Looking for the best things to do in London in December? 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 2023 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 Jo Malone-decorated Christmas tree in the centre, 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 the fairground rides and in the riverside igloos.
Fri 1st – Sun 31st December 2023
Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD
fireworks.london
2. Support Black-Owned Businesses at This Market
The Black Culture Market is back this winter with a Christmas special, giving Londoners the chance to support emerging entrepreneurs and businesses of African and Caribbean descent. Taking place at The Department Store in Brixton, the market will be stacked with stalls selling unique prints, jewellery, male grooming kits, skincare, gifts & cards, clothes, accessories and more – all from independent Black makers. It’s totally free to attend the market, but you need to register to enter.
Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd December 2023, 11am – 5pm
Downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, London SW9 8FR
blackculturemarket.co.uk
3. Have a Roast at the Madame Pigg Pop-Up
We were sad to see Madame Pigg, one of our fave roast spots, close in Dalston and we’ve had to make do with the odd supper club here and there since then. Until now that is because Madame Pigg is coming back for seven whole weeks, taking over the Islington Arts Club on the weekends. The menu for Saturdays will change but you can expect dishes like porchetta buns, deep-fried prawn baps and proper chips, and on Sundays, the famous Madame Pigg roasts will be front and centre, with the likes of roast beef with horseradish and Yorkshire pud, porchetta with red apple sauce and whole chicken with bread sauce on offer.
Fri 1st – Sun 17th December 2023
235 Upper Street, London N1 1RU
@madame.pigg
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. Popping up on the Henrietta Hotel’s mezzanine, the Christmas-themed pop-up will be serving up their famous festive cocktails, including the Christmapolitan (vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary & an absinthe mist) with a side of kitsch. You can also enjoy a selection of snacks from the Italian Supper Club at Henrietta whilst taking in the extravagant retro Christmas decorations and being transported back to Christmas past.
Fri 1st – Sat 23rd December 2023
Henrietta Hotel, 14–15 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8QH
miracleathenrietta.com
5. Let Tom Hanks Teach You About the Moon
For its inaugural exhibition, immersive art gallery Lightroom brought in a big hitter in David Hockney (whose David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) show has been a huge success). But for its next show, the bar has been raised again. The Moonwalkers, which tells the story of humankind’s exploration of the moon, is being narrated by Oscar-winner Tom Hanks, with an original score by Anne Nikitin.
Weds 6th – Sun 31st December 2023
12 Lewis Cubitt Square, London, N1C 4DY
lightroom.uk
6. Pay a Visit to the Ever After Garden
The Ever After Garden, an installation of over 25,000 illuminated roses, is returning to Grosvenor Square this November in aid of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Set up in 2019 by Camilla Morton and Anya Hindmarch after the loss of their friend, production designer and art director Michael Howells, the garden is a space where you can remember people that you’ve lost and make a dedication in tribute to them. Since the garden first opened in 2019, it’s raised over £450,000 for the charity. It’s free to visit the installation and you can dedicate a rose to someone from £10, with all donations going to support the Royal Marsden’s work.
Fri 1st – Tues 19th December 2023, 3pm – 9pm
Grosvenor Square, London W1K 6LD
royalmarsden.org
7. Watch Nicole Scherzinger in ‘Sunset Boulevard’
30 years after the original West End production, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard is back in the capital at the Savoy Theatre. Jamie Lloyd is directing this reimagining of the classic musical, which features songs like ‘With One Look’, ‘The Perfect Year’ and ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’. Nicole Scherzinger plays movie star Norma Desmond, who is haunted by her memories and desires a return to the big screen. A struggling screenwriter may be her lifeline but their relationship soon leads to disaster.
Fri 1st – Sat 30th December 2023 (except for Sundays)
Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET
sunsetboulevardwestend.com
8. Get on Board the Murder Express
Prepare to be transported to the scene of an early 20th-century murder because The Murdér Express is coming back to town. This production from creative collective Funicular is a theatre and dining experience with a twist and it’s back for a fresh adventure this winter. Boarding the train at the Pedley Street Station, after a drink at the Seven Sins platform bar, you’ll journey to the (fictional!) town of Murdér in France whilst seated in the train’s luxurious period dining car. As the night unfolds, you’ll be able to tuck into a four-course menu created by two-Michelin-starred chef Niall Keating, with dishes including potato salad & warm cheese mousse, mushroom & ricotta-stuffed cabbage with mushroom consommé, beef cheek with charred leek & caramelised onion purée, and milk chocolate cigar with white chocolate ice cream.
Fri 1st – Sun 31st December 2023
Arch 63 Pedley Street, London, E1 5BW
themurderexpress.com
9. Explore Kenwood House’s Immersive Christmas Trail
London is getting LIT this December as Christmas at Kenwood is back for a third edition. This year the grounds of the Grade I-listed building will transformed into another immersive winter wonderland with a brand new light trail, featuring 13 new interactive and Instagrammable light and sound installations, including a festive display on the House itself. You’ll also be able to warm up with mince pies, spiced cider and mulled wine on your way round the trail.
Fri 1st – Sun 31st December 2023
Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR
christmasatkenwood.com
10. Challenge Your Mates to a Curling Competition
Club Curling is back at Coal Drops Yard for some winter sports action for 2023 and this year, it’s nineties-themed. 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 cocktail bar on site so you can have a festive tipple while you curl to the soundtrack of 90s anthems provided by weekly DJs.
Fri 1st – Sun 31st December 2023
Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, London N1C 4DQ
kingscross.co.uk