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It’s starting to really feel rather a lot 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 youngsters. Up to date for 2023
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After the restrictions of latest years, Christmas 2023 is pulling out the stops to get everybody feeling festive, from gentle trails to Christmas markets and midwinter points of interest in London.
There’s are Christmas exhibits and conventional pantomimes, some free issues to do in London at Christmas, and loads of locations to make unforgettable recollections – in case you’re questioning ho ho how to decide on, take a look at my decide of the most effective this Christmas in London with youngsters.
With some occasions nonetheless to be introduced, I’ll even be updating this submit so preserve a watch out for brand spanking new Christmas occasions too
See the London Christmas lights
London’s festive lights begin showing across the metropolis throughout November, so that you’re virtually assured to identify some twinkling decorations wherever you go.
Test the switch-on dates for a few of the largest and greatest right here
Earlier years have seen the whole lot from peacock feathers in Bond Avenue to butterflies over Carnaby Avenue, in addition to angels in Regent Avenue, so that you’re assured some attractive shows to see.
Quite a lot of the malls get in on the motion too, with festive facelifts for outlets like Fortnum & Mason, which has reworked itself into an enormous creation calendar, or this eagerly awaited window shows at Selfridges to see what’s going to change final yr’s Season’s Feastings.
And in case you don’t fancy wandering aimlessly to identify the most effective, there are some nice Christmas excursions too – probably the most festively enjoyable needs to be the Christmas Silent Disco stroll.
The tour begins close to Marble Arch and Hyde Park earlier than taking you previous a few 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 toes and go for a bus tour as an alternative. The Christmas lights tour from Tootbus lasts 45 minutes, and begins from November 17, or you possibly can hop aboard this longer open-top doubledecker tour as properly.
There’s 10% off grownup and baby tickets for the Tootbus London Christmas lights bus tour in case you e book earlier than November 30 utilizing the code JINGLEBELLS
Comply with a light-weight path
You’ll discover extra lights than simply these over London’s buying streets, with an entire string of festive gentle trails, some operating into the New 12 months.
Take a look at my decide of the most effective illuminated trails in London with youngsters for extra particulars
One of many latest gentle trails within the capital is again once more for 2023, with a redesigned route deliberate for Christmas at Kenwood Home in Hampstead from December 1, plus the ever-popular Christmas at Kew Backyard from November 15.
Or in south-east London, the Enchanted Eltham Palace occasion normally lights up the gardens of the wonderful Artwork Deco mansion for Christmas too.
Some previous favourites are nonetheless to be confirmed, together with Enchanted Woodland at Syon Home in west London (normally from round November 11), together with the alternative for Palace of Gentle at Hampton Courtroom Palace. Lightopia at Crystal Palace Park is unlikely to return nevertheless.
Free of charge occasions, preserve a watch out for 2024 dates for Winter Lights at Canary Wharf, which frequently runs in January reasonably than at Christmas.
Go to a Christmas market
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for conventional presents, Santa’s grotto, workshops or rides, there’s a string of nice Christmas markets in London with youngsters to select from – most have their very own twist reasonably than the type of conventional Christmas market you’ll discover in Europe, but it surely additionally means you possibly can go to a number of with out losing interest.
A few of my very own favourites are on the banks of the Thames, together with the stunning Southbank Centre Christmas market and winter competition, with some fabulous pop-up meals stalls, illuminations on the Queen’s Stroll and a conventional carousel.
For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with youngsters, in addition to the Southbank Centre winter market, take a look at my ideas
Additional east, there’s Christmas by the River close to London Bridge; quieter and smaller than a few of the different markets, there are sometimes workshops in addition to stalls.
On the different finish of the size, the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 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 possibilities to spent your cash, together with at picket chalets promoting meals and presents.
