10 Things To Do in London On Boxing Day 2026
Date post added: 5th January 2026
After the huge build up, the excitement of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself, Boxing Day can feel a tad anticlimactic. But it doesn’t have to.
You don’t have to spend the day after Christmas Day feeling over-stuffed and slightly disgruntled after a run-in with an irritating family member. It’s a public holiday which makes it a day off for many, and that does mean that a lot of places remain closed. On the up side, you can explore London and enjoy it without the usual hustle and bustle. You can actually pause to take in the sights and the twinkling Christmas lights without someone walking into you or ‘tutting’!
What happens on Boxing Day in London? There’s plenty on offer other than endless TV and Quality Street. So, peel yourself off the sofa and get out and about in London on 26th December.
Here are ten of our festive suggestions for spending time in London on Boxing Day.
1. Enjoy a quieter London
Wrap up warm and take a winter walk around the city. You could wander through the West End, taking in the Christmas lights and displays. You could admire the City’s architecture and iconic landmarks on a sightseeing tour. It’s so much easier when you’re not surrounded by hordes of people rushing along the street beside you.
It’s a good day to boost your step count in one of our wonderful parks. The trees may be rather bare and it’ll be dark by 3pm, but London parks do retain their impressive beauty all year round. Head to St James’s Park or Green Park for prime views of Buckingham Palace.
Greenwich Park is gorgeous green space steeped in history. From Roman remains to Henry VIII’s birthplace and Queen Caroline’s bath, there’s plenty to discover. On the outskirts of London, Kew Gardens is always spectacular. Its larger than life festive illuminations rival some Central London Christmas lights and it’s open on Boxing Day.
2. Laugh along at a theatre show
On Boxing Day, you may feel like the best of Christmas is “behind you.” But it’s a great day to get to the theatre and enjoy a feel good Christmas show. The Christmas pantomime is a centuries-old tradition and is fun for all ages. You’ll find productions of Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Robin Hood and more in theatres across London.
Beyond panto, there are various other festive theatre shows to watch on Boxing Day. The Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol is at The Old Vic. For something more silly, there’s A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at the Apollo Theatre. From the team behind the award-winning West End comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong, it’s bound to bring tidings of chaos and joy.
3. Cheer along at a football match
Sport has been a firm fixture on the Boxing Day calendar since the 18th Century. Then it was more about the aristocracy hunting, shooting and horse racing. Now, it’s more about players kicking a ball around a pitch.
Premier League football is always a major sporting event on Boxing Day. But, with Boxing Day falling on a Friday this year, most fixtures take place on the Saturday and Sunday instead. Then you can catch Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, West Ham and Spurs in action.
All is not lost Boxing Day football fans. As it’s 2026, you can immerse yourself in interactive football experiences. TOCA Social has venues in White City and the O2 and is open on Boxing Day.
4. Shop the Boxing Day sales
Boxing Day has been synonymous with discounted shopping for some years. Recently, pre-Christmas discounts like Black Friday have superseded this somewhat, but Boxing Day sales remain a big deal. Many stores make a seamless switch from Christmas shopping to sales the day after Christmas.
Where better to get the best of the Boxing Day sales than London? If you prefer to do your shopping indoors, the likes of Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City have big name retailers. For more bargains, head to famous shopping streets like Regent Street and Oxford Street, or the luxurious boutiques and labels on offer in Bond Street and Covent Garden.
Glowing Harrods by Michael Cavén
5. Go ice skating
Ice skating rinks are picture postcard (or Christmas card) pretty, set against famous London backdrops. The most spectacular has to be Skate at Somerset House. Even if you don’t want to venture onto the ice, it’s a gorgeous place to enjoy a hot chocolate in fantastic surroundings. It’s a wonderfully wintry way to spend Boxing Day.
