Our annual countdown of the 30 Coolest Things to do in London at Christmas 2014 features ice skating, Christmas markets, popular Christmas attractions and of course where to visit Santa and his pals. Have a very merry Christmas holiday!
ICE SKATING IN LONDON
1. Frostival at London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB (Waterloo tube)
Frostival is the London Eye ice rink experience with open air skating under the shadow of one of the city’s top attractions. Stabilising seals available for younger ones (ages 4+). 10am-9pm daily; adult from £9.45/child from £6.75/under 4s FREE (until Jan 4)
2. Ice Skate Vauxhall | Christmas Tree Maze at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY, UK (Vauxhall tube/rail)
Could this be a contender for coolest ice rink in London? Enjoy a skate around and then get lost amidst a maze of Christmas trees. When you reach the centre, there’s a surprise encounter. You’ll also find a street food market on site and traditional rides. All ages. 11am-8pm (Sun-Thu), 11am-11pm (Fri-Sat); adult from £10.80/child from £7.65 (until Jan 4)
3. Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 7SL (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 from £9/child £7 + £5 stabilising seals and penguins (prices for online bookings, box office prices slightly higher) (until Jan 4)
4. Natural History Museum Ice Rink Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (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 £12.65 off peak-£14.65 peak/child £8.80 off peak-£9.80 peak/family from £36.90 (until Jan 4)
5. Skate at Somerset House at the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
The hottest rink in town features a stunning backdrop and hot DJs on rotation. Newbies can join the Skate School for beginners and there’s also a Polar Cub Club for under 8s. Hour-long sessions between 10am-11.30pm; tickets from £7.50 (until Jan 11)
We also like
There’s more ice skating fun at brand new Winterville in Victoria Park and also at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (see Christmas Attractions below); the super sized Canary Wharf Ice Rink (from 10am, until Feb 28); turn up and skate at Broadgate Circle Ice Rink (10am-10pm, until Feb 26); make a day trip to Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink (10am-10pm, until Jan 4); and of course, all year round skating at Alexandra Palace
CHRISTMAS ATTRACTIONS
6. Winterville, Victoria Park (entrance near Crown Gate), E3 5TB (Mile End/Bethnal Green tube)
East London gets its own wonderland experience with Winterville, filled with colourful rides and illuminations, a Spiegeltent where live bands and entertainers perform, Robin Hood panto for all the family, Ice Rink and Roller Disco, delicious food stalls and much more! Until Dec 21: 3pm-10.15pm (Mon-Thu), 3pm-10.45pm (Fri), 10am-10.45pm (Sat), 10am-10.15pm (Sat-Sun); after Dec 21: 10am-10.15pm (Mon-Thu & Sun), 10am-10.45pm (Fri-Sat); New Year’s Eve 10am-8pm, New Year’s Day 10am-6pm; FREE entry, prices for attractions/rides and panto (until Jan 1)
7. Christmas at Kew 2014, Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB (Kew Gardens overground)
By day there are fairground attractions, Santa in his grotto and Christmas storytelling. By night you can wander the illuminated trail with giant light sculptures and Tunnels of Light. Fun for all ages. Opens 9.30am, adult £15-£17/child £10-£12/family £45-£50/under 5s FREE (until Jan 3)
8. Southbank Centre Winter Festival, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Southbank Centre simply sparkles at Christmas! This year’s Winter Festival sees giant illuminated rabbits, a Christmas tree maze, Christmas tree cafe, Santa Express train and the bustling Christmas Market. Indoors there are family friendly shows by toddler friendly Oily Cart, the amazing Slava’s Snowshow, circus show Timber and screenings of The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf accompanied by live orchestra. All ages. Christmas Market open daily 10am-9pm (Sun-Thu) and 10am-10pm (Fri-Sat); FREE entry (until Jan 4)
9. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Grab your Christmas hat and skip on over to Hyde Park for the grand opening of its Winter Wonderland. It gets bigger every year, and you can always look forward to ice skating, a Giant Observation Wheel, a Magical Ice Kingdom, two shows of Zippo’s Circus, German chalets and funfair attractions. All ages. 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 4)
10. Hogwarts in the Snow, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Experience the magic of Harry Potter right before your eyes, as the Hogwarts castle model is covered in snow. Visit the Great Hall decorated for Christmas, see the Weasleys’ festive jumpers worn by the Weasleys and scope out Harry’s gifts like the Invisibility Cloak! 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult £31/child £23.50/family £93/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (until Feb 1)
We also like
Hear carols sung around the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree (nightly until Dec 23)!
