Boxing Day is Saturday 26 December 2026. It is the day after Christmas, and London begins to feel lively again: some shops reopen for the sales, family shows perform and winter attractions welcome visitors. In England and Wales the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December, so both dates deserve a look when you are planning travel.
What to do on Boxing Day in London
Browse the Christmas sales
If you love shopping, head to Oxford Street and Regent Street for the big department stores and familiar brands, or to Covent Garden for smaller shops and a festive walk between them. Harrods and the Knightsbridge shops make another outing, while Westfield is an option if you want many shops together indoors. Boxing Day opening times vary by business, and the first sales day can be crowded. We would choose one area rather than racing across London for a list of shops.
To make the day more interesting than a queue at the till, combine Covent Garden with the tree in Trafalgar Square and lunch nearby, or pair Oxford Street with an afternoon visit to Hyde Park. Our Oxford Street and Knightsbridge route offers a walk you can adapt to the shops you want to visit.
Visit Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is open again after its Christmas Day closure. It has a Christmas market, rides for different ages, skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom and Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus in the 2026–27 season. If you go with children, Santa Land’s gentler rides make a good starting point. Book the 26 December entry slot and any paid attractions together so the timings work; this is a popular day.
See a family show or skate
Disney On Ice: Discover the Magic lists Boxing Day performances at The O2 in Greenwich. The Snowman, A Christmas Carol, pantomimes and West End musicals have different Christmas schedules, so choose a specific Christmas show before organising your afternoon around it. Remember that The O2 is at North Greenwich, a separate journey from the West End.
Ice skating can be a lovely Boxing Day plan. Somerset House sits between Covent Garden and the river, while Winter Wonderland offers skating in the middle of the fair. Hampton Court, Battersea Power Station, Leicester Square and Queen’s House Greenwich offer other settings on their seasonal calendars. Our ice rink guide has a map and the season dates; book the exact holiday session before setting out.
A Boxing Day walk without a booking
For a quieter day, start at Westminster Bridge for views of Big Ben and the London Eye, walk along the South Bank, and cross towards Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. The bridges, riverside and public squares make the day worthwhile even if a particular shop or indoor attraction is shut. Alternatively, head to Greenwich for the riverside, the Cutty Sark exterior and a walk through the old town. Wrap up warm and plan a café or pub stop that has Boxing Day hours.
Museums, attractions and food
Many major museums and historic buildings have Christmas closures that include 26 December. For example, the National Gallery closes 24–26 December. The Tower of London, British Museum and Natural History Museum should be planned on their actual holiday calendar, not a normal Saturday timetable. If an indoor visit is important, book an attraction that explicitly sells 26 December admission; the London Eye and family entertainment venues are useful places to start.
Restaurants often reopen with fewer sittings after Christmas Day. A meal around your chosen shopping area or show venue avoids an extra cross-city trip. Reserve directly and look for the Boxing Day menu. Our London food guide has ideas by type of meal.
Getting around on 26 December
TfL generally runs a reduced Boxing Day service, while National Rail routes may have engineering works or a later start. Winter Wonderland’s 2026 travel page says the Elizabeth line will not run on 26 December; for Hyde Park, it suggests other Tube lines to Bond Street or Paddington instead. Use the TfL Journey Planner and your train operator for the particular journey and time. A central walking route is helpful when a connection is awkward; allow extra time if you have tickets at The O2 or a theatre. Check the substitute bank holiday on Monday 28 December too if your visit extends into the following week.
For the neighbouring days, see our detailed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day guides.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.