It’s starting to really feel loads like Christmas… And from sparkly lights to markets, festive occasions and ice rinks, there are some magical issues to do for Christmas in London with children.
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After restrictions meant occasions have been cancelled or scaled again final yr, Christmas 2021 is pulling out the stops to have a good time, from assured snowfalls to new gentle trails and Christmas points of interest in London.
There’s a Christmas circus and conventional pantomimes, some free issues to do in London at Christmas, and loads of locations to make unforgettable recollections – if you happen to’re questioning ho ho how to decide on, take a look at my choose of the very best this Christmas in London with children.
With some occasions being introduced later than ordinary this yr, I’ll even be updating this publish so maintain an eye fixed out for brand new Christmas occasions too
See the Christmas lights
London’s festive lights begin showing across the metropolis throughout November, so that you’re nearly assured to identify some twinkling decorations wherever you go.
Verify the switch-on dates for a number of the greatest and finest right here
From peacock feathers in Bond Avenue to butterflies over Carnaby Avenue, in addition to angels in Regent Avenue, there are some attractive shows to see.
A number of the department shops get in on the motion too, with festive facelifts for outlets like Fortnum & Mason, which reworked itself into an enormous introduction calendar for 2020, or this yr’s Christmas of Goals window show at Selfridges.
And if you happen to don’t fancy wandering aimlessly to identify the very best, there are some nice Christmas excursions too – probably the most festively enjoyable must be the Christmas Silent Disco stroll.
The tour begins close to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park earlier than taking you previous a number of the metropolis’s Christmas lights, with a playlist of Christmas classics, enjoyable commentary and different hits – dancing technically non-obligatory, however let’s face it, who can resist?
Or save your ft and go for a bus tour as a substitute. The Christmas lights tour from Tootbus lasts 45 minutes, and begins from November 19, or you’ll be able to hop aboard a classic doubledecker as nicely.
Comply with a lightweight path
You’ll discover extra than simply the lights over London’s procuring streets, with an entire string of festive gentle trails, some operating into the New Yr.
Take a look at my choose of the very best illuminated trails in London with children for extra particulars
This yr sees three new gentle trails coming to the capital, together with Christmas at Kenwood Home in Hampstead, Lightopia coming to Crystal Palace Park, and Palace of Stardust at Hampton Courtroom Palace, impressed by Henry VIII’s well-known Astronomical Clock.
Some previous favourites are returning too, together with Enchanted Woodland at Syon Home in west London, plus Christmas at Kew.
Or in south-east London, the Enchanted Eltham Palace occasion lights up the gardens of the wonderful Artwork Deco mansion.
And free of charge occasions, take a look at Wembley Park’s Winterfest and Winter Lights at Canary Wharf, which frequently runs in January fairly than at Christmas.
Watch the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are coming to the Metropolis of London in December, with a particular gentle set up, Borealis lighting up the skies over Guildhall Yard.
Designed to seem like the Aurora Borealis, the multicoloured lights had a earlier outing in Greenwich earlier this yr, as a part of the Greenwich+Docklands Worldwide Competition.
However if you happen to missed them then, they’ll be shining within the London skies as soon as once more, accompanied by a soundtrack, from December 11-22, from 5.30 to 10pm (final entry 9.30pm).
It’s free however you want a ticket for entry (though some walk-up tickets could also be out there on the day), with timeslots each half-hour – you’re really useful to remain for round half-hour to profit from the expertise.
Go to a Christmas market
Whether or not you’re in search of conventional items, Santa’s grotto, workshops or rides, there’s a string of nice Christmas markets in London with children to select from.
A few of my very own favourites are on the banks of the Thames, together with the beautiful South Financial institution Christmas market and winter pageant, with some fabulous pop-up meals stalls, illuminations on the Queen’s Stroll and a standard carousel.
Additional east, there’s Christmas by the River close to London Bridge; quieter and smaller than a number of the different markets, there are sometimes workshops in addition to stalls.
