Our ultimate guide to Christmas fun for kids in London 2024

1. Christmas at Kew (13 Nov 2024 – 5 Jan 2025)

• A magical winter light trail at Kew Gardens with dazzling displays, light tunnels, and festive food stalls.

• Tickets: £25.50 (adults), £16 (kids).

• Kew Gardens Christmas

2. Hogwarts in the Snow at WB Studio Tour (16 Nov 2024 – 19 Jan 2025)

• Experience a snow-covered Hogwarts and festive decorations on the Harry Potter sets.

• Tickets: £53.50 (adults), £40 (kids).

• Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

3. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (21 Nov 2024 – 5 Jan 2025)

• An annual festive extravaganza featuring ice skating, a Magical Ice Kingdom, a circus, 100+ fairground rides, and free entry to Santa’s Grotto (first-come basis).

• Winter Wonderland

4. Santa’s Grotto at London Zoo (23 Nov – 24 Dec 2024)

• Meet Santa at the "Magic of Christmas" experience at the zoo.

• ticket not included in Zoo entry

• ZSL London Zoo Christmas : £17.50 book here

5. Father Christmas Storytelling at Chelsea Physic Garden (30 Nov – 22 Dec 2024, selected dates)

• Meet Santa in a greenhouse-themed grotto and receive a gift.

• Tickets: £13 (kids), £11 (adults).

• Chelsea Physic Garden

6. The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace (23 Nov – 23 Dec 2024, selected dates)

• Kids help Father Christmas restore the Christmas spirit in an interactive journey.

• Tickets: From £30 (kids), £25 (adults).

• English Heritage - Eltham Palace

7. Father Christmas at Marble Hill (30 Nov – 22 Dec 2024, selected dates)

• Seasonal storytelling and gifts with Santa.

• Tickets: £9.50 per child.

• Marble Hill House

8. Afternoon Tea with Santa at Fenwick Kingston (30 Nov – 24 Dec 2024, selected dates)

• Enjoy afternoon tea with Santa and his elves, plus a photo and gift.

• Tickets: £29.50 per person.

• Fenwick Kingston

9. Santa’s Grotto at Hamleys

• A festive experience with Santa and his elves.

• Previous tickets: £55–£100 for up to three people.

• Hamleys

10. Meet Santa at Peter Jones, Sloane Square

• Family-friendly grotto, photos with Santa, and a gift.

• Tickets: £20 per child, option for Santa Paws for pets.

• Peter Jones

11. Christmas at the London Transport Museum

• Kids can climb aboard an interactive sleigh and join festive workshops.
  Museum entry: £24 (adults), free for kids under 17.
  London Transport Museum

12. Victorian Santa’s Grotto at the Museum of London Docklands

• A Victorian-themed Santa’s Grotto in Sailortown.

• Museum of London Docklands

13.Father Christmas at Gunnersbury Park Museum (Weekends in December)

• See a Victorian Father Christmas and make festive decorations.

• Tickets: £15 per child.

• Gunnersbury Park Museum

14. Finding Father Christmas at the Charles Dickens Museum

• A family trail to discover Santa’s Grotto and learn about Victorian Christmas traditions.

• Tickets: £15 (adults), £10 (children).

• Charles Dickens Museum

15. Storytelling with Santa at the Natural History Museum

• Santa tells festive stories, and the famous T-Rex dons a Christmas jumper.

• Family tickets from £15 (non-members).

• Natural History Museum

16.Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival (Dec 2024)

• Classical music performances at Barbican Centre, including a Christmas carol singalong (17 Dec), Love Actuallywith live orchestra (21 Dec), Beethoven's Ninth (28 Dec), and New Year's Day Proms.

• Location: Barbican Centre, London.

• Barbican Centre

17.Miracle Bar at Henrietta Hotel (11 Nov–23 Dec 2024)

• New York’s famous Christmas cocktail pop-up featuring ‘50s decorations and creative spins on classic cocktails.

• Free entry, opening hours: 1pm–11pm.

• Miracle at Henrietta

Pantomimes in London:

1. Aladdin – Lyric Hammersmith (16 Nov – 5 Jan)

   • Join Aladdin and Jasmine on a thrilling adventure.

   • Run time: 120 mins | Ages 6+ | Tickets: from £10.

   • Lyric Hammersmith

2. Dick Whittington and His Cat – Greenwich Theatre (22 Nov – 5 Jan)

   • A classic tale of Dick and his cat seeking fortune.

   • Run time: 2 hrs 30 mins | All ages | Tickets: from £16.50.

   • Greenwich Theatre

3. Beauty and the Beast – Richmond Theatre (7 Dec – 5 Jan)

   • A family-friendly retelling with stunning effects and costumes.

   • Tickets: from £13.

   • Richmond Theatre

4. Odd and the Frost Giants – Unicorn Theatre (19 Nov – 31 Dec)

   • Odd’s adventure with Norse gods to battle Frost Giants.

   • Run time: 120 mins | Ages 7+ | Tickets: from £10.50.

   • Unicorn Theatre

5. Robin Hood & the Christmas Heist – Rose Theatre Kingston (30 Nov – 5 Jan)

   • Robin Hood spreads cheer amidst Sherwood's cold winter.

   • Run time: 2 hrs | Ages 5+ | Tickets: from £15.

   • Rose Theatre Kingston

6. Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas – Lyric Hammersmith (20 Nov – 28 Dec)

   • Watch Santa prepare for Christmas Eve in a short, engaging show for little ones.

   • Run time: 50 mins | Ages under 6 | Tickets: from £14.

   • Lyric Hammersmith

Other Christmas Shows in London:

1. The Nutcracker – Polka Theatre (16 Nov – 26 Jan)

   • A reimagined musical version of The Nutcracker, with humour and catchy music.

   • Run time: 1 hr 20 mins | Ages 5-12 | Tickets: from £10.

   • Polka Theatre

1. My Christmas Orchestral Adventure – Royal Albert Hall (8 Dec)

   • An orchestral journey through Christmas past, present, and future.

   • Times: 12:30 pm & 4:30 pm.

   • Royal Albert Hall

Festive Activities in London:

• Gingerbread Decorating at Fenwick Kingston (28 Nov – 23 Dec)

  • Decorate gingerbread and enjoy a mini tea.

  • Fenwick Kingston