Top Christmas Activities For Kids in London 2024

London during the festive season is a magical experience and there are plenty of activities to do at Christmas time in London with kids. From pop-up Christmas markets and ice skating rinks to London’s famous Winter Wonderland and the West End’s array of theatre shows. So what does Christmas for kids in London look like in 2024?

Ice Skating in London

How about ice skating in the shadow of some of London’s historical buildings? Ice rinks open across London during the winter months. Somerset House, on the south side of  London’s Strand and close to its theatre district, opens its ice rink every year. Enjoy skating in the grounds of this Renaissance building.

Battersea Power Station and Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush are also brilliant places to go ice skating in London to enjoy one of the magical Christmas activities for children in London.

Slightly outside of central London is the historic Hampton Court Palace. Its open air ice rink in the grounds of Henry VIII’s home has daytime and nighttime sessions. We have done both in the past – see our efforts in my Instagram post. Book tickets to go ice skating at Hampton Court ice rink and perhaps combine it with a visit around the Tudor palace. There is also the famous Hampton Court Magic Garden for younger visitors.

To ensure your place ice skating at one of London sights, book tickets online in advance. Where available, penguin guides are on a first come, first served basis. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

See the Christmas Lights in London

At night, the UK’s capital city comes alive with sparkling London Christmas lights making it a magical family-friendly experience during a visit to London in December with kids.

The Oxford Street Christmas lights is a highlight with over 1700 illuminations. Carnaby Street, close to Oxford Street, has wonderful light displays all year around. At Christmas time you can get festive while wandering around one of London’s coolest shopping areas.

Regent Street always has incredible displays hanging from its white, gleaming architecture. If you are with older children, you may like to experience London’s lights with an open top bus tour exploring the city at night.

If you want to escape the busy shopping crowds of central London, there are options for family-friendly Christmas light displays in South West London.

Christmas at Kew Gardens

The popular Christmas at Kew is a light extravaganza for the whole family. It has over one million lights on its trail around the world famous botanical gardens in South West London. Kew Gardens is worth visiting all year around but this is a magical Christmas activity with kids in London. Read about our visit to Christmas at Kew.

Running from 13th November 2024 until 8th January 2025, book in advance for Christmas at Kew Gardens. Hurry, as tickets sell out quickly. The closest tube station is Kew Gardens on the district line or Kew Bridge overland railway from Waterloo.

Enchanted Woodland, Syon Park

Other London light displays include Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland in Isleworth, South West London. Its illuminated mile-long trail also has strobe lights and lasers and opens at 5pm so suitable for visiting with younger children. Having run most years, it has yet to be confirmed for 2025. MummyTravels has the lowdown on some of the best Christmas light displays in London with kids.

Hogwarts In The Snow

For Harry Potter fans, this is the chance to see the famous wizard school, Hogwarts, in a winter setting at the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Herfordshire. Iconic sets from the Harry Potter films are transformed for the festive season to make them even more magical. It runs from 16th November until the 19th January 2025. Book your trip to Hogwarts with bus transfers from central London.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

London’s Winter Wonderland is is one of the top Christmas things to do with kids in London. Located in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is a popular family day in London during winter with a Magical Ice Kingdom, circus, ice skating as well as a real ice slide! Winter Wonderful also a big wheel, Christmas market, food stalls and bars where you can refuel. The range of things to do at Winter Wonderland makes it one of the best activities to enjoy a London Christmas for kids.

London Christmas Markets

At Christmas, London and its suburbs sees alpine huts pop-up selling mulled wine, food and gifts. It’s now a common sight to see Christmas Markets in the UK as cities embrace what was once a continental tradition. There are plenty of London Christmas markets to visit during a family trip.

Trafalgar Square

One of London’s most famous landmarks, Trafalgar Square’s Christmas Market sits in the shadow of the towering Nelson’s column. Enjoy a spot of shopping or simply take a seat in world renowned square and observe the bustling square with a hot drink.

Southbank

The Southbank Christmas market is one of my favourites. Located underneath the London Eye, wooden huts line the River Thames. Grab a hot drink and wander along the River Thames as you view some of London’s landmarks or look from above if you book a journey the London Eye. There are plenty of activities for children at the Southbank Christmas market with a carousel and other fun fair rides. Over at the Southbank centre, there are festive shows and family activities. Combine with a trip to the Curling Club.