Again from November 17, entry is ticketed as soon as once more so it’s not free to enter, though in case you e book £25 price of points of interest, your entry payment is included
Or within the coronary heart of London, you possibly can normally discover a conventional Bavarian-style market at Leicester Sq. Christmas market, with over 30 stalls and meals, though there aren’t any plans for a Santa’s Grotto and different family-friendly occasions this yr.
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
And also you’ll additionally discover a small market in Trafalgar Sq. with round 20 stalls promoting presents, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and meals.
Or for extra Christmas markets, together with Greenwich, Battersea Energy Station and Kingston, take a look at my submit on the greatest Christmas markets in London with youngsters for extra particulars.
See Santa
If you wish to see Santa in London, you could transfer early, particularly for a few of the massive 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: lots of the Christmas markets have an opportunity to fulfill the person in pink (scroll up for extra options) 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, and he’s anticipated to be again once more for 2023.
You’ll be able to even discover Santa at London Zoo in December, in addition to a Santa with a definite distinction at Shrek’s Journey Christmas Grotto, the place the massive inexperienced ogre will get a festive makeover – enterprise inside Shrek’s Christmas cabin between December 1 and 24, and luxuriate in a deal with from the elves in addition to the standard enjoyable of Far Far Away.
For different locations to fulfill Father Christmas, preserve a watch out for on the Museum of London Docklands, whereas he’s typically on board a speedboat on the river too, with the Jingle Bell Blast from Thames Rockets. There’s typically an opportunity to say hello to Santa on the Nationwide Gallery though there was a particular Christmas efficiency as an alternative in 2022.
For extra locations to see Santa in London with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Board the Santa Steam Categorical
Discover Santa taking a break day from the sleigh, aboard the Steam Desires Santa Steam Categorical trains – attributable to return for the third yr in 2023, it’s London’s solely Santa steam practice.
Departing from Victoria on December 15, 18 and 21, there are 4 trains per day chuffing out of the town on a 75-minute journey round London, with Santa and his merry helpers additionally boarding the festively embellished Nineteen Seventies carriages.
There’s a drink and a candy deal with for teenagers (plus a heat drink and mince pie for grown-ups), plus a present from Father Christmas as he passes by way of the practice – you possibly can improve to First Class as properly for mulled wine (adults solely!) and extra spacious seats, in case you fancy giving your self an early Christmas current.
Take a look at our assessment of a visit on the Santa Steam Categorical
Take a Christmas strolling tour
Are you aware why turkeys wore boots on their solution 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 few of the metropolis’s Christmas lights in addition to promising some festive anecdotes.
Or be a part of a Dickensian Christmas stroll – this personal tour is themed round A Christmas Carol. Operating for 2 to 3 hours, it’s higher with older youngsters, though tailor-made to your group, and can present you the town that Ebeneezer Scrooge might need recognised.
Go ice skating
The looks of London’s pop-up ice skating rinks at all times indicators the beginning of Christmas for me – set in a few of the metropolis’s most iconic places, it’s at all times tempting to tug on some skates earlier than warming up with scorching chocolate and mulled wine.
This yr, there’s a model new rink coming to Kensington Gardens – Ice at Kensington Palace would be the UK’s largest
And Skate at Somerset Home will likely be again from November, with the courtyard reworking for winter, in addition to the ice rink at Hampton Courtroom Palace from November 17 to January 7, with the grand facade of the palace lit up within the background.
You’ll additionally discover an ice rink at Winter Wonderland from November 17-January, in case you’re visiting the Christmas market there.
In fairly Greenwich, one of many latest London ice rinks sits subsequent to the Queen’s Home, with skating anticipated to beginning up once more in November.
Don’t make plans to go to the rink on the Pure Historical past Museum – 2021 was the ultimate time you can mix skating and dinosaurs – whereas the rink within the Tower of London moat has additionally been completely closed.
For extra particulars and concepts of the place to ice skate in London with youngsters, together with year-round choices, take a look at my prime picks
See a pantomime or Christmas theatre
It’s not Christmas with out a pantomime (oh no, it’s not!) plus you too can discover some fantastic London theatre exhibits together with conventional Christmas productions and different family-friendly performances.
