South Kensington is a popular tourist destination all year round. While its beautiful streets, parks and gardens are a delight to visit in summer, it has a lot to offer in winter too. From Christmas carol concerts to contemporary art from emerging international creatives, you’ll find plenty of things to enjoy this season. And if you’re looking for a bite to eat to fuel your adventures, our Indian cuisine is the best in the area.
Step into the future
From 24 October 2025
Discover what life might be like 100 years from now at the Natural History Museum. This new mixed reality experience transports you around the globe to explore and interact with eight different ecosystems. Witness how human ingenuity could help habitats and species to recover, and leave with a renewed interest in our environment.
Spend an evening with Charlie Mackesy
2 December 2025, 7pm – 8.45pm
Join beloved author and illustrator Charlie Mackesy at the V&A for an evening of uplifting stories, conversation and live drawing. In celebration of the launch of his new book, Always Remember, Charlie reflects on his creative journey, the importance of kindness, and the things that inspire him.
Make festive paper streamers
14 December 2025, 11am-3pm
Head to the Design Museum to make your own festive paper streamers with award-winning designer Bethan Laura Wood. Experiment with laminated papercutting, combining textures and colours to create vibrant designs for your home. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about Bethan’s work and creative journey.
Sing carols at the Royal Albert Hall
14 – 24 December 2025, various times.
Carols are a core part of Christmas, and what better place to enjoy them than at the Royal Albert Hall? Fifteen magical performances are taking place over six days, featuring a mix of modern and traditional favourites. With a full orchestra, choir, presenter and soloist – as well as plenty of sing-alongs – it’s the perfect way to celebrate the festive season.
Celebrate design and disability
Closes 15 February 2026
Discover the radical contributions that disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people and communities have made to design history and contemporary culture. This V&A exhibition challenges ableist perspectives and reframes the concept of disability, showing it as Lucy Webster puts it, “in all its diverse, multifaceted glory”.
Discover contemporary art from the MENA
Closes 1 March 2026
Leighton House is marking its centenary with a range of exhibitions, including The View From Here: Contemporary Art from the Middle East and North Africa. Showcasing the emerging creative voices from the region, it explores memory, identity and heritage with work from Adnan Samman, Rabee Baghshani, Hani Amra and more.
Warm up with Indian cuisine
Daily, 3pm – 10.30pm
If you love Indian cuisine food, beat the winter chill with a selection of authentic dishes at Little India. We use the freshest ingredients to bring the flavours of the Indian subcontinent to South Kensington. With old fashioned service and a relaxed ambience, it’s the perfect place to end a day of exploration, Search ‘Indian cuisine near me’ when in the area and reserve your table.
