East London does Christmas properly.
None of the frantic, overpriced, tourist-trap energy you get in central London. Instead: a neighbourhood that genuinely knows how to put a night together, world-class venues within walking distance of each other, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as a backdrop that looks genuinely magical when the winter light hits right.
If you’re planning a December in this part of the city – whether you’re a local, visiting family, or just looking for an excuse to get out of the house – here’s everything worth knowing about Christmas in east London this year.
Ebony Scrooge at Sadler’s Wells East
This is the one. Sadler’s Wells East – which opened inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2025 and has already established itself as one of London’s most exciting new performance venues – is bringing back Ebony Scrooge this December.
It’s a hip hop Christmas Carol. Retold through spoken word and dance, rooted in Black British culture, and genuinely moving in ways that a lot of festive theatre isn’t. The original production was sold out and acclaimed – the return feels like confirmation that this is becoming a proper east London Christmas tradition.
Sadler’s Wells East is a ten-minute walk from us here at Draughts. We’d strongly suggest coming for food and games before the show, letting the pre-show energy build properly before you head in. Check the Sadler’s Wells website for exact dates and tickets – they go fast.
The Chase the Moon Christmas Run at QEOP
For the runners, the active types, or anyone who wants to earn their Christmas dinner: the Chase the Moon Christmas Run takes over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Wednesday 9th December 2026.
It’s a 5k or 10k evening run around the park, timed to run after dark and through some of London’s most iconic Olympic venues. Festive dress is very much encouraged, and there’s a themed medal, water, and goodies at the finish. The looped route takes you past the Aquatics Centre (yes, where we are), the Velodrome, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, and the London Stadium itself.
It’s one of those events that sounds a bit daft and turns out to be properly fun. If you’re doing it as a group, come to us beforehand – carb-load properly, argue about who’s going to win, and then come back afterwards for a well-deserved drink and a game while you wait for your legs to stop hurting.
Westfield Stratford City
If you want Christmas shopping without the exhaustion of Oxford Street, Westfield Stratford City is one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe and five minutes from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It goes all-in for Christmas – tree, lights, events, the works.
The advantage over central London is both practical and psychological: you can actually move. The connections are brilliant (Stratford station is one of the best-connected transport hubs in London), the range is comprehensive, and you don’t have to take three tubes home with seventeen bags.
It’s not where you’d spend an entire day, but it makes a perfectly easy hour before or after everything else east London has to offer at Christmas.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit in Winter
The ArcelorMittal Orbit – that enormous red sculpture you can see from pretty much anywhere in east London – offers some of the best views in the city, and in December those views get genuinely dramatic. Cold clear days give you visibility all the way to the City, with London lit up and the park stripped back to its winter bones.
The slide (the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide) is also available year-round if you need something to do with children or adults who think a giant slide is exactly as brilliant as they did at age seven. Which it is.
The Orbit is a five-minute walk from us at Draughts and well worth combining with a visit if you haven’t been.
Draughts: Your Warm Base for December
Here’s an honest pitch. December in London is brilliant, but it’s also exhausting. The weather is cold, everywhere is busy, and sometimes you just want to be warm, fed, and doing something that doesn’t involve queuing.
December in London is brilliant, but it’s also exhausting.
We’re a bar, restaurant and board game cafe inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Over 1,000 games. A proper menu. A bar that does what a bar should do in December. We’re at 5 Aquatics Walk, E20 2AS – right in the park, a short walk from Stratford station and Maryland overground.
Whether you’re coming before a show at Sadler’s Wells East, after the Christmas Run, between bouts of Westfield shopping, or simply because December is a brilliant time for a long afternoon with good people and a game you’ve been meaning to learn all year – we’re here for it.
Christmas party bookings are available too. We do brilliant group nights – there’s genuinely nothing like having 8 or 10 people round a table playing a game no one knows instead of yet another set-menu-and-DJ Christmas party. More on that at draughtslondon.com.
Book a table in advance – December fills up fast, especially weekends.