Kingston

For somewhere out of central London, the Kingston Christmas market is worth a visit. The marketplace is turned into a festive scene to welcome Kingston Christmas market. It has an alpine village, brimming with gifts and drinks. There are also Christmas activities for kids there including a carousel and fun fair rides which they can enjoy while you sip on your mulled wine. Kingston is a short bus or train ride away from Hampton Court Palace, so you could combine with a trip to the King Henry VIII’s home and some ice skating.

Visit Santa in his London grotto

Father Christmas comes to London each festive season and can be found in an array of different locations at this time of year. Santa is a fixture at London’s Winter Wonderland. There are also grottos at London Zoo, Battersea Park Zoo, Leicester Square and at the Westfield shopping centres in Shepherds Bush and Stratford. Some other notable Santa’s grottos in London are listed below.

Hamleys

London’s famous toy store in Regent Street is a favourite for visiting London with kids but at Christmas, you can see Santa there too. Tickets are on sale to meet Father Christmas and take part in a seasonal activities with him. Santa will be at Hamleys in London from 23rd November and will stay until Tuesday 24th December 2024.

Harrods

One of the most popular and iconic places to see Father Christmas in London is at the world-famous department store, Harrods, in Knightsbridge. You have be organised as tickets sell out quickly.

Museum of London

For a Santa visit with some history, the Museum of London Docklands, takes you back to Victorian times. Santa will be at the Museum of London until 23rd December 2024.

Go Curling at the Curling Club

The ultimate winter sport (in Scotland anyway) has come to London with two Curling Clubs at London’s South Bank and London Bridge. While the evenings can get a little raucous with divine cocktails and live music, during the day it’s a great winter activity to do as a family.

It has smaller stones for children to use and there is food and drinks available – but no sweeping brushes! Although I have yet to take the children curling, check out my instagram see how much fun I had when I visited with friends. Book online to reserve your game.

Enjoy a London Theatre Show

We love a good show and going to the theatre at Christmas in London is a festive treat we aim to do every year.

For theatre with toddlers in London, the Julia Donaldson adaptations always go down well. In previous years we’ve seen Stick Man Live – a fun, festive theatre production showing at Bloomsbury theatre. Take a look at my review of Stick Man.

Everyone’s favourite character, Peppa Pig is taking to the stage this festive season for Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out. It has a stint at the Theatre Royal from 28 November until 5 January 2025. We have previously watched and reviewed a version of the Peppa Pig show. Finally, Raymond Briggs’ classic The Snowman is showing again at the Peacock Theatre.

Pantomime

London’s West End has a pantomime every year at the London Palladium, this festive season it’s Robin Hood. Regional theatres on the outskirts of London also see plenty of famous faces taking to the stage during panto season.

Although not entirely festive, Matilda the Musical is back and the Christmas holidays are a good opportunity to see the brilliant musical of Roald Dahl’s famous children’s book. Book your ticket to Matilda the Musical showing at London’s Cambridge Theatre. Mrs Doubtfire is also one of London’s most popular family show at the moment.

Visit London Wetland Centre

For Christmas activities galore, head to London’s Wetland Centre in Barnes. It’s not in central London but if you fancy a short trip, it’s only 25 minutes from Waterloo.

Not only do you get to see wildlife such as otters, geese and robins up-close, there’s face painting and Christmas crafts to take part in.

You can also meet the ultimate winter dog, huskies. They are brought to the centre during the winter by a company which fosters the dogs and rehouses them. Children aged 3-8 can go on sleigh pulled by these beautiful creatures.

The centre also has an amazing Santa’s Grotto. Tickets sell out very fast for a visit to see Father Christmas. Even if you don’t get to see Santa, there’s plenty of festive activities to enjoy.

London at Christmas with kids

There are plenty of things to do at Christmas in London with kids. These are just a few events to enjoy in London at Christmas time with the whole family. Make the most of your time by booking accommodation in London so you take part in a range of Christmas family activities.