Keep up to date with all things festive on our Christmas 2026 in London page.
In the mood for a white Christmas, but not holding out much hope on London delivering the goods? While we can’t guarantee the weather this festive season, we do know of a few venues around the capital where snowfall is guaranteed — and some are free to visit!
Snowfall in Covent Garden: Christmas 2026
As has become tradition, Covent Garden offers free flurries of snowfall in its magnificent Piazza throughout the festive period.
Head to the 60ft Christmas tree to immerse yourself in the blizzard: fake snow is released from the balconies above, every hour from 12pm-9pm, lasting two minutes each time. It takes place daily from Friday 4 December 2026.
While you’re here, other festive happenings in Covent Garden include the Forest of Theatre, a trail of Christmas trees inspired by West End musicals inside the market building; and Festive Thursdays, when you can catch surprise performances from West End casts and choirs.
Snowfall at Seven Dials Market: Christmas 2026
A short walk from the Covent Garden Piazza, the former banana warehouse which now houses Seven Dials Market offers its own snowfall.
The indoor food market offers daily snow showers, every day at 3pm and 8pm from Thursday 12 November 2026. Many of the traders are serving Christmas takes on their speciality dishes, including a ‘Cheeseboard pizza’ at Bad Boy Pizza Society.
Even better, the 8pm snowfall each day heralds the start of Baileys Happy Hour, when four Baileys Espresso Martini Cocktail flavours, including salted caramel and Terry’s Chocolate Orange, are available to slurp (£8 each) while the white stuff flutters around you.
Snow globe climb at the O2: Christmas 2026
What is apparently the UK’s highest snow globe can be found perched atop the O2 dome in North Greenwich, accessible to climbers taking part in Up at the O2 during the festive season.
Between 6 November 2026 and 3 January 2027, intrepid climbers can step inside the beautifully decorated snow globe, 52 metres above ground level, for festive selfies. During your 20 minutes at the summit, you can purchase mulled wine, glasses of bubbly, hot chocolate and soft drinks to enjoy with the London skyline as your backdrop.
The Snow Show at Selfridges: Christmas 2026
Oxford Street department store Selfridges never does Christmas subtly, and this year, the indoor snow flurries return. The Snow Show is a West End-style spectacular with music and performance ending in cascades of ersatz snowfall. Characters including bellhops, a brass band and the Showgirl perform, frolic about in it.
Catch the show in the atrium (the escalators at the centre of the store) for free, on selected dates throughout November and December at 12pm. Alternatively, book brunch at the Downtown Café for the best view.
Snowfall at the Petersham: Christmas 2026
Victorian hotel the Petersham, located on Richmond Hill, has several festive dining options this winter, whether you’re after a three-course meal, or afternoon tea with a Christmas twist. Whichever option you pick, snowfall is guaranteed (18 November 2026-1 January 2027), and the restaurant’s views over the Thames make for an even more memorable experience.
Snowfall at Leadenhall Market: Christmas 2026
Snowfall heralds the arrival of Christmas at Leadenhall Market, as a scattering is promised as part of its Christmas light switch-on event on Thursday 19 November.
Following this, daily snowfall takes place in the Victorian building’s central atrium at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm every day from Friday 20 November until early January 2027. Each flurry lasts around five minutes — plenty of time to snap a snowy selfie.
