Things to do in London for Christmas 2020

k, it’s not going to be the festive season you expected. But the capital at Christmas is magic, whatever the year and thanks to the (slightly) relaxed restrictions, Londoners can now enjoy a few weeks of festive fun. From Christmas tree crawls to distanced ice rinks and drive-in pantomimes — this is your guide. 

The silver lining to 2020? Everyone is happy to get their Christmas hat on. Mariah Carey’s annual belter All I Want For Christmas Is You returned to the Top 40 nine days earlier this year than 2019 and artificial tree sellers are reporting sales up 140 per cent this year from last. Bloom & Wild and Green Elf Trees are even delivering real full-sized trees for anyone stuck at home or shielding. 

Out on the streets, London’s megatrees are already shining bright, so create your own Christmas crawl: Coal Drops Yard has an interactive People’s Tree that lights up with the movements of visitors (warm up with a hot chocolate or a cocktail at Vermuteria afterwards); Covent Garden boasts a 60ft-tall Norwegian spruce adorned with 30,000 lights; and Trafalgar Square had its virtual lighting-up ceremony on Thursday. 

- Advertisement -

The plus-side to virtual viewings is you can catch up on YouTube. To max out on festive cheer, add a tour of the capital’s twinkliest lights: Oxford Street’s 27 LED curtains, Kew Gardens’ one million twinkling bulbs and the Tate Britain’s illuminated “brave new world” winter display are among this year’s most spectacular. 

2020 might have ended in tiers but Covid can’t stop the festive feasting. Use the “substantial meal” rule as an excuse to try London’s best dishes. Islington’s Irish bar Homeboy is offering a selection of souped-up snacks from taco chips to chicken fillet rolls, Dalston tequila specialist Hacha is plating up Mexican favourites from kitchen partner Maiz Azul, and Old Street bar Tayēr + Elementary has enlisted French residency Kitchen FM to cook for guests. 

London Bridge has a shiny new openair rooftop called Winter Heights serving up Ginger Pig hot dogs, cinnamon-topped hot toddies and bottomless fondue. Winter terraces at Vinegar Yard in London Bridge, The Laundry in Brixton and the magic garden at Flight Club Victoria are also now open for drinking and dining among the twinkling lights. 

Boom Cycle, Digme and Flex Chelsea are holding festive fitness classes (Santa hats encouraged) while virtual fitness platform dance Sing is putting on classes from dance to Pilates throughout the month.  

You can still get your carols fix this year. St John’s Church in Notting Hill, The Chapel at The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich and St Gabriel’s Church in Pimlico are all hosting socially distanced carol services for household bubbles, and many of the capital’s top choirs are taking their services online. Action For Children’s takes place tomorrow, presented by Jon Snow, Childline’s features Leona Lewis on Thursday, and danceSing on Demand has a free virtual carols by candlelight service on December 20.