Christmas activities in London

Christmas is a great time of year to be in London. There’s so much going on in terms of shopping, activities and festivities that you could spend hours wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Throughout the day, every day (except 24-26 December and 1 January), we will be running a service between Westminster Pier and St Katharine’s Pier. To help you plan for your trip to the Capital, here are some of the Christmas activities going on around the piers we visit:

Christmas market

The Nordic-themed Wintertime Festival, held taking place on the Southbank between 10 November and 4 January, could keep you occupied all day and evening with its cheerful mix of wooden chalets along the river selling gifts, food and drink. And if the chill of the English winter is a bit too much, warm up in a Finnish Rooftop Sauna which will be a temporary feature on the roof terrace of Queen Elizabeth Hall (though age restrictions apply).

Ice skating

Outdoor ice rinks have become a popular part of winter, and the annual Somerset House rink has become one of the main venues in London. This year the event is being partnered by Fortnum & Mason, so there will be high-quality food, drinks and gifts available too. And with Skate Lates playing a huge range of music, you’re bound to find a night’s skating and boogying that suits you.

Theatre

Christmas is a great time for theatre shows in London. If you like clowns, go down to the Royal Festival Hall to catch Slava’s Snowshow between 18 December and 4 January – suitable for children aged 8 and above.

The National Theatre has a range of plays to suit every taste, but if you’re looking for family entertainment, Pinocchio is being staged most days in December, as well as dates until April next year. If you love a good singalong, the play will feature a lot of the familiar songs from the Disney film.

For grown-ups who want to enjoy a good old-fashioned thriller, the Charing Cross Theatre will be showing The Woman in White in December and January.

It may be too cold to put on outdoor plays at the Globe Theatre, but in the Globe’s indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, you can see a romantic musical, or a cabaret act or an Elizabethan spy thriller, all of which are playing throughout December.

So why not combine your Christmas activities in London with an entertaining and relaxing day time river cruise. For more boat trip ticket information and to book your tickets in advance.