Christmas in London With Kids 2026: 20+ Best Family Things to Do

Planning Christmas in London with kids in 2026? From Christmas at Kew and Hogwarts in the Snow to ice skating, Santa, toy shops and the best free lights, here’s how I’d plan a family Christmas trip to London.

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Christmas in London with kids is one of those trips that’s always worth planning a little more.

Because a five-mile Christmas lights walk sounds lovely until you’ve already done a museum, a market, lunch, and three shops…

With 10 Christmases in London to my name, I’ve learned a lot about how to best spend the season here, and now I’d love to share it with you (and your kiddos!).

In short, if it were me, I’d make one thing the star of each day, add whatever is easy nearby and save the lights for late afternoon, when London starts looking its best.

Shall we?

P.S. – If you’re planning the whole trip, keep my Christmas in London guide and 3-day London Christmas itinerary handy if you’d rather your kids fit around the adult itineraries!

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Quick Overview: Christmas in London With Kids

If you want…	I’d choose…	Best to know
My best all-round family Christmas experience	Christmas at Kew	Book ahead; under-4s are free but still need a ticket
For a full day of festive activities	Winter Wonderland	Brilliant if rides are your thing; less so if you want a quiet Christmas market
Harry Potter	Hogwarts in the Snow	Give it most of a day once travel is included
Ice skating	Somerset House	Kids’ Club is specifically for ages 6–12
Father Christmas	Meet Santa at London Zoo	Separate Santa ticket required on top of zoo admission
Younger children + theatre	Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas	A much easier festive show than a long West End evening
The best free Christmas outing	Covent Garden + the West End lights	Go before dinner rather than making it a very late night
A warm sightseeing option	Brigit’s Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus	Standard Christmas bus is for ages 5+

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20+ Best Things to Do at Christmas in London With Kids

1. Make Christmas at Kew Your Big Family Evening

If I were choosing one paid Christmas activity for a family trip, I’d probably pick Christmas at Kew.

The after-dark trail runs through Kew Gardens with huge light installations, music, the Palm House finale, food stalls, a little traditional fairground and Father Christmas along the route. In 2026, it runs on selected dates from 13 November to 3 January.

Children aged 4–15 have their own ticket price and under-4s are free, although everyone still needs a valid ticket. I’d book an earlier slot with younger kids, then have dinner around Kew Village beforehand rather than trying to keep everybody going until 10pm.

I’ve gone into tickets, timings and whether I’d actually book it again in my full Christmas at Kew guide.

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2. See Hogwarts Dressed for Christmas

If Harry Potter is already a big deal in your household, winter is exactly when I’d do the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

Hogwarts in the Snow runs from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, with the original Great Hall dressed for Christmas, festive tables, trees and the Hogwarts model covered in filmmaking snow.

I would give this most of a day. The studios are outside Central London, so definitely not something you can casually squeeze in before Covent Garden.

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3. Decide if Winter Wonderland Is Right For Your Family

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is enormous, and it’s worth planning before you visit.

For 2026, it runs from 19 November to 3 January, with 150+ attractions, rides, shows, food and a whole Santa Land area.

If your kids would happily trade a slow Christmas lights walk for rollercoasters and rides, they’ll absolutely love it.

But if they’re overwhelmed by crowds and noise, I’d choose Kew instead.

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4. Skate at Somerset House — Or Use the Kids’ Club

I’ve skated here myself, and if I’m choosing one London ice rink, I’m going to Somerset House.

The ice rink sits inside the 18th-century courtyard and runs from 11 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. With kids, the bit I’d pay attention to is the dedicated Kids Skate Club for ages 6–12, plus selected relaxed sessions with lower music and fewer people on the ice.

And if skating turns out not to be the family talent, you can still come in for the tree, food and rink-side atmosphere without buying a skate ticket.

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5. Let Covent Garden Do Most of the Christmas Work for You

For an easy family Christmas afternoon, Covent Garden makes life very easy: you don’t have to book a thing for it to feel like Christmas.

