It’s starting to really feel lots like Christmas… And from sparkly lights to markets, festive occasions and ice rinks, there are some magical issues to do for Christmas in London with children. Up to date for 2024
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And Christmas 2024 is pulling out the stops to get everybody feeling festive, from gentle trails to Christmas markets and midwinter points of interest in London.
There’s are Christmas exhibits and conventional pantomimes, some free issues to do in London at Christmas, and loads of locations to make unforgettable recollections – for those who’re questioning ho ho how to decide on, take a look at my choose of the perfect this Christmas in London with children.
With some occasions nonetheless to be introduced, I’ll even be updating this publish so preserve a watch out for brand new Christmas occasions too
See the London Christmas lights
London’s festive lights begin showing across the metropolis throughout November, so that you’re nearly assured to identify some twinkling decorations wherever you go.
Verify the switch-on dates for among the greatest and greatest right here, in addition to my London Christmas lights strolling route
Earlier years have seen every thing from peacock feathers in Bond Road to the planets glowing over Carnaby Road, in addition to angels in Regent Road, so that you’re assured some attractive shows to see.
A whole lot of the department shops get in on the motion too, with festive facelifts for outlets like Fortnum & Mason, which has remodeled itself into an enormous introduction calendar, or this eagerly awaited window shows at Selfridges to see what is going to substitute final 12 months’s rock’n’roll-inspired show.
And for those who don’t fancy wandering aimlessly to identify the perfect, there are some nice Christmas excursions in addition to my very own self-guided Christmas lights strolling tour – one of the festively enjoyable needs to be the Christmas Silent Disco stroll (for age 6+).
The tour begins close to Marble Arch and Hyde Park earlier than taking you previous among the metropolis’s Christmas lights, with a playlist of Christmas classics, enjoyable commentary and different hits – dancing technically non-compulsory, however let’s face it, who can resist?
Or save your toes and go for a bus tour as an alternative. The Christmas lights tour from Tootbus lasts round 60 minutes, and begins from November 17 (till January 2), or you may hop aboard this barely longer open-top doubledecker tour as effectively.
Comply with a lightweight path
You’ll discover extra lights than simply these over London’s purchasing streets, with a string of festive gentle trails, some working into the New Yr.
Try my choose of the perfect illuminated trails in London with children for extra particulars
One of many latest gentle trails within the capital shall be coming to Fulham Palace with the London Illuminated Gentle Path opening on November 28, whereas the ever-popular Christmas at Kew Backyard is again from November 13.
A number of favourites, together with Christmas at Kenwood and Enchanted Eltham Palace have been changed by different Christmas occasions this 12 months – there’s a brand new occasion, The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham on the latter – so there’s much less alternative this 12 months.
And the free lights at Canary Wharf and Battersea Energy Station don’t usually gentle up till after the New Yr.
Go to a Christmas market
Whether or not you’re in search of conventional items, Santa’s grotto, workshops or rides, there’s a string of nice Christmas markets in London with children to select from – most have their very own twist reasonably than the form of conventional Christmas market you’ll discover in Europe, nevertheless it additionally means you may go to a number of with out becoming bored.
A few of my very own favourites are on the banks of the Thames, together with the beautiful Southbank Centre Christmas market and winter pageant, with some fabulous pop-up meals stalls, illuminations on the Queen’s Stroll and a conventional carousel.
For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with children, in addition to the Southbank Centre winter market, take a look at my ideas
Additional east, there’s Christmas by the River close to London Bridge; quieter and smaller than among the different markets, there are sometimes workshops in addition to stalls.
On the different finish of the size, the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a blaze of color, enjoyable and noise: there are rides for all ages, together with an ice slide, Santa’s grotto, an ice rink, circus and lots extra probabilities to spent your cash, together with at wood chalets promoting meals and items.
Again from November 21, entry is ticketed so it’s not free to enter, though for those who e-book £25 value of points of interest, your entry payment is included
Or within the coronary heart of London, you may normally discover a conventional Bavarian-style market at Leicester Sq. Christmas market, with over 30 stalls and meals, though there aren’t any plans for a Santa’s Grotto and no confirmed family-friendly occasions this 12 months.
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with children, take a look at my prime picks
And also you’ll additionally discover a small market in Trafalgar Sq. with round 20 stalls promoting items, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and meals.
