UPDATED FOR CHRISTMAS 2024. There’s something really special about being in London at Christmastime, especially London with kids at Christmas and we always really look forward to it. Here’s our round up of the best things to do in London with kids Christmas 2024.
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Table of Contents
Christmas at Kew (13 November 2024 – 5 January 2025)
Kew Gardens offer the perfect Christmas setting with beautiful lights all across the site. There’s a grotto here as well as dancing, an illuminated fountain, vintage rides and traditional festive treats.
This is a really magical place to feel all Christmasy.
The after dark trail, from 4 until 10pm every night, is lighting up the season for its annual event.
Walk through sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections, and trees drenched in jewel-like colour on your way to the panoramic Palm House light display.
You will see the wonderful, flickering flames in the Fire Garden and say hello to Father Christmas on your way through.
This is always a special event and there are limited tickets to book quickly if it’s one you’re interested in.
Get your Kew Gardens Christmas tickets in advance here.
It’s a LEGOLAND Christmas (23 November – 3 January)
Just outside of London in Windsor, LEGOLAND is open for Christmas and there’s so much going on.
LEGO Friends Carol Singing, a fun DUPLO Puppet pantomime and an amazing Holiday Harbour lights show featuring a very special guest.
Book your LEGOLAND Christmas tickets here.
Or, for a really special treat, why not book a Santa Sleepover at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort this Christmas.
It’s a great place to see Father Christmas driving his sleigh through the Magical park.
Get a night in a hotel, breakfast and two days access to LEGOLAND. Available for select dates through December.
Book your special Santa Sleepover at LEGOLAND here
🔎 Read more: Top tips for visiting LEGOLAND Windsor
Christmas in Leicester Square (Through November & December)
Christmas in Leicester Square is well worth a visit.
It is free to enter and then you can buy tickets for some of the events.
There’s Baby disco and a comedy club for kids, amongst other shows to book.
Find out more here.
Take in the magic of Hogwarts in the Snow (16th November 2024 – 19th January 2025) – The best things to do in London with children this Christmas
Just north of the city you can walk in to the wonderful world of Harry Potter.
Here you can see the most magical of all snowfalls. Hogwarts Castle is covered in a blanket of snow, you can see the Great Hall decorated with the original props from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Also enjoy flaming plum puddings and the fireplaces lit for a Christmas feast.
Read our full review of Hogwarts in the Snow here.
Get your Warner Bros Studio Tour tickets with transportation from central London here
Step back in time at the Dennis Severs House in the East End of London (22 November 2024 – 12 January 2025)
Visiting the Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields is a really unique experience.
A house caught in time it is even more special at Christmas. Then you move from room to room by candlelight, seeing the delightful decorations.
You have to move in hushed tones through the property (so it’s more suited to older children) to take in the stories.
But it’s an immersive and very special experience.
Find out more here.
Go ice skating (various locations)
Ice skating is definitely a must for any Christmas weekend and there are some fabulous locations across the city.
Some of the best places to ice skate are. –
- Hampton Court Ice Rink – book here
- Alexandra Palace – book here
- Queen’s House Ice Rink, Greenwich – book here
- Winter Wonderland Ice Rink – book here
- Somerset House Ice Rink – book here
- Ice Rink Canary Wharf – book here
- Skylight Tobacco Dock Ice Rink – book here
- Glide at Battersea Power Station Ice Rink – book here
- Westfield ice rink at the Winter Village – book here
No longer going ahead this year are –
- Tower of London – on a break for 2024
- Natural History Museum – permanently closed its ice rink.
Take in some traditional Christmas carols in Trafalgar Square (throughout December) – The best things to do in London with children this Christmas
In the shadow of Nelson’s column and surrounded by Trafalgar square’s famous lions, you can hear Christmas carols every night from the first week of December.
Fifty groups each sing for an hour beneath the world-famous Christmas tree which has been an annual gift from Norway to the UK since 1947.
The Christmas spirit will be in full swing with classics from The Holly and the Ivy to Good King Wenceslas. Each of the groups will be collecting donations for their own favourite charities.
There’s plenty of warming refreshments available nearby and it’s a great way to get into the festivities.
Find out more here.
Visit Father Christmas – Various locations
Going up to London to visit Father Christmas is something we do every year as it’s the best.
Some of our favourite places to see Father Christmas in London are –
No longer going ahead this year is
- Harrods
Take in the festivities at the Royal Albert Hall (throughout December)
Not necessarily the first place that comes to mind for a child friendly Christmas experience. The Royal Albert Hall always has a delightful festive line up.