For my full checklist of the greatest Christmas theatre in London with youngsters, take a look at this submit
It’s price checking what ages are allowed earlier than you e book: regardless of being geared toward households, some theatres gained’t settle for kids underneath 5 (take a passport or some type of ID in case your youngsters are 5 plus however look youthful than their age).
When you’re unsure the place to begin, Seatplan has this nice round-up of Christmas exhibits in London (plus the possibility to verify seat view pictures from fellow theatregoers).
This yr’s choice consists of Peter Pan on the London Palladium and Cinderella on the Lyric Hammersmith, plus Aladdin on the Hackney Empire and Elf the Musical on the Dominion Theatre.
Look out for classics too together with the Nutcracker, on on the London Coliseum in addition to the Snowman on the Peacock Theatre. Or head to the Outdated Vic to see A Christmas Carol, additionally geared toward age 8+.
And whereas Frozen isn’t a Christmas present, what higher story for midwinter than a go to snowy Arendelle – the present on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is strictly for age 4+.
Older youngsters will love The Witches, a musical model of Roald Dahl’s story, geared toward age 8+, enjoying on the Nationwide Theatre? In the meantime there’s one other witch and a traditional story with Hansel and Gretel on the Globe Theatre – geared toward age 5+, it runs from December 8-January 7, 2024.
And the youngest theatre-goers will love seeing Stick Man, on on the Leicester Sq. Theatre from October 21.
For a Christmas present with a distinction, take a look at Peter Pan on Ice at Alexandra Palace this December.
For now, there’s no phrase on whether or not the favored turn-of-the-century Circus 1903 will likely be again in London celebrating the Golden Age of Circus, with puppetry in addition to the standard circus thrills.
Hear some carols
One among my favourites components of Christmas in London with youngsters is listening to carols sung when 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 large 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.
It’s also possible to hear carols at St Paul’s Cathedral which normally has a collection of free occasions throughout December – unsurprisingly common, be ready to get there early and queue to get a seat.
Head to Kingdom of Winter
New for 2023, Kingdom of Winter is packing London’s Excel Centre with festive enjoyable from December 8-January 7.
There’s ice skating and an ice expedition path, fairground rides, a circus and loads of locations to select up Christmas presents and stocking fillers.
Add in food and drinks galore – plus it’s indoors, if the climate is feeling lower than festive. Tickets value from £5.50 for entry (with various charges of tremendous off-peak, off-peak and normal, in addition to early fowl reductions) with extra prices for various points of interest. There are restricted tickets for the ice skating, ice expedition and circus.
Go to the Tower of London
One among my favorite locations to go to in London with youngsters, the Tower of London normally will get dressed up for Christmas as properly.
This yr, there’s a particular gentle and sound present, Crown and Coronation, operating from November 17-25 (prebooking important) – not particularly festive however an effective way to brighten up the darkish nights.
There’s no affirmation of another Christmas occasions for now, however final yr, the historic fortress had shows of decorations on its historic stone partitions. The Tower grounds had been additionally reworked to carry the 12 Days of Christmas to life, with a particular path to trace down the assorted sights together with your true loves, together with a Christmas tree for every of Henry VIII’s wives and 9 rowdy ravens.
Hold a watch out for animal statues dotted round throughout a winter go to too – the polar bear ought to really feel proper at dwelling! The one query is whether or not any 2023 occasions will outsparkle the Crown Jewels…
Evens are included in admission (free for members) – there’s a reduction in case you purchase through tiqets utilizing my low cost code ‘MUMMYTRAVELS6‘ utilizing this hyperlink.
Uncover Christmas previous on the Museum of the Dwelling
When you’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 Dwelling.
