The best things to do for Christmas in London with kids

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas… And from sparkly lights to markets, festive events and ice rinks, there are some magical things to do for Christmas in London with kids. UPDATED FOR 2026

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And Christmas 2026 is pulling out the stops to get everyone feeling festive, from light trails to Christmas markets and midwinter attractions in London.

There’s are Christmas shows and traditional pantomimes, some free things to do in London at Christmas, and plenty of places to make unforgettable memories – if you’re wondering ho ho how to choose, check out my pick of the best this Christmas in London with kids.

With some events still to be announced, I’ll also be updating this post so keep an eye out for new Christmas events too

See the London Christmas lights

London’s festive lights start appearing around the city during November, so you’re almost guaranteed to spot some twinkling decorations wherever you go.

Check the switch-on dates for some of the biggest and best here, as well as my London Christmas lights walking route

Previous years have seen everything from crowns in Bond Street to the cosmos glowing over Carnaby Street, as well as angels in Regent Street, shooting stars along Oxford Street and bells in Covent Garden, so you’re guaranteed some gorgeous displays to see.

A lot of the department stores get in on the action too, with festive facelifts for shops like Fortnum & Mason, which has transformed itself into a huge advent calendar, or this eagerly awaited window displays at Selfridges to see what will replace last year’s Disney collab.

And if you don’t fancy wandering aimlessly to spot the best, there are some great Christmas tours as well as my own self-guided Christmas lights walking tour – one of the most festively fun has to be the Christmas Silent Disco walk (for age 6+).

The tour starts on Oxford Street before taking you to Covent Garden and Regent Street, passing some of the city’s Christmas lights with a playlist of Christmas classics, fun commentary and other hits – dancing technically optional, but let’s face it, who can resist?

Or save your feet and go for a bus tour instead. The Christmas lights tour from The Original Tour lasts around 90 minutes, and starts from November 14 (until January 4, 2027 – except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve), or you can hop aboard this longer open-top doubledecker tour as well.

Oxford Street is now partly pedestrianised, from Oxford Circus to just west of Bond Street, by Selfridges, so nothing will travel along this section.

Hamleys also has its own festive double-decker to take you to the Christmas lights, returning for its second year. Starting from Embankment, you’ll cruise past Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and Marble Arch before looping back – runs from November 21 to January 3, 2027.

Book the The Original Tour London Christmas lights bus tour here

Follow a light trail

You’ll find more lights than just those over London’s shopping streets, with a string of festive light trails, some running into the New Year.

Check out my pick of the best illuminated trails in London with kids for more details

One of the newest light trails in the capital returns at Chelsea Winter Village from November 25, while the ever-popular Christmas at Kew Gardens is back from November 13 as well.

Quite a few favourites have stopped running over the past few years, including Hampton Court Palace, Eltham Palace and Syon Park, so there is rather less choice after a few years where you couldn’t move for festive light trails.

Or enjoy the free light installations at Wembley Park, and across Camden Market (from November 26), including a ceiling of light above Water Lane, glowing light tunnel at Dockray Place and a Magic Forest at Market Place.

The Canary Wharf winter lights will also be returning although those doesn’t light up until after the New Year.

Visit a Christmas market

Whether you’re looking for traditional gifts, Santa’s grotto, workshops or rides, there’s a string of great Christmas markets in London with kids to choose from – most have their own twist rather than the sort of traditional Christmas market you’ll find in Europe, but it also means you can visit several without getting bored.

Some of my own favourites are on the banks of the Thames, including the lovely Southbank Centre Christmas market and winter festival, with some fabulous pop-up food stalls, illuminations on the Queen’s Walk and a traditional carousel.

For more things to do on the South Bank with kids, as well as the Southbank Centre winter market, check out my tips

Further east, there’s Winter by the River near London Bridge; quieter and smaller than some of the other markets, there are often workshops as well as stalls.

At the other end of the scale, the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a blaze of colour, fun and noise: there are rides for all ages, including an ice slide, Santa’s grotto in Santa Land, an ice rink, circus and plenty more chances to spent your money, including at wooden chalets selling food and gifts.

