London 2025 festive family activities to book NOW

Spellbinding light trails, magical grottoes and ice rinks aplenty can only mean one thing… IT’S CHRIIIIIIISTMAAAAAAAAS!

To be updated as events are announced.

Canary Wharf Ice Rink is back in Canada Square Park from 29th October to 22nd February. Glide across the ice beneath sparkling lights, enjoy seasonal music and make unforgettable memories in the heart of the city. East
On Ice returns to Brent Cross from 31st October to 4th January. Step into a winter wonderland and enjoy a magical moment on the ice with friends or family. Glide beneath sparkling lights, soak up the festive atmosphere, and enjoy the simple fun of skating. North
Santa’s Grotto at Covent Garden’s FUJIFILM House of Photography returns from 7th November to 24th December. More than just a photo with Santa, the experience will feature an enchanting festive landscape, crafting, photo booths and maybe an elf or two. Central
Glide at Battersea Power Station will be back 7th November to 4th January. Enjoy unrivalled views of the Thames as you skate surrounded by twinkling lights and a spectacular Christmas tree, set against a backdrop of one of London’s most iconic buildings. South
Club Curling returns to Coal Drop Yards in Kings Cross from 7th November to 1st March. This year, The Club Curling Lounge will take inspiration from vintage Italian ski culture and will host a series of fun and festive science experiments. North
* Skate at Somerset House will be in residence from 12th November to 11th January. As well as unrivalled ice skating, expect a Virgin Atlantic Holidays lounge-inspired Clubhouse, alipine-inspired restaurant The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia, and a Harold Offeh art commission. Central *
The Ever After Garden is back with a new home this winter. From 13th November to 16th December, Chelsea’s Duke of York Square will be lit up with more than 30,000 illuminated white roses, with visitors invited to sponsor a rose in memory of a loved one. Central
Winter Wonderland is back in Hyde Park from 14th November to 1st January. Expect thrilling rides, immersive icy attractions, carnival games and enchanting shows, plus a cornucopia of festive food and drink to feast on. Central
* Christmas at Kew runs from 14th November to 4th January. Expect larger-than-life illuminations from international artists – many never before seen in the UK – plus a chance to glimpse Father Christmas along the way and enjoy fairground rides and street food. South *
Anya’s Grotto is back at The Village Hall from 15th November to 24th December. Join Father Christmas on a magical expedition as he guides you through a wonderland of candy cane forests, twinkling baubles and icicle caves, ending with a festive story by the fire. Central
* Hamley’s Santa’s Grotto returns from 15th November to 24th December. Be welcomed by Santa’s joyful elves and explore a world of wonder before joining the man himself for festive stories and present-giving. Central *
Museum of the Home is getting festive from 18th November to 11th January. As well as a real Christmas tree in the atrium, visitors can enjoy the annual Winter Past exhibition as it returns to the Rooms Through Time, casting Christmas magic on the museum. East
A festive Snoopy sculpture trail will be popping up across the Fleet Street Quarter from 19th November to 16th January. Expect 12 unique, artist-designed sculptures scattered around the area, celebrating 75 years of Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip, Peanuts. Central
Walthamstow Curling Lounge will be at Big Penny Social’s brand new Big Penny Studio from 20th November to 1st February. Grab your friends and family and book a curling lane – or just eat, drink and be merry in festive surroundings. East
The Victorian Santa’s Grotto is setting up shop at London Museum Docklands from 21st November to 23rd December. Stroll through the festively decorated Sailortown gallery, meet Santa in his Dickensian-style grotto and receive a traditional gift. East
Neverland at Kenwood is on from 21st November to 3rd January. Follow Tinkerbell on an unforgettable journey to a place of magic, imagination and adventure. Leave the ordinary behind and follow the stars through an enchanting outdoor light trail like no other. North
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink opens from 21st November to 4th January. Skate in the magical setting where King Henry VIII once roamed, surrounded by beautiful greenery and captivating fairy lights. South
Chiswick House Christmas runs from 21st November to 4th January. Embark on a fantastical festive journey through historic rooms, transformed into a spectacular world of Georgian yuletide opulence and fantasy, inspired by the beloved Twelve Days of Christmas carol. West
Head to Big Penny Social on the 22nd of November for Mrs H and the Singalong Band Christmas Launch. A much-loved festive family event, the show will place a strong emphasis on audience participation, theatrical engagement and communal singing. East
