Christmas in London with Kids is magical! Forget the endless online searches—we’ve wrapped up all the must-do Christmas activities for you, making holiday planning a breeze.
From soaring high on the ice rinks set against iconic backdrops and whispering wishes to the man himself at the best Santa’s Grottos, to experiencing the wonder of unforgettable light trails and festive shows, this is your ultimate guide. Get ready to bundle up, grab a hot chocolate, and create some truly sparkling Christmas memories right here in the capital!
Showstopper Immersive Experiences for kids
Wundrful World of Christmas
From Adults £22.50 | Child £17.50
This hugely successful Australian immersive experience makes its UK debut this winter at Borough Yards! Designed for young believers aged 3 to 8, it’s a 50-minute theatrical journey to the North Pole, blending live actors and mixed-reality effects. Families will explore Santa’s HQ, ride the Wundr Lift, join the elves in the toy workshop, meet Mrs. Claus in her kitchen, and enjoy a memorable photo opportunity with Father Christmas himself.
Polar Express
Tickets from £64.95
All aboard for a truly immersive journey to the North Pole! Departing from London Euston Station, this official theatrical experience brings the beloved Christmas movie to life. Families are invited to wear their pyjamas, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies served by dancing chefs, interact with the Conductor and characters, and receive the first gift of Christmas—a silver sleigh bell—from Santa Claus himself! It’s a heartwarming, hour-long train ride adventure that will make you truly believe.
Best Family Ice Skating Rinks in London
Lace up your skates and glide into the most picturesque rinks the capital has to offer! From majestic palace backdrops to skyscraper settings, here are the most iconic and magical of them all.
Skate at Somerset House
Adults from £15 Child £10
The classic choice! Skate in the magnificent neoclassical courtyard around a huge Christmas tree, with festive music and a great atmosphere. Perfect for central London sightseeing.
Glide at Battersea Power Station
Family Tickets from £13.75 pp
London’s newest and coolest riverside rink, featuring three interconnected rinks and a brand new Skate Trail for 2025! Skate against the iconic backdrop of the power station and the Thames.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
Adults from £14 | Child from £13.50
A truly regal experience. Skate on the huge outdoor rink set against the stunning, floodlit Tudor palace of King Henry VIII—it feels like a fairytale!
Queen’s House Ice Rink
Adults from £19 | Child from £16.50
Back for 2025, this rink offers beautiful views of Canary Wharf and the historic UNESCO World Heritage site, often making it a slightly quieter, more relaxed option.
Winter Wonderland
Entry FREE – £7.50 peak
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is London’s ultimate festive playground, transforming a corner of the park into a magical spectacle perfect for families. It’s an enormous festival bursting with thrilling rollercoasters, gentle Santa Land rides for the little ones, and the UK’s largest open-air Ice Rink.
Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Magical Ice Kingdom or the chance to visit Santa’s Grotto! Justin Fletchers Sing-a-long and Zippos Circus will also be worth a visit. With street food, dazzling lights, and a huge Christmas market, this is a must-visit for unforgettable family memories. Entry is by pre-booked ticket, with off-peak slots often free—plan ahead for the best value!
Where to Visit Santa’s Grotto in London (Highly Sought-After)
While the capital is bursting with festive fun, a few special addresses are on every child’s ultimate Christmas list. London’s most iconic and highly sought-after grottos are truly magical, but be warned: they sell out at lightning speed! If you want a guaranteed, unforgettable moment with the big man, these are the ones to book the moment tickets are released.
Anya’s Grotto
Parent and Child £60
For a dose of luxury and wit, head to the heart of Chelsea for Anya Hindmarch’s beautifully designed grotto. This is an immersive, ticketed 30-minute experience where families follow Father Christmas on an adventure through a whimsical wonderland of candy-cane forests and crunchy snow. The experience culminates with a festive story read by Santa himself and a special gift for each child, offering a high-end, intimate, and highly memorable festive treat.
