10 FREE Things To Do in London at Christmas with Kids (2026)

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If you live in the capital, or you’re planning a festive visit for 2026, 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 early to mid-November. Take a slow evening stroll to soak it all in, or make it part of your day out after dark. We usually try to plan a November London visit as December can be really busy!

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 places like Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Harrods too – the displays are mini works of art that the kids will love.

2. Follow the Dennis & Gnasher Trail

Dennis the Menace and Gnasher are taking over London’s Fleet Street Quarter this Christmas! Running from 18 November 2026 to 15 January 2027, this free sculpture trail features twelve artist-designed sculptures dotted around the area’s historic streets. Challenge the kids to spot them all, pick your favourite designs and snap a few photos along the way. It’s a lovely excuse for a winter wander – pack a flask of hot chocolate and a few mince pies to keep your festive outing budget-friendly!

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. The giant baubles and twinkling fairy lights hanging from the Market Building roof make it feel truly magical – especially when the snow machines start! (My two used to love a snow machine!) From the 4th-31st December 2026, snow flurries take place on the hour between midday and 9pm, beside the huge Christmas tree on the West Piazza. Time your visit to catch the flakes and snap some festive family photos with the kids – it’s a lovely free Christmas activity in London.

4. Take part in a free Lantern Parade

London hosts some 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 18th of November 2026. Or, make the most of the London Bridge Lantern Parade which takes place on the 3rd of December. 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. 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 – we love visiting just for the atmosphere! The world-famous toy shop on Regent Street transforms into a festive wonderland, bursting with decorations, twinkling lights and toy demos on every floor. 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.

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 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. 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. 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.

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 without tiring out little legs. Hop on the Number 139 from Waterloo to Golders Green, grab the top deck front seats and enjoy your very own Christmas lights tour without the cost of pricey tour buses. 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, 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, Wowcher 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?

Make magical memories without spending a penny

London really 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, 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. I can highly recommend Queen’s House – we’ve skated there a few times.
Visit Santa at Hamleys toy store.
Head to Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park.
Watch the Potted Panto at London’s Apollo Theatre.
A great option for teens – have a laugh at A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong!

For even more ideas for festive fun in the capital, check out my article on the 15 best things to do at Christmas in London with kids. And, if the weather isn’t on your side, my article on the 20 best rainy day indoor London attractions is the perfect place to start. Have fun. 😊

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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