London 2022 festive family activities to put in your diary NOW

Keep an eye on this page as it will be updated as events are announced.

Museum of the Home’s Winter Festival runs from the 22nd of October to the 28th of January. Celebrate Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas and Lunar New Year, learning how they are marked at home, and discover light installations and displays exploring winter through time.
The Canary Wharf Ice Rink returns to Canada Square Park from the 22nd of October to the 25th of February. This year promises to be the rink’s most exciting year yet, and the huge glass roof means there’s no chance of rain cancelling play.
Christmas at The Postal Museum is on from the 2nd of November to the 5th of January. Follow a festive-themed trail around the museum, ride Mail Rail with a Christmassy twist and enjoy a variety of seasonal drop-in activities.
Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival will run from the 3rd of November to the 8th of January. Highlights will include a Winter Market, the eye-catching Winter Light illuminations trail (including Fred Tschida’s Sphere), art exhibitions and festive theatrical/musical productions.
Club Curling returns to Coal Drops Yard at Kings Cross from the 4th of November to the 26th of February. Teams of up to four are invited to try their hand at curling, with six synthetic ice rinks available daily and festive drinks available to buy.
Santa’s Grotto & The Magic Tree will be popping up at Peter Jones and John Lewis Oxford Street from the 5th of November to the 24th of December. Plant a magic bean that turns into a mini Christmas tree, take home a LEGO or DUPLO gift, and take a photo with Santa.
Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland light trail returns from the 11th to the 27th of November. Now in its 16th year, the trail will feature an array of lighting effects – from high-tech lasers to low-tech candles – illuminating the visitors’ path through the trees.
Glide, London’s newest ice rink, will be popping up at Battersea Power Station from the 11th of November to the 8th of January. Enjoy views of the Thames as you spin around three interconnecting rinks surrounded by twinkling lights and a spectacular 30ft Christmas tree.
Hamley’s famous Santa’s Grotto is back from the 12th of November to the 24th of December. Meet the man himself and his magical elves, chat with them about your kids’ favourite things (you can let them know beforehand) and receive a special gift to take home.
Anya’s Grotto returns from the 14th of November to the 24th of December. Find your way through moonlit forests and crunchy snow in this immersive grotto experience and enjoy a story read by Father Christmas himself before taking home a special gift.
Christmas at Kew is on from the 16th of November to the 8th of January. Discover sparkling tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections, trees drenched in jewel-like colour and larger-than-life illuminations, and say hello to Father Christmas along the way.
Skate at Somerset House is back in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court from the 16th of November to the 15th of January. Expect a bigger-than-ever skate space, 40ft Christmas tree, skate school sessions for over-6s and hot chocolate from Hotel Chocolat.
Lightopia returns to Crystal Palace Park from the 17th of November to the 2nd of January, and promises to be one of London’s finest festival of lights this Christmas. See Crystal Palace reborn in light, alongside a host of other dazzling installations and routes.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink will be up and running from the 17th of November to the 8th of January. Expect family skating for ages 3+ in front of the palace, evening skate sessions under multicoloured lights, and indulgent treats and festive beverages.
Winter Wonderland will be back in Hyde Park from the 18th of November to the 2nd of January. Head down and enjoy a flurry of fun in Santaland, fairground rides, and six new attractions – including immersive VR experiences and family-friendly fun.
WWT London Wetland Centre’s Illuminature light trail will be back from the 18th of November to the 5th of January. Be guided by larger-than-life illuminated sculptures as you get closer to nature and embark on a glowing animal adventure.
Ice Rink at Winter Village is on at Westfield London from the 18th of November to the 8th of January. Discover a magical winter wonderland where you can skate under the stars. Make a day of it with a trip to the Winter Village afterwards for a hot drink and a sweet treat.
Felt artist Lucy Sparrow‘s Christmas shop opens at Bloomsbury’s Brunswick Centre from the 19th of November. Expect a selection of felt Christmas decorations, plus a chance to buy some of Lucy’s most popular pieces from previous shows including her felt pharmacy.
Willows Activity Farm’s Santa Spectacular runs from the 19th of November to the 24th of December. Visit Santa in his grotto and choose a treat from his toy shop, decorate some tasty gingerbread and embark on a magical festive woodland tractor ride.
The Greenwich Market Grotto will be open on selected dates between the 23rd of November and the 23rd of December. Every visit will involve a personal meeting with Santa where children can tell him their Christmas wishes and receive a special gift.
