The Gold Edition’s Festive Culture List: What To Book In & Around London

Hampton Court Palace will transform its courtyards into a food-lover's Christmas wonderland for this year’s Festive Fayre. Soak up the spirit of the season with delicious street food, warming festive drinks and even the odd sing-along around the bandstand. Visitors will be able to browse a selection of stalls, offering plenty of foodie Christmas treats and special presents for everyone on your list. Admission is included as part of a standard entrance ticket to Hampton Court, which starts from £27.20 per adult. 

Hampton Court Way, Molesey, KT8 9AU; 5th & 7th Dec

Visit HRP.org.uk

Few characters capture the warmth of the season quite like Paddington Bear. This November sees the world premiere of Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre. With a book by Olivier Award-winner Jessica Swale and original songs by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, this adaptation brings Michael Bond’s classic stories to life with humour, charm and plenty of marmalade sandwiches. Expect dazzling choreography, inventive staging and a heartwarming story that will delight little ones and their grown-ups alike. Perfect for a festive family outing, the musical is set to be one of London’s biggest theatrical openings of 2025. 

Savoy Court, Strand, WC2R 0ET; from Nov 

Visit PaddingtonTheMusical.com

Kew Gardens’ illuminated trail has become one of London’s most cherished festive traditions, and 2025 looks set to be its most spectacular yet. From mid-November, the botanical gardens are transformed after dark into a glowing wonderland of artful light installations, laser projections and immersive soundscapes. Visitors can wander along twinkling pathways lined with “singing” trees, admire the grand finale at the Palm House and warm up with hot chocolate, mulled wine and seasonal treats from food stalls dotted around the gardens. 

Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3AE; 19th Nov-4th Jan

Visit Kew.org

If you are seeking drama beyond the pantomime this winter, one of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedies takes centre stage in the West End. Directed by Tom Morris, Othello promises to be one of the season’s standout productions. David Harewood leads the cast in the title role, with Toby Jones delivering what’s expected to be a masterful performance as Iago. Running until mid-January, Caitlin FitzGerald (of Masters of Sex) plays Desdemona, alongside Vinette Robinson and Luke Treadaway. This high-profile revival explores power, betrayal and obsession in a production that feels both timeless and urgent. Tickets start from £32.

18 Suffolk Street, St. James’s, SW1Y 4HT; until 17th Jan 

Visit LondonTheatreDirect.com

For Harry Potter fans, nothing beats the annual transformation of the Warner Bros Studio Tour into a winter wonderland. From 15th November until 12th January, the sets are dressed for the season: the Great Hall sparkles with Christmas trees and Yule Ball decorations, Diagon Alley is dusted with snow and the Forbidden Forest is dotted with icicles. Costumes and props reveal how the films captured festive magic, while interactive exhibits allow visitors to step into iconic scenes. Perfect for families and superfans alike, it’s a day out that feels both nostalgic and enchanting. The experience is just outside London in Leavesden and tickets always sell fast.

Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR; 15th Nov-12th Jan

Visit WBStudioTour.co.uk

The Royal Albert Hall pulls out all the stops for its Christmas showcase and this year is no exception. The venue has been celebrating the festive season for 150 years and this year sees the return of tried-and-true classics and some new musical delights. Highlights include a festive evening with piano man Jamie Cullum, the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Trevor Nelson’s Soul Christmas and a performance from the London Community Gospel Choir. Our pick is Home Alone in concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Kensington Gore, South Kensington, SW7 2AP; various dates throughout December

Visit RoyalAlbertHall.com

For many Londoners, the lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree marks the true start of the festive season. A gift from Norway each year since 1947, the towering spruce is decorated with hundreds of vertical lights in a traditional Nordic style. From early December, carol groups gather at its base nightly, filling the square with music against the backdrop of the National Gallery. It’s free, atmospheric and always bustling — ideal for dropping into before dinner or drinks nearby. Even in a city full of dazzling spectacles, there’s something uniquely moving about this enduring symbol of friendship and tradition.

Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN; From 5th Dec 

Visit London.gov.uk

For a more intimate festive moment, head to Temple Church, one of London’s most beautiful hidden chapels. Dating back to the 12th century, its candlelit interior provides the perfect setting for choral concerts in December. Each year, the church choir performs medieval carols and traditional Christmas music in a programme that feels both historic and uplifting. Tickets are priced around £12, making it one of the city’s most accessible festive highlights. 

Temple, EC4Y 7HL; various dates in Dec

Visit TempleChurch.com

London’s hotels excel at afternoon tea year-round, but at Christmas they take things to another level. At The Langham, the festive tea includes champagne and pastries shaped like snowflakes, while The Savoy brings a theatrical touch with carols and storytelling. Fortnum & Mason leans into its heritage with seasonal preserves and mince pies, while the Rosewood offers a stylish contemporary version with live jazz. Expect festive patisserie, elegant finger sandwiches and plenty of sparkle. Bookings fill up weeks in advance, but if you’re looking to mark the season in a luxurious way, this is the quintessential indulgence.

Various locations across London; throughout Dec 

Visit LanghamHotels.com, FortnumAndMason.com & TheSavoyLondon.com

London’s Christmas lights are famous worldwide and the best way to see them is from an open-top bus. Special tours run throughout December, taking in the angels above Regent Street, Carnaby’s ever-changing displays, Bond Street’s glamorous installations and Covent Garden’s giant baubles. The ride usually lasts around 90 minutes and many operators include festive commentary – and the chance to hop off for photos and mulled wine. Warm coats and scarves are essential, but the views make it worthwhile. It’s a stylish way to tick off London’s best lights in one evening, especially if you’re entertaining visitors.

Departs from multiple central London locations; 22nd Nov-5th Jan

Visit GoldenTours.com

Few backdrops rival Somerset House for an ice-skating session. Each winter, its 18th-century courtyard is transformed into one of the city’s most glamorous rinks, complete with a towering tree and rinkside DJ sets. For 2025, the Skate Lounge returns, serving champagne, fondue and festive cocktails to warm up after your time on the ice. Families can book daytime slots, while late-night skates are accompanied by live music and a more celebratory atmosphere. Whether you step onto the ice or simply watch with a glass of fizz, Somerset House is an essential festive stop.

Strand, WC2R 1LA; 12th Nov-11th Jan

Visit SomersetHouse.org.uk 

Art lovers should make space in their calendars for the Royal Academy’s blockbuster exhibition of works by Kerry James Marshall. Considered one of the most significant American painters of his generation, Marshall is known for his monumental canvases that reframe Black identity and history. This exhibition spans four decades of his career, with rarely seen works alongside his most iconic paintings. Opening in October and running through the winter, it’s an opportunity to experience Marshall’s vivid and powerful work in person. The RA is always a festive treat, with its grand courtyard and Christmas tree adding to the occasion.

Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD; 11th Oct-2nd Feb

Visit RoyalAcademy.org.uk