Family Activities to do in London this Christmas

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, we’ve put together a list to keep you and your kids entertained. Whether you enjoy strolling down the busy, beautifully decorated streets of London, or want a much calmer (though still festive) environment, we’ve got you covered!

The Gingerbread City with The Architecture Museum

Head to the Museum of Architecture’s pop-up exhibition with The Gingerbread City, where a gingerbread structure created by Great British Bake Off baker Pui Man in collaboration with architects SPPARC, is currently on display.

You can also book a spot at their Gingerbread House-Making Workshop. Each ticket includes a presentation on the exhibition theme and one gingerbread house kit per workshop group. This is suitable for up to 4 people to share. If your group wants to build more than one house, you can purchase additional kits when booking.

All gingerbread kits are freshly hand-made by their baker after you book. Note that workshop tickets are separate from exhibition entry, so book both if you want the complete experience. Children under three can join free with a ticketed adult, and they'll do their best to accommodate prams in the workshop area.

Magic of Christmas at London Zoo

The zoo offers a full programme of Christmas activities, festive animal talks, and story time with Santa's elves. Aside from Santa’s grotto, activities are free with the purchase of a zoo entry ticket. Families can also enjoy seasonal food and drink with vegan options available, at an additional cost. 

Your kids can also enter the daily prize draw for a chance to win an animal-themed Advent calendar.

Winter Funland at Olympia

This massive indoor Christmas extravaganza transforms The Grand Hall at Olympia into a magical winter wonderland.

Your ticket includes unlimited funfair rides, access to an ice rink, a festive circus show, and more. It's one of the biggest indoor Christmas family events in Europe, making it perfect for when the rain clouds gather but the holiday spirit remains strong.

Experience a Tudor Christmas at Hampton Court Palace

For something with a historical twist, experience a Tudor Christmas at Hampton Court Palace. Discover how Christmas was celebrated centuries ago with demonstrations of historic Tudor cookery, festive melodies from the past, and Christmas-themed talks from Palace Hosts.

Whilst you're there, you can also go skating at the annual Hampton Court Palace ice rink!

Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Hammersmith

No Christmas is complete without a pantomime. The Lyric Hammersmith presents Jack and the Beanstalk, a fresh take on the classic fairy tale packed with live music, dance, and clever comedy.

London's Dazzling Christmas Lights

This suggestion may sound like a cliche, but it really is worth seeing the London Christmas lights at least once. Numerous streets boast their own themed displays, from Carnaby Street’s ‘All Is Bright’ installation to Bond Street’s Crown Jewels–inspired decorations, and the classic ‘Spirit of Christmas’ angels on Regent Street.

While you're on Regent Street, pop into Hamley's to experience their festive displays. Fortnum and Mason's and Harrods also offer stunning Christmas displays worth visiting.

From Regent Street it's only a short walk to Leicester Square's Bavarian-inspired Christmas Market, or a slightly longer twenty-minute stroll to Trafalgar Square, where another Christmas market sits beautifully against the backdrop of the National Gallery.

National Trust Adventures

If the busy London streets feel overwhelming, the National Trust offers plenty of festive walks all over the UK.

At Morden Hall Park, embark on the Great Reindeer Hunt Trail, where six of Father Christmas's reindeer have gone missing around the park. Follow the festive trail, solve clues, and match each reindeer to the colour of its nose while discovering jokes, challenges, and facts along the way. Each reindeer is crafted from sustainable timber by carpentry students from Carshalton College. Trail sheets cost £2 from the Garden Centre, with proceeds helping maintain the park.

For a slightly longer journey, travel just an hour outside London to Claremont for A Very Penguin Christmas. This is a family trail and includes many Christmas-themed activities to occupy the kids along the way. 

Kids' Countdown with Just Vibez at the Southbank Centre

Finally, here's a brilliant solution for families with young children who want to celebrate New Year's Eve without keeping the little ones up past midnight. The Southbank Centre hosts Kids' Countdown, a free event where children can count down to 12 midday instead of midnight.

This energetic celebration features global sounds from Caribbean dancehall, soca, disco, R&B, and Latin grooves. Kids can party hard and end the year in style while still getting home in time for an early bedtime. Best of all you'll still have plenty of time to get ready for your own adult New Year's celebration later that evening.