How To Spend Winter In Canary Wharf, London

London’s city within a city, Canary Wharf is a vibrant place to spend a holiday or base yourself for an extended business trip. Discover the highlights of Canary Wharf in winter and plan the perfect stay with our guide. You’ll find annual events, special attractions, places to visit, and much more.

Top Annual Attractions In Canary Wharf

For decades, Canary Wharf was known as the city’s banking district, but all that has changed. The estate has evolved into a space where residential apartment buildings, art and culture, retail, and business come together to form a truly vibrant community. Here are some of the top annual attractions you can enjoy in winter:

New Year’s Eve: See out the year with a bang by partying the night away at one of the many New Year’s Eve events taking place in Canary Wharf on 31 December. Many restaurants, bars, and clubs have all sorts of events planned, from multi-course dinners to an ABBA Disco Party.

Marvel at the London New Year’s Day Parade: Floats, street entertainment, music, and a whole lot of pomp and ceremony are part and parcel of this beloved annual tradition. The parade will make its way through Piccadilly, Regents Street St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, starting at 12pm.

See the Winter Lights: The seventh edition of the Canary Wharf Winter Lights festival sees the estate turned into a wonderland of more than 20 stunning installations by some of the world’s most innovative light artists. Grab a delicious snack at the street food market before or after you explore light art that must be seen to be believed. Daily from 5pm – 10pm until 28 January.

Explore the London Art Fair: Head to Islington’s Business Design Centre and immerse yourself in modern and contemporary artworks, installations, and live performances by artists from around the world, as well as talks and tours. 18 to 22 January.

Attend the Canary Wharf Curling Challenge: Learn a new skill with friends and family or sit back and watch the action unfold at the annual Canary Wharf Curling Challenge. The challenge takes place at Ice Rink Canary Wharf from 31 January to 2 February.

Watch films at the London Short Film Festival: Celebrate excellent short filmmaking by taking in a few screenings at the annual London Short Film Festival. This year’s festival takes place at several venues in London from 20 to 29 January.

Go ice skating at Ice Rink Canary Wharf: Get your circulation going by lacing on a pair of skates and whizzing around Ice Rink Canary Wharf. Located in Canada Square Park, the covered rink means the weather will never get between you and a good time. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most popular things to do in Canary Wharf in winter. Some sessions on 18 January and 22 February will be accompanied by live music by Sister Sax. Daily until 25 February.

The Best Things To Do In Canary Wharf In Winter

You’ll find more than 100 pieces including stand-alone sculptures and integrated architectural works by highly respected modern artists around the estate.

Play old-school fairground games: Enjoy a healthy dose of nostalgia by playing old-school fairground games with a modern tech twist at Fairgame in Canary Wharf. You’ll find Shoot-the-Clown, Whac-A-Mole, Roll-A-Ball Derby, Skeeball, and many more, as well as some of London’s top street food vendors and a bar.

Indulge your need for speed with go karts: Head to Capital Karts in Canary Wharf for some adrenalin-pumping racing on the fastest indoor go kart track in the UK. Once you’ve reached the finish line, you can enjoy a refreshing beverage in the on-site bar and lounge.

See the View At The Shard: If you’re lucky enough to have a clear day in Canary Wharf in winter, be sure to take in the View At The Shard. Located a few minutes’ Tube ride from the Estate, The Shard is the tallest building in the UK. The viewing deck between the 68^th and 72^nd floors offer views of up to 60km (40 miles).

Learn about Queer Lives at the Tower of London: Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month by joining Queer Lives at the Tower of London. This immersive theatrical tour will take you through 700 years of history while sharing the untold stories of those who lived, loved, and died at the Tower. 18 – 24 February.

Take a hop-on hop-off bus tour of London: See the sights the easy way by taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour of London. Tours take in all the major attractions, so you can hop off and do some exploring at the sites that interest you before hopping on the next bus to continue your tour.

Stroll through the Crossrail Roof Garden: Marvel at plants from the UK and around the world in the Crossrail Roof Garden. One of London’s largest roof gardens, this gorgeous covered venue also hosts free events all year round, so be sure to check the events calendar when planning your trip.

Enjoy Winter In Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf in winter has plenty to offer visitors. Base yourself at Fraser Place Canary Wharf and enjoy comfortable accommodation during your stay in this vibrant part of London. Our hotel is ideal for extended stays, especially if you’re going to be in the city for business. In addition to offering serviced, well-appointed rooms and suites and a range of amenities, we’re located near superb public transport links. With the addition of the Elizabeth line you can travel directly from Canary Wharf tube station to Bond Street in as little as 25 minutes, or you can get a direct service to Heathrow Airport in just under an hour. Contact us and start planning your stay in London.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it worth visiting Canary Wharf?

Yes, it’s worth visiting Canary Wharf. What was once a banking and business district has evolved into a city within a city, where you’ll find hotels, residences, businesses, events, cafes, and bars, shops and services, public art, open spaces, and much more. The estate’s conveniently located near Central London and boasts excellent public transport links.

Is Canary Wharf free?

There’s no cost to enter Canary Wharf, as the area is part of London. Some events taking place in the estate are ticketed, while others are free.