Back from November 19, entry is ticketed, although if you book £25 worth of attractions, your entry fee is included

Or in the heart of London, you can find a traditional Bavarian-style market at Leicester Square Christmas market, surrounding the ice rink which is back for its second year.

And you’ll also find a small market in Trafalgar Square with around 20 stalls selling gifts, Christmas ornaments, jewellery and food.

For more Christmas markets, including Greenwich, Battersea Power Station, Camden and Kingston, check out my post on the best Christmas markets in London with kids for more details.

See Santa

If you want to see Santa in London, you need to move early, especially for some of the big name events like Hamleys as many get booked up fast.

And there’s an exciting new festive experience coming to Fulham Palace this year, with the launch of Santa’s Winter Garden, complete with everything from a toboggan trail to a candy cane walk.

But that’s not the only place to find Santa’s Grotto in London: many of the Christmas markets have a chance to meet the man in red (scroll up for more suggestions) although bear in mind you may need a separate timed ticket for some.

Santa also makes an appearance at several of London’s museums and galleries too. We saw him at the London Transport Museum, which is a lovely relaxed event for kids who might get shy or overwhelmed, often in a Routemaster bus inspired by a sleigh (TBC for 2026).

Or listen to Father Christmas telling some of his favourite festive tales around the Christmas tree at Kenwood, Eltham Palace and Marble Hill House, with a present for every child. Must be prebooked.

London Zoo’s Meet Santa event features Christmas crafts before seeing Father Christmas himself in his Grotto in the middle of the zoo, head out to Alexandra Palace where there’s a lovely grotto or keep an eye out for Father Christmas at the Victorian grotto at the London Museum Docklands.

He’s even to be found on board a speedboat on the river too, with the Meet Santa experience from Thames Rockets as well as aboard the London Eye for Santa in the Sky.

For more places to see Santa in London with kids, check out my top picks

Board a Santa Steam train

Find Santa taking a day off from the sleigh, with one of the two Santa steam trains running in London this year.

For several years, the Steam Dreams Santa Steam Express trains were London’s only Santa steam train, but it’s being joined by the Polar Express again this year.

The Santa Steam Express will be departing from Victoria on December 12 and 19, with four trains per day chuffing out of the city on a 90-minute journey around London, with Santa and his merry helpers also boarding the festively decorated 1970s carriages.

Check out our review of a trip on the Santa Steam Express

Or the Polar Express will be steaming out of London, departing from Euston station for a journey lasting between an hour and 90 minutes, on a magical journey which will transport you from north London to the North Pole.

Dressed in your cosiest pyjamas (you can even get your own personalised Polar Express pair), you’ll meet well-known characters from the movie as well as the man in red himself, Santa. Runs on select dates from December 5-23, 2026.

Board a Christmas cruise

In London on Christmas Day itself and wondering what to do when everything else is closed? Hop on board one of the special City Cruises Christmas Day sightseeing cruises for an hour-long jaunt along the river.

With five cruises throughout the day from Westminster Pier, there’s commentary provided live by the crew and plenty of drinks and snacks to enjoy, including mulled wine and mince pies.

Under-fives travel free and the inside cabin is heated, although you can brave the weather for the best views and head out onto the open upper deck as well.

Take a Christmas walking tour

Do you know why turkeys wore boots on their way to market? Or who invented the Christmas card? There are some great Christmas walking tours of London to share the trivia and traditions of the season, such as this Victorian Christmas walk.

There’s more choice if you fancy a Dickensian Christmas walk – this Christmas Carol tour transports you back through time to Victorian London, while this private Christmas Carol walking tour is another option for families. Running for two to three hours, it’s better with older kids, although tailored to your group, and will show you the city that Ebeneezer Scrooge might have recognised.

Or this family-friendly two-hour Christmas walk takes in some of the city’s Christmas lights as well as promising some festive anecdotes.

Enjoy a themed afternoon tea

Whether you’re Grinch or go all out for Christmas, there are some fantastically fun festive afternoon teas in London for families.

Some of the B-Bakery tours get a Christmas makeover, including Paw Patrol Christmas Lights, Paddington Christmas Lights and Peppa Pig Christmas bus tour – and as a festive bonus, I’ve got a discount of 5% on standard seats when you use my code MumTravels5 (min spend £115).

