Top 10 Festive Places to visit in London in 2023

London comes alive in the festive season in the run up to the end of the year. The sparkling lights, smells of gingerbread and mulled wine, the magic of the ice skating rinks makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and look forward to the new year with hope and optimism.

Many places all around town have donned bells and whistles to bring in the festive cheer.. From meticulously designed gingerbread buildings to wintery art trails, there is something for everyone.

In no particular order, here is our selection of festive places in London we will certainly be checking out this season.

1. The Ever After Garden - Grosvenor Square (Mayfair)

Returning for its third year to celebrate the festive season, The Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square fills the area with a sea of over 20,000 illuminated white roses. Visitors can purchase a rose for a suggested donation of £10 and plant it in the garden, dedicating it to loved ones they have lost. All the funds raised will go towards The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Credits: The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

2. Winter’s Wander - Wembley Park Art Trail

'Winter's Wander' is the theme of seven newly commissioned winterly additions to the free Wembley Park Art Trail. Gracing a number of unlikely canvases such as Olympic Way, the Spanish Steps and Arena Square, 'Winter's Wander' inspires joy, togetherness and a sense of adventure. Using both local and leading artists, 'Winter's Wander' features digital pieces, lighting installations and displays, cartoon-like illustrations, and new permanent artworks including tiled murals and painted pieces.

3. Battersea Power Station

With the festive season in full swing, Battersea Power Station has undergone a complete Christmas transformation. From a selection of festive installations and special events, to a new ice rink and festive pop-up food huts, discover a special round-up of all things Christmas at Battersea Power Station. This festive season, Battersea Power Station’s River Walk and Coaling Jetty will be home to a series of pop-up food trucks and huts for everyone to enjoy.

4. The Gingerbread City

The hugely popular annual exhibition ‘The Gingerbread City’ is returning once again this year for its sixth edition. The Museum of Architecture is hosting this brilliant festive exhibition on Motcomb Street, Belgravia, featuring an impressive and mouth watering display of edible miniature cities.

This year, the theme approaches a global perspective, challenging participating architects to design and build not one, but five miniature cities, in different climate zones. Architects will address why we need to think differently about how we build around the world, taking into account local resources, building methods and the environment in order to act on the climate crisis.

The masterplan was designed by: Madeleine Kessler Architecture and Tibbalds Planning and Design.

5. Merchant Square - Paddington

The Merchant Square in Paddington is also being decorated to celebrate the magic of the festive season. From the Floating Pocket Park to St Mary’s Bridge, the area sparkles bright with over 10km of fairy lights. Twinkly arches and festive deer will accompany their annual 20ft colour-changing Christmas tree.

6. Christmas by The River - London Bridge

Christmas by the River, the capital’s much-loved festive experience, is returning to London Bridge City once again for its eighth year. Set alongside the River Thames with the iconic city skyline as a backdrop, you will find fairy-lit wooden cabins with market traders showcasing a range of hand-crafted items, and a festive fare to sustain you while you shop. An eclectic mix of permanent restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops further enhance the Christmas experience.

7. Winter Festival - Southbank

Southbank’s Winter Festival returns, adding a sprinkle of magic across their Thames-side site. Wrap yourself in the spirit of the season with joyous shows, pop-up bars, family fun, brilliant art and twinkling markets. Stroll along the Thames under twinkling lights and sample indulgent drinks and scrumptious street food at this beautiful Winter Market – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

8. Christmas in Chelsea

Spend this Christmas with family, friends, and loved ones in Chelsea. The magical Santa’s Grotto is now open on Sloane Square, along with a Bavarian Curling Rink and a selection of delicious festive food and drink. Local shops and restaurants are offering unmissable surprises, champagnes and mince pies, with tempting menus to enjoy whilst the area dazzles beneath swathes of beautiful lights.

9. Frost Fair - Bankside

Celebrate winter in Bankside with a trail of street art murals, digital art installations and exciting events. This winter, Bankside is celebrating one of the most extraordinary events in London’s history – the Frost Fair. From circa 1605 to 1814, the surface of the River Thames froze over 24 times, bringing all trade on the water to a standstill. So the people of Bankside took to the ice, creating ‘Frost Fairs’, with a plethora of sensational markets, amusement, food, drink, games, pubs, shops, entertainment and general revelry!

Inspired by the area’s rich heritage and lively characters, Bankside has reinvented the Frost Fair for the 21st century. Immerse yourself in innovative augmented reality installations, follow their street art trails, feast on special Frost Fair themed food & drinks, and enjoy inspired workshops from lino-printing to wreathmaking.

10. Somerset House Skating Rink

Named by Time Out as ‘One of the absolute highlights of winter in London’, the magnificent ice rink at Somerset House now features a larger skate space, transforming the neoclassical courtyard into the essential winter destination. Complete with the essential festive icon - a 40ft Christmas tree with specially curated decorations from Moët & Chandon, the site provides plenty of festive picture-perfect moments.

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