London with kids – the 15 best things to do at Christmas! (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 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 loads of 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 2025 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. Or, 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. Frugal Mum Tip: Kids under 11 travel for free in London so it’s a brilliant budget-friendly Christmas activity.

3. See Elf The Musical on stage

If there’s one show guaranteed to get you feeling festive, it’s Elf The Musical – and a theatre trip is the perfect rainy day activity if you’re looking for something to do in London with the kids this Christmas. Back for 2025, this larger-than-life production brings Buddy’s hilarious journey from the North Pole to New York to the West End stage. Expect catchy songs, snow effects, candy canes and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments at the Aldwych Theatre. It’s the perfect way to combine a family theatre trip with some Christmas shopping or a festive meal in the West End. Frugal Mum Tip: Matinee performances are ideal for younger children and the tickets are often a little cheaper.

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. Watch 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. The London Palladium Pantomime is the city’s most famous, but there are brilliant local shows too like Cinderella in Hackney. For older kids, another humorous option is the play a Christmas Carol Goes Wrong which is bound to be fun for teens and adults alike. 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

If you want to go big, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is hard to beat – this 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. It does get very busy, you’ll need a timed ticket just to enter and remember to set a budget before you go because it can add up quickly.

7. Wander through a Christmas light trail

London’s light trails are some of the most enchanting in the UK. Kew Gardens’ Christmas Trail is the jewel in the crown, with glowing tunnels, giant baubles and music drifting through the trees. Alternatively, Kenwood House is running a light trail inspired by Neverland this year, which is bound to be magical. After dark trails are the perfect outdoor evening activity for families – magical, cosy and guaranteed to leave everyone in the Christmas spirit. Frugal Mum Tip: For a free alternative, try the Snoopy Sculpture Trail which will take over the streets of central London in the charming Fleet Street Quarter from 19 November 2025 to 16 January 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. 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.

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 magical year-round, but during the festive season it’s pure perfection. Kids can see real film props, sets and learn the movie-making secrets behind the snow and Christmas feasts. 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. 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.

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. Little ones can meet Shrek in his Santa hat, take festive photos and enjoy interactive storytelling with plenty of laughs. 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. Watch Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas

For something educational, musical and wonderfully festive to do with the kids in London this Christmas, check out Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas at Garrick Theatre. The popular children’s presenter (from CBeebies and Maddie’s Do You Know?) combines science, music and storytelling in an interactive live show that explains the science behind Christmas magic – think snowflakes, twinkling lights and Santa’s sleigh! It’s clever, funny and full of festive joy – ideal for curious little minds. Frugal Mum Tip: Check discount websites like Love to Visit 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. 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.

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. For something outdoors, Santaland 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, 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 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 2025 – have a great time and make sure you check out my other festive articles too. Happy holidays! 🎄