandinavian-style market filled with artisan gifts, live music, and comfort food next to the ice rink. Meanwhile, King’s Cross at Coal Drops Yard transforms into a cozy boutique-style winter pop-up (open late November through December), where you can sip hot chocolate, browse over 100 independent stalls, and take in the seasonal décor. 

The English National Ballet’s Nutcracker at the London Coliseum is a dazzling Christmas tradition brought to life in a fresh new production choreographed by Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith. Set in Edwardian London, the story follows Clara as she receives an enchanted Nutcracker doll from Drosselmeyer and journeys into a glittering world of sugar plums, ice realms and the Land of Sweets. With more than 100 dancers on stage, sumptuous costumes and sets by Dick Bird, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic, the show offers spectacle, warmth and holiday magic. Performances run from December into January, including a family friendly matinee and a relaxed performance, making it an unforgettable treat for audiences of all ages. 

London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES

Book tickets here

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is London’s ultimate festive playground — running until early January, it’s packed with more than 150 rides and attractions, from dizzying roller coasters to a huge open-air ice rink under twinkling lights. The heart of the fun lies in the Christmas Market, where wooden chalets brim with handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, and live performances. Step into the Magical Ice Kingdom, an immersive world carved from over 500 tonnes of ice and snow, and don’t miss the après-ski charm of the Bavarian Village — cozy chalets, live music, bratwurst, and mulled wine by fire pits. Whether you’re there for family fun at Santa Land, thrills in Thrillville, or to sip cocktails at the sub-zero Bar Ice, Winter Wonderland delivers a spectacular, heartwarming dose of festive magic.