What to do in London in winter: Bookshops, jazz nights and mulled wine
If you’ve booked your trip for the colder months and are looking for inspiration on what to do in London in winter, we’ve got good news for you! Even in cold temperatures, the city is still vibrant and you’ll have plenty of great things to do. From discovering quirky bookshops to taking part in soothing community events, you’ll love our top things to do in London in winter. Grab your gloves, scarf and a hot chocolate and join us on a cold (but warm-hearted) adventure!
1. Visit amazing (and free!) museums and art galleries
Imagine the scene. It’s very cold outside. It’s drizzling in your face and there’s absolutely no point pretending an umbrella will do you any good. This is the perfect day to visit one of London’s many free museums and galleries and get inspired for the winter days ahead, however restrictive it may seem.
Leave your hostel bed early and spend the day at the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum on Exhibition Road in South Kensington. If you want to get off the beaten track, we recommend exploring what it means to be human at the Wellcome Collection, seeing a giant stuffed walrus at the Horniman Museum and feeling both claustrophobic and amazed by the many statues at the home of London architect Sir John Soane.
Because we want to make sure you get the most out of winter fun in London, we’ve put together a list of the best free museums in London and the best free art galleries.
2. Be the kitsch tourist in you and visit all the Christmas markets
If you’re visiting London from mid-November, you’ll find plenty of great Christmas markets where you can stuff your face with mince pies and get into the festive spirit!
If you’re visiting other attractions in the centre of London, be sure to stop off at Leicester Square, where there’s food, gift stalls and plenty of performances. And in Covent Garden, there’s a MASSIVE Christmas tree that will turn your Instagram feed into pure festive joy. If you’re lucky enough to be in London at the right time, you can even experience the big Christmas tree switch-on!
There are also beautiful Christmas markets on the South Bank, London Bridge and in Greenwich where you can buy presents for your loved ones back home, drink mulled wine and people watch to see lots of happy Londoners!
If you want to get fully into the Christmas spirit, be sure to visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Christmas is taken VERY seriously here and you could easily spend a whole day and night exploring all the activities on offer such as ice skating, circus shows, the market, live music, food stalls and its very own amusement park.
3. Get a sense of community at charity events
What could be better than visiting a new city, getting to know the locals and taking part in a healthy project against food waste? People’s Kitchen is a project that aims to bring people together and turn food that would otherwise go to waste into MASSIVE meals for the community. The venue varies depending on the month, but you can expect to meet lots of locals from different backgrounds, eat delicious vegetarian food and contribute to a great project.
If you’re in London in winter, this is a great opportunity to take a break from the city in a cosy space. You’ll leave your dinner with a lot of new friends!
4. Enjoy all the beautiful colours of the Chinese NYE celebrations
These celebrations, which mark the change of the lunar year, have been going on in China for thousands of years. The good news is that you can join in these beautiful celebrations in London this January. The celebrations will take place on 25 January in China Town, the West End and Trafalgar Square. You can look forward to a colourful New Year’s parade, lion dances and stage shows. After experiencing the best side of London (its multicultural beauty), you should try one of the many Chinese restaurants in China Town.
5. Feel like you’re in a Disney film on one of London’s ice skating rinks
If you visit London around Christmas time, not only will you see Londoners at their best, but you’ll also have the opportunity to live your life like you’re in a Disney film. The city will be full of people singing and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas while wearing their, shall we say… unique Christmas jumpers. This is the perfect time to put on all your winter clothes, get warm and head to one of London’s ice rinks.
You can live your Christmas dream at Winter Wonderland and skate on the beautiful ice rink. There is usually someone playing cheesy songs with a guitar in the centre of the rink, so choose this rink if you want a real Christmas experience.
The Tower Bridge Ice Rink is the perfect place to warm up while skating and enjoy a great view of the Tower and the Thames. After skating, food and drinks await you right next to the rink.
The Natural History Museum has one of the most magical ice rinks and is open all winter – ideal if you’re not visiting at Christmas time. Somerset House also has an ice rink in an 18th century courtyard. Can it get any more enchanting than that?
6. A walk through the centre of London with all the Christmas lights is a treat
Christmas is something very special for Londoners. It’s the event we look forward to most in winter, and we clearly use it to cope with the onset of cold weather. The centre of London is beautiful at this time of year, and you should take a night out to walk around the city and experience the Christmas spirit. Oxford Circus, Regent Street, Seven Dials, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and many other places are lit up for Christmas, decorated and have a big Christmas tree.
Carnaby Street is our favourite (and probably every Londoner’s favourite)! Last year there was a neon decoration inspired by the lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody and we couldn’t have found it better!
7. Sitting with a pint in front of an open fire in a London pub
On a cold day, there’s nothing better than finding a cosy place to people-watch. Luckily, there are plenty of pubs in London with comfy sofas, beautiful decor and an open fire.
Chesham Arms, The Pineapple and Pride of Spitalfields are great places to cosy up and have a pint with your new travel buddies.
