The clocks go back, the evenings get dark early, and London lights up.
From the end of October to New Year's Eve, London packs more into ten weeks than most cities do in a year: Diwali on Trafalgar Square, fireworks in the parks for Bonfire Night, the Christmas lights going on street by street, ice rinks in front of palaces and a fireworks display over the Thames to close the year. This guide puts the 2026 dates in one place, with what is free, what needs a ticket, and how to get there.
Living in London through the last three months of the year gives you feelings and moments that are really worth sharing. Here is the season as I have lived it, with the dates you need to plan your own.
- 25 October — Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square (free)
- 31 October — Halloween
- 4–12 November — Christmas lights switch on in Carnaby, Regent Street and Covent Garden
- 5–8 November — Bonfire Night fireworks across London
- 14 November — Lord Mayor's Show in the City (free)
- 19 November — Winter Wonderland opens in Hyde Park
- 31 December — New Year's Eve fireworks on the Thames (ticket only, on sale 23 October)
Late October: Diwali and Halloween
Diwali on the Square — Sunday 25 October
London's Diwali festival fills Trafalgar Square from 1pm to 7pm, with an opening dance by 200 dancers, music and performances from London's Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, family activities like sari and turban tying, and food stalls with vegetarian and vegan options. It is free and there is no need to book; expect bag checks at the entrance. The nearest station is Charing Cross.
Halloween — Saturday 31 October
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so expect busy pubs and costumes on the Tube. From the first days of October you can already feel the party in the air: pumpkins are the stars, displayed everywhere with ghosts and the classic fake cobwebs, from supermarkets to pubs and front doors, and the whole city slips into "trick or treat" mood. If you want something with a story behind it, an evening ghost walk through the old streets of the East End is a very London way to spend it, for example a Jack the Ripper walking tour through Victorian Whitechapel.
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Bonfire Night: Fireworks Across London
Bonfire Night, on Thursday 5 November, remembers the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Many of the big displays are held on the weekend after, 7 and 8 November. Most are ticketed, and the popular ones sell out, so book early.
| Display | Date | Tickets | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battersea Park | Sat 7 & Sun 8 Nov | Adults from £16.70 | Battersea Park station, Battersea Power Station (Northern line) |
| Alexandra Palace (fireworks & drone festival) | Sat 7 & Sun 8 Nov, gates 4pm | From £11.50 | Alexandra Palace station, or Wood Green (Piccadilly line) then a bus |
| Blackheath | Sat 7 Nov, fireworks at 8pm | Adults £16 | Blackheath station |
| Wimbledon Park | Thu 5 Nov | Ticketed | Wimbledon Park (District line) |
Dates and prices as announced in October 2026. Check each organiser's website before you go: sessions sell out and times can change with the weather.
Alexandra Palace has one of the best views over London, so it is worth arriving before dark. If you are staying in south London, Battersea Park is the easiest; read our Wandsworth guide for the area.
The Christmas Lights Switch-On
London's Christmas season officially starts when the lights go on in the West End. Walking under them is free, and the best way to see them is on foot, in the evening, from Oxford Circus down Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus and on to Covent Garden.
From mid-November the Christmas lights take over, and it really is worth a walk along Oxford Street, doing a bit of shopping under the illuminated streets. When I lived in Camden Town for a while, my favourite way to see them was from the top deck of the number 29 bus: it starts in Wood Green, runs down through Camden and the lit-up streets of the centre, and ends its journey at Trafalgar Square.
| Where | Lights on | Nearest station |
|---|---|---|
| Carnaby Street | Wed 4 November | Oxford Circus |
| Regent Street & St James's | Thu 5 November | Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus |
| Marylebone Village | Wed 11 November | Baker Street |
| Covent Garden (with the tree in the Piazza) | Thu 12 November | Covent Garden, Leicester Square |
| Oxford Street | Date not announced yet | Oxford Circus, Bond Street |
| Trafalgar Square tree | Early December, date to be confirmed | Charing Cross |
The Trafalgar Square tree is a London tradition: every year since 1947 the city of Oslo has sent a Norwegian spruce as a thank-you for Britain's support during the Second World War.
