10 FREE things to do in London at Christmas with kids (2025)

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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 FREE things to do in London with the kids over the Christmas period. You don’t need to spend a fortunate to enjoy the magic of Christmas – the city is full of sparkle, festive cheer and fun for all ages. From dazzling light displays, to snow, carols, magical walks, Christmas markets and more, here are the 10 best FREE things to do in London at Christmas with kids.

1. Wander through London’s famous Christmas lights

Enjoying the world famous London Christmas lights has got to be one of the best things to do with the kids over the festive season – and it’s completely free! 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. Take a slow evening stroll to soak it all in, or make it part of your day out after dark. Covent Garden is especially beautiful, with its giant Christmas tree and live street performers. To avoid the crowds that gather later in the evening, visit just before sunset (around 4pm). Don’t miss the shop windows at Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Harrods too – the displays are mini works of art that the kids will love.

2. Follow the Snoopy Trail

Get ready for some wholesome family fun as the iconic Snoopy takes over the streets of central London in the charming Fleet Street Quarter. The free sculpture trail runs from 19 November 2025 to 16 January 2026, with twelve artist designed Snoopy sculptures perched on his famous red doghouse dotted around the area. It’s a perfect low cost activity and a lovely excuse for a winter wander. If you’re out in the evening, Greenwich Park also offers stunning views across the skyline and the lights of Canary Wharf after dark – pack a flask of hot chocolate, a few mince pies and enjoy some family time.

3. 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. The giant baubles and twinkling fairy lights hanging from the Market Building roof make it feel truly magical – especially when the snow machines start! The snow shows usually take place on the hour between midday and 9pm, filling the air with twinkling flakes that sparkle under the fairy lights. 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.

4. Take part in a free Lantern Parade

London hosts several beautiful lantern parades during the Christmas season, perfect for families looking for free festive fun with the kids. 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 19th of November. The London Bridge Lantern Parade, held on the 4th December 2025, features a glowing procession along the Thames from Potters Fields Park to London Bridge Station, with live music and a tree lighting. Over in Aldgate, the Lantern Parade and Winter Fete includes community workshops where families can make their own lanterns before joining an evening of lights, performances and festive celebrations. (Date TBC) These free, family-friendly events are a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season in London with the kids.

5. Visit London’s iconic Christmas trees

London goes big on Christmas trees and spotting them around the city makes for a fun, free festive challenge. The most famous is the Norwegian spruce in Trafalgar Square, gifted to London every year by Oslo since 1947. Other great trees include the one in Covent Garden, beautifully decorated with giant red bows, and the elegant tree in St Pancras Station which often has a creative theme or sponsor (previous designs have been made entirely of Lego or flowers!). Go in the evening to see the trees lit up and enjoy the carol singers performing around the Trafalgar Square tree – it’s one of London’s best free festive traditions.

6. 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. Keep your eyes peeled for free samples of festive snacks and hot drinks – a fun little perk if you’re browsing the Christmas markets in London with the kids.

7. 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. From cuddly bears to the latest Lego sets, 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.

8. Step into the past at London’s free museums

The free museums in London are a godsend for families in winter – they’re a great way to spend an afternoon with the kids when the weather isn’t on your side this Christmas. The Natural History Museum is extra special at Christmas with its grand entrance and festive decorations – look out for events too as they’ve previously hosted a ‘Storytime with Father Christmas’. The Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum are just next door in South Kensington so you can easily visit more than one in a day. Kids will love the hands-on exhibits, interactive zones and impressive dinosaur skeletons. Take snacks and a flask of hot chocolate with you to avoid pricey café stops, and pop into nearby Hyde Park to burn off some energy afterwards.

9. Watch free carol singing and performances

Christmas carols echo through London in December and many performances are free to attend. Trafalgar Square hosts daily carol singing beneath the Christmas tree, and churches like St Martin-in-the-Fields and Southwark Cathedral have free concerts or drop-in sessions throughout the month. 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.

10. Take a Christmas lights tour by bus

London’s red buses are not just practical – they’re one of the best (and cheapest!) ways to see the city’s Christmas sparkle. Hop on the Number 139 from Waterloo to Golders Green or the Number 159 from Brixton to Marble Arch, grab the top deck front seats and enjoy your very own Christmas lights tour without the cost of pricey tour buses. You’ll pass Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square – all lit up and beautiful. It’s not completely free, but kids under 11 travel for free in London and it’s a brilliant budget-friendly Christmas activity that the whole family can enjoy.

How can I get discounts on the big London attractions?

If you’re also looking to do some paid activities 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, Bus Tours, 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.
lovetovisit.co.uk: The ‘Love to Visit’ website offers discounted tickets for family-friendly days out with the kids all over the UK – London included – so it’s worth checking their current prices before you book. The attraction tickets are often so much cheaper than those bought directly from the attractions – the savings can be huge!
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 also 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 boxes so look out for these in the supermarket.
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?

Make magical memories without spending a penny

London truly shines at Christmas – and you don’t need deep pockets to enjoy it. Whether you’re wandering through the sparkling lights, singing along to carols, exploring free museums or taking in the sights from a double-decker bus, there’s festive magic to be found everywhere. Sometimes the best Christmas memories come from the simplest moments – so wrap up warm and enjoy the free things London has to offer this Christmas – there’s plenty to keep the kids busy and you’ll be feeling festive in no time. And, if you have got a bit of a budget here are a few more ideas for family-friendly Christmas activities in London:

Enjoy festive ice-skating at Queen’s House, Somerset House or Hampton Court Palace.
Visit Santa at Hamleys toy store.
Head to Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park.
Watch Elf the Musical at the Aldwych Theatre.
Ride the London Polar Express Train in your pyjamas!

For even more ideas for festive fun in the capital, check out my article: London with kids – the 15 best things to do at Christmas!

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2 comments

Naomi Woolfson says:

21st November 2025 at 10:40 pm

Oh I was so exicted about the Snowman trial but that was last year.

1. Natalie says:
  
  22nd November 2025 at 6:53 pm
  
  Hi Naomi. Ah so sorry – they’ve switched it to the Snoopy Trail this year. Thanks so much for letting me know, I’ve have amended the article. Have a lovely Christmas, Nat x