Christmas in London

Christmas in London is a special time of winter cheer. See the giant Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, enjoy a choir, and marvel at London's famous Christmas lights. You won't want to miss anything, click here to see Zilchoo's Blog for latest Christmas Catch up.


Free for everyone - Christmas - Galleries

Nativities Trail

Follow the Christmas story through six paintings in the collection. This trail looks at six pictures from the collection which bring to life the story of the Nativity, inviting us to share the emotions and joyous celebrations of the original Christmas. It is aimed at adults, though families with children can enjoy discovering the paintings together. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas - Museums

Dickens Christmas Experience

1st December 2012 - Fri, 21st December 2012
The Trowbridge Museum Dickensian Christmas experience was devised last year to give an historical context to Christmas and to emphasise the pertinence of Dickens's work to 21st Century life. A grotto is combined with an exhibition on the traditions of Christmas, with readings and quotes from 'A Christmas Carol' and Victorian hymns. Website
Free for everyone - Christmas

St Mary's Charity Christmas Fair

Saturday, 17 November 2012
10.00 am – 4.00 pmChristmas Fair with an all day cafe, luxurious clothing, home and beauty products, children's activities, homemade cakes and jams, jewellery, RHS calendars and plants. Always popular with the locals and worth a visit if you are in the area. Website
Free for everyone - Christmas

Petersham Nurseries Candlelit Christmas Market and Carols

Wednesday 5th December & Wednesday 12th December, 6.00pm - 9.00pm 2012
A cosy traditional shopping experience - think twinkling lights, the aromas of roasted chestnuts, hot mulled wine and a good old fashion choir delightfully singing Christmas carols. Website
Free for everyone - Christmas

Christmas in the City

Saturday 1 December 2012
The City will come alive with retail magic this December in a one day extravaganza of shopping and family entertainment 10am - 6pm Saturday 1st December 2012. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

London's Choirs Sing at Covent Garden

9 November - 17 December 2012
Choirs will sing on the Piazza in Convent Garden, on Monday 9th November and then every Thursday from Thursday 19th November until Thursday 17th December. 
Free for everyone - Christmas

Oxford Street Christmas Lights

5 November
The Oxford Street Christmas lights will be switched on for 2011 in a charming London event featuring a selection of guest stars. Londoners can enjoy some of the most famous Christmas lights in the world and welcome the festive season in the heart of the West End. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Westfield Christmas Lights

6 November
Taylor Swift will switch on the Westfield London Christmas lights on 6 November. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Dazzle at the National Theatre

6 November 2012 - 6 January 2013
Annual jewellery showcase featuring a huge selection of pieces for sale by European designers. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Giant Lego Advent Calendar at Covent Garden

29 November - 24 December
The world’s first advent calendar made entirely from LEGO bricks and watch our short film above to get you in the mood for another legendary Christmas at Covent Garden. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Carnaby Street Christmas Lights

Until January 6 2012
Get in the festive mood on Carnaby Street and surrounding areas as the Carnaby Christmas lights brighten up the fashionable shopping district. See more Christmas Lights...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Raindeer at Covent Garden

Every Saturday from 10th November, 12.00pm to 4.00pm, 2012
Take the little ones to see the reindeer at Covent Garden this Christmas, as the famous piazza hosts a reindeer petting corner over the festive season. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Carnaby Street Shopping Event

5pm - 9pm, Thursday 22nd November 2012
Over 100 shops, bars and restaurants are participating in the Carnaby shopping evening, with top end brands such as Lee, Levi's, Pretty green and Gola Classics welcoming you in for some excellent discounts along with the more unique boutique shops in the Carnaby area. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Southbank Christmas Market

16 November -  23 December
Enjoy a beautiful Christmas Market at this unique location, the London Southbank. The carousel in the centre of the Christmas Market offers younger visitors an enjoyable attraction especially for them. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Winter Wonderland

23 November - 6 January
The Magic of Winter Wonderland can be enjoyed by everyone – it is absolutely FREE to enter and there is no charge at all to visit Santa Claus! Winter Wonderland has a many activities to experience at a cost, check the website for ticket prices. Book Ice Skating, The Giant Observation Wheel, Zippos Christmas Circus and Zippos Cirque Extreme. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Covent Garden Christmas Food Market

Until 17 December
Handmade crafts and collectibles for Christmas are on sale daily in the Apple Market building. Covent Garden’s best-loved markets will also have extended hours. The Apple Market, with its rows of stalls selling handmade crafts and collectables for shoppers seeking out unique gifts. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Christmas Market at Old Spitalfields

1 December - 24 December
There is plenty of excellent Christmas shopping at Old Spitalfields Market to be had for the festive season this year. Renowned for being one of the most vibrant and busy of all of London's markets, Old Spitalfields Market also plays host to some special Christmas events, giving the place a great festive atmosphere throughout the season. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Trafalgar Square Christmas Carols

11 December - 22 December
Free Christmas carol services are taking place in Trafalgar Square throughout the Christmas season. Enjoy carols in a traditional London Christmas experience this December. Christmas carols at Trafalgar Square take place on nights from December. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

6 December -  3 January
It's free for Everyone, so no need to get our your purse or wallet! Zilchoo hold no responsibility if the attraction entry fee has changed, always check the attraction website for confirmation.
Free for everyone - Christmas - Shops

Columbia Road Christmas Shopping Evenings

4 Wednesdays Evenings: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd December 5.00pm - 9.00pm
This charming neighbourhood of cobbled streets and independent businesses offers a more agreeable alternative to the West End crowds, and in the run-up to Christmas the shops will be opening late on Wednesday evenings. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Belgravia Christmas Sunday