The 2026 Christmas season starts on 12 November, with more than 300,000 lights, giant bells and baubles around the Market Building and the enormous tree on the West Piazza.

I’d come while it’s still light, wander the Piazza and Neal’s Yard, warm up somewhere indoors, then come back through once everything is lit. Much easier than asking younger kids to begin their Christmas sightseeing at 7pm.

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6. Do the Big Christmas Lights Before Everybody Is Exhausted

The classic Christmas-light stretch is Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street and Carnaby, and it’s absolutely worth seeing for yourself.

With children, I wouldn’t automatically do my standard walking route (which can take 2-3 hours). Instead, pick two or three stops, start as soon as it’s properly dark and finish somewhere warm.

If little legs are not signing up for that plan either, read my Christmas light tours guide for the best walking, bus, bike and afternoon-tea options.

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7. Have Afternoon Tea on a Christmas Routemaster

I’ve personally done and loved Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus, and I particularly like it for families because you get the Christmas sightseeing without asking anyone to walk for two hours.

The standard Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus runs from 11 November 2026 to 5 January 2027, lasts around 90 minutes and is for ages 5+.

On it, you’ll get to whizz through the city on a vintage Routemaster, have festive afternoon tea and watch Central London go by while everybody gets a nice sit-down.

Brigit’s also has more child-specific Christmas buses in 2026, including the Peppa Pig Christmas Lights Bus and PAW Patrol Christmas Lights Bus for ages 2+, which I’d look at first if your kids are younger.

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8. Make London Zoo Your Daytime Christmas Stop

Christmas at London Zoo

Not every Christmas in London activity needs to happen after dark. Christmas at London Zoo runs from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, so you can do the zoo before the lights come on and still have the evening free.

The zoo has more than 8,000 animals, so I’d especially consider this if your family wants a normal London day out during your Christmas trip too.

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9. Meet Santa at London Zoo

London Zoo’s Meet Santa

If meeting Santa is one of the non-negotiables, London Zoo’s Meet Santa is returning for 2026.

The standard experience includes Christmas crafts, the grotto and a gift, with relaxed sessions available too. There is also a Santa + penguin-feed option for ages 3+.

P.S. – Santa is a separate ticket from zoo admission!

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10. Use the London Transport Museum as Your Covent Garden Warm-Up Stop

If the weather turns horrible halfway through your Covent Garden exploring, it might be time to take the kids into the London Transport Museum sitting right on the Piazza.

Between the historic buses, trains and London transport displays, it’s a really lovely indoor stop with plenty of seasonal family activities on throughout the year.

Check what’s on for your trip!

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11. See Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas if You Have Younger Kids

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas

If a full evening at the theatre feels ambitious, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is the one I’d look at.

This year it runs from 18 November to 31 December 2026, based on the classic book following Father Christmas through Christmas Eve as he gets the reindeer fed and his deliveries ready. If you’re travelling with younger children, it’s a great shout.

Book your tickets in advance!

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12. Do a Proper British Pantomime

If you’re visiting from abroad, a panto is one of the few Christmas activities that feels very specifically British.

For 2026, Cinderella at the Lyric Hammersmith runs from 14 November to 3 January. Expect songs, audience shouting, silly jokes and a version of Cinderella that will not be behaving like a serious West End drama.

I’d do this on a day when you haven’t already booked a big activity like skating or Kew—it’ll give your family all the entertainment you need for one day!

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13. Save A Christmas Carol for Older Kids

For older children, I’d look at A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic.

The production runs from 10 November 2026 to 9 January 2027 and is recommended for ages 8+. It lasts around two hours including the interval, so it’s lovely for a proper theatre night.

Plus if you’re going to see Dickens anywhere in December, London feels like the right place to do it.

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14. Visit the Iconic Hamleys Toy Shop

Hamleys Regent Street is a dream for kids come the holidays—filled with seven floors of toys, festive performances and displays. If you’re coming with children, I’d treat it as somewhere you’re going rather than somewhere you’re quickly popping into.