FESTIVE SIGHTS & SCENES
11. Make Hackney Sparkle: Christmas at the Pictures at St John-at-Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Rd, E5 0PD (Hackney Central overground/Lower Clapton Rd rail)
For the third year in a row Hackney Council and elevenfiftyfive join forces to present a sparkling evening of entertainment for all the family. Catch pedal-powered screenings of Frozen and the LEGO Movie, munch on mince pies and street food including yummy dogs from the Babe Papa aka Big Apple Hot Dogs, sip on mulled wine and local ales, listen to carols, maybe even catch a moment with that guy in the red suit. Pedal pushers will be rewarded with free cake and there’s also an in-house cycle surgery and bike shed. Doors 4pm, Frozen screening 5pm-6.45pm, LEGO Movie screening 7pm-9.10pm; FREE entry (Dec 15)
12. Enchanted Christmas House, at London Art House, 2-18 Britannia Row, N1 8PA (Angel tube)
A truly enchanting world where kids can explore in the Garden of Winter Wonder, decorate Gingerbread Men in the Gingerbread Kitchen, assist Santa’s elves in the Busy Elves’ Workshop, tuck into a winter picnic and watch a festive show. Plus Santa’s in his grotto to welcome all! 10.30am & 1.30pm for three hour sessions; from £129 (family of 2) up to £340 (family of 7) (until Dec 24)
13. LEGO Santa and Sleigh, Covent Garden, north east Piazza (Covent Garden tube)
We loved the LEGO Christmas tree in St Pancras, the Giant Advent Calendar and the gorgeous LEGO snow globe last year. For 2014, the star attraction in Covent Garden is a Santa and Sleigh pulled by Rudolph and 8 more reindeer, all made out of 700,000 bricks. You can even climb aboard and take a #LEGOsleigh selfie! Daily, FREE (until Dec 29)
14. Holiday Fun at Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14 4AL (West India Quay DLR)
Go back in time to a Victorian Santa’s grotto (Dec 6-23). You can also hear festive tales come to life, take part in Christmas crafts and activities for all ages. Dates, times and prices vary; £7 grotto, most activities FREE. Find more seasonal activities at Museum of London. (Dec 21-Jan 4)
15. Christmas Past and Farewell to Christmas at Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
400 years of English seasonal homes are on display showcasing parlour games, feasting and mistletoe. Explore the exhibition over the holidays, then say Farewell to Christmas (Jan 6) with traditional burning of holly and ivy, mulled wine, carols and 12th Night cake. 10am-5pm; Farewell to Christmas 3.30pm-5pm (Jan 6), both events FREE (until Jan 6)
We also like
Immersive storytelling for ages 3-6 in One Snowy Night at Discover Children’s Centre in Stratford, but hurry as already selling out! (until Dec 24); support Christmas Jumper Day to raise funds for Save the Children (Dec 12); celebrate a Glorious Georgian Christmas at Kensington Palace (various activities daily until Jan 4)
SANTA AND FRIENDS
16. Meet Santa on his Floating Grotto with Hidden Depths Canal Cruises, Granary Way, N1C 4AA (King’s Cross/St Pancras rail)
Drift along the canal in the company of Father Christmas and one of his trusty elves, aboard the Lapwing riding through 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! 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm & 5pm. Ring (0745 608 4584) or email (lapwing@hiddendepthscanalcruises.co.uk) to guarantee a seat or just turn up on the day. Adult £5/child or senior £4/babes-in-arms FREE. (Dec 13-14 & Dec 19-23)
17. Santa’s Grotto at Duke of York Square, off King’s Rd, SW3 4LY (Sloane Square tube)
A hugely popular spot to meet the man in the red suit. Kids are invited to write their wishes and post them to Lapland, as well as take a photo with Santa and bag a starter Xmas gift. 10am-5pm (Tue-Sun), FREE but pre-booking recommended (until Dec 23)
18. 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)
There’s fantastic fun aboard Santa’s Special Train, where Mr Claus will meet you on the way to the ‘North Pole’ and back to Ongar for an hour-long experience on a steam or diesel train. Kids get a gift and there’s mince pie and mulled wines for parents who’ve been good too. 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 £16, child £13/babies under 18 months FREE. (Dec 13, 14 & Dec 20-24)
19. Meet Santa and his Reindeer at London Zoo, Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
Head to the zoo to meet Santa (weekends, daily from Dec 19-24) and his Reindeer buddies. Make friends with elves in Elfville and help create festive treats for furry friends. 10.15am-3.45pm; adult FREE entry to grotto (+ regular zoo admission)/child £24.09 (includes Santa £7 and regular admission)/under 3s £8 (for Santa, zoo entry FREE) (until Dec 24)
20. Santa’s 5D Grotto at Westfield Stratford, E20 (Stratford tube/overground) (also available at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush).