2 December 2012
Sparkling their way through two of Belgravia’s most beautiful streets, the Three Wise Men and his camels, along with Father Christmas himself will make Christmas come to life in December. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas - Food & Drink

Chocolate Festival

7 - 9 December 2012
The Chocolate Festival – a celebration of all things chocolate by chocolate lovers for chocolate lovers at the Southbank Centre. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Free Ice Rink

14, 15, 16 December
It's free for Everyone sponsored by Network Rail will be held in the Balham Community Space, Bedford Hill. Visitors are encouraged get into the Christmas spirit by enjoying this free 8m x 8m synthetic ice rink. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas - Markets - Food & Drink

Real Food Christmas Market

16 - 23 December 2012
The Real Food Market goes daily in the run up to Christmas, with seasonal gastronomic goodies such as wild game, ham, charcuterie, cheeses, chutneys and pickles, along with mince pies and mulled wine for sale. Held at the Southbank centre. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas - Religious Sites

St Paul's Christmas Eve Carol's

24 December
Why not attend a Christmas Eve Carol service, carols will be sung by the Cathedral Choir, it will be a lovely way to spend Christmas Eve with the family. There are other services throughout Christmas you can also attend.
Free for everyone - Christmas - Gardens & Parks

Peter Pan Cup in Hyde Park

25 December 9.00am
While most of us are still tucked up in bed or tearing into our Christmas presents members of the Serpentine Swimming Club are competing their annual race across the icy waters of Hyde Park's Serpentine lake.  The Peter Pan Cup has taken place every Christmas Day since 1864.
Free for everyone - Christmas - Museums

Twelfth Night at Geffrye Museum

6 January 2013
Say farewell to Christmas 2011 with a celebration of Twelfth Night at Geffrye Museum. Join the visitors in waving goodbye to another festive period with some traditional activities for Twelfth Night in the Geffrye Museum garden. See more...
Free for everyone - Shops - Christmas

Regent Street Christmas Lights

Until 6 January 2013
Regent Street Christmas lights are sure to be another spectacular creation that will light up the sky around Regent Street. The Christmas lights will no doubt attract thousands of shoppers throughout the festive season, making for one of the major tourist attractions in London this Christmas. See more...
Free for everyone - Christmas

Santa's Grotto at Westfields

22 November - 23 December
This Christmas is truly going to be special at Westfield London. Westfield's free Grotto is the UK's first to have a 5D film and each child's name and picture will feature in the film, as Elbow the Elf saves Christmas. Pre-booking will enable you to visit Santa's Grotto at the time you wish so click through and book your 5D experience now! Book here
Free for Children only - Christmas

Kew Gardens

8 December - 6 January 2013
Throughout Christmas at Kew kids can take part in some delightful entertainment and arts and crafts activities at the Climbers and Creepers interactive area. There's seasonal face painting from 10th December 2011 - 2nd January 2012, and there's also an enchanting carousel ride on Kew Palace lawn between the same dates. See more...
Free for Children

Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair

1st December and Sunday 2nd December 2012
Chelsea Physic Garden is the place to pick up garden paraphernalia and unusual gifts at their 2 day Christmas Fair in a heated marquee in the garden. Adults pay £5 admission which will give you entrance to both days, under 16's are free. See more...
Free for Children - Christmas

The Fair Christmas Fayre

1 December 2012
Run by the Salvation Army at 275 Oxford Street, for ethical, green and craftilicious shopping. See more...
Free for Children  - Christmas - Religious sites

Temple Church Christmas Fayre

29 November 2012
Not only helps solve some gift issues but allows you a mooch around Inner Temple Hall, off the Strand, a very special place. Tickets are around £5.00 for an adult and children under 16 are free. See more...
Free for Children - Christmas

Christmas Grand Sale at the Royal Horticultural Halls

21 November - 24 November
Festive fair with a cornucopia of gifts as well as decorative accessories for the home and some fashion items from more than 150 to quality gift, homes and fashion companies. 150 exhibitors in central London location, just 5 minutes walk from Victoria station. See more...
Free for Children - Christmas

Kew Gardens Santa's Grotto

8 - 23 December 2012
midday until 3.30pm, with last entry at 3pm
For those that love Santa's grottos at Christmas, there is a chance to see the big man himself at Kew, with Father Christmas setting up residence in the Princess of Wales conservatory. See more...
Payment Required - Christmas

Eco-Design Christmas Fair

2 December 2012
The Eco Design Fair is an annual retail event. The aim of the fair is to encourage direct trade between the public and designer makers – all of whom focus on environmentally friendly production methods and/or fair trade principles. Entry £2. Concessions £1. See more...
Free for everyone - Markets 

Curtain Up Christmas Market

9 December 2012
Curtain Up Festive Market raises money for charity with a TV themed shopping experience at St Mary Abbots Centre, Kensington W8 4HN. Entrance £1.50 donation See more...
Payment Required - Christmas

Red Cross Christmas Fair

29 November 2012, 10.00am - 4.30pm
This is a luxury Christmas shopping event in London with over 70 stalls, a guest speaker, and excellent prizes to be won and will take place at the Kensington Town Hall, London. See more...

Family Fun - Fun Stuff- Galleries - Gardens and Parks - Historic Sites - Markets - Monuments and Statues - Museums - Palaces & Houses - Religious Sites - Spooky, Weird, Bizarre - Walks