Winter Activities at Canary Wharf and West India Quay

Published 05/12/2024

This winter, enjoy a variety of activities at Canary Wharf and West India Quay. Whether you’re looking for a lively carol concert, an exciting ice-skating experience, or a cozy movie, you’ll find everything you need to make the season enjoyable.

Winter Ice Skating

Boot up and glide into a frosty wonderland with Canary Wharf’s popular ice rink, back again for 2024 and into early 2025. The iconic Canary Wharf rink offers 875 square metres, undercover, for novices and professionals to hone their bunny hops, toe loops and axels. Immerse yourself in this winter wonderland experience, and book now at: https://icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk

Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival

Now in its ninth year, this immersive experience invites you to journey through 11 spectacular temporary installations for the winter season, along with the popular permanent light artworks.

The Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival showcases some of the most innovative light artists across the globe, and the 2025 edition explores the transformative and otherworldly qualities of art and light, featuring portals, black holes and mirages. Winter Lights is free to visit, the map will be available to download in January to help guide you around the installations or, you’ll be able to pick one up when you arrive. The installations will be open 5-10pm daily.

Santa Stair Climb

Feeling energetic this winter? The Felix Project is taking over Canary Wharf on December 8 with a unique challenge: to climb all 1031 steps and 48 floors of Canary Wharf’s One Canada Square.
Alongside the fun, festive theme, participants will enjoy breathtaking, unique views across London from the top of the tower once you conquer it. Each climber has a suggested fundraising target of £300, helping as a group raise enough funds to rescue and redistribute 825,000 meals for Londoners in need. https://www.santastairclimb.com

Canary Wharf Carols by Candlelight

A magical evening of festive music is planned for Wednesday, December 18, when the Canary Wharf Multifaith Chaplaincy joins with Canary Wharf Group to present music under the stars at the Crossrail Place Roof Garden. Join as they celebrate the season with readings and carols, led by the OfGem choir, followed by festive refreshments from Dishoom. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Poplar Salvation Army Christmas Project. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.

Meet Victorian Santa!

Meet Victorian Santa, cosy and festive in his Christmas grotto at West India Quay’s London Museum. The Sailortown gallery, which houses Santa’s grotto until December 23, has been decorated ready for your visit to share your Christmas wishes, and receive a special gift to take home if you’ve been nice.

Book in advance to secure your spot.

• Sessions run daily between 10.15am – 4.15pm
• Sessions last 15 minutes, accommodating up to four children per slot

Families with multiple tickets can choose to visit Santa together or separately: https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/santas-grotto/

This December, Cineworld West India Quay is giving you the chance to relive all your favourite classic festive movies including Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone.

Tickets for this special festive feature are just £5 each, with a booking fee, and can be booked here.

Festive Shopping at Canary Wharf

If you love shopping, then winter at Canary Wharf has you covered, with festive shopping experiences across the malls. Throughout the holidays, there will be a diverse lineup of live music performances to serenade you on your shopping experience, from guitar solos to timeless jazz classics.

At House of Canary Wharf, an exclusive pop-up, you’ll be invited to explore a rotating line up of your favourite beauty and fashion brands, each taking over a uniquely styled room. From the cozy Powder Room to the glamorous Walk-in Wardrobe, prepare to be enchanted. House of Canary Wharf is open daily from 10am-7pm throughout November and December and is free to attend. Select products may be available for purchase on-site, so check the schedule and plan your visit here: https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/house-of-canary-wharf/

Why not park at Saba’s West India Quay Car Park while you enjoy a range of winter experiences?

With 558 bays, including 12 disabled bays and two EV charging points, this multi-storey car park offers safe, secure and accessible parking.

• For 10% off short stay parking, valid until December 31, 2024, simply use the code WIQWINTER24
• If you’re purchasing a permit, use the code SNOW24 to get 20% off a twelve-month permit. Valid until December 31, 2024.

Find out more and book your parking HERE.