Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with this delightful array of events in Kensington. From the timeless charm of carol services to the creativity of Christmas craft workshops, there’s something to enchant everyone. Children can experience the magic of meeting Father Christmas, while the whole family delights in the joy and charm of a Kensington Christmas.
Step into the home of Princess Victoria and experience the magical atmosphere of a Regency Christmas, brought back to life at Kensington Palace.
This sparkling festive season, Opportunity Kensington have teamed up with The Queen’s Reading Room to highlight the power of reading to connect with others and boost mental health, creating a giant book
installation. Set beside the flower stand at St Mary Abbots Church, on the corner where Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street meet, this eyecatching tower of books helps highlight the work of The Queen’s Reading Room. It is also a drop off point to donate books, both old and new, benefitting the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital library, which operates a library and book trolley service for the hospital’s patients and staff.
Other drop off points in Kensington are Kensington Quarter, Waterstones, Kensington Central Library, Holiday Inn, Japan House
London, Petit Bateau, Whole Foods Market, Pomegranate and Kensington Palace.
A hands-on workshop at Cass Art in Kensington where you’ll learn the basics of marbling to add unique, swirling patterns to baubles, ornaments, tags, and more. No prior experience needed. Event for over 18s.
Celebrate the festive season at Leighton House with an enchanting evening of arias and songs featuring the astonishing countertenor Kangmin Justin Kim organised in partnership with Kensington and Olympia Festival of Music and the Arts.
Learn the traditional winter craft of wreath making using sustainable resources, mostly sourced from within Hyde Park. Then enjoying a piece of cake with tea and coffee!
Join the holiday magic at VICKISARGE: Uncover Christmas clues and sparkling jewels as bright as the season!
Find clues in store and win a prize.
Free treats and prosecco for parents.
Suitable for ages 4-12
Booking advised
Come along to Diva Music Academy’s interactive Christmas concert at Kensington Library.
Listen to piano solos, sing along with the choir and help us celebrate the upcoming holiday together.
Join Opera Holland Park at St Mary Abbots Church on Kensington Church Street to mark the beginning of the festive period for this Christmas celebration filled with carols, seasonal music and good cheer. All tickets include a festive post-show drink.
Join us on Sunday 8th December, from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Farmers' Market on Phillimore Walk, High Street Kensington, W8 7RX. Santa and his elves will be there spreading festive cheer and handing out treat bags for the little ones.
Start your Christmas shopping at the Farmers' Market on Phillimore Walk. Stock up on fresh, seasonal essentials—from fish and game to fruit, vegetables, baked goods, gifts, drinks, sweet treats and more—perfect for your festive feast.
Come and visit 'Santa’s Library'!
Following a special festive Rhyme Time (starting at 10:30am), you'll have a chance to visit Santa's Grotto and meet Santa, tell him all about your favourite books to read at Christmas, and take some photos as a memento.
Each child will receive a gift bag from the Library, as a small thank you from the team.
Online bookings are limited, but tickets can be bought in person at the library, on the day!
Come and visit 'Santa’s Library'!
Following a special festive Rhyme Time (starting at 10:30am), you'll have a chance to visit Santa's Grotto and meet Santa, tell him all about your favourite books to read at Christmas, and take some photos as a memento.
Each child will receive a gift bag from the Library, as a small thank you from the team.
Online bookings are limited, but tickets can be bought in person at the library, on the day!
Meet award-winning, global bestselling author AF Steadman at Waterstons as she signs copies of her Number One bestselling series SKANDAR – an epic story about bloodthirsty unicorns, sky battles and elemental magic.
Book in advance to secure a place in the queue.
Join Japan House in the Shop on 12th December for an exclusive evening of festive shopping and seasonal activities. Visitors will have the chance to sample a range of Japanese tea and treats, get to know the character of Japanese whisky and sake through a mini masterclass and tastings, explore a sustainable approach to gift wrapping with furoshiki, and more.
Browse the carefully curated product range, including a selection of hand-picked Christmas gift boxes, and receive a discount of 15% on any purchase made in-store or online during the event.
Join Senior Curator, Daniel Robbins, for this special evening candlelit tour of Leighton House. An opportunity to learn more about Leighton and the house he created and to experience its beautiful interiors in a memorable, atmospheric way. The tour includes areas of the museum not normally open to the public and a complimentary glass of wine on arrival.
Join this walking tour to uncover the rich history of Kensington Gardens, a green oasis in the heart of London. Explore hidden stories behind iconic statues like Peter Pan and a sculpture rejected by Trafalgar Square, step behind the railings of the Albert Memorial for a close-up of its stunning Frieze of Parnassus.
For over 18s only.
Led by an experienced illustrator Louise Hung, this workshop welcomes anyone above 12 years old, arts and crafts enthusiasts of all levels, whether you're a beginner or a printmaking aficionado. Come along and learn how to use a variety of texturing and stamping materials to create unique festive patterns that can be repeated!
Create your own unique collaged and decorated Christmas cards at Leighton House Kensington, inspired by the weird and wonderful designs of this very Victorian tradition.
Start your Christmas shopping at the Farmers' Market on Phillimore Walk. Stock up on fresh, seasonal essentials—from fish and game to fruit, vegetables, baked goods, gifts, drinks, sweet treats and more—perfect for your festive feast.
This December, come and experience the charming festive afternoon tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace with internationally-renowned cabaret, opera, musical theatre and drag superstar, Le Gateau Chocolat. Enjoy a deliciously entertaining and specially curated musical performance inspired by the world of young Princess Victoria, when Christmastime was a chance for festivities frivolities.
Join the Purcell Players and St Mary Abbots Professional choir for Handel's Messiah by candlelight at St Mary Abbots Church Kensington
In a libretto drawn by David Simpatico from the much-loved 1843 novella, we meet Ebenezer Scrooge, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and the family and friends whose kindness Scrooge has hardened his heart against, only to understand by their example the meaning of Christmas. A spooky and salutary story for all ages from Opera Holland Park, with a festive happy ending.
Enjoy a free 30-minute Piano Recital at the Lecture Theatre at Kensington Central Library with acclaimed concert pianist Rebecca J. Carda Leigh. Featuring the music of Bach, Einaudi, Chopin, Mozart, and a few holiday favourites. Walk-ins welcome!
Start your Christmas shopping at the Farmers' Market on Phillimore Walk. Stock up on fresh, seasonal essentials—from fish and game to fruit, vegetables, baked goods, gifts, drinks, sweet treats and more—perfect for your festive feast.
Delve into the fantastical world of Tim Burton, the creative force behind some of the most celebrated films of the last four decades, in this major exhibition exploring his remarkable creations and key collaborations with designers. This is the final stop in a decade-long world tour for this exhibition and will be its only ever showing in the UK.
Thank you to the Design Museum for use of the image: Surrounded, 1996 © Tim Burton