Our handpicked guide to what’s cool this Yule for London kids and families.
ICE SKATING IN LONDON
1. EyeSkate at London Eye, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
London Eye presents Frostival with its annual ice rink open for a magical skate under the stars. Younger kids can use stabilising seals (ages 4+). 10am-9pm daily; adult from £9.45/child from £6.75/under 4s FREE (Nov 27-Jan 5)
2. Skate at Somerset House at the Strand, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
Skate against a stunning background to the beats of live DJs. There’s also a Skate School for beginners and a Penguin Club for under 8s. Hour-long sessions between 10am-10.30pm; tickets from £7.50 (until Jan 5)
3. Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 (Shepherd’s Bush tube/overground)
Take a break from Christmas shopping and enjoy a skating session under the open roof. Varying times from 10am-9pm (Mon-Sat) and 12-6pm (Sun); adult £11.50/child £6.50 (when booked online, box office prices slightly higher) (until Jan 5)
4. Tower of London Ice Rink EC3 (Tower Hill tube)
A beautifully illuminated ice rink and a majestic fortress add to the glamour of this skating experience, with winter drinks and festive snacks to fuel your fires. 10am-10pm daily (except Christmas Day); adult £11.50-£13.50/child £9-£9.50 (until Jan 5)
5. Natural History Museum Ice Rink Exhibition Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
Whizz around on the 950 square metre ice rink which offers wheelchair sessions and Bob skates for toddlers (two blades on a shoe). For non-skaters, there’s a cafe and a carousel. Hourly from 10am-9pm (Mon-Wed), 10am-10pm (Thu-Fri), 9am-10pm (Sat), & 9am-9pm (Sun); late openings Christmas to New Year; adult £12.50 off peak-£14.50 peak/child £8 off peak-£9 peak/family £38 or £39 (until Jan 5)
We also like
There’s more ice skating action at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (see below), the gigantic Canary Wharf Ice Rink (from 10am, until Feb 16), show up and skate at Broadgate Circle Ice Rink (10am-10pm, until Feb 27), take a day trip to Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink (10am-10pm, until Jan 12) and of course, all year round skating at Alexandra Palace Ice Rink
SIGHTS & SCENES
6. Hogwarts at Christmas, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Go behind the scenes of Harry Potter as the Hogwarts castle model is covered in a blanket of snow. Explore the Great Hall bedecked for Christmas, see the festive jumpers worn by the Weasleys and check out Harry’s gifts like the Invisibility Cloak up close! 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour) ;adult £29/child £21.50/family £85/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (until Jan 12)
7. Lego Snow Globe in Covent Garden Piazza, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
After the impressive LEGO Advent Calendar and the LEGO Christmas tree at St Pancras the year before, Covent Garden hosts this giant snow globe made of 120,000 bricks. Push a button and snow magically appears on the LEGO scene which has a distinctive London theme! Daily, FREE (through Christmas)
8. The Snowman & The Snow Dog at Union Chapel, Compton Avenue, N1 (Highbury & Islington tube)
The London Metropolitan Orchestra and special guests join BAFTA nominees Andy Burrows and Ilan Eshkeri in live musical performances to accompany screenings of the Christmas classic animations. Union Chapel is transformed into a winter wonderland and rumour has it a mystery man in scarf and green hat will turn up. 7pm (Fri), 3.30pm & 7pm (Sat); £20 (Dec 12 & 13)
9. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Head to Hyde Park for a magical day or evening out with all the family. There’s ice skating, a Giant Observation Wheel, a Magical Ice Kingdom, two shows of Zippo’s Circus, German chalets and of course loads of funfair rides. 5am-9pm (Thu Nov 22), then 10am-10pm daily; park entry is free, ride tokens cost £1 and rides start at £2 for kids rides, £3 for adults; book for special attractions and skating in advance at www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/tickets (until Jan 5)
10. Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
Every year, Norway sends a tree in a tradition dating back to 1947. The tree is lit (Dec 5), there’s a torchlit Crib Procession (Dec 9) and then carols nightly in the square (Dec 9-22). 4-8pm (weekdays), 2-6pm (weekends), FREE (Dec 5-22)
FESTIVE FUN
11. Enchanted Christmas House, at London Art House, 2-18 Britannia Row, N1 (Angel tube)
Enter a world of enchantment where kids can play in the Garden of Winter Wonder, decorate Gingerbread Men in the Gingerbread Kitchen, help Santa’s elves in the Busy Elves’ Workshop, enjoy a winter picnic and a festive show. And of course there’s a chance to meet Santa in his grotto! 10.30am & 1.30pm for three hour sessions; £44-£64 (Nov 30-Dec 24)
