London on 24 December 2026: what to do on Christmas Eve

On 24 December in London, the city remains lively: many attractions, shops, restaurants and Christmas events are still open. The main difference compared with a normal day is the opening hours, which are often reduced as Christmas Eve approaches.

In 2026, you can enjoy the Christmas lights, Winter Wonderland, Christmas at Kew and Christmas markets, or attend a service at one of London's major churches. In the evening, the main thing to plan ahead for is transport, as services finish earlier.

What to do in London on 24 December

Christmas Eve is a final opportunity to enjoy the main Christmas activities in London before 25 December, when the city largely slows down.

Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland is open on 24 December 2026 from 10am to 10pm. Held in Hyde Park, the event features fairground rides, an ice rink, shows, bars, food stalls and a Christmas market.

Entry requires a ticket with an arrival time slot. Tickets may be available at the entrance if there is remaining capacity, but booking online is recommended for 24 December. Some rides and experiences must also be booked separately.

For families with children, Santa's Grotto welcomes visitors from 10am to 6pm without a separate booking. Entry is on a first come, first served basis, and the queue may close earlier if it reaches capacity.

Experience Christmas at Kew

Christmas at Kew is also running on 24 December 2026. The illuminated trail through Kew Gardens closes exceptionally at 9pm instead of 10pm.

Last entry is scheduled for 6pm at Brentford Gate, 6.20pm at Elizabeth Gate and 7pm at Victoria Gate.

See the Christmas lights

Regent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby, Bond Street, Covent Garden and other areas of central London remain decorated for Christmas Eve.

An easy walking route is to start at Oxford Circus, head down Regent Street, pass through Carnaby and then continue towards Piccadilly, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Our guide to the Christmas lights in London will help you choose which displays to include in your route.

Explore the Christmas markets

Several Christmas markets in London are still open on 24 December, where you can grab something to eat, enjoy a hot drink or buy a few last-minute gifts. Christmas Eve opening hours may be shorter than usual.

Go ice skating

Several Christmas ice rinks in London operate during the festive season and may be open on 24 December. Dates and opening hours vary between venues, so choose your rink before setting out and book a time slot when advance booking is available.

See a show in London on 24 December

Some West End theatres have performances on 24 December, including musicals, plays, ballets and pantomimes. Performances may take place during the day or in the early evening.

Schedules vary by production: a musical that normally performs on Thursdays will not necessarily have a performance on Thursday 24 December. Our guide to Christmas shows in London highlights the main productions of the season before you check their Christmas Eve performance times.

Attend a Christmas service

On 24 December, churches across London hold services, Christmas carols and midnight masses. At the best-known churches, some services require a free ticket booked in advance.

St Paul's Cathedral

On 24 December 2026, St Paul's Cathedral holds its Christmas Carol Service from 4pm to 5pm. Entry is free but a ticket is required.

The Midnight Eucharist then takes place from 11pm to 12.30am. The service is free and does not require a ticket.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey also holds a Service of Lessons and Carols and a Christmas Midnight Mass on 24 December. These services require advance booking and places are limited.

If you would like to spend part of Christmas Eve at one of London's major churches, check the entry arrangements before your trip rather than relying on places being available on the evening itself.

Where to have dinner in London on Christmas Eve

Many London restaurants and pubs are still serving on Christmas Eve, sometimes with a special menu. In the UK, the traditional family Christmas dinner is generally eaten on 25 December rather than on the evening of the 24th.

There are therefore more options than on Christmas Day, but some venues close early and restaurants that remain open can become fully booked. If you want to dine at a particular time, book before your trip.

Choosing a restaurant close to your final activity or your hotel will also make the journey back easier, especially if you plan to stay out late.

Do some last-minute Christmas shopping

Many shops open for part of the day on 24 December. Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and the major department stores in central London are therefore still options for last-minute Christmas shopping.

Normal opening hours do not always apply on Christmas Eve. Many shops close earlier, so if you need to buy something important, plan to do it in the morning or early afternoon.