8. Take part in the Burns Night celebrations
If you’re in London on 25 January, be sure to attend Burns Night, a celebration commemorating the life and poetry of Scottish poet Robert Burns. There are many options in London, and if you attend one, you should look forward to poetry readings, fantastic Scottish food and, of course, plenty of dancing. St Thomas Church in Balham is a great (and affordable) place to celebrate with an authentic Burn’s Ceilidh evening and dinner. If you’re vegetarian and worried about the amount of meat, don’t worry, there are vegetarian and vegan options for dinner too!
9. Beat the cold by drinking all the hot chocolate and eating all the doughnuts at a food market
The cold is no excuse to stay indoors, so get out and explore one of London’s many food markets! During the colder months, food markets are still buzzing with life and full of Londoners enjoying the best of the season with hot chocolate, mulled wine and doughnuts.
The city is full of options for you to explore, but we definitely recommend a visit to Borough Market, Shoreditch (especially good for vegans), Camden Town, London Fields Sunday Market, Leather Lane Market and Portobello Road Market. Here you’ll find a variety of offerings from around the world, hear the many languages spoken in London on a daily basis and get a real feel for what it’s like to be a Londoner.
10. Experience a magical night in Kew Gardens
If you want to treat yourself to a truly magical Christmas experience, Kew Gardens is the place to be! During the festive season, the botanical gardens are transformed into a magical place with lots of beautiful lights (is a million twinkling lights enough for you?), art and sound installations. Tickets are a little pricey (£18), but they’re just the thing if you’re spending Christmas away from home or just looking for a bit of magic for your holidays.
11. Get spooked at the Pumpkin Lantern Festival in Dalston Eastern Curve Garden
We know it’s not officially winter in the UK in October, but the temperatures are already quite chilly and all the cosy things to do in London in winter sound like a dream. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden is a beautiful garden with a café/bar that is run as a social enterprise. So when you buy drinks and food, you’re helping them to continue their amazing community activities.
In October, to celebrate Halloween, they organise a jack-o’-lantern festival where over 1,000 community-carved jack-o’-lanterns light up all corners of the garden! During your visit, you can also enjoy mulled wine and spiced cider.
Throughout the rest of winter, you can also enjoy a coffee or tea and savour the community feel of this place that brings East Londoners together. Don’t worry about the cold, blankets and hot water bottles are provided, and if you come early you can also get a seat on the sofa in the green house in front of the open fire!
12. Get cosy in independent cinemas
If you need a break between exploring on a cold day, take in some world culture at one of London’s many independent cinemas. If you’re in east London, check out the programme at Rio Cinema, Castle Cinema and Number 10. In the south, you can spend an evening with a glass of wine and enjoy an independent film at Deptford Cinema, a community-run cinema in Deptford. In central London, the ICA has a great programme of events, a bookshop and a café where you can hide from the cold and mingle with the artsy locals.
13. Spend the day in a bookshop
It’s raining and cold and you’re sitting in front of an open fire, with a dog by your side, reading a good book in a boat. Sounds good? At Word on Water, you can fulfil an 18th century poet’s dream and enjoy the best of winter in London. If you’re in London at the right time, you can also enjoy a jazz performance here.
After visiting Pop Brixton and eating all the cheese at Alpes (we cover it in our London neighbourhood guide), be sure to spend a healthy day on the couch at Bookmongers, an independent bookshop full of world-famous titles and fond memories of your beloved dog.
London is full of fantastic independent bookshops, and we’re sure you’ll find your favourite for the perfect winter day out.
14. Enjoy free jazz in a former industrial estate
Photo: Grow Hackney
Hackney Wick, a former industrial area, is a must for every visitor to London. You’ll find great cafés, breweries, parties, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. Be sure to visit the Grow and its FREE jazz night on Wednesdays. Not only is there great music, but fantastic food and beers too!
15. Walk through London’s parks
London’s parks are always beautiful and have their own magic depending on the season. In winter, London’s parks are at their most tranquil and nostalgic, and a walk through them is a very peaceful experience.
You’re spoilt for choice: Hyde Park, Green Park, Victoria Park, Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill are all beautiful green spaces. So just grab your hot drink and enjoy the winter atmosphere!
16. Experience a unique Christmas at Colours Hoxton
If you want to experience something really special this Christmas, make sure you put all the events at Colours Hoxton in your diary. On New Year’s Eve, you can take part in a NYE Deaf Rave, an amazing and inspiring event that brings people together from all over the world.
Are you looking for a, shall we say, unique gift for your loved ones? Visit the Sex Positive Christmas Market taking place at the venue on 9 December.
Are you ready for the best part? You can take part in a workshop and make your own vulva Christmas tree ornaments. The whole thing costs £7 and all the money donated goes to Bloody Good Period, a charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers living in poverty.
Can it get any healthier than that?
Looking for budget accommodation? Take a look at our youth hostels in London.
We hope this article gives you some ideas for your snowy London adventure! Have we forgotten anything great to do in London in winter? Let us know in the comments!
Read more: 
Where to stay in London: a neighbourhood guide
The best youth hostels in London for a great British adventure
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