12. Christmas Claytime at Discover Children’s Centre, 383-387 Stratford High St, E15 (Stratford overground/tube)
Invent your own Christmas story using snow and clay with the award-winning Indefinite Articles company. Ask Sally and Steve whatever you desire, whether it’s a snowman, a reindeer or a Christmas pudding made out of snow clay! For ages 0-7. 11.30am & 2.30pm (Nov 30/Dec 1, 7, 8, 14 & 15), 11.30am & 1.30pm (Dec 20, 21 – 23, 27, 28 – 29 & Jan 2, 3 – 4, 5); adult £8.50/child £7.50 + additional child £6/family of 4 £28/under 2s FREE (Nov 30-Jan 5)
13. Festive Fun at Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14 (West India Quay DLR)
Discover tales of London’s hidden treasure with crafty workshops, storytelling and more. You can also visit the Victorian Santa’s grotto (Dec 14-23). Dates, times and prices vary; £7 grotto, most activities FREE (Dec 21-Jan 4) Find more seasonal activities at Museum of London
14. Christmas Past & Farewell to Christmas at Geffrye Museum
, Kingsland Rd, E2 (Hoxton overground)
Explore 400 years of English seasonal homes including traditions like parlour games, feasting and mistletoe. Then say Farewell to Christmas (Jan 5) with carols, mulled wine and 12th Night cake. 10am-5pm; Farewell to Christmas 4-5pm (Jan 5), both events FREE (Nov 26-Jan 5)
15. Christmas at Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 (Kew Gardens overground)
Shop the Christmas Village, go on an illuminated evening trail, ride the festive fairground attractions, visit Santa in his grotto, ride the Christmas and hear enchanting stories. Opens 9.30am, adult £12.50/child £8.50/family £38/under 5s FREE (until Jan 6)
We also like
Make it Better with a Sweater and wear your Christmas jumper to raise funds for Save the Children (Dec 13); groove to a Fela Kuti inspired musical set at Kinetica Bloco’s Festive Fela at Southbank Centre (Dec 20, 5.30pm, FREE); catch Xmas flicks at Snapshots Christmas Festival at Rich Mix, E1 (Dec 21, 2pm, £2.50); experience Christmas at Kensington Palace (Nov 30-Jan 6)
SANTA AND FRIENDS
16. Santa’s Special Train on the Epping-Ongar Railway, North Weald, CM16 6BT and Ongar, CM5 9AB (vintage bus ride via Epping tube to North Weald station)
Book early for a ride with Santa aboard these heritage trains, where Mr Claus will meet you on the way to the ‘North Pole’ and back to Ongar for an hour-long experience. There’s a gift for kids and mince pie and mulled wines for parents who’ve been good too. Nov 30 & Dec 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 & 23. Trains leave Ongar at 10:00, 11:30, 13:40 and 15:00. The fares for Santa’s Special train include the present/glass of festive drink and mince pie, train journey and connecting bus. Adult/senior £15, child £13/babies under 12 months FREE. (Nov 30-Dec 23)
17. Meet Santa on his Floating Grotto with Hidden Depths Canal Cruises, Granary Way, N1C (King’s Cross/St Pancras rail)
Catch a boat ride with the man from Lapland as Santa boards the Lapwing with one of his trust elves steering you through the Islington tunnel and back. Pick up and drop off on the steps outside the Kings Cross Granary Building, going through Santa’s grotto on the Regents Canal. 45 minute round trip with presents for kids and mince pies! 11.15am, 12, 12.45, 1.30pm, 2.15, 3pm, 3.45, 4.30, 5.15, 6pm, 6.45pm. Ring or email to guarantee a seat or just turn up on the day. Adult £5/child or senior £4/babes-in-arms FREE. (Dec 21-23)
18. Santa’s Grotto at Duke of York Square, off King’s Rd, SW3 (Sloane Square tube)
Kids can write their wishes and post them to Lapland, as well as meet Santa himself, take a photo and maybe bag an early Xmas gift. 10am-5.45pm (Mon-Sat), 11am-4.45pm (Sun); FREE (until Dec 23)
19. Meet Santa & His Reindeer at London Zoo, Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
Go on a live Nativity trail and find Santa (weekends, daily from Dec 20-24) chilling with is Reindeer friends strolling through the zoo (until Dec 24) or hanging out in the Reindeer Lodge. 10.30am-4.30pm; adult FREE entry to grotto (+ regular zoo admission)/child £25.50 (includes Santa £7 and regular admission)/under 3s £8 (for Santa, zoo entry FREE) (until Dec 24)
NB: You can also Meet Live Reindeer at Covent Garden, East Piazza, 12-4pm (Sats), FREE (until Dec 21)
20. Santa’s 5D Grottoat Westfield Stratford City, E20 (Stratford tube/overground)
Hop on the Christmas train with the elves for a magical ride into Santa’s 5D grotto experience, plus a gift and photo for the kiddies! 10am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-8pm (Sat) & 12-6pm (Sun); tickets £4/family £14 (until Dec 24)
We also like