Plus the location simply couldn’t be better. Do Hamleys, walk back out onto Regent Street and carry straight on into the lights!

P.S. – For more shopping ideas beyond toys, use my Christmas shops in London guide.

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15. See the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

For a sweet and free stop with carols included, save time to head here!

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has been sent to London by Norway every year since 1947 as thanks for Britain’s support during the Second World War, and choirs sing beneath it through December.

I’d tack it onto Covent Garden or a West End day for a lovely end to your exploring (plus you’ll find carol singers here throughout December).

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16. Walk South Bank With Something Warm in Hand

South Bank is one of my favourite places for a Christmas walk that doesn’t require weaving through Oxford Street crowds.

The Southbank Centre’s winter season starts in November 2026 with markets, performances and seasonal food and drink along the Thames.

If you’re coming with kids, there’s no real failure point: stop around the London Eye, warm up inside the Royal Festival Hall, browse the stalls or keep going towards London Bridge.

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17. Go to Borough Market for the Food

Borough Market is over 1,000 years old and already one of London’s best food markets, which is exactly why I like it at Christmas.

In December 2026, it opens seven days a week from 30 November, so you can come for lunch, festive food and shopping and still feel like you’re exploring London proper.

P.S. – For more Christmas market recommendations, be sure to read my Christmas markets in London guide.

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18. Do Greenwich’s Lantern Parade if Your Dates Line Up

If you’re in London on 18 November 2026, I’d seriously consider going out to Greenwich.

The free Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights Switch-On starts at 4pm, with local schoolchildren carrying handmade lanterns through the Old Royal Naval College grounds before the lights come on at Greenwich Market.

It’s a very local Christmas in London event and well worth it!

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19. Have a Fancy Christmas Shop at Fortnum & Mason

Even if nobody in the family needs a very expensive hamper (whilst they are tempting…), I would still walk through Fortnum & Mason at Christmas.

The Piccadilly shop has been here since 1707, and December is when the hampers, biscuit tins, food halls and windows are all doing the absolute most.

And because you’re already on Piccadilly, you can walk easily straight on towards Burlington Arcade and Regent Street.

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20. Do a Free Christmas Window Crawl

You can make an entire Christmas-y afternoon out of the windows and Christmas departments without paying for a family of four every time you turn a corner.

The Christmas shops in London always go all out both inside and out, and it’s well worth the peek.

I’d pick two or three from Selfridges, Liberty London, Fortnum & Mason and Harrods, then let the displays and Christmas departments be the activity.

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21. See London From Above on a Christmas London Eye Flight

London Eye’s Festive Flight

I’ve done the London Eye myself and actually had a great time. I normally tell people to go early to dodge the worst queues, but for a Christmas trip with kids I’d make an exception and go at dusk.

From 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, every standard ticket includes a Festive Flight, with decorated pods and Christmas stories while the city lights up below you.

P.S. – They also have a separate Santa in the Sky experience on from 21 November to 24 December.

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How I’d Actually Plan a Christmas in London Itinerary With Kids

If you’re doing London at Christmas with kids, I’d personally look at one big booked thing + one flexible area + lights before dinner.

So one day could be the London Transport Museum in the morning, Covent Garden after lunch, then Regent Street lights before an early dinner. Another could be a slow daytime around Kensington followed by Christmas at Kew.

That’ll give you enough Christmas without every day becoming one giant queue.

For the adult version, I’d use my London Christmas itinerary and simply take one thing out of each day if you have younger children.

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Where I’d Stay in London With Kids at Christmas

The Resident Covent Garden

For a family Christmas trip, I would spend more for the right location.

For a calm base while staying walkable to Oxford Street, Regent Street and Hyde Park, I’d look at The Welbeck in Marylebone or The Resident Covent Garden if you want Covent Garden and the West End almost outside the door.

