South Bank London

Let's get festive!

From gift shopping to festive feasting, cosy pop-ups and the biggest shows - take a stroll by the river and enjoy all the magic and sparkle of Christmas in South Bank this winter.

Christmas gift shopping

Christmas gift shopping

Support local and shop unique at these indie boutiques, design studios, specialist bookshops and beautiful gift emporiums.

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20 Uniquely South Bank gifts

Looking for some fresh Christmas gift inspiration? We've rounded up some unique gifts you can only find in South Bank.

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Christmas pop-ups & experiences

Winter Light

01 Nov - 02 Feb 2025

A collection of contemporary light art installations illuminates the South Bank this winter.

Exhibitions

Christmas at The Paddington Bear Experience

11 Nov - 05 Jan 2026

London’s official Paddington Bear immersive experience at County Hall has a Christmas makeover!

Family

Winter Market

01 Nov - 26 Dec 2024

Eat, drink and be merry at Southbank Centre’s riverside festive market.

Food & Drink

Shrek the Halls Christmas Experience

30 Nov - 24 Dec 2024

Santa swaps the North Pole for the swamp at this Shrektacular Christmas grotto.

Family

SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market

16 Nov - 14 Dec 2025

The perfect place to find high-quality, one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts in South Bank this festive season.

Festive
Ciew of people sitting in a sunny beer garden that is surrounded by trees. There is a large TV wall at the end of the beer garden showing sports

Between the Bridges

Huge courtyard garden with street food, big screen sports, craft beer, DJs and fab live entertainment.

BFI IMAX

Indulge in an immersive cinema experience like no other at the UK's largest cinema screen.

The Sidings

Lucky Voice Waterloo

London’s favourite karaoke club brand with eight state-of-the-art private rooms and a speakeasy-style bar.

Eat drink & be merry!

Festive feasting in South Bank

From mince pies and mulled wine to alpine street food and roast Christmas dinners, where to find the most festive foodie experiences.

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Festive shows & concerts

Southbank Centre

Creative Encounters

01 Oct 2025 - 17 Dec 2025

Find a creative home in the heart of the city at these free monthly workshops

Music

National Theatre

Ballet Shoes

17 Nov 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

The hit stage version of Noel Streatfeild's children’s novel returns to the National this festive season

Theatre & Shows

The Old Vic

A Christmas Carol

12 Nov 2025 - 10 Jan 2026

A bonefide classic returns to The Old Vic for the eighth year running.

Theatre & Shows

Southbank Centre

Top Hat

12 Dec 2025 - 17 Jan 2026

A dazzling whirlwind of romance, comedy, and toe-tapping dance set to Irving Berlin's timeless tunes

Theatre & Shows

Southbank Centre

Bluey's Big Play

18 Dec 2025 - 11 Jan 2026

Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli return to the South Bank in this live show

Family

Southbank Centre

Sh!t Theatre: EVITA TOO

09 Dec 2025 - 31 Dec 2025

Join the disco dictators as they tell the wild story of Isabel Peron, gogo-dancer-turned-president.

Theatre & Shows

Between the Bridges

SoLo Craft Fair Christmas Market

16 Nov 2025 - 14 Dec 2025

The perfect place to find high-quality, one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts in South Bank this festive season.

Festive

Hayward Gallery

Gilbert & George: 21st Century Pictures

07 Oct 2025 - 11 Jan 2026

A bold showcase of the duo’s work created over the past 25 years.

Exhibitions

Witness for the Prosecution

01 Jan 2023 - 26 Apr 2026

Experience Agatha Christie's gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal in a unique courtroom setting

Theatre & Shows

Southbank Centre

Kunsty

05 Nov 2025 - 08 Nov 2025

Explore the rad, the queer and the uncharacterisable with four days of performance, cabaret and live art

Theatre & Shows

Festive days out

South Bank in the Christmas holidays

If you're spending Christmas in London, here's a look at what's happening in South Bank during the festive break.

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