December is a wonderful time to be in London! The city comes alive with lights, markets, winter festivals, and cultural events that everyone can enjoy. For many of our international students, the winter break is a chance to experience new traditions and explore the city at its most festive. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, it’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the British winter atmosphere and make the most of your time in the UK.

To help you plan your winter break we’ve put together a week-by-week guide filled with festive activities, free events, and seasonal experiences across London, perfect for discovering the city, spending time with friends, and creating your own winter memories.

London Christmas Markets:

There is a wide variety of Christmas markets across London that you can visit throughout the month. Most markets feature delicious food stalls, artisanal shops, and festive decorations, some even include rides and funfair attractions!

• Leicester Square Christmas Market: From November 1^st to January 4^th

• Trafalgar Square Christmas Market: From November 9 to January 2 

• Christmas at Borough Market: From December 1 to December 24 

• Southbank Centre Winter Market: From November 3 to January 4 – Free

• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: From November 14 to January 1 

• Wick Wonderland at Barge East – Every weekend from 6-21 December 

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First week of December: Monday 1^st to Sunday 7^th

• Festive breakfast and Xmas card decorating – Free event – 2^nd and 4^th December

London staff and students are coming together to create handmade Christmas cards for the children at Homerton Hospital. Everyone is welcome to drop in and get creative! 

There will be two sessions: 2^nd of December, from 10AM to11AM at Future Space and 4^th of December, from 12:00PM to 2PM at the campus main reception area . No booking required

• Riverside East BIG Market – Free event – 6^th December from 12PM – 6PM.

Discover small local businesses and traders at the Riverside East BIG Market, this is a great opportunity to support local vendors. Expect plenty of street food traders, a pop-up record shop, DJs all day, face painting, films and sports on a big screen and more.  Discover what the Riverside East BIG Market has to offer.

Second week of December: Monday 8^th to Sunday 14^th  

• Extraordinary Winter Jazz Showcase – Free event – 14^th December from 5PM

This Extraordinary Winter Showcase is your chance to see the next generation of young jazz talent performing live.  Visit the SouthBank Centre website to get the event details.

• Merry Making at Here East – Free event – 11^th of December from 6PM -8PM

Head to Here East for their Merry Making event, an evening where you can explore a winter market featuring unique gifts and seasonal treats from local traders, enjoy live music and performances from community artists, and take part in winter-themed games for all ages. Find out more

• Cycle with Santa– Free event – 12^th of December from 6PM – 7PM.

Bring your a bike for a fun, festive ride alongside Santa at Lee Valley VeloPark on Friday 12 December, make sure you dress to impress in your most festive outfit and decorate your bike as much as possible with lights. Open to all ages and abilities! Find out more here.

• Home Alone Screening, Vue Cinema Stratford – £6.99 – £7.49 – 13^th of December  

Watch the Christmas classic film Home Alone at Vue Cinema in Westfield Stratford! The cinema is just a few minutes’ walk from campus, making it a perfect festive outing; they are offering two screening times: 12:40PM or at 4:10PM. You may be eligible for a student discount, but please check directly with the venue. Book your tickets 

Third week of December: Monday 15^th to 21^st Sunday 

• Mix & Move: Winter Special – Free event – 19^th December, from 3pm

Join Southbank Centre resident dancers Natasha Khamjani and Damien Anyasi for an extra special end-of-year dance with live music, this event will last around three hours.  Visit the SouthBank Centre website to get the event details.

• Wick Wonderland at Barge East– Free event – from the 19^th to  21^ST  December

Visit award-winning restaurant Barge East for the riverside Wick Wonderland Christmas market! the market will run over the weekend of the 19th of December, come along and discover local artisans, craftsmanship and enjoy the Christmas cheer.

• Home Alone Screening, Odeon Cinema – £5 – from the 20^th to  24^TH  December

Watch the Christmas classic film Home Alone at Vue Cinema in Westfield Stratford! The cinema is just a few minutes’ walk from campus, making it a perfect festive outing; you might also be eligible for a student discount, but please check directly with the venue. Book your tickets

• Massaoke at Hackney Bridge – Free event – 21^th December from 6PM – 8PM

Massaoke is the ultimate live band singalong, get ready for anthemic tracks and giant screens showing all the lyrics so you can get involved, a perfect festive night you’ll never forget! Find out more here.