Or hop aboard the Grinchmas Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour which runs from November 11 to January 31, 2027, with a themed menu that’s big on green (plus an ‘I Hate Xmas’ Chocolate Cupcake).

Get 5% off standard seats on B-Bakery afternoon tea bus tours if you book using my code MumTravels5

Go ice skating

The appearance of London’s pop-up ice skating rinks always signals the start of Christmas for me – set in some of the city’s most iconic locations, it’s always tempting to pull on some skates before warming up with hot chocolate and mulled wine.

If you can’t wait, Skate Leicester Square is opening on October 31, with Glide at Battersea Power Station not far behind from November 9, and Skate at Somerset House from November 11, for a backdrop with a difference.

The Queen’s House ice rink in Greenwich will also be returning from November 18, followed by the ice rink at Hampton Court Palace from November 20, with the grand facade of the palace lit up in the background.

For more details and ideas of where to ice skate in London with kids, including year-round options, check out my top picks

You’ll also find an ice rink at Winter Wonderland from November 19, if you’re visiting the Christmas market or Santaland (or enjoying the rides) there.

The Canary Wharf Ice rink, usually the first to open and last to close, won’t be returning for 2026 though.

See a pantomime or Christmas theatre

It’s not Christmas without a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!) plus you can also find some wonderful London theatre shows including traditional Christmas productions and other family-friendly performances.

For my complete list of the best Christmas theatre in London with kids, check out this post

It’s worth checking what ages are allowed before you book: despite being aimed at families, some theatres won’t accept children under five (take a passport or some form of ID if your kids are five plus but look younger than their age).

This year’s selection includes Cinderella at the London Palladium and at the Lyric Hammersmith, plus Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hackney Empire.

Look out for classics too including the Nutcracker, on at the London Coliseum as well as the Snowman at the Peacock Theatre. Or head to the Old Vic to see A Christmas Carol, aimed at age 8+.

There’s another classic tale with Pinocchio at the Globe Theatre – aimed at age 5+, it runs from November 28-January 3, 2027. Or for younger theatregoers, there’s another witch in Room on the Broom at the Lyric Theatre, from November 27-January 3, 2027.

You’ll find festive fun for little ones too. Dear Santa at Battersea Arts Centre sees Father Christmas trying to deliver the most fantastic present to Sarah… and not getting it right straight away.

For a Christmas show with a difference, check out Cinderella on Ice at Alexandra Palace this December, where you’ll also find a deliciously funny alternative to all things merry and bright with Christmas Carol Goes Wrong from December 18, from the people behind the smash hit The Play That Goes Wrong.

Hear some carols

One of my favourites parts of Christmas in London with kids is hearing carols sung while you’re out and about – but to guarantee a rendition of a few favourites, there are some organised events to check out too.

Trafalgar Square has carol groups fundraising for different charities in the weeks running up to Christmas, singing by the huge Christmas tree – a gift from Norway every year since 1947.

You can also hear carols at St Paul’s Cathedral which has a series of free events during December – unsurprisingly popular, be prepared to get there early and queue to get a seat – there are a string of other places to hear carols in the City of London if you miss out.

And St Martin in the Fields has some festive family carols events among its Christmas programme – do prebook these too, as they sell out fast. There are carol performances among the sell-out events for Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall too.

Bach to Baby Christmas concerts

Bach to Baby has made a name for its family-friendly classical music performances, aimed especially at babies up to school age children, whether you’re a classical music aficionado or looking to learn.

And they get a festive twist from November 14-January 3, 2027, with a whole series of magical music from different periods and places, some popular festive tales, singalong carols and a sprinkling of sleigh bells.

Two children go free for every adult, and dressing up is encouraged. Prebooking is strongly recommended, with venues in locations around London.

Scrooge! Cirque Extravaganza at London Excel

Enjoy the classic tale of A Christmas Carol as you’ve never experienced it before, with Scrooge! Cirque Extravaganza transforming the story with aerialists, acrobats, fire performers, music, comedy and theatre.

Rather than simply adding a few circus acts to a traditional production, Dickens’ festive classic is at the heart of the performance, with cirque artistry bringing the Christmas ghosts to life and the circus theme running through Scrooge’s world.

