Christmas temp jobs in London 2026

Checked against each employer's own website on 31 October 2026. Availability in your part of London can change daily.

• Royal Mail

  Seasonal mail sorter, parcel delivery driver, LGV/MGV driver and customer service assistant.

  Applications are open. Some vacancies are advertised by its recruitment partner Angard Staffing, so check there too if you can't see one near you. Pay depends on the shift pattern.

  Apply on Royal Mail's site (source: Royal Mail seasonal roles page)

• Boots

  Around 6,000 seasonal roles nationally across stores, warehouses and its customer support centre.

  Boots says young people and first-time jobseekers typically make up around half of its seasonal recruits. Seasonal staff get colleague discount.

  Apply on Boots's site (source: Boots newsroom, 7 October 2026)

• Amazon

  Fulfilment and sortation warehouse associate roles, including seasonal contracts.

  Amazon advertises hourly pay from £15.10 for warehouse associates from 27 September 2026. Check the minimum age on each role.

  Apply on Amazon's site (source: Amazon jobs page)

Want more options near you? Browse live roles on Shine and save the ones you like to your free Shortlist.

• Shopping centres such as Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City and Brent Cross: shops and food courts add extra staff for late-night shopping.
• Supermarkets: extra shifts for stocking shelves and online orders in the run-up to Christmas.
• Hospitality and events: cafés, restaurants, Christmas markets and venues need front-of-house and bar staff (bar work usually needs you to be 18+).
• Warehouses and delivery: parcel sorting and picking roles, usually with a higher minimum age.

• Which rules apply? The dividing line is minimum school-leaving age, not whether you still attend school, sixth form or college. School-leaving dates differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England you must still stay in education or training until 18; fit work around your course and attendance requirements.
• Once you reach minimum school-leaving age and are under 18: normally up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, in both term time and holidays, including if you continue in sixth form or college. Count hours across all jobs; these limits cannot normally be averaged or opted out of.
• Young workers above school-leaving age normally get a 30-minute break when working more than 4.5 hours, 12 hours' daily rest and 48 hours' weekly rest. Young workers normally cannot work between 10pm and 6am (or 11pm and 7am if the contract allows). Limited exceptions have conditions, not blanket permission for a whole sector; check GOV.UK before accepting a late shift. Work between midnight and 4am is prohibited.
• At 15–16, while still below minimum school-leaving age: up to 12 hours a week in term time (2 on school days and Sundays; 8 on Saturdays), or 35 hours in school holidays (8 on weekdays/Saturdays; 2 on Sundays). No work during school hours or before 7am or after 7pm. Local council rules and permits may add restrictions.
• Children below school-leaving age must have a 60-minute break after no more than 4 hours of work and at least 2 consecutive weeks without work during school holidays each calendar year.
• Hours checked 21 October 2026. Sources: GOV.UK child employment; Acas young workers; GOV.UK rest breaks; GOV.UK school-leaving age; GOV.UK night work.

1. Write down the days and times you're free in November and December, including after college.
2. Make a one-page CV with our first CV template. No experience is fine — list school, volunteering and anything you're reliable at.
3. Apply online to 5–10 roles in one go rather than waiting to hear back from one.
4. Pick up your phone and check your email: seasonal interviews are often short and booked fast.
5. Check your first payslip matches the minimum wage for your age.

When should I apply for a Christmas job in London?

Now. Big employers opened their 2026 seasonal recruitment in September and October, and many roles start in November. Apply as early as you can; seasonal shifts fill fast once December gets close.

Can a 16 year old get a Christmas job?

Yes, in many shops, cafés and hospitality roles. Some warehouse, delivery and driving roles have a higher minimum age, so always check the advert before you apply.

How much should a Christmas temp be paid?

Temps have the same minimum wage as anyone else. From April 2026 that is £8.00 an hour at 16–17, £10.85 at 18–20 and £12.71 at 21 and over. Many employers pay more.

How many hours can I work over Christmas if I'm under 18?

Once you reach minimum school-leaving age and are under 18: normally up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, in both term time and holidays, including if you continue in sixth form or college. Count hours across all jobs; these limits cannot normally be averaged or opted out of. At 15–16, while still below minimum school-leaving age: up to 12 hours a week in term time (2 on school days and Sundays; 8 on Saturdays), or 35 hours in school holidays (8 on weekdays/Saturdays; 2 on Sundays). No work during school hours or before 7am or after 7pm. Local council rules and permits may add restrictions. The dividing line is minimum school-leaving age, not whether you still attend school, sixth form or college. School-leaving dates differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England you must still stay in education or training until 18; fit work around your course and attendance requirements.

Can a Christmas temp job become permanent?

Sometimes. Employers often keep reliable seasonal staff on after January. Ask at the end of your contract whether there are ongoing part-time shifts.

Sources: Royal Mail seasonal roles, Boots: around 6,000 festive roles (7 Oct 2026), Amazon fulfilment roles, GOV.UK minimum wage rates, GOV.UK young workers' hours. Last reviewed 31 October 2026 by the Shine careers team.

More help: teen jobs, minimum wage by age, first CV template.