Hamleys Grotto
£65 for up to 3 people
The classic, world-famous toy shop transforms into a North Pole wonderland. It’s a highly theatrical experience guided by Santa’s elves, including interactive games and a meet-and-greet with the jolly man himself, culminating in a special gift.
Noir Kringle
Different packages available from £30
A unique and inclusive experience offering a full grotto set-up with a Black Santa. Kids can explore the festive decor, take part in elf-school, and receive a gift, offering a wonderful alternative experience in East London.
Victorian Santa’s Grotto
From £14.50
Step back in time to experience Christmas as a child in the Victorian era! This charming grotto offers a nostalgic experience and a lovely period backdrop for your festive photos.
Santa In the Sky
From £79 (1 adult and 1 child)
The London Eye is always an unforgettable experience, but this Christmas, it becomes pure magic
Elevate your festive celebration with the Santa in the Sky VIP journey. Your adventure begins with a dedicated festive welcome, where Santa’s special friends (like the Gingerbread Baker or Head Elf) greet little explorers with games, treats, and a chance to post their letters.
Then, the magic truly soars! You’ll board a beautifully decorated London Eye pod where Santa is waiting. As you glide above the sparkling city skyline, Santa will amaze your children with personalised stories and surprises—made possible by their secret wish lists shared in advance! It’s a truly exclusive and memorable meeting, complete with a special present for each child to take home. I don’t know if meeting Santa gets any better than this!
Magical Christmas Light Trails in London for Kids
When the sun goes down London glows. From immersive glittering wonderlands in London’s historic parks and grardens to the shimmer of Oxford st from the roof of a double decker bus – here are London’s best lights.
Christmas at Kew
Adults from £27.50 (family tickets available)
The ultimate London light trail. Follow a 3km illuminated path through the botanical gardens, featuring stunning fire gardens, lights reflecting on the lake, and, for 2025, the iconic Great Pagoda is lit up for the first time! This is the most famous and always sells out.
Neverland at Kenwood House
Adults from £20 Child from £12
Brand new for 2025! This trail is inspired by Peter Pan, allowing you to follow Tinkerbell’s fairy dust path through an outdoor light trail. You’ll soar over the glowing London skyline and pass the Lost Boys’ hideout and Captain Hook’s ship, all with dramatic soundscapes.
Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour
Adults £34, Child £22 (family discount available)
For a guaranteed, stress-free way to see London’s best illuminations with your family, the Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour is the perfect choice. Hopping aboard the open-top double-decker bus is a much safer, easier option than battling the huge West End crowds with tired children! From the top deck, you’ll glide beneath the iconic sparkling stars of Oxford Street and get a breathtaking, close-up view of the magnificent flying angels over Regent Street. The tour also takes you past the glamorous boutiques of Bond Street, which wrap their historic façades in some of the city’s most luxurious and elaborate festive decorations.
Chelsea Winter Village
Light trail From £15 adult | £5 Child
We love this event because it gives you two brilliant Christmas experiences in one go, all set within the gorgeous, historic Royal Hospital Chelsea. Grab your tickets to walk the stunning Chelsea Winter Illuminations, a 1.5km trail where huge, colourful light installations and music make for an amazing family photo opportunity. After the walk, you can wander straight into the free-to-enter Winter Village! It’s the perfect place to warm up—think cosy market stalls for browsing, amazing food options, and fire pits to toast your marshmallows. It feels like a very special, intimate festive celebration right in the city.
Christmas Markets
Looking for the perfect stocking filler, a unique artisan gift, or simply a delicious festive treat? London’s traditional markets transform into sparkling havens of wooden chalets, twinkling lights, and the irresistible scent of mulled wine and hot chocolate.London has too many to list but these are my favourites.
Southbank Centre Winter Market
FREE
One of the most scenic and family-friendly markets, set along the River Thames. Stroll along the Queen’s Walk, browse the beautiful Alpine-style chalets selling handmade crafts and gifts, and feast on global street food with a beautiful view of the city lights.
Christmas by the River
FREE
Set against the iconic backdrop of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, this market is incredibly picturesque. It features a great mix of craft stalls and quality street food, often including a cosy, heated pop-up lodge perfect for escaping the cold.