The houses from Winter Previous remodel the rooms by way of time shows with a makeover to indicate varied festive scenes from by way of historical past (and reasonably much less festive scenes within the case of a Puritan Christmas) – final yr this ran from late November to early January.
Free to enter, you too can uncover how Boxing Day obtained its title, plus there are celebrations of different winter festivals together with Diwali and Hanukkah, in addition to gentle installations and workshops with occasions operating by way of to January 2024.
Comply with the Snowman Path
Head to the Fleet Avenue Quarter for a enjoyable little festive path this winter – Strolling with the Snowman can have 12 completely different embellished recreations of The Snowman to seek out.
Impressed by The Twelve Days of Christmas, and designed by varied artists, eagle-eyed guests would possibly recognise them from the earlier path alongside the Thames round London Bridge Metropolis.
Free to go to, the artwork path is because of run from November 21 till January 2024 (exact dates tbc), with figures to be present in places together with Chancery Lane, New Avenue Sq., Ludgate Hill and Fleet Avenue itself.
See the primary Christmas card on the Postal Museum
See the world’s first Christmas card on show with the standard winter makeover on the Postal Museum, which features a show of magical letters exchanged between kids and Santa since 1964 (and a few of his replies).
The Mail Rail – the underground practice as soon as used for transporting submit – may even be getting its personal festive makeover, with the very first King’s Speech as a part of the audio performed through the experience.
Plus there may even be a string of different household actions happening, together with interactive storytelling for youthful youngsters, with the possibility to make a particular festive cookery e book, plus festive tunnel walks for these aged 12+, exploring a route not usually visited by the usual tunnel walks.
Occasions run from November 1 to January 2, included in your ticket (tunnel walks should be prebooked individually).
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 once more, in addition to on the cobbled stones of Diagon Alley, over Hagrid’s Hut and on the Hogwarts Fortress Mannequin.
This yr the Nice Corridor will likely be bedecked within the gold decorations from the primary movie, plus a blanket of filmmaking snow over the Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley.
Earlier winter touches have included 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 get booked in a short time so it’s one to snap up early. It’s also possible to e book tickets together with transport from central London on the tiqets website – there’s a reduction utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6 in case you e book utilizing my hyperlink. Hogwarts within the Snow runs from November 11 to January 14, 2024.
For extra Harry Potter places in London, take a look at my prime picks for followers
Drink scorching chocolate
When there’s a nip within the air, particularly in case you’re out on ice rinks or wandering round Christmas markets, you’ve obtained the right excuse for decent chocolate (although I’m first within the queue as quickly as autumn rolls round).
And neglect the abnormal on a regular basis scorching chocolate, as a result of London specialises in some indulgently extravagant drinks to strive.
For traditional variations with added deal with issue, head to conventional favourites like Venchi in addition to Lodge Chocolat, which each have branches throughout the town together with in Covent Backyard.
Look out for Rabot 1745 at Borough Market as properly, named for the St Lucia plantation the place Lodge Chocolat’s cocoa is grown.
For extra of the most effective scorching chocolate in London with youngsters, take a look at my picks
Rococo has a string of bizarre flavours so as to add to its top 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 completely 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 six branches in London now too.
Chin Chin Labs is healthier identified for its ice cream, however when temperatures drop, they swap to scorching chocolate with charred marshmallow fluff on prime.
Ruby Violet in Kings Cross, one other favorite cease for ice cream, additionally has some fabulously wealthy scorching chocolate: served in a small gold cup, it’s all of the indulgent sugar hit you want.
Copperhouse Chocolate in Islington’s Chapel Market helps you to select completely different origin cocoa in case you’re critical about your scorching chocolate tasting expertise, plus it’s vegan too.
And in case you’re in east London – or glad to journey for the last word scorching chocolate – head to Darkish Sugars on Brick Lane or Nelson Street in Greenwich, which additionally has some unbelievable flavours and chocolate shavings galore to prime your drink.
