What’s On in Islington & Nearby: Festive week guide(22–28 December 2025)

Islington Festive week guide

If you’re in Islington (or hopping over to King’s Cross, Clerkenwell, Hackney, Shoreditch and beyond), this week is not a “normal” festive week. It comes in three distinct phases — and planning ahead will make all the difference.

The week in 3 phases (so you can plan properly)

1) The Pre-Holiday Rush:

Mon 22 – Tue 23

This is your last big “full power” window for comedy, theatre and nights out before Christmas closures hit.

2) The Deep Freeze:

Wed 24 – Thu 25

Expect a major slowdown. Many services close early on Christmas Eve and public transport doesn’t run on Christmas Day, so anything you do needs extra planning.

3) The Boxing Day Reawakening:

Fri 26 – Sun 28

Things come back fast — especially nightlife. If you fancy a proper “in between Christmas and New Year” party, this is your moment.

Before you go: quick festive logistics checklist

• • • Christmas Day transport: TfL confirms the only transport running is mainly taxis/private hire, Santander Cycles, some coaches and a few other services — no usual Tube/bus network.
    • Hackney Council closures (useful if you’re in Dalston/Shoreditch/Hackney): Hackney Service Centre closes 4pm Wed 24 Dec and reopens 9am Fri 2 Jan.
    • Hackney bin collections shift:
      • Thu 25 Dec → Sat 27 Dec
      • Fri 26 Dec → Sun 28 Dec
    • Egg LDN entry rule: bring physical photo ID (no screenshots/photos) due to their Club Scan policy.

Your day-by-day guide

Islington Festive week guide

Monday 22 December – “Final Hurrah” energy

 Comedy (Islington) — Christmas Comedy Festival (charity fundraiser)

The Bill Murray hosts a brilliant two-show night (6:30pm & 8:45pm) with a big-name lineup — and it’s raising money for Hackney Foodbank.

 King’s Cross — last call for Christmas Under the Canopy

If you still need gifts or want one last festive wander, this is the final day for Christmas under the Canopy (28 Nov – 22 Dec).

 Late-night theatre (Islington) — Adult Panto at King’s Head

Jack and the Beanstalk: Adults Only is on at 9:00pm (perfect if you want laughs after dinner).

 Clubbing (Shoreditch) — XOYO: Motion London (student night)

Hip-Hop/R&B energy from 11:00pm.

Tuesday 23 December – “Eve-Eve sprint”

 Comedy (Islington) — Christmas Comedy Festival continues

The 9:00pm show with James Acaster / Ed Gamble / Nish Kumar is listed as sold out, so grab earlier tickets if you can.

 Clubbing (Shoreditch) — XOYO: Sneak Xmas Rave

A classic Tuesday party night at 11:00pm–3:00am.

 Family option (Hackney) — Hackney Empire Panto: Cinderella

Cinderella runs right through the week with multiple performances (matinees/evening shows).

Wednesday 24 December – Christmas Eve (things slow down)

 Broadway Market (Hackney) — last-minute provisions

Broadway Market usually becomes the go-to for “oops we forgot…” festive shopping. Heads-up: listings vary — Love Hackney references extended Wednesday trading including Christmas Eve, but Broadway Market posts suggest shorter Christmas Eve hours, so double-check before travelling.

 Admin note (Hackney): services close 4pm and stay shut through to 2 Jan.

Thursday 25 December – Christmas Day (Deep Freeze)

Most places are closed and public transport doesn’t run (plan for staying local, walking, or taxis if needed).

If you’re hoping to go out: treat this as a “booked in advance, planned transport” day.

Friday 26 December – Boxing Day (the reawakening begins)

 XOYO (Shoreditch) — Paradox: Boxing Day Special

A proper late-night restart (11:00pm).

 Hackney Empire — Cinderella continues

Transport is still reduced around Boxing Day — check before you set off.

Saturday 27 December – culture comes back (with options!)

 Almeida Theatre (Islington) — Backstage Theatre Tour begins

A lovely daytime plan if you want something different from “another pub meet”. Tours start from Sat 27 Dec (some dates sell out).

 King’s Head (Islington) — Adult Panto at 9:15pm

A great “post-Christmas giggle” night.

 fabric (Farringdon/Clerkenwell) — The Ghost + Polygonia + more

Big club energy on Saturday night.