For extra Christmas markets, together with Greenwich, Battersea Energy Station and Kingston, take a look at my publish on the greatest Christmas markets in London with children for extra particulars.
See Santa
If you wish to see Santa in London, you must transfer early, particularly for among the large identify occasions like Hamleys as many get booked up quick.
However that’s not the one place to seek out Santa’s Grotto in London: most of the Christmas markets have an opportunity to satisfy the person in purple (scroll up for extra strategies) though keep in mind you might want a separate timed ticket for some.
Santa additionally makes an look at a number of of London’s museums and galleries too. We noticed him on the London Transport Museum, which is a beautiful relaxed occasion for youths who would possibly get shy or overwhelmed, and he’s anticipated to be again once more for 2024.
Or hearken to Father Christmas telling a few of his favorite festive tales across the Christmas tree at Kenwood, with a gift for each baby. Should be prebooked.
You may typically discover Santa at London Zoo in December, in addition to a Santa with a definite distinction at Shrek the Halls, the place the large inexperienced ogre will get a festive makeover – enterprise inside Shrek’s grotto between November 30 and December 24, and revel in a deal with from the elves in addition to the same old enjoyable of Far Far Away. Or head out to Alexandra Palace the place there’s a beautiful grotto.
For different locations to satisfy Father Christmas, preserve a watch out for on the Museum of London Docklands, whereas he’s typically on board a speedboat on the river too, with the Jingle Bell Blast from Thames Rockets.
For extra locations to see Santa in London with children, take a look at my prime picks
Board a Santa Steam practice
Discover Santa taking a time without work from the sleigh, with one of many two Santa steam trains working in London this 12 months.
For 3 years, the Steam Desires Santa Steam Specific trains have been London’s solely Santa steam practice, nevertheless it’s being joined by the Polar Specific this 12 months.
The Santa Steam Specific shall be departing from Victoria on December 20 and 21, with 4 trains per day chuffing out of the town on a 75-minute journey round London, with Santa and his merry helpers additionally boarding the festively embellished Seventies carriages.
There’s a drink and a candy deal with for youths (plus a heat drink and mince pie for grown-ups), plus a present from Father Christmas as he passes by means of the practice – you may improve to First Class as effectively for mulled wine (adults solely!) and extra spacious seats, for those who fancy giving your self an early Christmas current.
Try our assessment of a visit on the Santa Steam Specific
Or the latest UK Polar Specific to depart shall be steaming out of London this December, departing from Euston station for a journey lasting between an hour and 90 minutes, on a magical journey which can transport you from north London to the North Pole.
Wearing your cosiest pyjamas (you may even get your personal personalised Polar Specific pair), you’ll meet well-known characters from the film in addition to the person in purple himself, Santa. Runs on choose dates from December 6-23, 2024.
Take a Christmas strolling tour
Have you learnt why turkeys wore boots on their approach to market? Or who invented the Christmas card? There are some nice Christmas strolling excursions of London to reply the questions – this two-hour Christmas stroll is led by an expert information.
This two-hour family-friendly Christmas tour additionally takes in among the metropolis’s Christmas lights in addition to promising some festive anecdotes.
Or be part of a Dickensian Christmas stroll – this personal tour is themed round A Christmas Carol. Operating for 2 to 3 hours, it’s higher with older children, though tailor-made to your group, and can present you the town that Ebeneezer Scrooge may need recognised.
Go ice skating
The looks of London’s pop-up ice skating rinks at all times indicators the beginning of Christmas for me – set in among the metropolis’s most iconic places, it’s at all times tempting to tug on some skates earlier than warming up with scorching chocolate and mulled wine.
When you can’t wait, the Canary Wharf Ice rink is the primary to open on October 26, whereas Skate at Somerset Home shall be again from November, with the courtyard reworking for winter.
The ice rink at Hampton Courtroom Palace additionally returns from November 22 to January 5, with the grand facade of the palace lit up within the background. Or ice skate by the river on three linked rinks at Glide at Battersea Energy Station for a backdrop with a distinction.
You’ll additionally discover an ice rink at Winter Wonderland from November 21-January 5, for those who’re visiting the Christmas market or Santaland (or having fun with the rides) there.
