London with Kids at Christmas: 15 Best Things to Do (2026)

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If you live in the capital, or you’re planning a festive visit, you’ll be pleased to know that there are some fabulous things to do in London with the kids over the Christmas period. The city is full of sparkle, festive cheer and fun for all ages – with some free activities as well as theatre shows, Christmas markets, ice-skating and Christmas-themed attractions. So, for lots of fun this winter – here are the 15 best things to do for Christmas 2026 if you’re visiting London with the kids:

1. Take a ride on The Polar Express

This Christmas, step straight into the magic of the classic film on The Polar Express Train Ride just outside of London. Families are whisked away on a festive journey filled with singing chefs, dancing waiters, hot chocolate and cookies – just like in the movie. The highlight? Meeting Santa himself, who gifts each child their very own silver sleigh bell if they still believe! The immersive experience captures all the nostalgia and wonder of the story, making it a must-do for kids (and parents!) who love a touch of Christmas sparkle. Frugal Mum Tip: Book early to secure cheaper off-peak dates – tickets sell out fast!

2. Enjoy London’s Christmas lights

Enjoying the world famous London Christmas lights has got to be one of the best free things to do with the kids over the festive season. Each winter, the city streets are transformed into a twinkling wonderland, with Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street glowing with festive colour from mid-November. Covent Garden is especially beautiful with its giant Christmas tree and live street performers. There are also some fabulous Christmas Lights Bus Tours available. Frugal Mum Tip: Alternatively, hop on the Number 139 from Waterloo towards Golders Green to enjoy a budget-friendly Christmas bus trip – kids under 11 travel for free in London.

3. Watch A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

This is the perfect Christmas treat if you’re looking for things to do with older kids and teens (8 years old and above). Another hilarious show from the company that introduced the Play That Goes Wrong, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong offers a disastrous take on the much-loved classic Christmas story of Ebenezer Scrooge. It’s running at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 18th December to 23rd January. Frugal Mum Tip: Catch the show after Christmas – the tickets appear to be significantly cheaper from the 5th of January onwards.

4. Go ice-skating under the fairy lights

My kids’ favourite thing to do over the festive season is ice-skating and you can’t visit London at Christmas without having a go on one of the city’s beautiful ice rinks. Whether you’re gliding under fairy lights at Somerset House or Queen’s House, skating in front of Hampton Court Palace or spinning around the rink at Battersea Power Station, there’s something truly magical about skating with the city skyline as your backdrop. For little ones, most rinks have penguin skate aids – just check that the skates run small enough. Frugal Mum Tip: Bring your own flask of hot chocolate and arrive early – off-peak morning sessions are usually quieter and cheaper.

5. Enjoy a Classic Christmas Pantomime

You can’t beat a good panto for festive family fun! London’s stages come alive each Christmas with slapstick humour, sparkly costumes and lots of audience giggles. Potted Panto returns to London’s Apollo Theatre for another festive season packed with laughter, chaos and family fun. Or, for a slightly more budget-friendly alternative, step into a world of magic with the Cinderella Panto at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Frugal Mum Tip: Matinee performances are often a little cheaper, and with older kids the restricted view tickets can be a great money-saver and the view is usually absolutely fine!

6. Thrill-seek at Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland isn’t just a Christmas market – it’s a full-on festive theme park that pops up in London each year with loads of things for the kids to do. There are more than a hundred rides and attractions, from rollercoasters to a giant observation wheel, alongside shows, circus acts and even a magical ice kingdom to explore. You’ll also find rows of traditional wooden stalls selling gifts, decorations and festive food from around the world. You’ll need a timed ticket to enter and remember to set a budget before you go because it can add up quickly. Frugal Mum Tip: Off-peak entry slots are free – but you’ll still need a ticket.

7. Wander through a Christmas light trail

London has some enchanting Christmas light trails and Christmas at Kew is one of the best for families. Follow the after-dark route through glowing tunnels, illuminated gardens and festive displays along the way. It’s a lovely way to spend a winter evening together, though tickets can be expensive, so it’s worth checking the off-peak dates if you’re keeping costs down.

Frugal Mum Tip: For a free alternative, London also hosts some beautiful lantern parades during the Christmas season. The Greenwich Lantern Parade sees local schoolchildren carrying handmade lanterns through the Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark Gardens before the Christmas lights switch-on in Greenwich Market – this year it’s on the 18th of November 2026.

8. Head to Hamleys for Christmas magic

Hamleys is pure magic for kids and you don’t need to buy a thing! The world-famous toy shop on Regent Street transforms into a festive wonderland, bursting with decorations, twinkling lights and toy demos on every floor. The atmosphere is buzzing – elves greet families at the door, snow bubbles fill the air and you can often catch special character appearances or live performances. It’s a paradise for children and visiting at Christmas feels like stepping straight into Santa’s workshop – it’s a great place to soak up the festive atmosphere even if you’re just browsing.

9. Visit Hogwarts in the Snow

If you’ve got Harry Potter fans in the family, Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a brilliant option for something to do in London over Christmas with slightly older kids. Every winter, the Great Hall is decked out with wreaths, garlands and Christmas trees topped with witches’ hats, while snow dusts the Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley. The behind-the-scenes tour is fabulous year-round but it becomes even more magical over the festive season. Frugal Mum Tip: Tickets sell out months in advance so book early and plan to spend most of the day there.

10. Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Covent Garden

You could easily spend an hour or two at Covent Garden during the festive season without spending a penny – it comes alive with Christmas decorations, carol singers and street performers entertaining the crowds. It feels truly magical – especially when the snow machines start! It’s one of the best family-friendly Christmas activities in London that’s completely free – the kids will love running around under the falling snow. With the huge Christmas tree as a backdrop and the smell of roasted chestnuts in the air, it feels like stepping straight into a festive film.