Getting to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in December
Stratford station (Elizabeth Line, Jubilee Line, DLR, Overground, National Rail) puts you five minutes from the park on foot. It’s one of the best-connected stations in London and significantly less stressful than anything involving central London in December. From Liverpool Street it’s four minutes on the Elizabeth Line. From London Bridge, fourteen minutes. From King’s Cross, twelve minutes.
Maryland Overground station (five minutes walk from Draughts) is also an option if you’re coming from north or east.
Practical Tips for Christmas in East London
- Sadler’s Wells East tickets go quickly. Don’t wait until December to book Ebony Scrooge.
- Book your table at Draughts in advance for any Friday or Saturday in December. We fill up.
- The Christmas Run on December 9th is an evening event – check letsdothis.com for registration and exact timings.
- Westfield Stratford City is open late in December and much less chaotic than central shopping districts.
- The park is free to enter year-round. A winter walk between venues is genuinely lovely, especially on a cold clear day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in east London at Christmas?
East London in December offers Ebony Scrooge at Sadler’s Wells East (a critically acclaimed hip hop Christmas Carol), the Chase the Moon Christmas Run at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on December 9th, Christmas shopping at Westfield Stratford City, views from the ArcelorMittal Orbit, and board games and food at Draughts – right inside the Olympic Park. It’s a genuinely brilliant set of options that avoids central London entirely.
Where is Sadler’s Wells East?
Sadler’s Wells East is in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. It’s a short walk from Stratford station and about ten minutes on foot from Draughts.
What is Ebony Scrooge?
Ebony Scrooge is a hip hop retelling of A Christmas Carol, rooted in Black British culture and featuring spoken word, rap, and contemporary dance. It was created and performed at Sadler’s Wells East and quickly established itself as one of London’s most exciting festive theatre productions. It returns to Sadler’s Wells East in December 2026.
What is the Chase the Moon Christmas Run?
The Chase the Moon Christmas Run is a 5k and 10k evening running event through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Wednesday 9th December 2026. Runners are encouraged to wear festive dress, and the route passes the London 2012 Olympic venues including the Aquatics Centre, Velodrome, and ArcelorMittal Orbit. There are themed medals and goodies at the finish.
Where is Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park?
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is in Stratford, east London. The main entrance is off Stratford High Street, and it’s a five-minute walk from Stratford station. The park contains London Stadium, Sadler’s Wells East, the London Aquatics Centre, the Velodrome, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, V&A East, and Draughts.
Is Westfield Stratford City good for Christmas shopping?
Yes – Westfield Stratford City is one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe, with over 300 shops and restaurants. It’s directly connected to Stratford station and significantly less crowded than Oxford Street. It’s a practical and comprehensive option for Christmas shopping in east London.
Where can I eat near Sadler’s Wells East?
Draughts is a ten-minute walk from Sadler’s Wells East, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at 5 Aquatics Walk, E20 2AS. We serve food and drinks throughout the day, and you can combine a meal and a board game session with your show visit. Book in advance on weekends and in December.
What Christmas party options are available in east London?
Draughts does Christmas party bookings for groups wanting something different to the standard Christmas party format. Instead of a set menu and a DJ, you get a table, great food and drinks, and over 1,000 board games. It’s popular with work groups, friend groups, and families who want a proper night rather than just a meal. More details at draughtslondon.com.
How do I get to Stratford from central London?
Stratford is extremely well connected. From Liverpool Street it’s four minutes on the Elizabeth Line. From London Bridge it’s around 14 minutes. From King’s Cross it’s around 12 minutes. The Elizabeth Line, Jubilee Line, DLR, Overground, and National Rail all serve Stratford station.
What is the ArcelorMittal Orbit?
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is a 114.5-metre observation tower and sculpture in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, designed by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond for the London 2012 Olympics. It includes an observation deck with views across London and the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide. It’s open year-round and is a five-minute walk from Draughts.
Is Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park free to visit?
Yes – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is free to enter year-round. Individual attractions within the park (including the ArcelorMittal Orbit) charge separately, but walking the park itself, visiting the public areas, and accessing venues like Draughts all require no entry fee.
When should I book a table at Draughts for December?
As soon as possible. December is our busiest month and Friday and Saturday evenings in particular fill up quickly. Book at draughtslondon.com to reserve your table in advance.