Christmas at Bocketts Farm takes place from the 24th of November to the 24th of December. Hop on board the Santa Express trailer to the elves’ traditional workshop before meeting Father Christmas in his magical grotto and selecting a gift of your choice.
Toys, Tech and Tamagotchis: Christmas Bestsellers of the 20th Century will be popping up at Museum of Brands from the 25th of November to the 6th of January. Kids are invited to fill a pretend Christmas stocking before creating their own decoration out of recycled packaging.
Christmas at the Museum is on at London Transport Museum from the 25th of November to the 2nd of January. Enjoy a wintery trail, card-making workshop, interactive Routemaster-inspired sleigh and the chance to meet Santa and his elf in a magical winter wonderland.
Christmas at Bekonscot runs from the 26th of November to the 12th of December. See the village illuminated at dusk, enjoy a festive train ride and discover Christmassy scenes around the village. Kids can also visit Santa in his grotto on the 10th and 11th of December.
The Magic of Christmas returns to ZSL London Zoo from the 26th of November to the 3rd of January. Enjoy festive animal crafts, animal talks, marshmallow roasting and more. Then, from the 3rd-4th and 10th-24th of December, Meet Santa himself in his magical grotto.
Christmas at Kenwood is back from the 2nd of December to the 1st of January, when the 18th-century villa brought to life by awe-inspiring illuminations and installations. You can also head down on weekends in December for An Audience with Father Christmas.
The Victorian Santa’s Grotto returns to the Museum of London and the Museum of London Docklands from the 2nd-23rd of December. See the Sailortown gallery transformed with festive decorations, find Santa in his grotto and receive a magical gift.
Head to the Royal Albert Hall from the 2nd-20th of December for Storytime with Father Christmas. Step inside a whimsical world where you’ll be greeted by Santa and his Head Elf as they take families on a joyful journey, ending with each child taking home their own gift.
Paint Misbehavin’ will host a Kids’ Christmas Wreath-Making workshop at Coram’s Fields on the 3rd. Be led by artist Christina Rose Brown in using fabric, paper, ribbons and other materials to create your own wreath to take home. Includes a festive hot chocolate.
The Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City returns from the 3rd of December to the 2nd of January. This year’s exhibition presents not just one edible city, but five miniature cities across five different climate zones, plus a chance to create your own gingerbread house.
Art Play will be hosting a Santa’s Grotto in Old Spitalfields Market from the 3rd-24th of December. Visit Santa in his cosy grotto, join him for a festive tale then create some Christmassy art with his merry team of elves (booking opens soon).
Baby Broadway’s Christmas Family Concerts, Baby Gospel Christmas Family Concerts and Festive Family Knees Ups will run from the 4th-23rd of December at venues across London. Expect bubbles, puppets, dance moves and – obviously – singing along.
Palace of Light: An Enchanting Festive Light Experience is on at Hampton Court Palace from the 7th of December to the 2nd of January. Encounter glittering unicorns and polka-dot panthers as you wander the atmospheric gardens and historic palace courtyards after dark.
Cabababarave’s Christmas Special events will take place at Walthamstow’s Big Penny Social on the 8th and Lewisham’s Fox & Firkin on the 9th. Think outrageous drag, bendy elves and RAVE SANTA!
Father Christmas is popping into Fulham Palace between the 9th and 11th of December. Children can share their Christmas lists, pose for a photo and take home a special gift. While they wait their turn, the elves will help them create a special Christmas craft to take home.
Meet Santa is on at Westfield London from the 10th-24th December. Be greeted by one of Santa’s enchanting elves before meeting the man himself and capturing your very own photo – a physical memory that will last a lifetime.
Head to the Old Royal Naval College from the 17th to the 23rd of December for Santa’s Over the Moon. Head down for lunar stories read by Santa himself beneath Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon, as well as a present and a chance to take a photo with him.
Jewish Museum London’s Chanukah Family Day will take place on the 18th of December. Expect doughnut making, dreidel spinning, Chanukiah lighting, museum tours and a series of author events for adults and children. Free with paid admission.
Finding Father Christmas is on at the Charles Dickens Museum on the 18th of December. Follow the Family Trail to discover Santa’s Grotto. On the way you’ll learn loads about how the Victorians celebrated Christmas and what inspired Dickens to write A Christmas Carol.
Hanukkah Family Celebration is on at the Museum of the Home on the 18th of December. Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with a day of craft making, music and games. Whether this is your first or your hundredth Hanukkah, there will be something for everyone.