11. Browse London’s Christmas markets

While some festive markets can be pricey, simply wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere costs nothing. The Southbank Winter Market is a family favourite, with riverside lights, music and the smell of festive treats in the air. The kids will enjoy the giant lit-up trees and the buzz of the crowds. Leicester Square’s Christmas Market is another lovely spot and often has street performers or mini shows to enjoy. If you’re heading east, Spitalfields Market and King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard both offer festive decorations and live entertainment with fewer crowds. Frugal Mum Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for free samples of festive snacks and hot drinks!

12. Head to the Shrek the Halls

At Christmas, Shrek’s Adventure! London gets a full festive makeover, turning the South Bank attraction into a hilarious, twinkling fairy-tale celebration. Families can journey through the enchanted world of Far Far Away alongside Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona but with a seasonal twist! Expect sparkling decorations, Christmas music and a few ogre-sized surprises along the way. It’s the perfect mix of festive fun and family adventure all wrapped up with Shrek’s trademark humour and plenty of Christmas cheer. Frugal Mum Tip: Look at Merlin’s Multi-Attraction tickets to save a small fortune on entry tickets for their popular London attractions.

13. Sing along at the West End Musical Christmas Show

For something fun and musical, head to the the Lyric Theatre to sing along with West End stars at a festive concert filled with musical theatre hits and Christmas classics. The West End Musical Christmas Show is suitable for children age 5 and above so it’s a fabulous festive treat for the whole family if you’re looking for something cheerful to do with the kids in London. Frugal Mum Tip: Check discount websites like GetYourGuide to save money on theatre tickets this winter.

14. Hunt out free carol singing and performances

Christmas carols echo through London in December and many performances are free to attend. For a free carol service, head to All Souls Langham Place which has family-friendly services on selected dates throughout December. You can also stop by Trafalgar Square to hear carol singers beneath the Christmas tree; check the performance times nearer your visit. You’ll often find choirs, brass bands and buskers performing around Covent Garden, Southbank and Leicester Square as well – perfect for a quick festive sing-along.

Make sure you head to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard too – it begins at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. During December, the military bands often add a festive twist to their set lists so you might get to hear some Christmas tunes – it’s one of my kids favourite things to do in London and it’s completely free to watch.

15. Visit Santa in a magical grotto

No Christmas would be complete without a visit to Santa. London has plenty of options, from the classic grotto inside Hamleys toy store, to London Zoo’s Meet Santa experience and the festive storytelling sessions at the Royal Albert Hall. Alternatively, Santa Land at Winter Wonderland is great for younger children and includes a meet-and-greet with Father Christmas. Frugal Mum Tip: Many grottos include a free gift in the ticket price – check before booking to make sure you’re getting the best value.

How can I get discounts on the big London attractions?

Whatever you plan to do in London over the Christmas period, never pay full price for your activities without having a good hunt around for the best offers! Lots of reward schemes and discount providers offer brilliant savings to make your city adventures more budget-friendly, so here are some ways to save money on the pricier activities and attractions:

Combination tickets: Merlin have five main London attractions with each typically priced at around £30pp, but book a multi-attraction ticket and you can visit them for less than £12 per attraction! This includes SEA LIFE London Aquarium, The London Eye, Shrek’s Adventure, Madame Tussauds and the London Dungeon. You get 90 days from the date of your visit to enjoy the other attractions, so it’s worth saving up and buying in bulk – click here to find ticket options and prices for your visit date, plus combo ticket options.

Tesco Clubcard points: Lots of London attractions are part of the Tesco reward scheme so save your points and you could visit for free!
National Rail 2-for-1 offers: If you’re travelling by train you can get 1/3 off or 2 for 1 tickets on loads of London attractions when booked through the National Rail 2 for 1 scheme.
Discounted tickers: Websites like ‘Love to Visit’ and GetYourGuide offer discounted tickets for family-friendly days out and London shows so it’s worth checking their current prices before you book.
Kids Pass: You can sign up to a trial for just £1 to access discounts on days out and eating out in the capital.
Supermarket promotions: Cereal brands like Kelloggs often run promotions where you can find discounts or even free tickets (things like 2 for 1 tickets) for some of the London attractions by purchasing specially-marked cereal boxes.
Blue Peter Badges: Blue Peter Badges are awesome because the kids can get in free at over 200 UK attractions – literally halving the cost of your family days out! In London, you can use them at ZSL London Zoo, The Tower of London, the HMS Belfast, The London Bridge Experience and Tombs, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo and loads of other places – read more about it here: How can my child get a Blue Peter Badge?

What else is there to do in London with kids?

If the winter weather lets you down don’t panic – there are plenty of things to do in London indoors with the kids. You can visit places like SEA LIFE London, The London Paddington Bear Experience, Prison Island, Mudlarks Family Gallery or Shrek’s Adventure – to name just a few – without getting soaked! In fact, I’ve found 20 fabulous places for kids of all ages so check out my article on the 20 best rainy day indoor attractions in London for kids for all the details. And, if you’re heading to London with teens, you’ll want to check out the 15 best things to do in London with teenagers.

Make magical Christmas memories in London

London at Christmas truly has something for everyone – whether you’re skating beneath fairy lights, exploring a festive market, heading to the theatre or watching your children’s faces light up as they meet Santa. I hope this article has helped you to find some fun things to do with the kids in London for Christmas 2026 – have a great time and make sure you check out my other festive articles too. Happy holidays! 🎄