On the different finish of the size, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a blaze of color, enjoyable and noise: there are rides for all ages, together with an ice slide, Santa’s grotto, an ice rink, circus and many extra probabilities to spent your cash, together with on meals and items.
For the primary yr, it’s now not free to enter, though if you happen to e book £20 price of points of interest, your entry payment is refunded.
Or within the coronary heart of London, there’s one of many latest Christmas markets in London at Leicester Sq., with over 30 stalls and meals on the conventional Bavarian-style market, plus Santa’s Grotto and different occasions.
You’ll discover extra Christmas markets at Greenwich, Battersea Energy Station and Kingston – take a look at my publish on the finest Christmas markets in London with children for extra particulars.
See Santa
If you wish to see Santa in London, it’s essential transfer early, particularly for a number of the huge title occasions like Hamleys as many get booked up quick.
However that’s not the one place to seek out Santa’s Grotto in London: most of the Christmas markets have an opportunity to satisfy the person in purple (scroll up for extra ideas) though keep in mind it’s possible you’ll want a separate timed ticket for some.
Santa additionally makes an look at a number of of London’s museums and galleries too. We noticed him on the London Transport Museum, which is a stunning relaxed occasion for teenagers who would possibly get shy or overwhelmed.
You too can meet Santa on the Nationwide Gallery, in addition to on the Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands.
You may even discover Santa at London Zoo and on board a speedboat on the river, with the Jingle Bell Blast from Thames Rockets.
Take a Christmas strolling tour
Have you learnt why turkeys wore boots on their option to market? Or who invented the Christmas card? There are some nice Christmas strolling excursions of London to reply the questions – this two-hour Christmas stroll is led by an expert information.
This two-hour family-friendly Christmas tour additionally takes in a number of the metropolis’s Christmas lights in addition to promising to take you down streets much less travelled.
Or be part of a Dickensian Christmas stroll – this personal tour is themed round a Christmas Carol. Working for 3 to 4 hours, it’s higher with older children, though tailor-made to your group, and can present you town that Ebeneezer Scrooge may need recognised.
Go ice skating
The looks of London’s pop-up ice skating rink at all times indicators the beginning of Christmas for me – set in a number of the metropolis’s most iconic areas, it’s at all times tempting to tug on some skates earlier than warming up with sizzling chocolate and mulled wine.
Whereas the rink within the Tower of London moat isn’t making an look in 2021, you’ll be able to nonetheless skate within the shadow of the Pure Historical past Museum – this yr would be the remaining time.
Head to Skate at Somerset Home, the place the courtyard transforms for winter, in addition to the ice rink at Hampton Courtroom Palace, which is lit up within the background.
Or in fairly Greenwich, one of many latest London ice rinks sits subsequent to the Queen’s Home.
You’ll additionally discover an ice rink at Winter Wonderland, if you happen to’re visiting the Christmas market there.
For extra particulars and concepts of the place to ice skate in London with children, together with year-round choices, take a look at my high picks
See a pantomime
It’s not Christmas and not using a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!) plus you may as well discover some great conventional Christmas exhibits on in London’s theatres too.
It’s price checking what ages are allowed earlier than you e book: regardless of being geared toward households, some theatres received’t settle for youngsters below 5 (take a passport or some type of ID in case your children are 5 plus however look youthful than their age).
For those who’re unsure the place to start out, Seatplan has this nice round-up of Christmas exhibits in London together with Pantoland on the London Palladium and Aladdin on the Lyric Hammersmith, plus the possibility to examine seat view photographs from fellow theatregoers.
Look out for classics too together with the Nutcracker, on on the London Coliseum and Nutcracker on Ice at Alexandra Palace this yr, plus the Snowman on the Peacock Theatre.
Or head to Greenwich to see A Christmas Carol within the Painted Corridor on the Previous Royal Naval Faculty – absolutely probably the most memorable areas within the metropolis to listen to it.
