12 Festive Family Days Out in London at Christmas

You’ll find London’s Christmas magic spans from Hyde Park’s massive Winter Wonderland with its 70-meter Giant Wheel and UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, to intimate Santa experiences at Hamleys’ seven-story flagship store. Explore twinkling Christmas markets along the South Bank, catch Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith, or glide across Battersea Power Station’s Thames-view skating trail. Don’t miss the Christmas lights bus tour through Regent Street’s angels and Oxford Street’s 5,000 sparkling stars—there’s so much more festive fun awaiting your family this season.

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park Adventure

Where else can you find a 70m Giant Wheel, the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, and a real 45m ice slide all in one magical location? Winter Wonderland transforms Hyde Park into London’s ultimate festive destination from November 14th to January 1st, welcoming 2.5 million visitors across six magical weeks.

You’ll discover over 150 rides and attractions spread across 350 acres, requiring at least three hours to explore properly. Book your two-hour entry slot online, especially for weekends and school holidays. Standard tickets cost £5 (£7.50 peak), but you’ll get free entry with £25 spent on attractions.

Don’t miss the new Luminarie Lane’s stunning Italian lighting displays, the revamped Bavarian Village, and Zippos Christmas Circus. The ice rink spans 1,795 sq ft and is beautifully illuminated with over 100,000 lights in a stunning candyfloss pink color. Most attractions charge separate fees, so budget accordingly and dress warmly for those outdoor queues.

Christmas Lights Bus Tour Through Central London

As London’s streets transform into a glittering wonderland each November, there’s no better way to soak up the festive magic than from the top deck of an open-top bus touring Central London’s most spectacular Christmas displays.

Golden Tours’ award-winning 90-minute journey takes you past Regent Street’s famous illuminated angels, Oxford Street’s 5,000 sustainable dangling stars, and Selfridges’ stunning window displays.

You’ll cruise through Piccadilly Circus, marvel at Trafalgar Square’s giant Christmas tree, and catch glimpses of the London Eye and Tower Bridge bathed in festive lights. The route continues through the vibrant Southbank Christmas market, where you can glimpse the festive stalls and seasonal atmosphere from your vantage point on the bus.

Departing from London Eye, Victoria, or Green Park with regular evening slots from 4:30pm to 10:30pm, the tour includes expert live commentary sharing festive tales.

Dress warmly and arrive early for the best seats on this enchanting family adventure through London’s twinkling streets.

Santa’s Grotto at Hamleys Toy Store

While most London Christmas grottos offer a quick photo opportunity, Hamleys’ legendary “North Pole” experience transforms their seven-story Regent Street flagship into an enchanting winter wonderland that’ll captivate children from toddlers to ten-year-olds.

Your dedicated family elf escorts you through interactive workshops where children operate “naughty or nice” machines and light up toy contraptions to reveal special Hamleys Christmas teddy bears.

The real magic happens when you discover Santa’s secret room by pulling a hidden book from his shelf—pure storybook enchantment!

Each 15-minute session includes meeting Santa, photo opportunities, and Hamleys-branded gifts. Running from 25 November through Christmas Eve, tickets cost £110 for three people (£20 per additional guest during peak December dates).

For the ultimate festive treat, The Langham London offers an exclusive partnership with Hamleys featuring their own private grotto experience available to hotel guests staying in connecting Club Executive Rooms or higher.

Book immediately when sales open—2025 sessions sold out the same day!

Ice Skating at Battersea Power Station

The spectacular ice skating experience at Battersea Power Station transforms London’s most iconic riverside landmark into the capital’s coolest winter destination, where you’ll glide across three interconnected rinks beneath the famous Art Deco chimneys with unrivalled Thames views as your backdrop.

Running from 7 November through 4 January, this seasonal attraction features London’s first-ever 200-meter skate trail, extending your on-ice adventure around a towering 30-foot Christmas tree surrounded by twinkling lights.

You’ll enjoy themed music and DJ nights while skating, then warm up at The Glass House bar with hot chocolate and pizza. For a premium experience, you can upgrade to a skating bundle that includes sparkling wine and pizza, exclusively available for Mastercard holders.

The adjacent vintage funfair offers carousel rides and fairground games, while festive food huts serve churros and mulled drinks.

Adult tickets start from £16, with arrival recommended 40 minutes early.

Christmas Market Hopping in South Bank

After working up an appetite on the ice, you’ll find South Bank’s festive market scene offers the perfect blend of seasonal shopping and warming treats just a short journey across the Thames.

The Southbank Centre Winter Market transforms Queen’s Walk into an Alpine-style wonderland from November 3rd through January 4th, featuring wooden chalets serving mulled wine, bratwurst, and global street food alongside artisan gifts.

Don’t miss the SoLo Craft Fair at Between the Bridges, running Sundays from November 16th to December 14th. Here, 60 independent makers showcase handmade ceramics, textiles, and prints each week. Located in the Pier section next to Jubilee Gardens, this festive craft-wonderland creates the perfect atmosphere for discovering unique Christmas gifts while supporting local artisans.

You can easily walk between both markets, creating a perfect afternoon of browsing unique Christmas gifts while sampling seasonal treats with stunning Thames views as your backdrop.

Father Christmas Storytelling at Natural History Museum

Where better to combine London’s world-class museums with Christmas magic than the Natural History Museum’s enchanting Storytelling with Father Christmas sessions? Running daily from 1-21 December 2025, these intimate storytelling experiences unfold in a fairy-lit grotto filled with snowy Christmas trees and floor cushions.

Your little ones will gather round as Father Christmas reads festive tales like The Night Before Christmas, sharing stories about his preparations with elves and reindeer. The experience creates a wintery wonderland atmosphere with festive decorations and themed environments throughout.