Don’t make plans to go to the rink on the Pure Historical past Museum – 2021 was the ultimate time you may mix skating and dinosaurs – whereas the rink within the Tower of London moat has additionally been completely closed, whereas the rink on the Queen’s Home in Greenwich can also be not returning.
For extra particulars and concepts of the place to ice skate in London with children, together with year-round choices, take a look at my prime picks
See a pantomime or Christmas theatre
It’s not Christmas with out a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!) plus you can even discover some fantastic London theatre exhibits together with conventional Christmas productions and different family-friendly performances.
For my full checklist of the greatest Christmas theatre in London with children, take a look at this publish
It’s value checking what ages are allowed earlier than you e-book: regardless of being geared toward households, some theatres received’t settle for youngsters beneath 5 (take a passport or some type of ID in case your children are 5 plus however look youthful than their age).
This 12 months’s choice contains Peter Pan on the London Palladium and Cinderella on the Lyric Hammersmith, plus Aladdin on the Hackney Empire.
Look out for classics too together with the Nutcracker, on on the London Coliseum in addition to the Snowman on the Peacock Theatre. Or head to the Previous Vic to see A Christmas Carol, additionally geared toward age 8+.
There’s one other basic story with Hansel and Gretel on the Globe Theatre – geared toward age 5+, it runs from November 29-January 5, 2025. Or for youthful theatregoers, there’s one other witch in , Room on the Broom on the Lyric Theatre, from November 22-January 5, 2025.
For a Christmas present with a distinction, take a look at The Wizard Of Oz on Ice at Alexandra Palace this December, the place you’ll additionally discover a deliciously humorous different to all issues merry and vivid as Horrible Histories takes on the festive season with Horrible Christmas at Alexandra Palace from December 12-January 4, 2025.
Hear some carols
One in all my favourites components of Christmas in London with children is listening to carols sung when you’re out and about – however to ensure a rendition of some favourites, there are some organised occasions to take a look at too.
Trafalgar Sq. has carol teams fundraising for various charities within the weeks working as much as Christmas, singing by the large Christmas tree – a present from Norway yearly since 1947.
Or there are carol performances among the many sell-out occasions for Christmas on the Royal Albert Corridor.
It’s also possible to hear carols at St Paul’s Cathedral which normally has a sequence of free occasions throughout December – unsurprisingly common, be ready to get there early and queue to get a seat.
And St Martin within the Fields has some festive household carols occasions amongst its Christmas programme – do prebook these too, as they promote out quick.
Bach to Child Christmas live shows
Bach to Child has made a reputation for its family-friendly classical music performances, aimed particularly at infants as much as college age youngsters, whether or not you’re a classical music aficionado or trying to be taught.
They usually get a festive twist from November 16-December 31, with a complete sequence of magical music from completely different intervals and locations, some common festive tales, singalong carols and a sprinkling of sleigh bells.
Two youngsters go free for each grownup, and dressing up is inspired. Prebooking is strongly beneficial, with venues in places round London.
Battersea Arts Centre festive expertise
For one of the interactive theatrical experiences this Christmas, head to Battersea Arts Centre the place Wild Rumpus are introducing a brand new festive expertise.
The Holly King & The Oak King is predicated round an outdated Celtic folks story, the place the ruler of winter, snow and darkness battles the king of summer time, heat and light to see which season will reign supreme – however one significantly lengthy winter, the Holly King’s chilly defeats the Oak King’s warmth, plunging the world right into a deep freeze.
Can the Oak King restore stability to the seasons? This magical journey seems to be on the stability of nature and the weather. For ages 3+, from November 29 to December 24.
Head to Kingdom of Winter
2024 TBC New final 12 months, Kingdom of Winter is because of return once more and pack London’s Excel Centre with festive enjoyable.
Final 12 months’s occasion included ice skating and an ice expedition path, fairground rides, a circus and loads of locations to choose up Christmas presents and stocking fillers.
Add in food and drinks galore – plus it’s indoors, if the climate is feeling lower than festive. 2023 Tickets price from £5.50 for entry (with various charges of tremendous off-peak, off-peak and commonplace, in addition to early hen reductions) with further prices for various points of interest. There have been restricted tickets for the ice skating, ice expedition and circus, and it ran from December 8-January 7.
