London 2024 festive family activities to book NOW

IlluminoCity Light Festival returns to Citypoint and Principal Place from 14th October to 6th January. Designed by Sydney-based artist studio Amigo & Amigo, Glow and Trumpet Flowers are designed to transform the plazas into stages for light and sound. Free.
Ice Rink Canary Wharf runs from 26th October to 23rd February. Pirouette around the central Christmas tree and glide underneath the shimmering lights of the giant, suspended mirror ball for a picture-perfect winter experience. Paid.
Skate Brent Cross On Ice will be popping up for the first time ever from 1st November to 5th January. This spectacular standalone ice rink will take over the John Lewis car park, transforming winter days into magical moments of skating fun. Paid.
Southbank Centre’s Winter Lights trail is back from 1st November to 2nd February, illuminating the site with outdoor artworks. The Winter Market will run alongside from 1st November to 26th December, with street food sold from traditional alpine-style chalets. Free.
Christmas at The Postal Museum is on from 5th November to 2nd January. Immerse yourself in the museum’s Christmas greeting cards display, take part in interactive lino-printing sessions and ride Mail Rail with a festive twist. Included with paid admission.
Glide at Battersea Power Station returns from 8th November to 5th January. Enjoy unrivalled views of the Thames and one of London’s most iconic buildings as you skate around three interconnecting rinks surrounded by twinkling lights and a 30ft Christmas tree. Paid.
Club Curling is back at Kings Cross from 8th November to 2nd March. Expect an electrifying installation of neon lights, creating the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere before and after playing on the six colourful curling lanes. Paid, kids go free with a paying adult.
Christmas at Kew is back from 13th November to 5th of January. Discover glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour. Wander beneath larger-than-life illuminations and glimpse Father Christmas along the way. Paid.
Skate returns to Somerset House from 13th November to 12th January. Hailed as one of the capital’s favourite winter experiences, Skate at Somerset House signals the start of the festive period with unrivalled skating, contemporary music and tasty food and drink. Paid
Fleet Street Quarter’s Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail will pop up from 14th November. The 12 penguins, each decked out in festive finery designed by individual artists, will be perched in iconic spots across Chancery Lane, New Street Square, Ludgate Circus and Fleet Street. Free.
The Ever After Garden will be back in Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square from 14th November to 18th December. Set up in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the installation will feature 30,000 illuminated white roses – each one in memory of a loved one. Free to visit.
Santa’s Grotto at the FUJIFILM House of Photography runs from 15th November to 24th December. The shop’s entire 3,000-foot first floor will be transformed into an enchanting immersive festive landscape that families can explore before meeting the man himself. Paid.
The Ice Rink at Westfield London is back from 15th November to 5th January. Glide around Europe’s tallest Christmas tree on an ice rink, then treat yourself to a delicious hot chocolate or a mulled wine. Paid.
Anya’s Grotto returns to Chelsea’s Pont Street from 18th November to 23rd December. Join santa as he guides you through a wonderland of candy cane forests and crunchy snow, twinkling baubles and icicle caves, ending with a festive story by the fire. Paid.
Museum of the Home’s Rooms Through Time will transform from 19th November to 12th January as part of its Winter Past installation. See how the season has changed London homes over the last 400 years, from decor and food to the way people kept warm. Free.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland returns from 21st November to 5th January. Enjoy thrilling rides, spectacular shows, festive food and drink, a picturesque ice rink, a magical ice kingdom, a real ice slide, cirque beserk and lots more. Paid.
The Victorian Santa’s Grotto will be taking up residence at London Museum Docklands from 22nd November to 23rd December. Stroll through the Sailortown gallery, decked out in festive decorations, to meet Santa in his grotto and receive a small gift. Paid.
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink is back from 22nd November to 5th January. Lace up your skates, bring your loved ones and get ready for an enchanting experience on the ice against the backdrop of Henry VIII’s historic home. Paid.
The Sneaky Family Spirit of Christmas is at Eltham Palace from 23rd November to 22nd December. Enjoy an immersive theatrical journey through the art-deco English Heritage venue, all leading to a heartwarming encounter with Father Christmas himself. Paid.
Meet Santa at London Zoo from 23rd November to 24th December. Little ones can take part in Christmas crafts before they meet Santa in his magical grotto at the heart of London Zoo and receive a very special early Christmas gift to take home. Paid.
Willows Activity Farm’s Santa Spectacular runs from 23rd November to 24th December. Meet Santa in his grotto and choose a gift from his Toy Shop; hop aboard Tristan the Runaway Tractor for a Magical Festive Woodland ride; meet the reindeer and lots more. Paid.
Christmas at the Museum returns to London Transport Museum from 23rd November to 5th January. Step into a magical winter scene and climb aboard Santa’s interactive sleigh, then cosy up for festive stories in the winter hideaway. Free with paid admission.