Takes place on December 23-24 and 27-28 at London Excel.

Winter Adventure at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Get ready for a month of free festive events as part of Winter Adventure at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which promised to be the start of a new festive London tradition when it launched last year.

Starting on December 1 and running until December 24, details for this year are still to be announced but last year, the park opened a different door each evening at 6pm to reveal a surprise festive moment – almost as if it were a life-size advent calendar – at 24 different locations, from Olympic and Paralympic sporting venues to restaurants and cultural sites.

The final door opens at 12pm with a musical finale, and you can expect more live music, performance, installations and other activities throughout the 24-day adventure.

Visit the Tower of London

One of my favourite places to visit in London with kids, the Tower of London gets dressed up for Christmas as well, with a chance to see how the rich and powerful would have celebrated the festive season in centuries gone by.

This year, discover how the Victorians helped shape the Christmas we know and love today, changing from a relatively quiet affair at the start of Queen’s Victoria’s reign to much bigger celebrations with decorated trees, gift giving and Christmas cards.

From November 27-January 3, 2027. Events are included in admission (free for members) – there’s a discount if you buy via tiqets using my discount code ‘MUMMYTRAVELS6‘.

Victoria’s countryside Christmas at Kensington Palace

Step inside Kensington Palace this Christmas and join the future Queen Victoria and her family as their countryside Christmas is brought to life.

While the royals headed to Claremont House in Surrey, the decorations and displays are designed to capture the magical atmosphere of the young Princess’s outdoor surroundings, including snowy landscapes.

Follow in her footsteps and encounter some of the people the princess met on her trip, as well as a star of the stage who impressed her. Runs from November 25-January 3, included in entry, plus the shop will also have some tempting Christmas souvenirs if you’d like a royal flavour to your own celebrations.

Winter Palace at Hampton Court Palace

Step into an enchanted world at Hampton Court Palace this year, with the new Winter Palace experience.

See mythical beasts join the most magical ball of the year, with a mix of puppets, installations and live performance, all set to music.

Each room takes you through a new chapter of the story – watch out for the sleeping dragon as you go. Included in entry, runs from November 28-January 3, 2027. The annual Festive Fayre will also be running on December 4-6 and 11-13.

Victorian Christmas at Windsor Castle

Get a taste of a Victorian Christmas at Windsor Castle from December 12-13, with a series of themed activities, including carol singing under the towering 20ft high fir tree on display in the State Apartments.

Grown in Windsor Great Park, it’s decked with thousands of sparkling lights and shimmering green and gold ornaments.

Learn about Victorian Christmas treats and foods, enjoy immersive storytelling, and check out some real 19th century costumes as you explore, before creating your own festive candle in St George’s Chapel as seasonal music plays on the organ.

You can even join an Advent service at St George’s Chapel at weekends

Follow a festive trail at the London Transport Museum

TBC FOR 2026 There’s usually lots of festive fun at the London Transport Museum – last year saw a festive trail running as well as the visit from Santa.

Along the way, there was a chance to meet costumed characters from London’s past, all with a unique Christmas connection to the city’s transport, while there are often themed crafts to enjoy too.

Shrek the Halls at Shrek’s Adventure

Meet Shrek Santa in a specially decorated swamp this Christmas at Shrek’s Adventure with a festive meet and greet joining the usual attractions.

There’ll also be a sprinkling of extra Christmas magic as you journey through Far Far Away. Included in tickets, prebooking strongly recommended. Runs from December 5-January 3, 2027.

The Jolly Postman at the Postal Museum

The Jolly Postman interactive exhibition at the Postal Museum is getting a festive makeover for Christmas, marking 35 years of the follow-up to the much-loved children’s book, The Jolly Christmas Postman.

You can take on the Jolly Christmas Postman Challenge, discovering the story’s fairytale world as you wander through the museum’s galleries, with original letters and watercolour illustrations.

Runs from November 3 until January 10, 2027. And Mail Rail – the underground train once used for transporting post – will also have its annual festive makeover.

Discover Christmas past at the Museum of the Home

If you’re looking to find out how Christmas has been celebrated over the centuries – not to mention winter festivals from other cultures and religions, head to the Museum of the Home.

