Christmas in London is a magical time of year filled with festive things to see and do, from enchanting light trails and festive shows to winter markets and Christmas trees dotted around the city.
Sing along to the best Christmas songs and popular Christmas carols in London, enjoy music recitals with a seasonal twist and be entertained by performers at festive concerts this winter.
To learn more about the Christmas story, head to one of London's iconic cathedrals and churches, such as Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral, for a special advent service or winter concert during Christmas in London.
Christmas carols and concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields
Keep an eye out for the lineup of Christmas concerts and carols that take place at the atmospheric St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square each year. Bring the whole family along to festive family carols and enjoy special candlelit performances, Midnight Mass and contemporary gospel songs in this elegant setting.
When: 24 Nov-2 Jan
Christmas Festival at Smith Square Hall
Become filled with Christmas cheer amid the baroque features of Smith Square Hall. You can normally find choir performances, listen to organ recitals and enjoy carol performances during the annual Christmas Festival at the Westminster concert venue, where Benjamin Britten once sang with his school choir.
When: 2-23 Dec
Together at Christmas at St Marylebone Parish Church
Join visitors to St Marylebone Parish Church for its annual carol service, Together at Christmas. Organised by The Sick Children's Trust, expect beloved carols, live solo and choir performances and celebrity guest readings in support of the charity. Don't forget to stay for the wine and mince pie reception!
When: 2 Dec
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Christmas Carol Concert at St Luke's Church
Support the mission of the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which looks after and rehomed lost and abandoned animals, by attending its annual Christmas Carol Concerts in London. Meet some of the charity's four-legged residents for several evenings of festive fun at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea.
When: 3, 4 and 11 Dec
Kids for Kids Candlelit Christmas Concert
Spend the evening listening to the magical sounds of Christmas carols at the Kids for Kids Candlelit Christmas Concert, headlined by Patron Dame Joanna Lumley DBE FRGS. Taking place at the magnificent St Peter's Church in south-west London, donations from the charity concert will be collected for the crisis in Sudan.
When: 3 Dec
Save the Children's Carol Concert at St Paul's Church
Spend the evening singing along to Christmas carols, watching musical performances and listening to festive readings for the Save the Children's Carol Concert at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge. Step inside the intimate setting decorated with candles and get ready for a night hosted by celebrity guests in support of a great cause.
When: 4 Dec
Carols in the Courtyard at Fulham Palace
Head to Fulham Palace for carols in the courtyard during its annual Christmas Fair that usually takes place in the beautifully restored Tudor courtyard. Keep the cold at bay with a warming mulled wine and traditional Christmas fare from market traders, where you can also find stocking fillers.
When: 5 and 6 Dec
Christmas by Candlelight at Winter Wonderland
Gather inside the Candlelight Arena for Christmas by Candlelight at Winter Wonderland, as a star-studded lineup of West End performers take to the stage. Expect a magnificent show filled with all the top festive hits, a live band and the likes of Katie Hall from Les Miserables, Dean John-Wilson from Disney's Aladdin and many more.
When: 5, 6, 11, 13, 20 and 23 Dec
Christmas Carol Concert in the Chapel at the Old Royal Naval College
Experience a joyful Christmas Carol Concert by the award-winning Trinity Laban Choir in the Old Royal Naval College's neoclassical Chapel of St Peter & St Paul. Enjoy classic hymns as you marvel at the chapel's intricate, light blue and cream ceiling and naval themes throughout. Your ticket also includes entry to the spectacular Painted Hall, known as Britain's Sistine Chapel.
When: 7 and 14 Dec
Carols by Candlelight concert at Grosvenor Chapel
Prepare for a joyous night of Carols by Candlelight at Grosvenor Chapel in Mayfair. Held by the National Churches Trust, the annual event raises money for struggling churches, and last year it featured music from singer Joe Stilgoe and hosts Katie Derham and Bill Bryson.
When: 10 Dec
Christmas by Candlelight at St Paul's Church
Enjoy a magical evening filled with festive classics during Christmas by Candlelight at St Paul's Church. Sing along to iconic Christmas songs among the warm glow of candles as they cover the West End landmark, affectionately coined the "actors church".
When: 12 Dec
Christmas carols at St John's Church
Celebrate the festive season at St John's Church during its Christmas carols concert in aid of spinal research. Just a short stroll from South Bank's Christmas markets, embrace the community spirit at this neighbourhood church as you spend the evening singing along to carols and Christmas songs with the London Welsh Rugby Club Choir before warming up with a hot tipple.
When: 17 Dec
Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
Bag tickets to one of the Royal Albert Hall's annual carols, shows and concerts that take place every year to celebrate the festive season. This year's jam-packed calendar features more than 40 performances throughout December, including 15 singalong carol shows with a full orchestra, choir, presenters and soloists.
When: 19-24 Dec
Christmas at the Barbican
Discover the Barbican’s exciting series of festive concerts, carols and singalongs for Christmas. One of Europe’s largest arts centres, expect a world-class lineup of wintertime performances, including the annual Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival featuring the London Concert Choir and London Concert Orchestra.
When: 19 Dec-1 Jan
Free Christmas carol services and concerts in London
Discover free Christmas carol services in London that you can enjoy throughout the festive period.
Advent Carol Service at St Paul's Cathedral
Visit London’s iconic St Paul's Cathedral for its programme of Christmas services, including the annual candlelit Advent Carol Service. Look out for traditional carol performances, Handel's Messiah, charity concerts and a midnight Eucharist on Christmas Eve.
When: 28 and 29 Nov
Christmas carols in Trafalgar Square
Head to the famous Trafalgar Square Christmas tree switch-on, where St Martin's Voices, Emerging Artists and Strings are set to serenade audiences with festive classics inside the candlelit St-Martin-in-the-Fields Church. Can't make this one? Look out for more carol concerts taking place in the square in the run up to Christmas.
When: 3 Dec
All Souls Carols
Join the crowds that flock to Langham Place in London's West End for All Souls Carols, a series of free traditional carol services throughout the festive season. Hear Christmas carols performed by a live choir and orchestra, and the nativity story told through music and readings.
When: 12-23 Dec
Carols by Candlelight at Union Chapel
Make your way to the Grades I- and II-listed Union Chapel in Islington, for its annual Carols by Candlelight, featuring a special night of performances illuminated by a warm glow. Hear the story of the birth of Jesus through spoken word and prayer, with music from Union Chapel Voices and specially-written musical compositions. While the concert is free, donations of £10 per person are encouraged.
When: 20 Dec
Christmas at Westminster Abbey
Join a series of concerts, recitals and Christmas services that feature in the beautiful surroundings of Westminster Abbey. Visit the abbey for its popular annual Christmas Concert, where young choristers and musicians lead an evening of carols, readings and choral works.
When: TBC
Find the best Christmas trees in London, shop for gifts at the top Christmas markets in London or discover what else is on during Christmas in London.
