Looking for the best things to do in London in December? Have a look at this
You’re in plenty of time to book tickets to the best events in London, from theatre shows to art exhibitions, and there are always pop-ups opening across the city, but our handy guide features the best of what’s on in London in December so you won’t miss a thing. By December silly season is in full swing and festive cheer has completely taken over the capital – the ice rinks are here, the Christmas lights are on, the markets are open, the trees are decorated, the igloos and all the other seasonal pop-ups have popped up, the light trails are illuminated and there’s festive food galore. And if you wanna see 2025 out with a bang, the NYE fireworks will be returning to the river this year.
1. Get Your Skates on at Battersea Power Station’s Ice Rink
Hit the ice right by the river at Glide at Battersea Power Station. Set against the backdrop of the iconic power station and featuring three interconnecting rinks with a 30ft Christmas tree in the centre, plus a riverside skate trail,, it’s one of the most spectacular places to skate in the capital. And once you’ve spun your way round, you can continue the fun on with some festive tipples at The Glass House bar or the rink-side igloos.
Across December 2025
Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD
glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk
2. Check Out a Gingerbread City
Forget gingerbread houses, there’s an actual gingerbread city coming to King’s Cross this Christmas. Created by the Museum of Architecture, this is the ninth year of the project and this time, the theme for the exhibition is ‘The Playful City’. The aim is to explore how we can design cities that spark fun and public spaces that encourage joy and connection, only doing it through the mediums of biscuits, sweets, cakes, and icing. Not only is this a sweet way to help get the public excited about architecture and innovative, sustainable design, a little holiday cheer never hurt anybody.
Across December 2025
Unit 5, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ
thegingerbreadcity.com
3. Look Back Over Wes Anderson’s Career
Calling all Wes Anderson fans! The Design Museum is hosting a landmark exhibition on the director, featuring objects from his personal archives that will be displayed in Britain for the first time. Wes Anderson: The Archives will look back over his career, from his early experiments in the 90s to his most recent films, with over 600 objects, including storyboards, sketches, polaroids, puppets, models, costumes, notebooks, props and more, on show. They include a pink model of the Grand Budapest Hotel, the fur coat worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in the The Royal Tenenbaums, the vending machines from Asteroid City, and stop-motion sea creature puppets used in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The exhibition will also include a screening of Anderson’s first short film Bottle Rocket, as well as work-in-progress material and maquettes.
Across December 2025
224, 238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London W8 6AG
designmuseum.org
4. Get a Dose of Christmas Nostalgia at This Pop-Up Bar
The US’s renowned Miracle bar is coming back to London just in time for Christmas. Expect an over-the-top winter wonderland packed with twinkling fairy lights, candy canes, and retro holiday décor. Alongside its famously playful Christmas cocktails, including the Snowball Old Fashioned, the Christmasaurus and the Christmapolitan, guests can enjoy festive snacks in a space that feels like stepping straight into a nostalgic Christmas movie.
Mon 1st – Tues 23rd December 2025
Henrietta Hotel, 14–15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QH
miracleathenrietta.com
5. Support the Museum of Homelessness at This Dog Show
After an inaugural event last year, the Museum of Homelessness is bringing its festive dog show back for 2025 to raise money for emergency supplies for those experiencing homelessness. All dogs, especially street dogs, can participate in the show, with with categories including ‘family resemblance’, ‘waggiest tail’ and ‘best costume’. There’ll be plenty of dog costumes on show, merch and gifts to shop from, a badge-making workshop to get involved in, a festive tombola and both dog and human treats aplenty. The team will also be giving out stockings filled with treats to every street dog.
Sat 6th December 2025, 1pm – 4pm
Manor House Lodge, Finsbury Park, London N4 2DE
museumofhomelessness.org
6. Watch Broadway Smash Hit Oh Mary!
Cole Escola’s Tony Award-winning historical comedy Oh, Mary! is coming to London after going down a storm on Broadway. The show centres around Mary Todd Lincoln in the lead-up to husband Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and her alcoholism, disinterest in the Civil War and dream of becoming a cabaret singer. Historically accurate? No. Hilarious? Yes. Mason Alexander Park will be playing the role of Mary, with Hamilton alum Giles Terera as Mary’s Husband.
From Weds 3rd December 2025
14 Whitehall, London, W1A 2DY
trafalgartheatre.com
7. Catch This Landmark Exhibition On Turner and Constable
In the 250th year of their births, Tate Britain is hosting a major exhibition on J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, two of Britain’s greatest artists who were born within a year of each other and who used different visions of landscape art to reflect the changing world around them. Turner and Constable: Rivals and Originals explores the intertwined lives and legacies of these artistic rivals – critics compared their paintings to a clash of ‘fire and water’ – with over 170 paintings and paper works display, alongside intimate insights from sketchbooks and personal items.
Across December 2025
Millbank, London SW1P 4PN
tate.org.uk
8. Do Your Christmas Shopping On Columbia Road
The indie shops on Columbia Road and Ezra Street are opening late (from 5pm – 9pm) on Wednesdays leading up to Christmas for all your gifting needs and you’ll be able to pick up trees from the market too. There’ll be mince pies and mulled wine to keep you going but no carolling or entertainment to prevent overcrowding.
Weds 3rd, Weds 10th & Weds 17th December 2025
Columbia Road, London, E2
columbiaroad.info
9. Feast on Cheese Fondue on the Southbank
Jimmy Garcia is taking over the South Bank this winter with Fire & Fromage. The alpine-inspired pop-up will feature weather-proof cabanas where you can indulge in cheese fondue, served with new potatoes, freshly baked bread, salad and cornichons, with mini chocolate doughnuts for pud. Or you can gather round one of the fire pits and tuck into raclette burgers, cheese hot dogs, chicken schnitzels, brie bites, toasted marshmallows and mulled wine.
Across December 2025
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
jimmyspopup.com
10. Challenge Your Mates to a Curling Competition
Club Curling is back at Coal Drops Yard for some winter sports action and this year, it’s taking inspo from vintage Italian ski culture. You can curl the night away on one of the six lanes in teams of up to six, and children under 12 play for free when accompanied by an adult. There’ll be a pop-up lounge bar on site so you can have a festive tipple while you curl.
Across December 2025
Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, London N1C 4DQ
kingscross.co.uk