And the youngest theatre-goers will love seeing Stick Man, on on the Leicester Sq. Theatre
For a Christmas present with a distinction, head to the Royal Competition Corridor for Circus 1903, celebrating the Golden Age of Circus, with puppetry in addition to the same old circus thrills – a terrific one to mix with a go to to the South Financial institution Christmas market.
Hear some carols
One in every of my favourites components of Christmas in London with children is listening to carols sung whilst you’re out and about – however to ensure a rendition of some favourites, there are some organised occasions to take a look at too.
Trafalgar Sq. has carol teams fundraising for various charities within the weeks operating as much as Christmas, singing by the massive Christmas tree – a present from Norway yearly since 1947.
Or there are carol performances among the many sell-out occasions for Christmas on the Royal Albert Corridor.
You too can hear carols at St Paul’s Cathedral which has a sequence of free occasions throughout December – unsurprisingly well-liked, be ready to get there early and queue to get a seat.
Go to the Tower of London
One in every of my favorite locations to go to in London with children, the Tower of London will get dressed up for Christmas as nicely – the same old ice rink isn’t going down this yr, however there’s one thing new as a substitute.
The historic fortress has shows of decorations on its historical stone partitions, whereas the animal statues dotted across the Tower grounds are additionally being reworked to create winter wonderland scenes – the polar bear ought to really feel proper at residence.
Telling the story of the Tower by way of the animals which as soon as lived inside its partitions, it’s a festive option to expertise it with children. The one query is whether or not it’s going to outsparkle the Crown Jewels…
Runs from December 1-January 3, included in admission (free for members) – you’ll be able to generally discover reductions if you happen to purchase by way of the tiqets web site too.
Uncover Christmas previous on the Museum of the Residence
For those who’re seeking to learn the way Christmas has been celebrated over the centuries – to not point out winter festivals from different cultures and religions, head to the Museum of the Residence.
The Winter Competition celebrations run to February 2022, and the museum has given its rooms by way of time a makeover as a part of this.
Free to enter, you may as well uncover how Boxing Day bought its title, plus there’s a lightweight set up and workshops.
See the primary Christmas card on the Postal Museum
See the world’s first Christmas card on show on the Postal Museum this winter, in addition to a show of magical letters exchanged between youngsters and Santa since 1964 (and a few of his replies).
The Mail Rail – the underground prepare as soon as used for transporting publish – can be getting a festive makeover, with new audio as a part of the journey, together with the very first King’s Speech.
There’s additionally a sequence of Festive Household Enjoyable Days on Saturdays in December, with arts and crafts classes, plus a Christmas Household Path – spot Tibs the postal cat hidden by way of the museum’s exhibitions, in addition to studying what jobs animals have carried out to assist the postal service.
Runs to January 2, included in your ticket.
Add some magic at Hogwarts within the snow
A go to to the Warner Bros Studio Tour is enchanting at any time of yr for Harry Potter followers, however head there within the winter and also you get the added magic of Hogwarts within the snow.
The units from the films get a festive transformation – anticipate snow within the Forbidden Forest for the primary time this yr, in addition to on the cobbled stones of Diagon Alley, over Hagrid’s Hut and on the Hogwarts Fortress Mannequin.
Inside there are many winter touches too, together with wreaths and garlands within the Nice Corridor – and a tree topped with witches on miniature broomsticks – whereas the desk is prepared for the Christmas feast, together with flaming Christmas puddings and prop meals.
December dates go in a short time so it’s one to snap up early. You too can e book tickets together with transport from central London. Hogwarts within the Snow runs to January 16.
For extra Harry Potter areas in London, take a look at my high picks for followers
Drink sizzling chocolate
When there’s a nip within the air, particularly if you happen to’re out on ice rinks or wandering round Christmas markets, you’ve bought the right excuse for warm chocolate (although I’m first within the queue as quickly as autumn rolls round).
And neglect the odd on a regular basis sizzling chocolate, as a result of London specialises in some indulgently extravagant drinks to attempt.
For traditional variations with added deal with issue, head to conventional favourites like Venchi in addition to Lodge Chocolat, which each have branches throughout town together with in Covent Backyard.