The homes from Winter Past transform the rooms through time displays with a makeover to show various festive scenes from through history, from a midwinter celebration in 1630 and a frost fair to Twelfth Night dressing up and more.

Free to enter, you can also discover how Boxing Day got its name, plus there are usually celebrations of other winter festivals including Diwali and Hanukkah, as well as workshops taking place.

Add some magic at Hogwarts in the snow

A visit to the Warner Bros Studio Tour is enchanting at any time of year for Harry Potter fans, but head there in the winter and you get the added magic of Hogwarts in the snow.

The sets from the movies get a festive transformation – expect snow in the Forbidden Forest again, as well as on the cobbled stones of Diagon Alley, over Hagrid’s Hut and on the Hogwarts Castle Model.

This year the Great Hall will be bedecked in the gold decorations from the first film, plus a blanket of filmmaking snow over the Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley.

Previous winter touches have included wreaths and garlands in the Great Hall – and a tree topped with witches on miniature broomsticks – while the table is ready for the Christmas feast, including flaming Christmas puddings and prop food.

December dates get booked very quickly so it’s one to snap up early. You can also book tickets including transport from central London on the tiqets site – there’s a discount using my code MUMMYTRAVELS6 if you book using my link. Hogwarts in the Snow runs from November 14 to January 17, 2026.

For more Harry Potter locations in London, check out my top picks for fans

Magic of Christmas at London Zoo

London Zoo’s Christmas at the Zoo features festive animal talks, a chance to wander through the magical Christmas forest and creative crafts like decorating and filling their own cracker.

You can decorate Christmas cards too, among other arts and crafts activities, while the 8,000 animal inhabitants will be joined by some cheeky elves hosting daily game shows.

On some days, you can enjoy Mrs Claus’ Storytime, with some favourite Christmas stories and her own tales of the North Pole, while Santa will be making his way through the Zoo at lunchtime every day on his Santa-Mobile. Runs from November 21-January 3, 2027.

There’s also the opportunity for kids to meet Santa in his Grotto too on select dates from November 21-December 24 – visit the site to book tickets for the Meet Santa experience.

Christmas at Vauxhall City Farm

There’s lots of festive fun at Vauxhall City Farm this Christmas, including Santa’s Grotto, while last year saw a winter light trail and crafting workshops too (TBC for 2026).

With more details still to be announced, for now you can sign up to meet Father Christmas at weekends from November 28 until December 22.

Wundrful World of Christmas

After its launch last year, the immersive festive adventure of Wundrful World of Christmas is back once again, with some added seasonal magic coming to Immense LDN.

This year, visitors can expect a brand-new sparkling village – the Elves’ Playground, filled with twinkling light installations, gentle fairground rides, festive food and drink, Christmas market stalls and more.

Aimed at children aged 3-8, you’ll explore the snowy Enchanted Forest before discovering the secrets of the Elves’ Workshop, where kids can help sort letters before chatting to Mrs Claus – and then a chance to meet Santa before emerging into the Elves’ Playground.

Runs from November 13-December 24. Priced from £24.90, including a gift. Book tickets here.

Discover the UK’s highest snow globe at the O2

Want a more thrilling festive experience than carols and lights? The snow globe at Up at the O2 is back for its third year.

Anyone making the climb from November 6 to January 3, 2027 will reach the snow globe 52m above ground – the UK’s highest – for a picture-perfect winter moment, complete with a dusting of snow.

You can even buy a hot chocolate to enjoy as you savour the view. Book by November 5 to get 20% off the usual £44 price with the code SNOWEARLY20.

Luminescence at Westminster Cathedral

See Westminster Cathedral in a new light thanks to the Luminescence immersive experience, which gets a special 15-minute festive addition from November 25 until January 2.

Using light projections and live classical music, plus a specially created script read by Hugh Bonneville, you can also enjoy some much-loved Christmas classics and a new seasonal 360° video projection transforming the interior of the building.

Enjoy some Christmas surprises at Twist Museum

There are a few seasonal extras alongside the usual brain-twisting, eye-boggling exhibits at Twist Museum this winter, includng a free Christmas Surprise Trail.