The Lord Mayor's Show — Saturday 14 November
One of London's oldest traditions: the new Lord Mayor of the City of London rides in a golden state coach in a long procession of bands, floats and the military. The morning route runs from Mansion House past St Paul's Cathedral and along Fleet Street to the Royal Courts of Justice, returning along the Victoria Embankment in the afternoon. Watching from the street is free. The full timetable is published on the official Lord Mayor's Show website. Read our City of London guide for the area.
Winter Markets and Festivals
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland — 19 November to 3 January
London's biggest Christmas event: rides, an ice rink, shows, bars and food stalls in Hyde Park. It is open every day except Christmas Day. Entry is by timed ticket booked online; entry is included if you buy a package or spend over a set amount online, so check the options on the official website before booking. Nearest stations: Hyde Park Corner, Marble Arch and Knightsbridge.
Other markets
- Southbank Centre Winter Market — from 2 November, wooden chalets along the river by the London Eye. Free to walk around. Waterloo or Embankment. One of my favourites: wandering between the stalls with that fresh winter breeze coming off the river adds a charm you only get here.
- Chelsea Winter Village at the Royal Hospital Chelsea — from 25 November. Sloane Square.
- Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre — from 4 December, in the palace grounds. Trains to Hampton Court from Waterloo.
Ice Skating
- Skate at Somerset House — 11 November to 10 January, in the courtyard of an 18th-century palace. Adults £13–£28.50 (plus booking fee), children from £11. Entry to the courtyard is free if you only want to watch. Temple station is 2 minutes away.
- Skate Leicester Square — from 31 October, in the heart of the West End.
- Glide at Battersea Power Station — from 6 November.
- Hampton Court Palace — from 19 November, in front of the Tudor palace.
Christmas at Kew — 13 November to 3 January
An evening light trail through Kew Gardens, with illuminated trees, tunnels of light and installations by the glasshouses. It runs on selected dates, 4.20pm to 10pm (9pm on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day). Advance booking only: off-peak adult tickets start at £29.50, children at £20. Kew Gardens station is on the District line and the Overground. Read our Richmond guide for the area.
New Year's Eve: Fireworks on the Thames
The year ends with the fireworks around the London Eye, one of the most famous displays in the world. Since 2014 the viewing areas along the river have been ticket only, and without a ticket you will not get close.
- On sale: Friday 23 October 2026 at 12pm, with a second, smaller release in November
- Price: up to £55; London residents pay less (£20–£35)
- Where: only through Ticketmaster, the official seller. Fake tickets are sold every year and are refused at the gates
- Viewing areas: Victoria Embankment, Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, behind the London Eye and Albert Embankment (accessible area)
Getting Around in the Holidays
- Christmas Day: the Tube, trains and almost all buses do not run on 25 December. Plan to walk, or book a taxi in advance.
- Boxing Day (26 December): a reduced service, and engineering work is common over the holidays. Check TfL before you travel or use our Tube Status page and Journey Planner.
- Hotels: December weekends near the West End fill up fast. Compare areas in our places to stay list and the "Where to Stay" section of each borough guide.
Happy holidays, and enjoy London at its most magical!
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the London Christmas lights go on in 2026?
Carnaby Street on 4 November, Regent Street on 5 November and Covent Garden on 12 November. Oxford Street has not announced its date yet; we will update this guide when it does.
Is Winter Wonderland free?
No: you need a timed entry ticket booked online, though entry is included with some packages and purchases. Rides, food and the ice rink are paid separately.
Can I watch the New Year's Eve fireworks without a ticket?
Not from the river near the London Eye: those areas are ticket only. Some people watch from hills further away, such as Primrose Hill or Greenwich Park, but the view is distant and these spots can also close or get crowded, so check before you go.
What can I do for free in London at Christmas?
Walk the Christmas lights, visit the Southbank Centre Winter Market, see the Trafalgar Square tree and spend a rainy afternoon in one of the free museums.
About this article: Written by Tonio Viva, London Residence. Dates and prices checked on 16 October 2026 against the organisers' announcements. Some dates had not been announced yet, and events can change or sell out, so always check the official website before you travel.