P.S. – You can read my full recommendations in my Christmas hotels in London guide, or more year-round family options in my family-friendly London hotels guide.

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A Few Things I’d Note Before Doing London at Christmas With Kids

Hogwarts in the Snow

🌙 Use the early darkness. In other words, you don’t have to keep kids out until 9pm to see the Christmas lights!

🎟️ Book one important thing per day first. Christmas at Kew, Hogwarts in the Snow, skating at Somerset House, Santa at London Zoo, A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, and Winter Wonderland are all worth booking ahead.

🧤 Bring more warm layers than you think you need. Because standing in a queue with cold hands is a very different experience from power-walking through London.

🍫 Plan warm-up stops on purpose. In December, a museum, department store or hot chocolate stop can be lifesavers!

🎄 Don’t stress over seeing all the Christmas markets. London has plenty, so I’d just pick the one that fits where you already are. If you’re on South Bank, stay on South Bank. If you’re in Greenwich, use Greenwich Market, etc.

🎅🏽 Make a completely separate plan for 25 December. Most attractions and shops close and London’s normal public transport doesn’t operate. Use my Christmas Day in London guide to plan your trip.

🎆 Staying through New Year’s? Use my New Year’s Eve in London guide before booking anything around the fireworks.

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Final Thoughts on Spending Christmas in London With Kids

Christmas in London with kids can truly be something magical.

Between Christmas at Kew, Covent Garden and the lights, family Christmas shows, Trafalgar Square and Winter Wonderland—no matter what you get up to, you’re bound to have a holiday they’ll remember forever.

Have the best family Christmas in London!

Happy Londoning,

Candace x

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FAQs: Christmas in London With Kids

Is London good for kids at Christmas?

Yes—very. In a city like London, you can easily mix big paid experiences with free lights, markets, museums, theatre, ice skating and Santa without every day costing a fortune. The only thing I’d avoid is planning the trip as if children have the same walking stamina as adults.

What are the best free Christmas things to do in London with kids?

For free things to do, I’d start with Covent Garden, the Regent Street and Oxford Street Christmas lights, the Trafalgar Square tree, department-store windows, the South Bank and Greenwich’s Lantern Parade if you’re in London on 18 November 2026.

Where can kids meet Father Christmas in London in 2026?

London Zoo has confirmed that Meet Santa returns in 2026, with standard and relaxed grotto sessions plus a Santa + penguin-feed experience for ages 3+. Father Christmas also appears along the Christmas at Kew trail.

What is the best Christmas activity in London for younger kids?

I’d look at Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, London Zoo, Covent Garden, Hamleys or one of Brigit’s child-specific Christmas buses. For children aged 2+, the Peppa Pig Christmas Lights Bus and PAW Patrol Christmas Lights Bus are built specifically for younger families.

Is Winter Wonderland good for kids?

Yes, especially for children who love rides and a busy fairground atmosphere. Winter Wonderland has a dedicated Santa Land area and family rides, but it is large, noisy and crowded—just as a heads-up. For a calmer evening light trail, I’d choose Christmas at Kew.

Where should families stay in London at Christmas?

For a first family trip, I’d stay somewhere central enough to cut down on transport. The Welbeck in Marylebone is my pick for a calmer central base, while The Resident Covent Garden is better if you want to step straight into the West End. Read my Christmas hotel guide or my Family-friendly hotels in London guide for more recommendations.

Does it snow in London at Christmas?

Usually not. Snow in Central London is much less common than Christmas films would have you believe, so I would plan for cold, damp winter weather rather than a guaranteed white Christmas. My London snow guide explains what to realistically expect (and what to do if you get lucky!).

What should I book first for Christmas in London with kids?

I’d book your big-ticket experiences first: Christmas at Kew, Hogwarts in the Snow, Santa at London Zoo, ice skating at Somerset House and any must-see theatre, like A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic.

Then leave the Christmas lights, markets and shopping flexible until you’re actually in London (they’re much, much easier to move around if somebody needs an earlier dinner).

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