Christmas in London 2026: Winter Wonderland, Lights, Skating and Kew
Christmas in London 2026 starts in mid-November: Skate at Somerset House opens on 11 November, Christmas at Kew on 13 November and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland on 19 November. From Mowbray Court Hotel in Earl’s Court, each one is a direct Tube ride away. This guide covers the main events, the dates and how to get there.
Christmas in London 2026: key dates
| Event | Dates | From Earl’s Court |
|---|---|---|
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | 19 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 (closed 25 Dec) | Piccadilly line to Hyde Park Corner, 8 min |
| Skate at Somerset House | 11 Nov 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 | Piccadilly line to Covent Garden, 14 min |
| Christmas at Kew | Selected evenings, 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | District line to Kew Gardens, 16–18 min |
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2026
Winter Wonderland returns to Hyde Park from Thursday 19 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. It is closed only on Christmas Day. Expect rides, an ice rink, Christmas markets, shows and plenty of food and drink stalls. Tickets are sold on the official Hyde Park Winter Wonderland tickets guide, and booking ahead is the safest way to get the time slot you want.
Getting there: walk 3 minutes to Earl’s Court station, then take the Piccadilly line direct to Hyde Park Corner, 8 minutes on the train. The Piccadilly line runs all night on Friday and Saturday nights (the Night Tube). If you’d like to be closer to the park, see our hotel near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens page.
Christmas lights and shopping in London
Regent Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Carnaby Street are all lit up for Christmas. Norway sends a tree for Trafalgar Square every year as thanks for Britain’s help during the Second World War.
- Oxford Street: Oxford Circus, 15 minutes (District line to Victoria, then the Victoria line).
- Covent Garden: Piccadilly line direct, 14 minutes.
- Trafalgar Square: Piccadilly line to Leicester Square, 13 minutes.
- Harrods and Knightsbridge: Piccadilly line to Knightsbridge, 6 minutes. More on our hotel near Harrods and Knightsbridge page.
Ice skating in London at Christmas
Skate at Somerset House runs from 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 in the courtyard of the 18th-century palace on the Strand. Entry to the courtyard is free, and you only need a ticket to skate. Take the Piccadilly line to Covent Garden (14 minutes) or the District line to Temple. Read our Somerset House ice skating guide for tips. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park also has an ice rink.
Christmas at Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens’ evening light trail runs on selected dates from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Entry starts at 4:20pm and the gardens close at 10pm (9pm on Christmas Eve). It does not open on a few dates, including 16, 23 and 28 November and Christmas Day, so check Kew’s website when you book. Getting there: District line direct from Earl’s Court to Kew Gardens, about 16–18 minutes; take a train marked Richmond.
Theatre, ballet and pantomime
December is the season for The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and pantomime, the very British comedy show where the audience shouts “He’s behind you!”. West End theatres are a short ride away: Leicester Square is 13 minutes and Covent Garden 14 minutes on the Piccadilly line. Check each theatre’s own website for 2026 shows and dates.
After Christmas: Boxing Day and New Year
Staying on? See our guides to things to do on Boxing Day in London and New Year’s Eve in London 2026. Coming for a show at Olympia London? Our hotel near Olympia London page has the train times; Olympia is about 10 minutes by train.
Christmas holidays in Earl’s Court: where to stay
Mowbray Court Hotel is a budget hotel in Earl’s Court on quiet Penywern Road, 3 minutes’ walk from Earl’s Court station, with direct Piccadilly line trains to Hyde Park Corner, Covent Garden and Heathrow. Every room has a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi, and reception is open 24 hours. Book on our own website for our best price guarantee and free cancellation on flexible rates.