Each child receives a special gift and T. rex-themed tree decoration, plus photo opportunities with Santa himself.

At £18 per child (including two adults), you’ll need to book advance tickets through the museum’s website.

Don’t miss the spectacular animatronic T. rex sporting its giant Christmas jumper – “Santa Jaws” perfectly caps off this magical museum visit.

Festive Fun at London Zoo’s Christmas Trail

Wild animals and Christmas magic create an unforgettable combination at ZSL London Zoo’s enchanting Magic of Christmas celebration, running from late November through early January.

You’ll discover the delightful “Elves in the Zoo” trail, where children spot Santa’s helpers hidden around animal enclosures while exploring different habitats. The zoo transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and perfect photo opportunities throughout the grounds.

Your family can enjoy the daily Animal Advent Calendar revealing animal surprises, attend seasonal talks about winter wildlife behaviors, and post letters to Father Christmas in the special North Pole post box. While exploring, you’ll encounter over 8,500 animals throughout the zoo’s diverse collection.

Book separate Meet Santa sessions for grotto visits with gifts, including relaxed sessions designed for families with additional needs. The festive trail’s included with standard zoo admission.

Covent Garden Christmas Shopping and Entertainment

How does Covent Garden transform into London’s most enchanting Christmas destination? You’ll discover hundreds of thousands of LED lights illuminating the historic piazza during the mid-November switch-on ceremony.

The giant Christmas tree on West Piazza becomes central London’s most photographed festive centerpiece, while the Market Building sparkles with oversized baubles and mistletoe chandeliers.

You can browse seasonal Christmas stalls alongside boutique retailers like Apple, Chanel, and Pandora during extended evening hours.

Street performers entertain families with magic shows and music throughout the piazza.

Don’t miss SUSHISAMBA’s Winter Piazza Terrace or Ladurée’s festive pop-up for hot chocolate and macarons.

The Miracle bar on Henrietta Street offers themed cocktails in cozy surroundings, making Covent Garden your perfect Christmas shopping and entertainment hub. The traditional festive market operates seven days a week with late-night shopping available until midnight on select evenings.

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas Theatre Show

While London offers countless Christmas entertainment options, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas theatre show at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre delivers pure magic for families with young children.

This beloved adaptation brings Briggs’ illustrations to life through imaginative puppetry and original music, following a grumpy yet endearing Father Christmas as he prepares for his Christmas Eve deliveries.

Running from 19th November to 27th December 2025, the 50-minute show perfectly suits attention spans of children aged 3-7.

You’ll find tickets priced £14-£22 with unreserved seating in the Studio auditorium.

The production features visual delights including reindeer, cats, dogs, and chickens, plus atmospheric effects like snow and haze. With ticket prices that increase as demand rises, securing your seats sooner rather than later ensures better value for this popular festive entertainment.

Book through www.lyric.co.uk, and consider downloading the preparation resource pack to enhance your visit.

Peppa Pig’s Christmas Show at Theatre Royal Haymarket

You’ll enjoy interactive moments as your little ones help get everything ready before the big day.

At just 1 hour 20 minutes including interval, it’s perfectly timed for young attention spans.

Tickets start from £10-£13, with Black Friday promotions offering up to 42% off weekday performances.

Children under 12 months don’t need tickets when sitting on laps.

Multiple daily performances ensure flexible family scheduling during the festive season.

The show features beloved characters including Peppa, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, and George in an engaging theatrical experience.

Christmas Craft Workshops at National Trust Properties

Since National Trust properties transform into enchanting Christmas wonderlands each December, their hands-on craft workshops offer families the perfect blend of creativity and festive tradition.

You’ll discover wreath-making sessions at Rainham Hall, where cosy cafés and craft fairs create the perfect festive atmosphere alongside outdoor trails and games.

Osterley Park & House plans exciting sari fabric wreath workshops for 2025, complementing their stunning Marigold Festival displays featuring rangolis and light projections.

Meanwhile, Ham House & Garden showcases star-inspired decorations from their celestial globe, complete with twinkling candlelight and aromatic Stuart interiors. Children can participate in crafting activities in the Garden Room, specifically designed for young visitors and families seeking hands-on entertainment.

Don’t miss Morden Hall Park’s Garden Centre, offering sustainable decorations, UK-grown Christmas trees, and locally-sourced treats. These workshops teach you to create colourful decorations while surrounded by beautifully festive National Trust settings.

Zippos Christmas Circus Spectacular

After crafting your own festive decorations, you can experience the magic of professional entertainment at Zippos Christmas Circus Spectacular, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland‘s beloved family show.

You’ll watch international acrobats, trapeze artists, and comic characters perform in the heated MegaDome tent during this 45-minute Christmas-themed extravaganza.

Your children will love Father Christmas’s surprise appearance alongside inflatable polar bears, and there’s no age restrictions so everyone can enjoy the spectacle.

You can catch shows at 14:30 or 16:15, with tickets ranging from £8.50-£17.00 depending on the date.

Book circus bundles for Winter Wonderland entry included, and arrive 20 minutes early for seating. The event runs until January 1, 2026, giving you plenty of opportunities to catch this magical performance.

This festive favorite delivers big-top magic perfectly tailored for young families seeking thrilling yet gentle entertainment.

The Sum Up

You’ve got incredible Christmas adventures waiting across London! From twinkling lights tours to magical theatre shows, there’s something special for every family member. Don’t forget to book popular attractions like Winter Wonderland and ice skating sessions early – they’ll sell out fast. Pack warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and your camera to capture those precious holiday moments. London’s festive spirit will create unforgettable memories that’ll last long after the decorations come down.