Christmas in London with kids 2026 – activities and things to do

Experience the magic of Christmas in London with kids. There is nothing like Christmas in the British capital!

There are so many things to do for families over the festive season, including special festive tours, fun seasonal shows and even the chance to meet Santa himself as part of a sack-full of Christmas events for kids in 2026! Plan magical days out with the best things to do in London at Christmas with kids.

Unmissable things to do in London with kids at Christmas

1. Book a special Christmas lights bus tour to see some of the city's best festive displays and iconic attractions from the comfort of your seat. Dates TBC
2. Follow a glittering trail made up of more than one million lights through the famous botanical gardens with Christmas at Kew. Dates TBC
3. Step inside a winter wonderland as Hogwarts in the Snow arrives at the wizarding world of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Dates TBC
4. Experience a world of festive magic at Chelsea Winter Village, where a dazzling light trail, Christmas markets and plenty of festive family activities await. Dates TBC
5. Take in the magic of Christmas Eve on the Illuminations of London tour, where you can spot iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge lit up as night falls. Dates TBC
6. See London from a different perspective on a Christmas Day hop-on hop-off bus tour taking in a number of attractions, including Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge. Dates TBC

Top London Christmas activities for kids

1. Find all sorts of magical Christmas activities for kids and lovely decorated wooden huts in one place at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Dates TBC
2. Get your skates on and go for a twirl on one of London’s best ice-skating rinks.
3. Explore festive family activities at the London Transport Museum, often including a winter trail and the chance to meet Santa in a cosy winter wonderland scene.
4. Experience London's top attractions for children, many of which run special Christmas events for kids in London over the holidays.
5. See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and watch as Christmas leaves its imprint on this historic location.
6. Discover the royal residence of Kensington Palace in its Christmas garb!
7. Enjoy a half-day panoramic tour of London on Christmas Eve and take in all the festive sights. 24 Dec
8. Celebrate the beloved Paddington Bear this winter! Join a guided walking tour, see the Paddington Bear mural and don't miss the all the family fun at the Paddington Bear Experience.

Discover more fun activities this Christmas in London with kids. 

Best Christmas experiences in London for kids

1. See the capital sparkle with dazzling displays of Christmas lights and decorations across the city, including at Oxford Street, Carnaby, Regent Street, Bond Street and Covent Garden.
2. Hop on an open-top bus tour to see the city sparkle after dark with Christmas lights and decorations. 
3. Step into a snow-dusted North Pole at Wundrful World of Christmas, a festive mixed-reality experience with animated characters and live actors. Dates TBC
4. Celebrate the festive season in style with the ultimate Total London Experience; a one-day tour around London’s top landmarks.
5. Keep the kids entertained with the city's best immersive experiences, from jumping into a life-sized Monopoly board game to stepping into world-famous art pieces in an immersive gallery.
6. Enjoy a festive afternoon tea as you sing along to Christmas classics aboard The Snowman Afternoon Tea Bus Tour.
7. Visit the Royal Albert Hall for a number of musical experiences including Christmas carols and much more over December. 

Christmas things to do in London with toddlers

1. Explore fun and interactive light trails as part of light festivals throughout the city.
2. Pose for family selfies in front of gorgeous Christmas trees across London.
3. Check out what's on at Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford, a magical place for toddlers and young children to explore their imagination and follow inspiring story trails.
4. Pet cute animals with the little ones as the city's farms celebrate Christmas with festive family activities, including arts and crafts and Christmas markets.

Find more things to do in London with toddlers and babies.

Top London attractions to see this Christmas with the family

1. See Windsor Castle dressed for Christmas, including its famous Christmas tree.
2. Get up close and personal with exhibits and collections spanning 4.5 billion years at the Natural History Museum, including fossils of dinosaurs and meteorites from outer space.
3. Pick up a money-saving sightseeing pass to use during the Christmas school holidays. Access more than 100 attractions with The London Pass or see a selection of top London attractions and enjoy a hop-on hop-off bus tour with the Golden Pass.
4. Visit exciting exhibits at some of the best London museums for kids, or explore on a budget with these free museums and galleries.

Explore more London attractions, including the top attractions for kids.

