Here’s a guide to some of the best things to do in London this winter…
Enjoy some shopping and ice skating, courtesy of Glide at Battersea: returning from the 7th November, the ice rink situated outside the iconic Battersea Power station is the perfect place to spend the day. Running for eight weeks only Glide at Battersea Power Station features three interlinking ice rinks and this year a brand-new riverside skate trail has been unveiled giving skaters of all levels ample space and time to showcase their skills. After your session on the rink, why not grab something to drink and eat at Glass House Bar. The area is surrounded by plenty of shops to do shopping and restaurants if you are feeling peckish making it a great day out.
Enjoy the Christmas lights of London with a bus tour: be dazzled by London’s Christmas lights in this special festive bus tour which lasts around 75 minutes on a vintage 1960’s routemaster. The tours depart right next to Trafalgar Square and takes visitors around the most famous sights in London, bedecked in Christmas lights to help you get into the festive mood.
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park: this famous annual event is back from the 14th November, filled with 150 rides and attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy. New attractions for this year are set to include a newly revamped Santa Land and a free Santa’s Grotto experience, while the Jingle Bell Bistro is a must-visit too, as the world’s first street food market just for kids has a tantalising menu designed for little foodies. Firm favourite The Magical Ice Kingdom will feature a brand new theme this year – A Mystical,Mythical Fantasy World, where visitors can journey through the Four Realms ofEarth, Fire, Air and Water. For full information visit the website.
Winter Lights Canary Wharf: returning for its 10th edition from the 20th to the 31st January, this free event will see Canary Wharf will once again be transformed into an open air exhibition full of discovery and possibility, playing host to some of the world’s most visionary light artists. While the line up of artists taking part in the festival has yet to be announced, the theme of the event will be “Dreamscape” to take visitors through an exploratory journey through the surreal and extraordinary.
Christmas at Kew: popular with visitors year after year, Christmas at Kew is back from the 14th November – with some new additions for visitors to enjoy. This includes for the first time the iconic Great Pagoda will be adorned and sparkling with festive lights. Alongside this will be the introduction of the Christmas Orchestra, a new piece by Culture Creative, featuring a show of festive music and lights. Meanwhile, multidisciplinary artist Wilhelmusvlug from the Netherlands will present ‘In Bloom’, which evokes delicate flower petals dancing through the air. For the first time visitors will be able to walk across the Palm House Pond, which will be decorated with a light display of 100 lilies. The event will take place on certain dates until the 4th January 2026. It will open from 4.20pm to 10pm, apart from on Christmas eve when it closes at 9pm.
Hogwarts in the Snow, Warner Bros. Studio Tour: this beloved event in the experience’s calendar is back from the 15th November until the 18th January. The Great Hall will be transformed into scenes from the Yule Ball as seen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The Gryffindor common room, Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley will be dressed for Christmas and the Hogwarts castle model will be coated in snow using the same technique used in the Harry Potter film series. A perfect way for Harry Potter fans to get into the festive spirit!