Look out for the 10 surprises hidden around the museum and you could win prizes if you track them all down. If that isn’t surprising enough, you could also watch Father Christmas ‘teleport’ into the museum, one of the special Christmas illusions as you peer into a classic red phone box.

Or step into Santa’s Boots in the Infinity Room, under a shimmering night sky. And wishes might even come true as part of the Make a Twistmas Wish campaign – just write yours down, and the museum will pick one at the end of the season and make it come true.

Drink hot chocolate

When there’s a nip in the air, especially if you’re out on ice rinks or wandering around Christmas markets, you’ve got the perfect excuse for hot chocolate (though I’m first in the queue as soon as autumn rolls around).

And forget the ordinary everyday hot chocolate, because London specialises in some indulgently extravagant drinks to try.

For classic versions with added treat factor, head to traditional favourites like Venchi as well as Hotel Chocolat, which both have branches across the city including in Covent Garden.

Look out for more extravagant creations at Chin Chin Labs in Soho and Seven Dials – better known for its ice cream, when temperatures drop, they switch to hot chocolate with charred marshmallow fluff on top.

For more of the best hot chocolate in London with kids, check out my picks

Rococo has a string of unusual flavours to add to its high quality chocolate – think white chocolate and cardamom, for example, as well as ultra-dark chocolate and child-friendly milk chocolate.

Or Knoops promises a choice of 22 different levels, from creamy white right up to 100% dark chocolate. Started in Rye, where it’s a favourite of ours, there are five branches in London.

And if you’re in east London – or happy to travel for the ultimate hot chocolate – head to Dark Sugars on Brick Lane or Nelson Road in Greenwich, which also has some fantastic flavours and chocolate shavings galore to top your drink.

Explore the Gingerbread City

If you’ve ever made a gingerbread house for Christmas with your kids, it pales by comparison to the astonishing Gingerbread City from the Museum of Architecture.

Rather than a few bits of biscuit glued together with icing and splodged with Smarties, this annual exhibition sees architects, designers and engineers create an intricate and creative display, with a whole city of gingerbread.

Details are yet to be announced for 2026, but you can sign up to hear when tickets go on sale – last year these cost £13.50 for adults and children aged 12+, £8.50 for kids aged 3-12, and it ran from late November until early January.

If you’re feeling inspired, there are normally gingerbread-making workshops for families – not included with tickets to the exhibition, you have to book these separately and must be prebooked as they get snapped up fast. Last year this cost £79 for a group of 2-4, must have at least one adult in the group.

Christmas Village at Chessington World of Adventures

There’s some special festive fun coming to Chessington World of Adventures this winter at the Christmas Village, complete with Father Christmas’ grotto and the elves’ toy workshop.

Write your letter to Santa, Jingle away to a festive Silent Disco before you journey into a snowy woodland, plus all the usual rides and attractions, and more than 1,000 animals to spot in the zoo and aquarium.

Christmas at Chessington takes place on selected dates from November 21-December 24, priced from £34.

Festive fun with the National Trust

There are plenty of festive touches at the National Trust properties in London, including a chance to meet Santa.

Father Christmas will be an appearance at Morden Hall Park, every weekend in December before CHristmas, plus December 21 and 22. Recommended for children aged up to eight.

Or head to Ham House, which also has its own wonderful traditional Christmas tree, and crafts for kids to enjoy. This year, there’s a trail and activities themed around The Robin’s Tale, inspired by a newly conserved lacquer screen – from November 28 to January 3, 2027.

For more things to do in London with kids, including unusual things to do with kids in London and the best places to stay in London with kids, check out some of my other posts

PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT CHRISTMAS IN LONDON WITH KIDS

Disclosure: This post contains review content and affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions remain my own.

Images: Kew at Christmas: Jeff Eden/RBG Kew; Trafalgar Square/gingerbread/hot chocolate images courtesy of Depositphotos; Santa Steam Express courtesy Steam Dreams; Grinchmas afternoon tea courtesy B-Bakery; Tessa Jowell Boulevard copyright Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park; Elfie courtesy Vauxhall City Farm, Up at the O2 snow globe copyright Luke Dyson; all others copyright MummyTravels

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