We’ve handpicked some cracking activities and events for London kids and families this Christmas.
SIGHTS & SCENES
LEGO Christmas Tree (pic) at St. Pancras Station, NW1
Built over 2 months using 600,000 bricks and decorated with LEGO baubles made by local school kids. Fun activities include treasure hunts around the station throughout the season.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W1
Giant Observation wheel, Zippo’s Circus, free Santa’s Grotto, rides galore, German Christmas market and the gorgeous outdoor ice rink. Prices for individual attractions vary. 10am-10pm daily (closed Dec 25); ticket range £10.50 adult to £34.50 family, park entry FREE (until Jan 3)
Digital Nativity Scene at Covent Garden Piazza, WC2
Artist/director Martha Fiennes (Ralph’s sis) presents the Christmas tableau reborn in an ever-changing digital art installation. 11am-9pm daily, FREE (until Jan 2)
Giant Wooden Victorian Advent Calendar at Tower Bridge, SE1
Explore the walk-in calendar with surprises behind each door. Each kid gets a candy cane and certificate. 9.30am-6pm, adult £8/child £3.40/under 5s free (Dec 1-23)
Christmas at Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 (Kew Gardens overground)
Seek out Santa in his grotto, ride the Christmas carousel, go on a guided spice tour and catch up on Xmas shopping. Opens 9.30am, adult £13.90/under 17s free (Dec 10-Jan 2)
FESTIVE FUN
Mrs Santa’s Crafts Corner at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E3 (Bethnal Green tube)
Pop by to knit festive gifts including teddies, pom pom baubles and Christmas Crackers with Mrs Claus and her team of helpers. 12-4pm, FREE (Nov 26-27 & Dec 3-4)
Trafalgar Square Tree and Carol Singing, WC1
See the tree from Norway, sent every year since 1947, being lit up for the first time on Dec 2 and hear diverse groups sing carols nightly in the square. Daily from 5-9pm, FREE (Dec 5-22)
Christmas at Geffrye Museum, Shoreditch E2
Explore the exhibition Christmas Past then on the seasonal Family Day (Dec 3) make Art Deco decorations and sing carols, find your Festive Spirit (Dec 8, 5-9pm) and finally say Farewell to Christmas with 12th Night cake (Jan 6). Workshops 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm, FREE (until Jan 8 )
Storytelling by the Tiffany Christmas Tree at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2
On select nights in December, hear tales including The Winter Carousel and Oliver Moon read by famous authors, with book signings to follow. 3.15-3.45pm, FREE (Dec 3-21)
London Wetland Centre Winter Wonderland Weekend (pic), Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes SW13 (Hammersmith tube)
Hang with Santa and his huskies, experience the magic of a sleigh ride or take a pic with the huggable hounds. There’s also arts and crafts, live entertainment, shopping and Christmas lunch in the Water’s Edge cafe. 10am-4pm, adult £10.55/child 4-16 £5.85/under 4s free; Santa visit £5 per child (with goody bag) (Dec 10-11)
SEASONAL SHOWS
The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, W1 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
A mouse on a walk in a deep, dark wood finds tall tales, songs and laughs in this adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s classic story. 11am (Wed-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun), times and dates vary, check web site; tickets from £13 (Nov 23-Jan 15)
Cinderella at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
Panto time? Oh yes it is. Join Cinders and her hideous sisters on a crazy quest for Prince Charming and the blinged-out slipper. Manic, musical fun for all the family. Varying dates at 1pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7pm; £9.50-£27.50 (Nov 26-Jan 8 )
The Snowman (pic) at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2 (Holborn tube)
Annual festive fantasy based on Raymond Briggs’ warm-hearted story brings sparkling choreography and a flying Snowman to the stage. For all ages. 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm (varying dates); £12-£32 (Nov 30-Jan 8 )
White, Spirit Level at Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Enter a dazzling world where everything is white until, magically, colour appears. A playful and visual treat for ages 2-4. 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm (times vary by date, check web site); from £12 (Dec 17-31)
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Roseberry Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
Dance theatre spectacular with a witty, wondrous take on the classic ballet. Suitable for all ages. 2.30pm & 7pm (times vary by date, check web site); £10-£60 (Dec 6-Jan 22)
