Affordable Holiday Activities in London

Sure, winter exams are here, but you deserve a break from those tiny-font textbooks and scribbled notes. Luckily, the holiday season is also arriving – and it doesn’t care about your finals. 

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or just want to escape D. B. Weldon Library and its bright lights, London, Ont. has plenty of festive events for a much-needed study break. After all, ‘tis the season for some cheerful procrastination! 

Lighting of the Lights, Dec. 5, Victoria Park

To kick off the holiday festivities, the City of London will host the annual Lighting of The Lights at Victoria Park from 6 to 7:30 p. m. Enjoy a free 360-degree photo booth, cider, food trucks and live music from The Rockin’ Reindeer band led by local musician John Fellner while the park sparkles with 100,000 lights. This year’s event will feature London Mayor Josh Morgan alongside John Davidson, founder of Jesse’s Journey charity that supports Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. The enchanting winter scene will remain until Jan. 16.

After witnessing the ceremonial switch flip at 6:50 p. m., attendees are encouraged to head over to Covent Garden Market for the annual tree lighting ceremony at 7:45 p. m. in Rotary Square as part of the Holly Jolly Holiday Market kickoff.

Holly Jolly Holiday Market, Dec. 5 to 21, Covent Garden Market

Every weekend from Dec. 5 to 21, Covent Garden Market will host the Holly Jolly Holiday Market featuring local vendors, live music and entertainment along with a Christmas Cocktail Garden and light displays among other attractions. On two weekends across Golden Jubilee Square at Canada Life Place there will be free horse-drawn carriage rides as well as musical carousel rides.

Downtown for the Holidays Trail, Nov. 28 to Dec. 31

Downtown London presents the Downtown for the Holidays Trail where you can discover over 50 different local businesses including cafes and restaurants offering seasonal menus and festive decorations.

To join in on this fun experience, sign up for a free mobile passport that allows you to check in at participating locations for discounts available during your visit. Some participating spots include Barney’s which has transformed its patio into a Jolly Elf-themed area serving festive drinks and food; Craig’s Cookies; Joe Kool’s; Black Walnut Bakery Cafe; and more.

Additionally, Candy Cane Lane at Market Lane near Dundas Street from Dec. 5 to 31 is another fantastic way to explore local shops decorated festively for some holiday cheer.

Merry Ment and The Merry Market, Nov. 27 to Dec. 21, 100 Kellogg Lane

Returning for its sixth year is Merry Ment held every Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 21 at 100 Kellogg Lane with an array of festive events taking place in this former cereal factory.

This includes The Merry Market – London’s largest holiday market filled with local vendors offering photo opportunities amidst beautiful decorations plus a giant Kellogg’s-themed tree standing tall at an impressive height of thirty-five feet! Don’t miss out on gourmet hot chocolate or Christmas cocktails served up at Paradigm Spirits’ Après Chalet.

You can even step inside Whoville where you’ll find Grinch’s slime lab or enjoy his Mean Green Meal from Canteen before hopping onto Santa’s enchanted elevator leading straight to the North Pole-all within premises of 100 Kellogg Lane!

Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical, Nov. 18 to Jan. 4 ,2026 , The Grand Theatre

Catch Disney’s Frozen-the Tony-nominated Broadway musical-now showing at The Grand Theatre until Jan.4. Follow sisters Anna and Elsa in this beloved winter tale where Elsa’s secret powers unleash an everlasting winter that Anna strives hard to reverse. Tickets start from $45.

Eldon House’s Victorian Christmas , Dec.3 -Jan.1 ,2026

Step back into time as Eldon House opens its doors transformed into an authentic Victorian-style Christmas setting allowing visitors to relive how holidays were celebrated back then! Visit this special exhibit every Wednesday through Sunday between noon until five p. m., running till January first.

Eldon House will also host several other events throughout this festive season such as Winter Holiday Markets on December sixth; guided Christmas ghost tours happening on December twentieth & twenty-first ; followed by New Year’s Levee celebrations set for January first!

Winter Magic at Storybook Gardens , Nov.29 -Mar.2026

Storybook Gardens invites everyone out enjoy their stunning skating trail measuring two hundred fifty meters winding through Springbank Park all winter long ! With delicious snacks like Beaver Tails & hot chocolate offered along side registration online costs only five dollars plus tax.

Public skating returns free-of-charge starting December sixteenth (weather permitting) over at Victoria Park while Covent Garden Markets rotary ice rink makes a comeback January twenty-sixth!

City Hall’s Observation Deck , Dec.5-28

Looking f o r s o m e g reat v i ews t hroughout t he festivities? Ope n f ro m five th irty unti l nine th irty e v e ry w eekend unt il t he end o f D ec ember , C ity Ha ll ’ s observation deck pro v ides one o f t he b est vi ews o f V ictoria P ark ‘ s win ter won derland below.

N ew Year ‘s Eve i n t h e P ark , D ec.31 , V ic toria P ark

Ring i n N ew Y ea r ’s Eve wi th fireworks sk ating liv e mu sic & entertai nment hosted right inside V ictoria P ark ! Fireworks go off sharp around nine PM then again countdown strikes midnight making it perfect way finish off y our year u pon high note celebratin g one last joyful moment together!

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