This year there are a host of musical Christmas performances throughout November and December. With delights including “Home Alone” in concert.
Find out what’s on here.
Winter Wonderland returns to Hyde Park (21 November 2024 – 5 January 2025) – The best things to do in London with kids this Christmas
There is so much to enjoy at the Hyde Park extravaganza and best of all it’s free to enter.
So you can pick and choose which of the rides and attractions you want to pay for.
There’s a wonderful Christmas Market to pick up seasonal items, enjoy magical ice skating, grab some delicious festive food and explore the frozen sculptures in the Magical Ice Kingdom.
There is an ice rink and Cirque Beserk. There are ice sculpting workshops and fairground rides so plenty for all of the family.
There’s so much to do here, perfect for Christmasy London.
Find out more here.
Have a Royal Christmas at Hampton Court (6-8 & 13-15 December 2024) – The best things to do in London with kids this Christmas
Hampton Court have a wonderful December market with stalls selling seasonal products. There’s an ice rink and also a Palace of Light.
Best of all get to visit and experience Hampton Court Castle beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Find our more here.
Take in the magical setting of Syon House and the Enchanted Woodland (on a break for 2024).
Take in a show (various dates) – The best things to do in London with kids Christmas
There are some fantastic shows on across the capital. They are the perfect activity for London with children this Christmas. Here are some of our favourites (check each for the various age groups they will appeal to).
- The Nutcracker at The London Coliseum (12 December – 12 January 2025) – find out more here
- Huddle at The unicorn Theatre (22 November – 31 December) – find out more here
- The Nutcracker at the Polka Theatre (16 November – 26 January 2025) find out more here
- The Snowman at Peacock Theatre (23 November – 4 January) – find out more here
Enjoy Christmas at the Tower of London (29 November – 5 January 2025)
The Tower of London is transformed this Chrismas with festive displays acoss the castle.
There are Christmas trees for each of Henry VIII’s wives. You can take a festive trail and have a mince pie in the cafe.
🔎 Read more: Visitng the Tower of London with kids
Find out more here
Covent Garden hosts the Great Christmas Pudding Race (not taking part in 2024)
Every year teams from across London get ready for the year’s Great Christmas Pudding Race.
A brilliant obstacle course where participants have to get around in the fastest times and not drop their puddings!
This is a really fun spectator event with teams entering into the seasonal spirit and wearing fancy dress as they try and tackle the fiendish but festive course.
There’s music, celebrities and live entertainment too. Hosted at Covent Garden, where you will also find lots festive food and christmas lights.
Find out more here.
Go and see a pantomime (various locations and dates)
Seeing a pantomime is a great British tradition and one we really believe should be kept alive.
There’s nothing better than all the shouts of “he’s behind you” and boos and hisses at the baddies!
Here are some of our favourites. –
- Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith (15 November – 6 January 2025) – find out more here
- Dick Whittington and his cat at Hackney Empire (23 November – 5 January 2025) – find out more here
- Pinocchio at Theatre Royal Stratford East (23 November – 4 January 2025) – find out more here
- Dick Whittington and his cat at Greenwich Theatre (22 November – 5 January 2025) – find out more here
Please let us know if you have any other suggestions for things to do in London with children this Christmas. And check out our 50 things to do in London with kids before they grow up – how many have you done?
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Thank you for sharing this article. Very useful.. Superb pictures.
We have so many things to enjoy in London, what a great list for Xmas. 🙂
Thank you so much! Hope you have fun with whatever you do.
*Calls up the nephews* “Yeah, we’re going to London…pack your things”. Seriously such a good reminder to look local (not just at Christmas). I’m always looking at all the fantastic places to travel to, forgetting that London has it all. Great post! Pinned.
Thank you so much! We love our trips to London.
What a great post. There really are so many things to do in London over Christmas. I ended up in Leicester Square by chance on Friday evening – the atmosphere there was so festive. Bring on the Christmas fun!
Thank you Nell! And I agree, so much to do and I love it…I can’t wait until our pre-Christmas weekend!
Great List!
Any pantos for toddlers?
Thank you! Have you been to see The Snowman? We went last year and I really think it’s great for all ages.
Amazing write-up. London really sends some authentic festive vibes during Christmas.The glittering Christmas lights all over the London are really a treat to your eyes. The best time to visit London certainly.
Great post, lots of inspiration. I’m guilty of thinking Christmas Markets, and usually abroad, but London has a lot going on. I’m so excited for Christmas this year, I think after a year of gloomy news and uncertain times, we are all ready for some festive cheer!
Thank you! Hope you have a great trip!