Don’t miss our guide to Top Christmas Shows for Under 5s
SANTA & FRIENDS
Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Selfridges, Oxford St, W1 (Bond St tube)
Let Little Miss Sparkle and Jack Frost in a Box guide you into Santa’s grotto, with assistance from the 3D wish fairy. 10am-8pm (times vary), adult £7/child £3 (Nov 19-Dec 24)
Department store Santa’s a super-busy guy, also popping up at the world famous Harrods grotto, breakfast at Hamleys and in a 5D experience at Westfield London
Reindeer at London Zoo, Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
Catch them strolling through the zoo (until Dec 24) or hanging out in the Reindeer Lodge, the zoo’s new permanent exhibit. 10.30am-4.30pm, adult £/child £13.20/under 3s free
NB: You can also pet live reindeer in the East Piazza at Covent Garden (Sats until Dec 24, FREE)
Victorian Grotto at Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14
Go back in time to meet a period Santa in Sail Town (Dec 10-23) then get a taste of bah humbug in Scrooge’s Grotto (Dec 27-Jan 1). 10am-6pm; museum entry FREE, child grotto entry £5 (with gift) (Dec 10-Jan 1)
Lapland UK, Bewl Water Estate, Kent TN3 8JH (Wadhurst rail)
Can’t make it to the real Lapland? Escape to the wintry woodlands of Lamberhurst for a magical experience with the big red suit. 9am-10pm, £44.50-£62.50 (Nov 26-Dec 24)
ICE SKATING
Westfield Stratford City Ice Rink, Stratford, E20 (Stratford overground)
Skate under the open roof with the Olympic Stadium as your backdrop. Varying times from 9.15am-11pm (Mon-Sat) and 11.30am-6.45pm (Sun); max adult £10.65/child £7.65 (until Jan 8 )
Skate at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
Live DJs, a Skate School for beginners (Penguin Club for under 8s) and a dazzling setting at London’s coolest ice rink. 10am-11.30pm, from £7.50 (until Jan 22)
National History Museum Ice Rink, Exhibition Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
You’ll have room to shine on the 950 square metre ice rink, with Bob skates for toddlers (two blades on a shoe) and sessions for wheelchair users. 11am-10pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat-Sun); from £8 (until Jan 8, closed Dec 24-25)
EyeSkate at London Eye, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Glide on the spectacular rink in the shadow of the London Eye. Stabilising seals for younger skaters (ages 4+). 12-9pm (Nov), 10am-9pm (Dec-Jan); £9.45 adult/£6.75 child (until Jan 6)
Tower of London Ice Rink, EC3 (Tower Hill tube)
Winter cocktails and hot choc from the bar keep skaters fuelled on the stunningly lit rink outside the magnificent fortress. 10am-10pm daily (closed Dec 25); adult £12.50/child £8.50 (until Jan 8 )
There’s more action at the indoor rink at Westfield London, Canary Wharf, turn up and skate at Broadgate Circle, day trip to Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink and of course, all year round skating at Ally Pally
SHOPS AND MARKETS
Christmas Lantern Parade and Shopping at Greenwich Market (pic), SE10 (Cutty Sark DLR)
Watch the enchanting lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on, join in for carol singing and mince pieces, then shop more than 150 stalls for unusual gifts, art and stocking fillers. Parade 4-4.30pm, late shopping until 7pm (regular hours Tue-Sun, 10am-5.30pm), entry FREE (Nov 30)
Shop West End VIP Weekend, Oxford St and Regent St, W1 (Oxford Circus tube)
Enjoy traffic-free browsing along Oxford Street and Regent Street, admire the Christmas lights, join in a Christmas Carol-a-thon with Kids Company and of course, shop until your wallet pops. (Dec 10-11)
Angels Christmas Market at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
The German-style market is the largest in London, selling anything from gourmet honey to handmade ornaments. Daily 10am-10pm, FREE (until Jan 3)
Cologne Christmas Market at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
The annual winter fair returns with more than 60 chalets along the riverside, selling hand-crafted gifts, food and drink. 11am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat), 10am-8pm (Sun), FREE (until Dec 23)
Real Food Christmas Market at Covent Garden, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
Browse specialist stalls for handmade minced pies, chocolate treats and spiced drinks (hot apple juice for kids) from the Mulled Wine hut. From 12-7.30pm (Thu-Fri); 12-9pm (Dec 3, 10 & 17); Mulled Wine hut 12-10pm (Mon-Sat), 12-6pm (Sun); FREE (until Dec 31)
Images via event web sites