Tickets for the Harrods Christmas Grotto sell out fast each year. But you can also bump into the big guy at Hamleys (Nov 23-Dec 24, £45 per child); Westfield Shepherd’s Bush (Nov 21-Dec 24, £4/family £14), Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Kew Gardens, London Wetland Centre, Battersea Park Zoo (Dec 7-24, £5 + entrance fee) and in the Victorian Santa’s Grotto at Museum of London Docklands
SEASONAL SHOWS
21. The Snowman at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2 (Holborn tube)
We were absolutely entranced by this wonderful and magical Christmas show that features a rousing score and a snowman who actually takes flight! Add this classic to your calendar, it’s one show you don’t want to miss. For all ages (recommended 2+). 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm; £12-£32/family £95 (until Jan 6) Read our The Snowman review
22. Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
One of the most famous Christmas stories returns to the stage in an enchanting adaptation to warm the cockles for young and old. Show from 9.30am (times and dates vary, check the web site for your day); adult £10/child £8 (Nov 22-Jan 4)
23. Cinderella at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
A wonderfully imaginative reworking of the classic fairytale sees Ella coming to grips with her wicked relatives and discovering true magic in this award-winning production, with original live music. For an extra special treat book your child in for a Christmas Sleepover (Dec 13 & 16) where they get to watch Cinderella, take part in activities before bunking down for the night. Sleepover tickets include show, dinner and breakfast. For ages 6+. Shows from 10.30am (times and dates vary, check web site); £15-£22. Sleepover tickets child £50/adults welcome at an additional cost. (Nov 26-Jan 5)
24. White at Spirit Level, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
An atmospheric and highly playful experience that sees a sparkling world of white suddenly invaded by multiple colours. This show specially created by Catherine Wheels for ages 2-4 returns to Southbank Centre after its sell-out run in 2011. 10.30am & 1.30pm, adult £12/child £6 (Dec 18-Jan 4)
25. Puss in Boots at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
The swashbuckling, whisker twirling hero arrives in the magic kingdom of Hackneyonia for a hair-raising adventure filled with zany characters, show-stopping song and dance and knockabout humour. The Hackney Empire Panto is a London institution and this one is set to bring laughs to all the family. Shows at 1pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7pm (check web site for dates and times); £10-£32 (Nov 23-Jan 4)
We also like
Coming Soon: Our Top 20 Christmas Theatre Shows for London Kids and Families!
CHRISTMAS MARKETS & SHOPS
26. Real Food Christmas Market at Covent Garden, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
The award winning market moves to the North Piazza, serving up its usual selection of handmade minced pies, chocolate treats and spiced drinks. Browse the stalls, spot the LEGO snow globe, pet live reindeer and enjoy Christmas craft activities too. From 11am-7pm (Thu); FREE entry (until Dec 22)
27. Winter Festival Festival Markets at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
The Winter Festival brings the popular Christmas Market back with more than 60 chalets along the riverside, selling hand-crafted gifts, food and drink. There’s also foodie fun at the Chocolate Festival (Dec 13-15), specialised goods at the Designers/ Makers Market (Dec 16-22) and the annual Real Food Christmas Market (Dec 19-22). Christmas Market open 11am-10pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat-Sun), FREE entry (now until Dec 24)
28. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Angels Market, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
More than 100 chalets selling a variety of gourmet items, handmade gifts and bric-a-brac makes the Bavarian market the largest one in London. Daily 10am-10pm, FREE (until Jan 5)
29. The Christmas Arcade at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
Trawl for festive baubles, jewellery, design and unique gifts at this pop-up mall featuring the best of British boutiques. New this year is the Champagne & Chocolate bar to round off your trip. 11am-7pm (Mon-Wed), 11am-8pm (Thu); 10am-7pm (Fri-Sun); FREE entry (until Jan 6)
30. Barbican Christmas Design Market at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC1 (Barbican tube)
Shop for handpicked wares, vintage goods and artisanal treasures at the annual market that also features a Christmas Toy Shop and a Designer Jewellers Market. 5-8.30pm (Wed-Fri) & 12-8.30pm (Sat-Sun), FREE entry (Nov 28-Dec 2)
We also like
Hunt for gifts also at Vintage Christmas Market and Real Ale Festival at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Dec 6-8), Greenwich Christmas Market (Dec 2-24) and the Islington Christmas Gift Fair (Dec 13-15)
