London takes on a completely different feel during the festive season, with Christmas markets, illuminated streets, ice skating, seasonal shows and some of the capital’s biggest winter attractions returning for 2026.
For anyone in Liverpool thinking about a Christmas day trip, shopping weekend or a few nights away, there is plenty happening across London from November right through into the New Year.
And with direct Avanti West Coast services connecting Liverpool Lime Street with London Euston, the capital can be reached in as little as 2 hours 11 minutes, making London an option for both a day trip and a longer winter break.
Here are some of the festive events and experiences worth adding to your plans this Christmas.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
One of London’s biggest festive events returns to Hyde Park from 19 November 2026 until 3 January 2027.
Winter Wonderland brings together fairground rides, live entertainment, food and drink, festive bars, ice skating and seasonal attractions across Hyde Park.
New for 2026, the Magical Ice Kingdom will take visitors into Neverland, with hundreds of sculptures created from 500 tonnes of ice and snow bringing the world of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell to life.
There are also thrill rides, family attractions, live shows and plenty of places to stop for something to eat or drink.
Winter Wonderland is open every day during its run apart from Christmas Day, with visitors advised to book their entry slot in advance.
When: 19 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Where: Hyde Park, London
Skate at Somerset House
Few places provide a more impressive setting for a Christmas skate than Somerset House.
The historic courtyard will once again be transformed for Skate at Somerset House with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, running from 11 November 2026 until 10 January 2027.
Visitors can skate beneath a 40-foot Christmas tree before enjoying festive food, drinks and seasonal shopping.
There will also be Skate Lates throughout the season, bringing DJs and music onto the rink on selected evenings.
You don’t need a skating ticket simply to visit Somerset House and enjoy the festive atmosphere, while skating tickets start from £11 for children and £13 for adults.
When: 11 November 2026 – 10 January 2027
Where: Somerset House, Strand
Explore the Southbank Centre Winter Market
A walk along the Thames gets a festive makeover when the Southbank Centre’s Winter Market returns.
Running from 2 November 2026 until 4 January 2027, traditional alpine-style chalets will line Queen’s Walk beneath the festive lights.
Expect pop-up bars, street food and independent traders, with the London Eye, Big Ben and other landmarks all close by.
Its central location also makes it an easy addition to a wider day exploring London rather than somewhere you necessarily need to build an entire itinerary around.
When: 2 November 2026 – 4 January 2027
Where: Queen’s Walk, Southbank Centre
See London’s Christmas lights
Sometimes one of the simplest things to do in London at Christmas is also one of the most enjoyable.
Central London is transformed by festive light displays, with some of the most recognisable found around Regent Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
Regent Street’s illuminated angels have become one of London’s most recognisable Christmas sights, while Covent Garden is another popular stop for decorations, its Christmas tree and festive displays.
You could easily create your own walking route through the centre of the city, making this one of the more budget-friendly additions to a Christmas day trip.
There are also dedicated Christmas lights bus tours available for anyone who would rather see the displays without spending the evening walking around the capital.
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns to The Old Vic for another festive season.
The production stars Giles Terera as Ebenezer Scrooge and is adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne, with performances running from 10 November 2026 until 9 January 2027.
The 2026 production marks the show’s tenth year at The Old Vic and will be performed with the theatre configured in the round, placing the audience around the stage.
It could make a great centrepiece for an overnight Christmas break, particularly when combined with dinner and a wander around the South Bank before or after the show.
When: 10 November 2026 – 9 January 2027
Where: The Old Vic, Waterloo
Watch The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum
Another Christmas tradition returns when English National Ballet brings Nutcracker to the London Coliseum.
The production runs from 17 December 2026 until 10 January 2027 and features more than 100 dancers and musicians.
Set on Christmas Eve in Edwardian London, the production follows Clara on a journey featuring the Nutcracker, the Rat King, an icy kingdom and the Land of Sweets & Delights.
There are afternoon and evening performances across the festive period, including performances on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
When: 17 December 2026 – 10 January 2027
Where: London Coliseum
Step into Hogwarts in the Snow
Harry Potter fans can also make a winter trip to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for the return of Hogwarts in the Snow.
The seasonal transformation runs from 14 November 2026 until 17 January 2027, with famous sets from the Harry Potter films given their winter makeover.
The Hogwarts Castle model is covered in snow as part of the experience, while visitors can explore sets, costumes and props from across the films.
The Studio Tour is located outside central London near Watford, so it is worth allowing most of the day if you want to include it in your trip.
When: 14 November 2026 – 17 January 2027
Where: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Leavesden
Make time for Christmas shopping
If the main reason for your visit is to get some Christmas shopping done, London certainly isn’t short of places to explore.
Oxford Street and Regent Street put many major retailers within walking distance of each other, while nearby Carnaby, Soho and Covent Garden offer plenty more shops, restaurants and bars.
You could also head to Knightsbridge for Harrods and Harvey Nichols, visit Selfridges on Oxford Street or browse the independent traders at London’s festive markets.
Combining shopping with the Christmas lights means you can easily fill a full day without needing to book several attractions.
Turn it into a winter weekend in London
Although London is achievable as a day trip from Liverpool, staying overnight gives you much more time to explore.
Spend the first day Christmas shopping and seeing the lights before heading to the West End, then use the following morning for a festive attraction, museum or market.
Or make Winter Wonderland, Hogwarts in the Snow or a theatre performance the main reason for travelling and build the rest of your itinerary around it.
January can also be worth considering. Several of London’s seasonal experiences continue beyond Christmas and into the first week or two of the New Year, meaning you can still get a winter break in once the busiest part of December is over.
Travelling from Liverpool to London with Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast operates direct services between Liverpool Lime Street and London Euston, with the quickest journeys currently taking from around 2 hours 11 minutes.
Arriving at Euston puts you within easy reach of the Underground and much of central London, whether you’re heading towards Oxford Street, Covent Garden, the South Bank or Hyde Park.
If you’re planning to travel during the festive period, it is worth checking train times and fares ahead of your journey, particularly around weekends and the Christmas and New Year period.
Check the latest Liverpool to London train times and fares with Avanti West Coast before travelling.
You can browse trains here.