Ride on the Christmas train with the elves for a magical journey into Santa’s 5D grotto experience, plus a gift and photo for the kiddies! 10am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-8pm (Sat) & 10am-6pm (Sun) – special opening hours for Christmas Eve; tickets £5-£6/family £16-£20 (until Dec 24)
We also like
Tickets for the Harrods Christmas Grotto sell out early each year. But you can have a meal with Santa at Hamleys (Nov 23-Dec 24, £45 per child); or hang with the big guy at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Kew Gardens, London Wetland Centre and also find Santa at Battersea Park Zoo (Dec 6-24, £5.50 + entrance fee). And don’t forget you can pet real Reindeer in Covent Garden at Covent Garden Piazza (every Saturday until Christmas)!
SEASONAL FAMILY SHOWS
21. The Snowman at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Utterly breathtaking children’s theatre, adapted from Raymond Briggs’ beloved tale, with glorious score and a snowman who actually flies! A true Christmas classic. For all ages (recommended 2+). 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm; £15-£35/family £95 (until Jan 4)
22. Mother Goose at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
Panto season is officially open in Hackney with larger than life characters, soaring vocalists, crazy costumes and slap-your-thigh humour. Mother Goose inherits Princess Priscilla, whose golden eggs aren’t all they’re cracked up to be! All ages. 1pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5.30pm, 7pm; £10-£32 (Nov 22-Jan 4)
23. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, KT1 1HL (Kingston/Surbiton rail)
Escape to Narnia, where the White Witch rules but four siblings battle evil with the power of Aslan behind them. Thrilling adaptation of CS Lewis’ classic fantasy. No age recommendation, possibly best for 4+. Shows at 11am, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 5pm, 5.30pm (Tue-Sun, times vary daily, check website); £10-£27/family tickets from £17.50 per person (Nov 30-Jan 4)
24. The Railway Children at King’s Cross, Goods Way entrance, Kings Boulevard, N1C 4QL (King’s Cross St. Pancras tube/rail)
The Olivier Award winning show returns to King’s Cross, bringing the classic tale by E Nesbitt beautifully to life and starring a real live steam train as its centrepiece. All ages. 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 2pm & 5.30pm (Sat) and 2.30pm (Thu & Sun); £26-£45/25% off for under 16s (Dec 16-Mar 1, 2015)
25. Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic at O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube)
Celebrate the best of Disney on Ice with all your favourites from Mickey and the Gang to the stars of Finding Nemo, The Lion King, The Incredibles, Toy Story and more gliding, spinning and thrilling audiences every night. All ages. 11am, 2.45pm, 6.30pm; £22-£46 (Dec 24-Jan 4)
We also like
See the full list from our Top Christmas Family Shows in London 2014
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
26. King’s Cross Real Food Christmas Market, Kings Cross Square, Euston Road, London N1 9AP (King’s Cross/St Pancras tube)
Not content with its regular presence at Southbank Centre, this year the Real Food Christmas Market is also running at King’s Cross. You can pick up seasonal festival products and munch on some of the most flavoursome street food around. From 12pm-7pm (Wed-Fri), 12pm-6pm (Sat); FREE entry (Dec 17-23)
27. Southbank Centre Christmas Market, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo tube)
The Winter Festival brings the delightful Christmas Market back with dozens and dozens of chalets lining the riverside, selling festive gifts, food and drink. 10am-9pm (Mon-Thu & Sun), 10am-10pm (Fri-Sat); FREE entry (now until Jan 4)
28. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Christmas Market, W2 2ET (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Enjoy the Bavarian atmosphere with 200 fairy lit chalets selling gourmet goods, handmade gifts, delicious treats and bric-a-brac at the largest Christmas market in London. Daily 10am-10pm, FREE (until Jan 4)
29. Somerset House Christmas Arcade at the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Something extra special this year as The Christmas Arcade is transformed into a pop-up version of Fortnum & Mason. See handsome design, beautiful displays and gifts to treasure. Get your hands on Fortnum’s limited edition Skate at Somerset House collection. 10am-8pm (Mon-Sat), 10.30am-5.30pm (Sun) – NB seasonal variations apply to entry times; FREE entry (until Jan 11)
30. Barbican Christmas Market at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Browse for unique gifts, handpicked goods and artisanal wares at the annual market and enjoy mulled wine and mince pies too. 4-8.30pm (Mon-Fri) & 12-8.30pm (Sat-Sun), FREE entry (Dec 12-21)
We also like
Go on a hunt for gifts and goodies at Greenwich Christmas Market (Dec 24); Winterville (see Christmas Attractions above) and More London at the Scoop Christmas Market (Dec 21)
