9 festive activities to do with friends

Date: 7 December 2024 to 1 January 2025 | Cost: £

It's the most wonderful time of the year, as the Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival returns to the Barbican Hall. Get in the Christmas Spirit with Christmas movie soundtracks from John Williams and Hans Zimmer, Christmas Carol singalongs, concerts and more.

Date: 6 December | Cost: Free

Join the community at Aldgate Square for a jam-packed festival programme including lantern parades, live performances, and creative workshops.

Get your friends together for a festive inspired feast, from panoramic yuletide afternoon tea at Searcys at The Gherkin to luxurious holiday dinners at Pan Pacific London, and much more. For an unforgettable experience, visit Mercer’s cosy winter igloos on the rooftop terrace. Read our guide to find some of the best places to eat and drink this holiday seasons.

Date: 5 December 5.30 to 7pm | Cost: £15 (booking fee)

Enjoy Candlelit Christmas drinks in Dr Johnson's enchanting and atmospheric 17th-century House of Words! Dr Johnson is one of the greatest literary figures of the 18th century and compiled his Dictionary of the English Language at his home in Gough Square. You can browse all the rooms and sit down on the chairs and window seats to soak up the atmosphere in what was still the tallest building in the area during WWII.

Date: 26 November | Cost: From £15

Experience The Nutcracker like never before with Alexandra Dariescu’s reimagined production, blending live piano with digital animations and ballet. Celebrating its 100th performance, this show combines timeless music with 21st-century visual artistry.