The perfect Christmas weekend in London: FULL itinerary

Nowhere does Christmas quite like London🎄

Magnificent light displays go up, quaint markets roll into the boroughs, and every corner of the city seems to be dressed for the occasion.

But just how do you go about planning a Christmas break in one of the world’s biggest and busiest cities? We know you want to squeeze as much festive cheer out of your trip as possible. That’s why we’ve put together the perfect itinerary, with all the shows, skating, shopping and mulled wine you can handle.

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Friday evening: kick off with a Christmas show

The Snowman

• 
  21st November 2026 – 3rd January 2027
• 
  Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT

The Snowman plays in London every year, and has become an annual festive tradition for many. This year, the beloved tale gets a brand-new staging at the Peacock Theatre. But don’t worry, the iconic score remains the same, and Walking in the Air will be ringing in your ears long after the show’s over. It’s on from 21st November to 3rd January, so there’s plenty of time to fit it in. But do secure your tickets quickly, as seats tend to go fast!

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

• 
  27th October 2026 – 7th March 2027
• 
  Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA

For something a little less wholesome (in a good way!), the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong turns A Christmas Carol into pure chaos. We don’t want to give away too much, but you can expect collapsing sets, clumsy ghosts, and a cast that’ll make you wonder how they got the job! The terrifically terrible show will be playing at Wyndham’s Theatre from 18th December into the new year. Grab your tickets asap if you want to avoid a real disaster, as it usually sells out!

Room on the Broom

• 
  27th November 2026 – 3rd December 2026
• 
  Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES

Julia Donaldson’s cat, frog and witch take to the stage at the Lyric Theatre from 27th November, with catchy songs that’ll have the grown-ups humming along too. The show lasts 60 minutes, and performances tend to run earlier in the day, so this one’s a good shout if you’re travelling with younger children.

Stick Man

• 
  3rd December 2026 – 3rd January 2027
• 
  Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH

Now marking its 15th festive season in London, Stick Man returns to the Bloomsbury Theatre from 3rd December. Like Room on the Broom, most performances are daytime slots, so it’s worth checking times before you book if you’re set on an evening show.

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

• 
  2nd December 2026 – 10th January 2027
• 
  Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP

Pride and Prejudice fan? This one’s for you! This UK premiere picks up the Bennet story a few years on, with the spotlight finally on the overlooked middle sister Mary. It runs at the Park Theatre from 2nd December, with evening performances throughout, making it a solid pick for grown-up theatre nights.

Whichever show you choose, you’ll never be too far from a Travelodge to settle into afterwards. Book into one of our many central London hotels to be right in the heart of the action.

Saturday morning: get your Christmas shopping done

Spend your Saturday morning ticking off that gift list. Head to Carnaby Street, where this year’s lights lean into 90s nostalgia from their switch-on on 4th November. There’ll be plenty of colour and playfulness, and it’s a great excuse to duck into the many independent boutiques tucked down Kingly Court.

From there, it’s just a short walk to Oxford Street and Regent Street, where you can take your pick from over 500 shops to cover everyone on your list.

Fancy something a bit different? Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross is well worth the detour. It has its own Christmas markets (including a Mexican market!) and a line-up of independent shops that feel a world away from the Oxford Street crowds.

For the full lowdown on where to shop in London this Christmas, check out our guide to the best Christmas shopping in London.

Saturday afternoon: get your skates on

Once the bags are starting to feel heavy, it’s time to swap the shopping for skating. Glide at Battersea Power Station is one of our favourites. Weave through three interconnected rinks set against the iconic power station, or take the scenic riverside skate trail if you fancy something different. It’s open from 6th November right through to 3rd January and tickets are available to purchase on their website. It can sell out at peak times, so we recommend booking in advance to ensure you don’t miss out!

Prefer something a little more traditional? Skate at Somerset House is hard to beat, with skaters circling beneath a 40-foot Christmas tree in the historic Fountain Court. It runs from 11th November to 10th January, and you can grab tickets on the website.

And if you’re basing your whole weekend around Hyde Park, the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink is right there waiting. Pre-book your tickets to skate, shop, and ride the Big Wheel all in one visit!

Saturday evening: Films in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall

Round off your Saturday in style at the Royal Albert Hall, where Films in Concert brings classic films to life with a full live orchestra playing the score beneath that famous domed ceiling. Catch a screening on Saturday 5th or Saturday 12th December, when Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York will be playing. If you want that proper feel-good festive nostalgia, this is the thing to book!

Sunday morning: markets, mulled wine and all the food

Save your last morning for London’s Christmas markets. The Southbank Centre Winter Market stretches along the Thames between the London Eye and the National Theatre, with alpine chalets dishing out everything from bratwurst to raclette – all with a river view!

Food lovers should make a beeline for Borough Market, which goes all out over the festive period with seasonal produce, mince pies, and legendary cheese toasties that are worth queueing up for!

Over in East London, Old Spitalfields Market swaps the usual chalets for covered, independent stalls, with crafts, prints, and small-batch gifts you genuinely won’t find anywhere else.

And if you haven’t made it to Hyde Park yet, the Winter Wonderland Christmas Market is the perfect final stop. German-style stalls will be serving up bratwurst and mulled wine to wrap up your weekend in proper festive fashion!