Go to the Tower of London
One in all my favorite locations to go to in London with children, the Tower of London will get dressed up for Christmas as effectively.
This 12 months, there’s an opportunity to see how the wealthy and highly effective would have celebrated the festive season in centuries passed by.
There’ll be specifically created shows that present how kings and queens loved Christmas, together with Edward I’s lavish medieval feast to the entertainments of the Tudor Courtroom, plus you may pose on a throne in your personal regal household portrait.
This Christmas, discover a royal celebration on the Tower of London with specifically created shows that showcase how kings and queens of the previous celebrated the festive interval.
As you roam the fortress, study King Edward I’s lavish medieval Christmas feast, uncover the spectacle of festive leisure on the Tudor court docket, and sit upon a throne for a regal household portrait. From November 29-January 5, 2025
Evens are included in admission (free for members) – there’s a reduction for those who purchase through tiqets utilizing my low cost code ‘MUMMYTRAVELS6‘ utilizing this hyperlink.
Uncover Christmas previous on the Museum of the House
When you’re trying to learn how Christmas has been celebrated over the centuries – to not point out winter festivals from different cultures and religions, head to the Museum of the House.
The houses from Winter Previous remodel the rooms by means of time shows with a makeover to point out numerous festive scenes from by means of historical past (and reasonably much less festive scenes within the case of a Puritan Christmas) – final 12 months this ran from late November to early January.
Free to enter, you can even uncover how Boxing Day bought its identify, plus there are normally celebrations of different winter festivals together with Diwali and Hanukkah, in addition to workshops happening. TBC for 2024.
See the primary Christmas card on the Postal Museum
See the world’s first Christmas card on show with the same old winter makeover on the Postal Museum, which features a show of magical letters exchanged between youngsters and Santa since 1964 (and a few of his replies).
The Mail Rail – the underground practice as soon as used for transporting publish – will even be getting its personal festive makeover, with the very first King’s Speech as a part of the audio performed in the course of the trip.
Plus there are usually a string of different household actions happening – earlier years have included every thing from interactive storytelling for youthful children to the prospect to make a particular festive cookery e-book. There are additionally normally festive tunnel walks for these aged 12+, exploring a route not usually visited by the usual tunnel walks.
Occasions dates tbc, included in your ticket (tunnel walks have to be prebooked individually).
Add some magic at Hogwarts within the snow
A go to to the Warner Bros Studio Tour is enchanting at any time of 12 months for Harry Potter followers, however head there within the winter and also you get the added magic of Hogwarts within the snow.
The units from the flicks get a festive transformation – count on snow within the Forbidden Forest once more, in addition to on the cobbled stones of Diagon Alley, over Hagrid’s Hut and on the Hogwarts Citadel Mannequin.
This 12 months the Nice Corridor shall be bedecked within the gold decorations from the primary movie, plus a blanket of filmmaking snow over the Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley.
Earlier winter touches have included wreaths and garlands within the Nice Corridor – and a tree topped with witches on miniature broomsticks – whereas the desk is prepared for the Christmas feast, together with flaming Christmas puddings and prop meals.
December dates get booked in a short time so it’s one to snap up early. It’s also possible to e-book tickets together with transport from central London on the tiqets web site – there’s a reduction utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6 for those who e-book utilizing my hyperlink. Hogwarts within the Snow runs from November 16 to January 19, 2025.
For extra Harry Potter places in London, take a look at my prime picks for followers
Drink scorching chocolate
When there’s a nip within the air, particularly for those who’re out on ice rinks or wandering round Christmas markets, you’ve bought the right excuse for warm chocolate (although I’m first within the queue as quickly as autumn rolls round).
And neglect the unusual on a regular basis scorching chocolate, as a result of London specialises in some indulgently extravagant drinks to strive.
For traditional variations with added deal with issue, head to conventional favourites like Venchi in addition to Lodge Chocolat, which each have branches throughout the town together with in Covent Backyard.
Look out for extra extravagant creations at Chin Chin Labs in Camden and Soho – higher recognized for its ice cream, when temperatures drop, they swap to scorching chocolate with charred marshmallow fluff on prime.
For extra of the perfect scorching chocolate in London with children, take a look at my picks
Rococo has a string of bizarre flavours so as to add to its prime quality chocolate – suppose white chocolate and cardamom, for instance, in addition to ultra-dark chocolate and child-friendly milk chocolate.