Which attractions are open on 24 December?

As 24 December is not a public holiday, several tourist attractions remain open, sometimes with reduced hours. Others close completely for Christmas from the 24th.

If a particular attraction is essential to your plans, check its schedule for 24 December before booking your other activities. Normal winter opening hours are not enough to determine how a venue operates on Christmas Eve.

Does public transport run in London on 24 December?

Yes. London's public transport runs during the day on 24 December, but services start finishing earlier in the evening. There is then no Night Tube or night bus service during the night of 24 to 25 December.

London Overground, the DLR, National Rail services and other networks may also operate to amended timetables. Our guide to Tube, bus, tram and train services on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December will help you plan your journeys over the festive period.

How to plan your day in London on 24 December

The simplest option is to keep the morning for sightseeing or last-minute shopping, then stay in central London during the afternoon to enjoy Covent Garden, Soho, Regent Street and the Christmas decorations.

Later in the day, choose one main activity: Christmas at Kew, Winter Wonderland, an ice rink or a show. As Kew is located west of central London, combining it with several other major Christmas attractions in the same evening is not particularly practical.

For dinner, choose a restaurant close to your final activity or accommodation. If you then plan to attend a midnight service, check how you will get back before booking the restaurant.

What about 25 December?

London operates very differently the following day. On 25 December, the Tube, buses, trams and London Overground do not run, and most major attractions and shops are closed.

If your stay continues on Christmas Day, plan the day separately with our guide to London on 25 December. Transport and sightseeing options are very different from those available on the 24th.

Tips for Christmas Eve in London

• Book important activities: time slots on 24 December can sell out.
• Check Christmas Eve opening hours: an attraction or shop that is open on the 24th may close several hours earlier than usual.
• Plan your journey back: especially if your dinner, show or service finishes late.
• Group activities by area: avoid making several journeys between Kew, Hyde Park and central London in the same evening.
• Allow some extra time: shopping areas and major Christmas attractions can be very busy.

FAQ: London on 24 December

Is London open on 24 December?

Yes. 24 December is not a public holiday in the UK. Many attractions, shops, restaurants and events remain open, often with reduced hours.

Does the Tube run in London on 24 December?

Yes, but services finish earlier in the evening. The Night Tube and night buses do not operate during the night of 24 to 25 December.

Are shops open on 24 December?

Many shops open on 24 December but close earlier than usual. For important purchases, go in the morning or early afternoon.

Are restaurants open on Christmas Eve?

Many restaurants and pubs remain open, although opening hours and menus may be adapted for Christmas Eve. Booking a table in advance is recommended.

Is Winter Wonderland open on 24 December?

Yes. In 2026, Winter Wonderland is open on 24 December from 10am to 10pm. An entry ticket with an arrival time slot is required.

Is Christmas at Kew open on 24 December?

Yes. In 2026, Christmas at Kew is open on 24 December and closes early at 9pm. Its ticket is separate from standard admission to Kew Gardens.

Can you attend Midnight Mass in London?

Yes. Several churches hold services during the night of 24 to 25 December. In 2026, St Paul's Cathedral holds a Midnight Eucharist from 11pm to 12.30am. Westminster Abbey also holds a Christmas Midnight Mass, which requires advance booking.

What can you do in London with children on 24 December?

Winter Wonderland, the Christmas lights, some ice rinks, Christmas markets and Christmas at Kew are among the options. With young children, keep evening travel to a minimum and choose one main activity rather than several venues far apart.

Summary

24 December in London is still a good day for sightseeing and Christmas activities. Winter Wonderland and Christmas at Kew are both open on 24 December 2026, while the Christmas lights, selected shows, restaurants and church services offer plenty of ways to continue the day into Christmas Eve.

The main constraint comes later in the evening: public transport finishes earlier and there is no Night Tube or night bus service. Booking the activities that matter to you and planning your journey back in advance will make Christmas Eve much easier to organise.