The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
We all know Christmas can be a stressful time. So here at KidRated we’ve compiled a handy list of the best things to do in and around London to help keep you and your kids entertained throughout this festive season and make the most of this wonderful time of the year.
So what are you waiting for? Scroll down for the best Festivals & Markets, Christmas Shows, Carol Concerts, Shops, Santas & Animals to meet, Museums, Pantomimes, and Classic Christmas Movies.
Oh and if you need some help hacking Christmas…click here!
Winter Wonderland returns to Hyde Park. If the market, ice rink, Zippo’s Circus, fairground, food and drink don’t get you in the Christmas spirit you must be Scrooge. Father Christmas will even be there!
FREE to enter
New this year is East London’s answer to Winter Wonderland. With great food, ice skating, a grotto and a pantomime among the attractions promised, there is something for all the family.
FREE to enter
The Southbank is awash with festivities this December. Skate under the gaze of the London Eye. Get lost in a Christmas Tree Maze. Jump aboard the Southbank Centre Express.
FREE to enter
Ice skating and another Christmas tree maze, this is the place for Londoners in the know.
FREE to enter, but skating must be booked.
Visit Father Christmas, enjoy the festive activities, have a go on all the rides and see the amazing Christmas themed Lego structures such as an 8 metre tall Christmas tree built from a massive 300,000 bricks!
For the second year running there will be mulled wine, mince pies, hot chocolate, vintage clothes, arts and crafts, jewellery, books, toys and so much more all under one roof at the Barbican Christmas Fair.
FREE
150 craft and designer stalls, eclectic shops and boutiques make Greenwich the perfect one stop shop for really original gifts and stocking fillers. Father Christmas and his elves are also looking forward to meeting all the local children at his grotto!
FREE – Santa visits cost £4
One of London’s most magical areas at Christmas, Covent Garden Market is decorated with 150,000 sparkling tea-lights and a giant 22-feet tall silver reindeer. The 40-odd market stalls sell a variety of quality goods; antiques, craft items, pictures and handmade clothing so it’s a great place to find gifts.
FREE
*Last remaining tickets: 23rd and 24th December*
Head to Dulwich for this magical Christmas grotto. Proceeds go to the Whippersnappers Charity which delivers disabled activities to disabled children.
Christmas is a great time to go to the theatre. Here are KidRated’s top suggestions. Book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Watch Libby’s video from last year to give you a taste of this magic performance.
Libby K-Rates Slava’s Snow Show
Great for kids aged 3 and older.
Great for kids aged 3 to 8, there are baby friendly performances. On 13th December there is a relaxed performance.
The Unicorn Theatre has plays for kids of all years throughout the Christmas period.
Watch a condensed version of all 60 Sherlock Holmes stories in just 80 minutes.
Join Ratty, Badger and Mole for a beautiful retelling of Kenneth Graham’s classic.
The picture book by the enormously talented Julia Donaldson and Axl Sheffler is brought to life.
Horrible History’s stage show is the most fun way for kids to learn about history.
A classic, perfect for sugarplum fairies of all ages.
Matthew Bourne’s ballet version of the Tim Burton classic isn’t for younger kids but is magical.
Performed on a purpose built stage complete with working railway line. All aboard!
An immersive fairytale written by one of the best children’s authors, Philip Pullman, suitable for kids over 8, this has received the KidRated Community’s stamp of approval.
A play suitable for kids aged 3 and over. William and Eliza Holdall are on a mission, on it they will meet Christmas Pirates and festive beasts.
A whole heavenly host of different concerts. Book now to avoid disappointment.
See the world famous giant Norwegian Christmas tree and listen or singalong to the carols at 4-8pm on weekdays and 2-6pm on weekends.
Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, more suitable for older children. FREE
Santa’s grotto is sadly sold out for this year already but the legendary department store is still worth the visit. Harrods takes Christmas very seriously.
Almost fully booked, you still have the chance to meet Father Christmas at Hamleys. The toy shop is also perfect for Christmas presents for very good children
Meet Santa and Paddington Bear; watch Story Stock performances and live music and don’t forget to pick up a personalised jar of Nutella!
Bring your favourite cuddly toy to live at John Lewis this Christmas and learn more about everyone’s favourite penguin.
Wild animals and Father Christmas are a match made in heaven. Meet Santa and Dancer and Prancer the reindeers in Elfville. There are plenty of activities for kids as well.
With pony sleighs rides, Santa’s grotto, farm animals, presents, carols and roasted chestnuts, Hounslow Urban Farm is a must for animal loving kids this Christmas.
Kids aged 8 and under can enjoy husky sleigh rides, kids over 5 can watch Polar Explorer shows and all kids can meet Santa and his reindeer, this should be a great weekend for all.
Visit the Sea Life London Aquarium for the chance to meet cuddly penguin Father Fishmas. Not your traditional Santa, but thanks to John Lewis, penguins are the it animal this Christmas.
The Harry Potter films are full of Christmas magic and this year the Warner Brother Studio Tour has decked the great hall and dusted Hogwarts in snow so you can experience the wizarding world’s festive season. it’s definitely not to be missed- even if you’ve been without the snow!
The Gryffindor Common Room at Warner Bros Studio Tour an official K-Rated attraction © Warner Bros.
400 years of seasonal traditions in English homes. Walk through the Geffrye’s 11 period living rooms and see how Christmas was been celebrated in the past. If your kids have ever wondered where odd Christmas traditions come from, this is the place to find the answer.
FREE
Christmas Past a Drawing Room in 1870, side view, © Chris Ridley, Geffrye Museum of the Home
Book now for a Christmas Eve that Tiny Tim could only dream of, learn to make Victorian Christmas Pudding and listen to carols fill the museum’s rooms.
20th Dec 13:00 – 16:00
The mesmerising Painted Hall with be awash with Christmas cheer as children of all ages can learn about Christmases of the past and make their own decorations to take home. It costs £2 per child, but no booking is required.
Discover the magic of the Nutcracker with free interactive drop-in workshops.
Victoria Park’s Winterville festival plays host to a panto for all the family. There’re puppets a singing reindeer and a professional cast working alongside a team of young people from local schools.
Expect larger-than-life characters, loads of laughs, outrageous costumes, dazzling dance moves, incredible live music and, of course, plenty of heroes to cheer and baddies to boo!
Sumptuous sets, gorgeous fairytale costumes, riotous Panto dames, and real life Shetland ponies make Cinderella guaranteed fun for all the family.
Gareth Gates stars in this fun packed family panto.
If Gareth Gates isn’t a big enough star for you, this Snow White stars the glamorous Jerry Hall as the wicked step mother.
Starring Coronation Street’s Marc Bayliss.
Great family fun for children 6 and older.
Starring kids’ (and KidRated) favourite Dani Harmer.
Is Christmas really Christmas without watching a few classic Christmas films? Here’s the lowdown on some of the best cinemas to catch our top five Christmas favourites.
Watch the first two films in a double bill to whet your appetite for the third and final part.
All kinds of performers from all around London, and all around the world will congregate for the 29th New Year’s Day Parade. The parade starts at the Ritz and ends in Parliament Square.