Look out for Rabot 1745 at Borough Market as nicely, named for the St Lucia plantation the place Lodge Chocolat’s cocoa is grown.
For extra of the very best sizzling chocolate in London with children, take a look at my picks
Rococo has a string of surprising flavours so as to add to its prime quality chocolate – suppose white chocolate and cardamom, for instance, in addition to ultra-dark chocolate and child-friendly milk chocolate.
Or Knoops guarantees a alternative of twenty-two totally different ranges, from creamy white proper as much as 100% darkish chocolate. Began in Rye, the place it’s a favorite of ours, there are 4 branches in London now too.
Chin Chin Labs is best recognized for its ice cream, however when temperatures drop, they swap to sizzling chocolate with charred marshmallow fluff on high.
Ruby Violet in Kings Cross, one other favorite cease for ice cream, additionally has some fabulously wealthy sizzling chocolate: served in a small gold cup, it’s all of the indulgent sugar hit you want.
Copperhouse Chocolate in Islington’s Chapel Market allows you to select totally different origin cocoa if you happen to’re severe about your sizzling chocolate tasting expertise, plus it’s vegan too.
And if you happen to’re in east London – or completely satisfied to journey for the last word sizzling chocolate – head to Darkish Sugars on Brick Lane, which additionally has some improbable flavours and chocolate shavings galore to high your drink.
Discover the Gingerbread Metropolis on the Museum of Structure
For those who’ve ever made a gingerbread home for Christmas together with your children, it pales by comparability to the astonishing Gingerbread Metropolis on the Museum of Structure.
Quite than a number of bits of biscuit glued along with icing and splodged with Smarties, this annual exhibition sees architects, designers and engineers create an intricate and artistic show, with an entire metropolis of gingerbread.
For those who’re feeling impressed, there are gingerbread-making workshops for households on the Museum in Belgravia too – not included with tickets to the exhibition, you need to e book these individually.
Watch the snow
You’re unlikely to discover a white Christmas in London so Covent Backyard has stepped in to the breach this yr, with some assured snow as a part of its festive celebrations.
Be careful for flurries each hour between midday and 7pm across the Christmas tree, till December 27.
In any other case, the closest you’ll come is if you happen to go to Hogwarts within the Snow (scroll up for extra) or on one of many London ice rinks!
Comply with the Nationwide Belief’s winter wander path
If all of the crowds and over-indulgence are catching up with you, the Nationwide Belief has the right option to tempt everybody outside this winter – excellent for youthful children.
Percy the Park Keeper’s Winter Wander trails run at numerous Nationwide Belief properties throughout December, together with Osterley Home in west London and Ham Home, which has its personal great conventional Christmas tree.
The path can be operating at Morden Corridor Park, the place it’s on till early January as nicely, with animal themed clues to identify and actions to burn off these sizzling goodies.
Secret Christmas Wonderland at Kidzania
There’s a festive makeover at KidZania London this winter, with six new actions going down as a part of Secret Christmas Wonderland.
Geared toward children aged 4 to 14, there’s additionally a uncommon alternative for adults to hitch in, with a pre-recorded panto efficiency of Cinderella, the possibility to design a toy at elf faculty, adorning playing cards and baubles, in addition to dancing and music.
There’s additionally a path by way of town with Christmassy clues which allow you to get a particular password from London’s naughtiest elf, plus the remainder of the immersive metropolis’s experiences are operating as regular, with a number of additional festive touches.
Takes place most days from December 1 to January 9, included in entrance. Plus, in case your baby is aged eight or above, you’re allowed to drop them off when you’ve booked them in, and head off to get on with the remainder of your Christmas checklist in Westfield Procuring Centre.
For extra issues to do in London with children, together with uncommon issues to do with children in London and the very best locations to remain in London with children, take a look at a few of my different posts
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT CHRISTMAS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
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Kew at Christmas: Jeff Eden/RBG Kew; Trafalgar Sq./sizzling chocolate photos courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