Discover the Gingerbread Metropolis on the Museum of Structure
When you’ve ever made a gingerbread home for Christmas together with your youngsters, it pales by comparability to the astonishing Gingerbread Metropolis on the Museum of Structure, attributable to return for 2023 (signal as much as the publication to be the primary to listen to).
Relatively than a couple of bits of biscuit glued along with icing and splodged with Smarties, this annual exhibition sees architects, designers and engineers create an intricate and inventive show, with an entire metropolis of gingerbread.
When you’re feeling impressed, there are normally gingerbread-making workshops for households on the Museum in Belgravia too – not included with tickets to the exhibition, it’s a must to e book these individually and have to be prebooked.
Watch the snow
You’re unlikely to discover a white Christmas in London so for the previous couple of years Covent Backyard have stepped in to the breach, with some assured snow as a part of its festive celebrations.
2022 noticed flurries each hour between midday and 7pm across the Christmas tree, with the snow falling till December 27 as a part of the Covent Backyard Christmas celebrations.
There’s no assure the faux flakes will likely be again for 2023, though the standard sleigh will likely be again within the piazza. However in any other case, the closest you’ll come is in case you go to Hogwarts within the Snow (scroll up for extra) or on one of many London ice rinks!
Festive enjoyable with the Nationwide Belief
There are many festive touches on the Nationwide Belief properties in London, together with an opportunity to fulfill Santa.
At Ham Home, which additionally has its personal fantastic conventional Christmas tree, you possibly can step into Santa’s Grotto on the primary two weekends in December, then every day from December 16-23 (prebooking extremely really helpful, and also you want a ticket to Ham Home in case you’re not a Nationwide Belief member).
The person in pink can be coming to Morden Corridor Park – write your letter within the Stableyard first, then head to the grotto to fulfill Santa and his elves. Appropriate for teenagers aged 8 and underneath, tickets have to be prebooked – Santa will likely be visiting on the primary three weekends in December.
If all of the crowds and over-indulgence are catching up with you, there are sometimes particular winter trails to tempt everybody outside on the London Nationwide Belief websites too.
With a pure play space within the woodland at Osterley Home in west London, plus the positioning’s gardens and grounds to discover, it’s not arduous to seek out some enjoyable methods burn off these mince pies.
Secret Christmas Wonderland at Kidzania
There’s a normally festive makeover at KidZania London – earlier years have seen new actions for Secret Christmas Wonderland in addition to the possibility to go to Elf College.
Visits in December have included a path by way of the town with Christmassy clues which allow you to get a particular password to enter Elf College, with six actions to strive within the VIP space.
Youngsters also can discover the remainder of the immersive metropolis’s experiences as regular, typically with a couple of further festive touches. Geared toward youngsters aged 4 to 14.
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 Buying Centre.
Included in entrance, you may get a reduction on entry in case you e book utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6 on tiqets.
Rejoice Fishmas on the SeaLife Aquarium
Head to SeaLife London this winter to assist Father Christmas save ‘fish-mas’ by discovering all of the lacking presents Santa has misplaced across the aquarium.
In addition to exploring all of the completely different zones from the world’s oceans – and studying in regards to the creatures who dwell there – you possibly can meet the colony of Gentoo Penguins at Penguin Level, discover a Christmas Starfish on the hands-on Rockpool and extra.
When you’ve tracked down all of the presents scattered round, you possibly can reveal a secret message for an opportunity to win a particular prize. Included in normal entry in case you e book tickets on-line to go to on dates in December.
For extra issues to do in London with youngsters, together with uncommon issues to do with youngsters in London and the most effective locations to remain in London with youngsters, take a look at a few of my different posts
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT CHRISTMAS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This submit comprises paid promotion and affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Kew at Christmas: Jeff Eden/RBG Kew; Trafalgar Sq./scorching chocolate photographs courtesy of Depositphotos; Snowman statues courtesy Fleet Avenue Quarter; all others copyright MummyTravels
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