Covent Garden Christmas Village
FREE
While not a traditional wooden chalet market, Covent Garden’s enormous Christmas tree, magical decorations, and falling ‘snow’ on the hour create an unforgettable festive atmosphere. It’s lively with street performers, unique shops, and small craft markets that run daily.
Festive Afternoon Tea
For a sophisticated and wonderfully warm break from the Christmas crowds, treating your family to a festive afternoon tea is a must-do London tradition.
The Hamley’s festive Afternoon Tea
From £55
This is the ultimate luxurious Christmas treat for little ones! Hosted in the beautiful Palm Court, this special tea, in partnership with Hamleys, features a whimsical children’s menu where patisseries are playfully shaped like legendary toys. Expect charming sandwiches, delightful festive sweets, and a fun, five-star experience that even includes a complimentary Hamleys teddy bear for your child to take home as a treasured memory.
Festive Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea
£95 Adult | £65 Child
This incredible, inventive tea takes the classic story and gives it a delicious festive twist, featuring theatrical treats like “fizzy lifting drinks,” inventive canapés served on tiered stands, and beautiful pastries like snozzberry jam and chocolate surprises. Perfect for older children and families, the experience uses dry ice and playful presentation to make every sweet and savoury bite feel like a magical journey into Willy Wonka’s world.
Grinchmas Afternoon Tea Bus by Brigit’s Bakery
Adult £52 | Child £47
Get ready for London’s most mischievous Christmas day out! This unique 90-minute tour takes place on a beautifully decorated vintage Routemaster bus, serving a Grinch-themed afternoon tea complete with green scones and sweet treats inspired by Whoville. An onboard entertainer keeps the atmosphere lively with Grinch-themed pranks and amusement as you glide past iconic Central London landmarks. Book the 5:30 PM tour for the added bonus of seeing the spectacular Regent Street Christmas lights in full sparkle!
The Gingerbread City
Adult £13.50 Child £8.50
Prepare to be utterly amazed by a miniature metropolis built entirely from gingerbread, icing, and sweets! This annual exhibition challenges top architects and designers to construct a futuristic, imaginative city based on a playful theme, resulting in incredibly detailed, edible buildings and landscapes.
Christmas Theatre Shows
Christmas is all about going to the theatre in our house. From classic pantomimes to ballets and circus extravaganzas – this is the best time to cozy up in a London Theatre. For full listings check out our ultimate guide to Christmas Kids Shows.
The Snowman
Tickets from £22
Returning to the Peacock Theatre, this beautiful stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ beloved story uses enchanting dance and spectacular design instead of dialogue. Accompanied by a live orchestra, the show features the iconic “Walking in the Air” sequence, creating a truly spellbinding moment of festive wonder. Full review Here.
Stick Man
Adults from £24 | Child from £17.50
Based on the beloved book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, is packed with puppetry, catchy songs, live music, and funky moves. What starts as a simple jog sees Stick Man mistaken for a dog’s plaything and even firewood! It’s the perfect, energetic one-hour show for young audiences (aged 3+) and a heartwarming tale of family and resilience just in time for Christmas. Read our Review
Cinderella
Tickets from £10
Pantomime is a cherished British institution, and the Hackney Empire truly does it best! Their production of Cinderella is considered London’s gold standard, featuring everything audiences adore: dazzling, extravagant costumes, sensational song and dance numbers, and local panto legends like Kat B.
Festive Storytelling at London SEALife
(Incl in Enrty) Tickets From £28
If you’ve been thinking of visiting SEA LIFE London, this is the perfect time to dive in! Just when you think London’s hottest attraction couldn’t any more magical…
Make your festive outing truly special by joining Storytime with Al the Polar Bear. This isn’t just a story; it’s an interactive journey where your little explorers will follow Al through the frozen Arctic as he searches for ice, learning first-hand how global warming is affecting his home. It’s packed with hands-on activities and delivers an inspiring, gentle message about protecting our planet.
READ NEXT: Ultimate Guide: Christmas Kids Theatre Shows (2025)
