London art guide – quick links
Michael Kenna: Shin Shin しんしん
Over five decades, British photographer Michael Kenna has developed a distinctive visual language and a masterful dialogue between light and shadow. Many of his images are taken at dawn or at night to capture the special light.
Working with a 120mm camera and printing each image by hand, Kenna creates luminous silver gelatin prints that he says are ‘an oasis, a calm place of rest, a catalyst for imagination’.
He has been visiting and photographing Japan since 1987. His exhibition Shin Shin しんしん is at The Photographers Gallery in London to 25 January 2026, and is named after a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes the quiet hush of falling snow. It is a special word that captures the meditative stillness of Kenna’s work and his reverence for the natural world. These refined, long-exposure analogue landscapes really are beautiful and mystical.
A Grand Festive Tour at Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire’s Grand Festive Tour includes seasonal installations, fabulous artworks and an amazing light show in the expansive grounds.
The Manor was built in the 1870s by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, in the style of a 16th century French château, to house his extensive art collection. The Baron was a great traveller and was always accompanied by his faithful black poodle Poupon, who takes a starring role in this charming Christmas exhibition.
See festive traditions from around Europe as you stroll through the house and admire its artworks. Outside, the stunning façade and gardens come to life in an immersive light show curated by Woodroffe Bassett Design. The digital projections are choreographed to envelop you in a world of light and sound, taking you on your own grand tour from the canals of Delft to Lake Geneva via Venice and Paris – all only an hour from London.
Christmas Quartet at Abbey Road
Step inside the iconic Abbey Road Studios in North London and enjoy an intimate concert by the Christmas Quartet. These talented musicians will take you on an enchanting musical journey that includes timeless Christmas carols and much-loved film classics. These special Christmas concerts are illuminated by fairy lights and are suitable for the whole family.
Performances run every weekend from 6 to 21 December. You’ll also get to see the famous Studio Two where musical history was made as The Beatles, Shirley Bassey, Kate Bush, Oasis, Adele and many others made their famous hits. Enjoy the pop history and a display of legendary music gear.
Public artwork by Louise Giovanelli
Stroll up the Strand to see this impressive new public artwork by Manchester-based artist Louise Giovanelli. Decades is a large-scale outdoor installation that looks like a shimmering curtain wrapping around London’s historic St Mary le Strand Church.
This landmark 18th century building was the first English Baroque church in the UK. It is now surrounded by a pedestrian plaza but previously sat in the middle of the road, earning the name ‘St Mary-in-the-way’ from local cabbies, according to priest Peter Babington.
Giovanelli’s installation explores the intersection of devotion and performance. The ‘curtain’ recalls those of England’s few remaining working men’s clubs and is a motif Giovanelli often explores in her work. Recontextualised in a religious setting and in close proximity to London’s Theatreland, this becomes a symbol of anticipation for the collective ritual of spectacle.
The work is erected on scaffolding around one side of the church and is designed so you can still see the building underneath. It looks especially magical illuminated at night.
ENB’s Nutcracker at London Coliseum
It wouldn’t be Christmas in London without English National Ballet’s magical production of Nutcracker. With a sell-out season last Christmas, this is a must-see for fans of music, dance and all things festive.
The production blends timeless tradition with fresh energy and colour to satisfy both long-time aficionados and Nutcracker newcomers. Set to Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score, and performed by English National Ballet Philharmonic under Music Director Maria Seletskaja, the production features over 100 dancers and musicians. It’s at the London Coliseum, just across the road from Trafalgar Square with its towering 20-metre Norwegian spruce Christmas tree and festive market stalls.
The Snowman at Peacock Theatre
Another much-loved Christmas tradition is Birmingham Rep’s production of The Snowman, which this year marks its 28th festive season at the Peacock Theatre in London.
The show is based on the best-selling children’s picture book by Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978, and features the memorable music and lyrics of Howard Blake, including Walking in the Air.
The Snowman really is a joyful Christmas treat, and runs to 4 January 2026.
Read: Theatre review – The Snowman, Peacock Theatre, London
Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall
Yes, it’s Christmas, so London stages are alive with shouts of ‘he’s behind you’ as tribes of serious actors ham it up in the great pantomine tradition. It’s not all for children – many now have a drag or burlesque aesthetic and raunchy ‘adults only’ content. But why go to many pantos when you can see them all in one place?
This year, Potted Panto returns to its new home at Wilton’s Music Hall in the East End for a third festive season. Potted Panto is a hilarious romp through the canon of pantomime, with Daniel Clarkson and Gary Trainor dashing from Aladdin’s lamp to the golden streets of Dick Whittington’s London before making sure that Cinderella really does go to the ball. The energetic twosome cover seven classic pantomimes in 80 nonstop minutes.
My Fair Lady at The Mill
If the hustle and bustle of London at Christmas is all too much, take a trip to Sonning Eye on the Thames just an hour outside the city. The Mill at Sonning is one of the few remaining dinner theatres in the UK and is a real gem, with a great restaurant and historic Waterwheel Bar.
Musicals are a Christmas tradition here and this year it’s My Fair Lady featuring West End stars Simbi Akande as Eliza Doolittle and Nadim Naaman as Henry Higgins. With a cherished score including On The Street Where You Live and I Could Have Danced All Night, Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady has been wooing audiences since 1956. It plays at The Mill at Sonning until 17 January 2026.
Famous faces on London stages
There’s always an opportunity to see a famous face from film and television live on stage in London. See the wonderful Patricia Hodge in The Rivals at Orange Tree Theatre with Robert Bathurst. Sheridan Smith appears alongside award-winning comedian Romesh Ranganathan in Woman in Mind at Duke of York’s Theatre, while Bryan Cranston stars in All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre; Keala Settle takes on Dracapella at Park Theatre; Toby Jones is in Othello at Theatre Royal Haymarket with David Harewood and Caitlin FitzGerald; and Emmy and Tony Award-winner Billy Crudup stars with Olivier Award-winner Denise Gough in High Noon at Harold Pinter Theatre.