Best festive theatre shows in London for all ages

 

1. Treat the family to a night at the theatre with a festive show, classic ballet or hilarious pantomime.
2. See a magical stage version of the much-loved Christmas tale The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre. Dates TBC
3. Catch a performance of the West End's longest-running pantomime, the Potted Panto. Dates TBC
4. Be touched by the utterly hilarious Stick Man at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Dates TBC
5. Grab tickets to see the magical retelling of the classic ballet of The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum. Dates TBC
6. Book a spot for other best musicals and favourite kids shows, from Matilda to the Lion King London tickets and Wicked the musical.

Find more kids shows in London.

Places to meet Santa in London this Christmas

1. Book well ahead for a chance to meet the man himself at the popular Santa's Grotto at Hamleys on Regent Street. Dates TBC
2. Meet Father Christmas, explore a festive trail and stock up at the sweet shop as the Magic of Christmas arrives at London Zoo. Dates TBC
3. Don't miss the opportunity to meet Santa at the London Transport Museum, which is included in the general admission ticket. Dates TBC
4. Make your way to Santaland at Winter Wonderland for your chance to meet the jolly bearded man. Dates TBC
5. Keep an eye out for appearances from Santa at top attractions and popular kids' attractions across London – check back nearer the time for more details.

Family-friendly places to shop in London

1. Let the kids explore seven floors of incredible toys and games in Hamleys.
2. Little ones and not-so-little ones will love exploring the choctastic M&M's World.
3. Have some brick-filled fun at The LEGO Store London Leicester Square. It's the largest LEGO store in the world!
4. Explore the toy-filled wonderland of Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop in Covent Garden.
5. Hunt for gifts on world-famous shopping streets, including Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street.
6. Or pick up presents from some of the top shopping destinations in London, such as Covent Garden, Carnaby and Camden.
7. Get in the festive spirit with a visit to the Christmas shops at Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Liberty London.
8. Finish off your Christmas shopping in one place at Westfield London or Westfield Stratford City.

Find more places to go shopping this Christmas in London with kids. 

Christmas family days out in London with kids

 

1. Experience the magic of the festive season at the mesmerising RHS Glow 2026 at Wisley in Surrey. Dates TBC
2. Find the perfect Christmas gifts and enjoy delicious street food at some of the top Christmas markets in London.
3. See more of festive London and beyond over the holidays by taking your pick of Christmas tours and day trips, from spotting where the Royal Family live, to cruising the river Thames or visiting mysterious Stonehenge.
4. Treat the family to Christmas in Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich with a traditional Christmas lunch. Dates TBC

Check out more things to do outdoors in London.  

Tips for visiting London at Christmas with kids

• Plan ahead and wrap up warm – especially for outdoor London Christmas activities for kids! Whether you'd like to stroll past the city's best Christmas lights, check out iconic Christmas trees or glide along the city's best ice-skating rinks, it's best to have an itinerary in mind and enough layers for the whole family to keep warm!
• Book tickets early for popular Christmas events, shows, tours and attractions for kids, including Santa's grottos, Winter Wonderland, Christmas at Kew, Hogwarts in the Snow, Christmas tours, kids' theatre and pantomimes.
• Time your visits well and opt for weekday daytimes at busy attractions such as Christmas events, light festivals, top London attractions, popular toyshops and Christmas markets.
• Bring snacks and (hot) drinks, or plan a trip to a family-friendly restaurant or Christmas food market to refuel!

Christmas in London with kids FAQs

Are London’s Christmas attractions suitable for toddlers?

London Christmas attractions suitable for toddlers include the city's famous Christmas lights, many of this year's best festive shows, theatre and pantomimes for kids, fun and interactive light trails and Christmas trees across the capital. Find more things to do in London with toddlers and babies.

Where can children meet Santa in London?

There are several places in London where children can meet Santa over the Christmas period, including Santa's Grotto at Hamleys, the London Zoo, the London Transport Museum, Santaland at Winter Wonderland and Santa's camp at Alexandra Palace.

What are the best Christmas lights and displays to see in London?

From the twinkling Oxford Street Christmas lights to the beautiful angels illuminating Regent Street and the shimmering decorations that make Leicester Square even brighter, explore London's best Christmas lights on foot, or treat the whole family to a magical Christmas lights bus tour that takes in many of London's best displays.

Find even more London Christmas inspiration for families and Christmas things to do, plan a winter day out or discover family-friendly activities to enjoy throughout the season.