 Community comedy (London-wide, ticketed) — Women’s Open Mic

Listed at Toulouse Lautrec (note: Kennington/SE11, not Shoreditch).

Sunday 28 December – the “go big or go home” finale

 Live music (Islington) — Motörheadache at O2 Academy2 Islington

The one standout traditional gig this week: doors 7:00pm.

 Egg LDN (King’s Cross) — 2025 Closing Party Pt. 1 (House All Night Long)

23:00–05:00. Bring physical photo ID (strict policy).

 fabric (Farringdon/Clerkenwell) — Joseph Capriati (5-hour set) + more

Runs 22:00–06:00 — huge Sunday session.

The week’s “anchors” (if you just want the highlights)

Theatre & Dance that carries the whole week

• • • Sadler’s Wells / Peacock / Sadler’s Wells East:
      • The Red Shoes (Matthew Bourne)
      • The Snowman (family classic at the Peacock)
      • Ebony Scrooge – ZooNation
    • Almeida Theatre (Islington): Christmas Day continues its run.
    • Hackney Empire: Cinderella keeps East London festive and family-friendly.

Live music (the “quiet week” reality)

Most venues go dark for band gigs — Motörheadache is your key live-band option.

Simple ready-made plans

A cosy family day

Pick The Snowman (Peacock) or Cinderella (Hackney Empire), then an early dinner nearby.

A date night with festive sparkle

• • • Pre-show dinner near Angel/Upper Street → King’s Head Adults Only Panto (Mon/Sat/Sun).
    • Or go “culture first”: Almeida Theatre Tour in the day, drinks after.

A proper post-Christmas night out

• • • Fri: XOYO Boxing Day special
    • Sat/Sun: fabric double-header weekend
    • Sun: Egg Closing Party (don’t forget ID!)

Top 10 picks: Islington + North/East London (22–28 Dec 2025)

• • 1. Christmas Under the Canopy – last day (King’s Cross, Coal Drops Yard)
       Mon 22 Dec (all day) — final chance for festive stalls + last-minute gift vibes.
    2. Christmas Comedy Festival (for Hackney Foodbank) (Islington, The Bill Murray)
       Mon 22 Dec – 6:30pm & 8:45pm — big-name stand-up and you’re supporting a brilliant local cause.
    3. Christmas Comedy Festival continues (Islington, The Bill Murray)
       Tue 23 Dec – 6:30pm & 9:00pm — massive demand night (expect limited availability).
    4. Adults-only panto: Jack and the Beanstalk (late & hilarious) (Islington, King’s Head Theatre)
       Mon 22 Dec 9:00pm / Sat 27 Dec 9:15pm / Sun 28 Dec 9:00pm — the best “grown-up festive night out” option.
    5. Family panto anchor: Cinderella (Hackney, Hackney Empire)
       Mon 22 / Tue 23 / Fri 26 / Sat 27 / Sun 28 (multiple showtimes) — the classic festive day out (matinees + evening shows).
    6. The Snowman (Holborn/King’s Cross area, Peacock Theatre)
       Runs through this week — perfect for families, visitors, or anyone wanting pure festive magic.
    7. XOYO’s festive week clubbing (Shoreditch, XOYO)

• • • Mon 22 Dec (11pm-late): MOTION (Hip-Hop/R&B/Trap)
    • Fri 26 Dec (11pm-late): Boxing Day restart (Tech/Deep House)
      Great if you want a proper dancefloor moment without trekking across London.

• • 8. Broadway Market – Christmas Eve provisions run (Hackney)
       Wed 24 Dec (daytime/early evening trading) — your best bet for last-minute fresh bits before the shutdown (go early to be safe).
    9. Behind-the-scenes culture: Almeida Theatre Tour (Islington, Almeida Theatre)
       From Sat 27 Dec (times vary) — a lovely daytime plan when you want something calmer than pubs and parties.
    10. Sunday 28 Dec “big night” finale

• • Motorheadache (Motörhead tribute) (Islington, O2 Academy2) — doors 7:00pm
  • fabric (Farringdon/Clerkenwell) — 10:00pm–6:00am
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