Or Knoops guarantees a alternative of twenty-two completely different ranges, from creamy white proper as much as 100% darkish chocolate. Began in Rye, the place it’s a favorite of ours, there are six branches in London now too.
Ruby Violet in Kings Cross, one other favorite cease for ice cream, additionally has some fabulously wealthy scorching chocolate: served in a small gold cup, it’s all of the indulgent sugar hit you want.
And for those who’re in east London – or joyful to journey for the final word scorching chocolate – head to Darkish Sugars on Brick Lane or Nelson Highway in Greenwich, which additionally has some improbable flavours and chocolate shavings galore to prime your drink.
Discover the Gingerbread Metropolis on the Museum of Structure
2024 TBC When you’ve ever made a gingerbread home for Christmas along with your children, it pales by comparability to the astonishing Gingerbread Metropolis from the Museum of Structure, which moved to its new residence of Westfield White Metropolis in 2023.
Slightly than just a few bits of biscuit glued along with icing and splodged with Smarties, this annual exhibition sees architects, designers and engineers create an intricate and inventive show, with a complete metropolis of gingerbread.
When you’re feeling impressed, there are normally gingerbread-making workshops for households on the Museum in Belgravia too – not included with tickets to the exhibition, you need to e-book these individually and should be prebooked.
Ran from early December early January final 12 months, priced from £12.50. Mixed Gingerbread home workshop and exhibition tickets price from £90 for 2 folks (single particular person tickets out there for adults solely). Tickets should be prebooked.
The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace
There’s a model new probability to see Santa with a magical immersive expertise at Eltham Palace this 12 months, known as The Spirit of Christmas. The hour-long occasion takes you thru the Artwork Deco mansion as you assist Father Christmas restore the true which means of Christmas and save the magic of Lapland.
Assembly magical characters and passing by means of enchanted rooms, you’ll get to get pleasure from performances and storytelling earlier than lastly assembly the person in purple himself. There’s a present as a thanks for serving to, and loads of probabilities to take pictures.
A beautiful different to a grotto expertise, it’s excellent for reminding everybody of the true which means of Christmas too. Should be prebooked, and there’s a reduction for English Heritage members, together with an additional early hen deal for those who e-book by finish of October. Runs on weekends from November 23-December 22.
Festive enjoyable with the Nationwide Belief
There are many festive touches on the Nationwide Belief properties in London, together with an opportunity to satisfy Santa.
When you’ve bought youthful children, this opportunity to see Father Christmas at Morden Corridor Park is geared toward infants as much as youngsters aged 8. You’ll begin the go to by writing or drawing your Christmas wishlist earlier than posting it and heading in to the enchanted grotto to satisfy Santa, and get a gift made by the elves. Weekends from November 30-December 15.
Or head to Ham Home, which additionally has its personal fantastic conventional Christmas tree, and crafts for youths to get pleasure from.
If all of the crowds and over-indulgence are catching up with you, there are sometimes particular winter trails to tempt everybody outdoor on the London Nationwide Belief websites too.
With a pure play space within the woodland at Osterley Home in west London, plus the location’s gardens and grounds to discover, it’s not exhausting to seek out some enjoyable methods burn off these mince pies. You’ll additionally discover wreath-making workshops for age 12+.
Be a part of Snowy’s Conservation Crew on the SeaLife Aquarium
Head to SeaLife London this winter to affix Snowy, who’s on a mission to try to assist the animals of the North Pole have an ideal festive interval and a good higher, safer future.
There’s an opportunity to find extra in regards to the animals which dwell on the Arctic, together with the colony of Gentoo Penguins, in addition to how one can assist preserve them secure, with challenges to deal with alongside the best way.
Included in commonplace entry for those who e-book tickets on-line to go to from December 7-24.
For extra issues to do in London with children, together with uncommon issues to do with children in London and the perfect locations to remain in London with children, take a look at a few of my different posts
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT CHRISTMAS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This publish accommodates paid promotion and affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Kew at Christmas: Jeff Eden/RBG Kew; Trafalgar Sq./scorching chocolate photographs courtesy of Depositphotos; Snowman statues courtesy Fleet Road Quarter; all others copyright MummyTravels