Big Penny Social’s Christmas launch featuring a roller-disco and Mrs H and the Singalong Band is on 23rd November. Then on 21st December, the centre will host Hullabaloo’s Festive Bees Knees-Up featuring live theatre, special guests, a fashion show and lots more. Paid.
Santa’s Grotto returns to Hamley’s Regent Street from 25th November to 10th December. Meet the enchanted elves in their special workshop before heading to the brand new Santa’s Grotto to meet the man himself, tell him your Christmas wishes and receive a gift. Paid.
The Alexandra Palace Santa’s Grotto will open from 27th November to 23rd December. Little ones will be treated to a meeting with Santa in his festive grotto in the East Court, as well as a small gift and the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa. Paid.
Santa’s Grotto is back at John Lewis Oxford Street from 28th November to 19th December. Join Santa’s team of merry elves and create a Christmas keepsake to take home. Then head in to meet Santa to share your Christmas wishes and receive a special gift. Paid.
The London illuminated light trail will be at Fulham Palace from 28th November to 22nd December. Stroll through the illuminated gardens and enjoy marshmallow toasting, mulled wine, mesmerising circus displays and live magic and music sets. Paid.
Glow Wild returns to Wakehurst from 28th November to 1st January. Explore an illuminated wonderland inspired by the hidden world of trees. Look out for iconic Christmas tree, giant flying owl and fiery hidden dragon, all surrounded by a thousand lanterns. Paid.
Victorian Santa’s Grotto returns to London Museum Docklands from 29th November to 23rd December. Stroll through the festive Sailortown gallery and meet Santa in his grotto. Receive a special gift and take a photo before exploring the museum. Paid.
Head down to Battersea Arts Centre from 29th November to 24th December for The Holly King and the Oak King, an immersive festive adventure created with Wild Rumpus. Follow performers on a magical trail as the whole family becomes part of the action. Paid.
Father Christmas and The Elves and the Magic Bear will be at the Old Royal Naval College from 30th November to 23rd December. Join Father Christmas for a special reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas before enjoying the elves’ interactive production. Paid.
Woolwich Works’ Gingerbread Grotto will be open on selected dates from 30th November to 23rd December. Visits to the grotto, which will feature a lollipop-lined garden and icing-tiled roof, include a gingerbread gift that can be decorated at an icing station in the café. Paid.
Pippa’s Poppets Father Christmas Home Visits are available to book for 30th November to 24th December. Delight your children with an unforgettable, bespoke experience featuring a festive singalong and a captivating rendition of The Night Before Christmas. Paid.
The Gingerbread City returns from 30th November to 29th December. Making its debut at The Gaumont in Chelsea, the city will be designed and constructed by 50+ architects and designers, and accompanied by gingerbread house-making workshops. Paid.
Gingerbread Greenwich will be popping up at Woolwich Works from 30th November-6th January. Feast your eyes on a sugary cityscape hand-crafted by local schoolchildren and featuring gingerbread buildings, candy-lined streets, frosted feature and more. Free.
Enjoy Storytelling with Father Christmas at the Natural History Museum from 1st-15th December. Join Father Christmas for a special Christmas story and have your photo taken with him afterwards. Each child’s ticket includes a gift from Father Christmas. Paid.
Whippersnappers Winter Wonderland runs from 1st-23rd December. Follow Santa’s elves to the Wyld Woods for mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies. Climb into Santa’s sleigh for a festive photo opp, then immerse yourselves in an interactive theatre experience. Paid.
Head to the Natural History Museum from 1st-15th December for Storytelling with Father Christmas. Join Father Christmas for a special Christmas story in his wintery wonderland, have your photo taken with him and receive a small gift. Paid.
Christmas in Chelsea runs from 4th-29th December. Transforming the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea into a dazzling winter wonderland, this breath-taking, new-for-2024 light show will feature a candyland grotto, festive market, seasonal workshops and lots more. Paid.
The Secret Postie’s Grotto will be popping up at Discover from 6th December to 5th January. With options for ages 0-2 and 2-7, the grotto will take the form of a festive winter wonderland, and include an interactive storytelling session and photo opportunities. Paid.
Head to Camden Market on 14th December for Santa Meet & Greet at the Enchanted Ice Grotto, where children can write letters to Santa, decorate biscuits, take part in face painting, art workshops and a lucky-dip present giveaway, and meet the big man himself. Paid.
Once Upon a Kingswood Christmas is on from 14th-24th December. This immersive experience will take visitors through beautiful sets as they help Bella find the Fairtyale Alliance, rescue Father Christmas from the Snow Queen and save the Festive Season. Paid.
Meet Father Christmas at the National Army Museum from 19th-21st December. Join the festive fun at Play Base and meet Father Christmas in his winter grotto. Every child will receive a sustainable gift and some Christmas chocolate. Paid.