Elsewhere, you’ll find ice skating rinks at Battersea Power Station, Queen’s House Greenwich, Hampton Court and Canary Wharf. And if you want a full-on experience, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park celebrates (or capitalises on, depending on your take) all things snow and ice. Not only is there ice skating, there’s an immense ice kingdom carved out of 500 tonnes of ice, an ice slide, ice sculpting and slushies for grown ups at the ice bar.
6. Find a cosy pub
If that sounds like too much ice and activity, hole up in a warm and cosy London pub. Festooned with Christmas lights and with a roaring fire going, London pubs are pretty magical at this time of year. Some of our favourites include The Mayflower in Rotherhithe, The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead and The George in Southwark. They’re some of London’s oldest pubs. We explore historic Central London pubs in our Secret Soho and Belgravia walking tours, come and join us.
7. Visit London Zoo
Situated in Regents Park, London Zoo is a big attraction. Christmas Day is the only day of the year that the zoo stays closed, so it’s back open again on Boxing Day. It can be a bit quieter then, making it easier to enjoy its special festive charm and magic. Plus, you’ll get that bit closer to the animals without the crowds.
Regents Park is well worth looking around too. From there, you could wander along Regents Canal towpath taking in the delights such as Little Venice.
8. Indulge in afternoon tea
How about a touch of decadence and luxury on Boxing Day? A refined afternoon tea in sumptuous surroundings could be just the thing.
The Rosewood on High Holborn serves up an award-winning afternoon tea with a festive twist. Dine on exquisite pastries in the glittering Mirror Room. They’re almost too beautiful to eat – almost. And Café Royal on Regent Street offers a Nutcracker themed festive afternoon tea which is certain to be divine.
9. Stroll along the South Bank
Throughout the festive period, there’s a Christmas Market along the South Bank. They have Alpine-style chalets beside the Thames selling delicious street food, inventive drinks and creative crafts. Warm up with a mulled wine or hot chocolate and browse the stalls.
Also along the South Bank, the London Eye will open from 10am to 8.30pm on 26th December if you fancy panoramic views of the city from on high.
10. Take a guided London Walk
Instead of wandering aimlessly, join us for an insightful London Walk on Boxing Day! New this year, we have a London and The Nutcracker Walk which explains how the beautiful ballet changed Christmas. Whether you want to discover stories about Charles Dickens or Jack the Ripper, city churches or riverside pubs, we’re here for you this Boxing Day!
Looking ahead to New Year’s Eve or even New Year’s Day? Find our suggestions for the best places to be in London for the new year celebrations.
FAQs
Why is it called Boxing Day?
Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr, known for serving the poor. Many believe the term Boxing Day derives from the boxes used to collect money for the poor in church, which were distributed the day after Christmas Day. Others believe that the ‘boxes’ were monetary tips given by the wealthy to their staff after Christmas. To stay true to the intent of the day, you could spend your Boxing Day ‘giving back’ by volunteering for a London charity, like Whitechapel Mission, Crisis or food bank network Trussel Trust.
Are things closed in London on Boxing Day?
Many London museums, galleries and big attractions remain closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Over the festive period, it’s wise to check opening times as they do vary.
But, you will find shops, restaurants, museums, cafes and attractions that do open on Boxing Day. Take a look at our list above and enjoy visiting places when they’re quieter than usual.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in London?
Yes. In London and across the United Kingdom, Boxing Day (also known as Saint Stephen’s Day) is an official public holiday. Boxing Day’s been celebrated in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the 19th century, but it only became a bank holiday in Scotland in 1974.
Is there public transport on Boxing Day in London?
Public transport does run on Boxing Day, but there’s likely to be a reduced service. Check with TFL before you travel.
Join a London Walk this festive season
Christmas in London is something special. But for the best views of the Christmas lights, and the fascinating stories of festive seasons past and present, you need an expert guide beside you. Join us on a Christmas walk at this most wonderful time of the year.
Looking ahead to New Year’s Eve? Find our suggestions for the for the new year celebrations.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.