Fulham Palace is hosting Father Christmas in the Historic Library on 22nd and 23rd of November and 6th and 7th of December. Craft a Christmas keepsake to take home, take a photo with Father Christmas, receive a gift then exit through the secret bookcase door. West
Willows Activity Farm’s Santa Spectacular is back from 22nd November to 24th December. Find Santa in his grotto and choose any gift from the hundreds in his toy shop. Get crafty and decorate tasty gingerbread, glide around the synthetic ice rink and loads more. North
The Magic of Christmas comes to London Zoo from 22nd November to 4th January. As well as meeting elves and enjoying festive crafts, families can book special Meet Santa experiences, inclusing a VIP Breakfast encounter and an immersive ZooTown quest. North
The Angels are Coming: A Lightshow by Luxmuralis will be at Southwark Cathedral from 24th-29th November. Step into a world of wonder as the cathedral is transformed by an awe-inspiring light and sound spectacular by the award-winning artistic collaboration. South
Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations is back from 26th November to 28th December. Go on a journey through a 1.5km light trail before entering the winter village, where you’ll find a Christmas market, live performances and traditional fairground rides. West
Next stop, Christmas is at London Transport Museum from 27th November to 23rd December. Explore a festive trail, meet costumed characters, climb aboard an interactive sleigh and tell Santa those all-important Christmas wishes. Central
The Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace will be in residence from 28th November to 23rd December. Little ones will be treated to a meeting with Santa, a small gift, plus the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa in his festive grotto. North
Father Christmas will be at ORNC from 29th November to 22nd December. Gather around and the fireplace to meet Father Christmas, receive a special gift and take your own photos with Father Christmas and his granddaughter. South
The Christmas Candy Grotto is back at Woolwich Works from 29th November to 22nd December. Expect a sugar-coated grotto, complete with a candy-cane fence and an edible garden, with lots of chances to take festive snaps with Santa. South
The Polar Express will be pulling into Euston from 29th November to 23rd December. Don your PJs and dressing gowns as you board The Polar Express, an enchanting theatrical experience based on the 2004 motion picture. Central
* Wild Rumpus is back at Battersea Arts Centre from 29th November to 24th December with immersive Christmas adventure A Merry Misrule. Wander through enchanted lands and meet characters intent on causing disruption to the most wonderful time of the year. South *
* Museum of Architecture’s popular Gingerbread City will be in Coal Drops Yard from 29th November to 4th January. Explore an entire city built from gingerbread, candy, and frosting-designed, then create your own gingerbread house to take home. North *
* Whippersnappers’ Winter Wonderland returns from 30th November to 23rd December. Go on an immersive journey through the festive Park Keepers Lodge, featuring singing, baking, toy testing and a special meeting with the man himself. South *
* Pippa’s Poppets are offering home visits from Father Christmas from 30th November to 24th December. Invite the wonder of the North Pole right into your living room with a uniquely memorable personal visit from one of London’s best Father Christmases. Londonwide *
Head to NHM from 1st-21st December for Storytelling with Santa. Join Santa as he shares a magical Christmas story, capture the moment with a festive photo and take home a special  T-Rex tree decoration as a roaring reminder of your visit. West
Camden Market is hosting a Santa Meet and Greet at the Enchanted Ice Grotto from 1st-23rd December. Expect face painting, arts and crafts, santa letter-writing and a magical moment meeting Mother and Father Christmas. North
The Elves and the Magic Bear is at ORNC from 6th-23rd December. Join Santa’s Elves as they stumble upon a bag of untouched Christmas letters. With some joyful singing, dancing, magic, lots of silliness and a surprise guest, will they be able to save Christmas in time? South
Visit Santa’s Enchanted Grotto at Peter Jones Chelsea from 6th-24th December. Take to the skies on an unbelievable adventure to reach Santa’s Post Office, where you’ll meet the jolly man, and leave with a special LEGO set. West
Find Santa’s Grotto at Battersea Arts Centre from 6th-24th December. Transport yourself and your loved ones to the North Pole as Santa sets up shop in his own grotto, where little ones can share their Christmas wishes and receive a gift from the man himself. South
Head to Kingswood Arts from 16th-20th December for an interactive telling of Pinocchio. Go on an adventure to the top of a snowy mountain, out to pleasure island and into the belly of a wiggly whale to help Hugo on his magical journey to feeling like a real boy. South