Seasonal
Boxing Day in London
The day London exhales: sale queues at dawn, frost on the parkland, and a pantomime to round it off.
In short: our top picks are Selfridges Boxing Day Sale, Skate at Somerset House and Pantomime at The London Palladium. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Boxing Day is the most under-rated day in the London calendar. Half the city is still in pyjamas finishing the cheese, which means the parks are clear, the light trails feel less of a scrum, and the sales crowds thin out by mid-afternoon if you time it right. Yes, the Tower and the British Museum stay shut, but the things that actually make the 26th worth leaving the house for, the discounts, the ice and the panto, are all running. Go out and make a proper day of it and the 26th rewards you.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Selfridges Boxing Day Sale | Oxford Street | |
| Skate at Somerset House | Strand | £££ |
| Pantomime at The London Palladium | Soho | |
| Christmas at Kew | Kew | £££ |
| Hyde Park Winter Wonderland | Hyde Park | ££ |
| Boxing Day Brunch at The Ivy | Covent Garden | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Selfridges Boxing Day Sale
Why we pick itThe flagship throws open six floors of marked-down designer stock on the 26th, with the keenest shoppers queueing on the pavement before doors open.
department store sale
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Skate at Somerset House
Why we pick itSkating beneath the neoclassical facade and a towering tree is a proper London winter outing, and the rink runs on Boxing Day from midday.
courtyard ice rink
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Pantomime at The London Palladium
Why we pick itLondon's grandest panto plays through the festive run with star turns and proper old-school silliness, and it stays open across the Boxing Day schedule.
West End pantomime
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Christmas at Kew
Why we pick itA three-kilometre trail of illuminated installations winds through the gardens past the lit-up Pagoda, good for a bracing evening walk on the 26th.
after-dark light trail
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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Why we pick itThe sprawling fair with its rides, bars and Bavarian market stays open on Boxing Day and tends to be a touch calmer once Christmas has passed.
festive funfair
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Boxing Day Brunch at The Ivy
Why we pick itA rare grand dining room open on the 26th, serving a dedicated Boxing Day brunch of seasonal plates and cocktails when most kitchens have shut.
festive brunch
Before you book
Check opening hours before you travel; Boxing Day timetables are reduced and many venues open late, with Somerset House skating not starting until midday. The Tube runs a Sunday-style service and some lines are limited, so allow extra time and avoid relying on the last train. Book the light trails, ice rinks and Boxing Day lunches well in advance, as the popular slots sell out weeks ahead.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Selfridges Boxing Day Sale is our editor's choice: The flagship throws open six floors of marked-down designer stock on the 26th, with the keenest shoppers queueing on the pavement before doors open. Selfridges Boxing Day Sale, Skate at Somerset House and Pantomime at The London Palladium lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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