What’s On in & Around Islington This December 2025

**🎄 What’s On in & Around Islington This December 2025

Your guide to North London’s Festive Season**

December brings a magical glow to Islington and its neighbouring districts—Dalston, Stoke Newington, Highbury, Clerkenwell, Finsbury Park, Shoreditch and beyond. The streets sparkle, independent shops buzz with energy, and venues large and small host some of the most uplifting, creative, and vibrant events of the year.

Whether you’re planning family days out, cosy festive markets, theatre nights, or high-energy New Year’s Eve celebrations, consider this your ultimate festive roadmap for December 2025.

✨ The Stage is Set: Theatre, Panto & World-Class Dance

Islington and Clerkenwell remain cultural anchors in North London, and this month the theatres deliver everything from cutting-edge drama to family classics.

🎭 Sadler’s Wells – Festive Dance Favourites (Islington/Clerkenwell)

• The Snowman – A timeless family favourite running into January.
• Ebony Scrooge (ZooNation) – A bold hip-hop twist on Dickens that attracts contemporary and younger audiences.

• 

  Sadlers wells theatre Clerkenwell Islington

🎄 King’s Head Theatre Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk

A local treasure and one of Islington’s most community-driven festive shows. Tickets start at just £13.00, including great availability on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day—perfect for families on a budget.

Kings head theatre Islington Christmas panto 2025

⭐ Almeida Theatre – Christmas Day

A brand-new, thought-provoking production for theatre lovers seeking modern drama during the holidays.

Christmas Day at Almeida theatre Islington

✨ Additional Theatre Highlights Nearby

• The Old Red Lion (Angel) – Expect intimate fringe productions and Christmas-themed improv nights.
• The Rosemary Branch Theatre (De Beauvoir/Islington border) – Cosy festive cabaret and comedy nights throughout December.

🎶 Rhythm & Reverie: Live Music, Carols & Nightlife

December in Islington means a month of music—from sacred harmonies to indie gigs and late-night anthems.

🎼 Union Chapel Christmas (Islington)

• The BIG Sing Choir – 13 December (Ticketed)
• Traditional Christmas Morning Service – 25 December at 10 AM (FREE)

• 

  Union Chapel is a working church, live entertainment venue and charity drop-in centre for the homeless in Islington, London, England. It was built in the late 19th century in the Gothic revival style

Set inside one of London’s most atmospheric venues, these events deliver magic in their own right.

🎸 O2 Academy Islington – High-Energy Festive Gigs

With a lineup including The Pogue Traders Christmas Shindig, tribute nights, rock, metal, and indie shows, this is your go-to for a noisier festive evening.

O2 academy islington

🎤 Extra Music & Nightlife Options

• The Lexington (Pentonville Road) – Indie, alt-rock, and Christmas specials.
• The Jago (Dalston) – Afrobeat nights, reggae Christmas jams, and spoken-word evenings.
• Night Tales (Hackney) – Winter terrace parties and DJ-led Christmas takeovers.

⛸️ Family Days Out: Ice, Lights & Festive Magic

🎄 Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally) – Ice Rink & Christmas Spectaculars

• Festive Skate – 90-minute sessions through early January.
• Sleeping Beauty on Ice – 4–8 December

⚠️ Important note: The World Darts Championship is running simultaneously. Expect crowds—book skating sessions, restaurants, and transport in advance.

Ally pally ice skating Christmas 2025

🎁 Christmas Markets & Local Shopping

Although the major Business Design Centre Christmas Market wrapped in November, you can still enjoy:

• Upper Street Independent Shopping Trail – Ideal for unique gifts and stocking fillers.
• Coal Drops Yard (King’s Cross) – Artisan stalls, mulled wine, craft pop-ups, and twinkling lights.
• King’s Cross by Night: Christmas Lights Walking Tour – 19 December
  A stunning guided journey through Granary Square, the Canopy Market, and festive installations.

🎅 Extra Family-Friendly Events

• Clissold Park Winter Trail (Stoke Newington) – A gentle, family-friendly festive walk with decorations.
• Highbury Fields Pop-Up Mini Market (Weekends) – Local makers, bakes, and hot chocolate stalls.
• Angel Central Christmas Workshops – Free kids crafts, wreath-making demos, and meet-the-elves sessions.

🍽️ Food, Pop-Ups & Festive Treats

North London’s food scene goes full Christmas mode.

• Islington Square hosts Christmas food huts, hot churros, and late-night shopping.
• Exmouth Market brings mulled wine pop-ups and seasonal street food.
• Broadway Market (Hackney) offers festive pastries, organic produce, and artisan gifts every Saturday.
• Wreath making workshops at Jen’s plants & florist St Paul’s Road Highbury and Islington(check listing for dates etc)

Look out for themed menus at Oui Madame, Salut!, Pig & Butcher, Ottolenghi, and Bellanger, many offering Christmas Day or Boxing Day lunch options (booking essential).

🎆 Ringing in 2026: New Year’s Eve Across North London

🎭 The Cross, King’s Cross – RITUAL NYE Masked Ball

A glamorous multi-level event with first-release tickets from just £22.00—one of the best-value NYE events in London. Runs until 3 PM on New Year’s Day.

💎 Shoreditch & Hoxton: Wide Range of NYE Vibes

• Accessible club nights across Hoxton Square and Great Eastern Street.
• Upscale option: The Londoner Hotel Masquerade Ball, starting around £145.00 for a premium, luxury experience.

🙏 Local Church Services & Reflections

• St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (Stoke Newington) – Multiple Christmas Eve Masses.
• Union Chapel – Free but highly attended; arrive early to secure your place.

🎄 Final Thoughts: Your Islington December Starts Here

Whether you’re planning magical family outings, browsing cosy markets, catching a festive show, or dancing into 2026, Islington and the surrounding districts offer everything you need for a joyful, neighbourly holiday season.

If you’re a local business hosting an event, market, workshop or festive menu, add your listing to Islington Local Guide—we’d love to share it with the community.

Follow Our Instagram page for more local events

Wreath Making workshops

O2 Academy Islington

\

• What’s on in Islington December

• Islington Christmas events

• Islington December events 2025

• Christmas in Islington

• North London Christmas events

• Things to do in Islington Christmas

• Islington events guide

• Islington festive guide

• Islington winter

• Angel Islington Christmas

• Highbury Christmas events

• Holloway Road festive events

• Shoreditch Christmas markets

• Dalston Christmas events

• Stoke Newington December events

• Finsbury Park Christmas events

• Clerkenwell festive events

• Farringdon Christmas guide

• Hoxton Christmas things to do

• King’s Cross Christmas markets

• Christmas markets North London

• Festive family events London

• Santa’s grotto Islington

• Winter Wonderland alternatives North London

• Christmas lights Islington

• Theatre shows Islington December

• Kids Christmas events North London

• Best pubs for Christmas lunch Islington

• Christmas workshops Islington (wreath-making, pottery, crafts)

• New Year’s Eve events Islington

• Christmas events Islington tickets

• Book Christmas shows Islington

• Best places for Christmas dinner Islington

• NYE parties North London 2025

• Festive brunch Islington

• Christmas date ideas North London

• Where to visit in Islington December

• Free Christmas events Islington

• Local Christmas markets open late

• Family days out Islington

• Winter walks in Islington

• Islington community events December

• Local festive markets Islington

• Best cafés in Islington this winter

• Christmas pop-ups Shoreditch

• Festive nightlife Dalston