Christmas in London with kids 2025 – activities and things to do

1. Step inside a winter wonderland as Hogwarts in the Snow arrives at the wizarding world of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. 15 Nov- 18 Jan
2. Follow a glittering trail made up of more than one million lights through the famous botanical gardens with Christmas at Kew. 14 Nov-4 Jan
3. Book a special Christmas lights bus tour to see some of the city's best festive displays and iconic attractions. 8 Nov-4 Jan
4. Take in the magic of Christmas Eve on the Illuminations of London tour, where you can see iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge lit up as night falls. 24 Dec TBC
5. See London from a different perspective on a Christmas Day hop-on hop-off bus tour. See a number of attractions including Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge. 25 Dec TBC

1. Find all sorts of magical Christmas activities and lovely decorated wooden huts in one place at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Nov-Jan 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 meeting Santa in the cosy winter wonderland scene.
4. Experience London's top attractions for kids this holiday season.
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 TBC
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. 

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. Celebrate the festive season in style with the ultimate Total London Experience; a one-day tour around London’s top landmarks.
4. 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.
5. Visit the Royal Albert Hall for a number of musical experiences including Christmas carols and much more over December. 

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.

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 80 attractions with The London Pass; discover top attractions such as the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium and Madame Tussauds London with the Merlin London Attractions Pass; or see the sights with the 60-day Go City London Explorer 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.

1. Treat the family to a night at the theatre with a festive show, classic ballet or hilarious pantomime.
2. Secure your tickets for the annual London Palladium pantomime, for hours of laughter, mischief and silliness with a star-studded cast. Dates TBC
3. Enjoy the magical retelling of the classic ballet of The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum. Dates TBC
4. Grab some popcorn and get comfy for festive film favourites at Christmas pop-up cinemas across London including The Luna Cinema. Dates TBC
5. Head to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre for a festive Christmas performance. Dates TBC 
6. Enjoy an action-packed adventure with Peppa Pig and her friends at the live show Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Dates TBC
7. Be touched by the utterly hilarious Stick Man at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Dates TBC
8. Enjoy a performance of the West End's longest-running panto, the Potted Panto. Dates TBC
9. 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.

1. Book well ahead for a chance to meet the man himself at the popular Santa's Grotto at Hamleys on Regent Street. Nov-Dec 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. Nov-Dec TBC
3. Don't miss the opportunity to meet Santa at the London Transport Museum, which is included in the general admission ticket. Nov-Jan TBC
4. Make your way to Santaland at Winter Wonderland for your chance to meet the big man himself. Nov-Dec TBC
5. Head to Alexandra Palace to see Santa's camp in the East Court. Nov-Dec TBC
6. 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.

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, like 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. 

1. Find the perfect Christmas gifts and enjoy delicious street food at some of the top Christmas markets in London.
2. Take a trip to one of London's theme parks for an adrenaline-packed day out with the kids this Christmas, featuring fun rides, winter tales, Christmas sing-alongs and plenty of festive cheer.
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. Enjoy a Christmas market day trip to take in all the sights and sounds of the festive period with plenty of food and gifts!
5. Treat the family to Christmas in Canterbury and Greenwich with a traditional Christmas lunch. Dates TBC

Check out more things to do outdoors in London.