London goes all out at the holiday season – city sparkles with millions of lights, kids will enjoy endless Christmas sweets treats, go ice skating in sites around London, in Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland carnival has rides for toddlers to teens, live music and shows.

Here’s our favorite fun things to see and do in London for kids during the Christmas season, plus travel tips.

 

City lights and decorations

London is always a great walking city – in December, the streets are gorgeously decked out with lights.

Tip: City lights and decorations are up by early November.

Stores such as Fortnum & Mason, Harrod’s, Selfridges have lavish window displays.

Hotels are beautifully decorated with Christmas trees, garlands, shining baubles.

In the lobby of The Savoy hotel, there might be a a miniature ferris wheel rotating inside a giant snow globe, and red and gold carousel was set up in the foyer.

For a big bright light display, walk down busy Oxford St., but also explore smaller streets, such as Marylebone High Street, lights glowing like jewels, stars overhead.

Kew Gardens has a must see light display that changes each year.

 

Christmas sweets

Shops are filled with chocolates in every imaginable shape – snowmen, wreaths, stars, Christmas trees, royal crowns, sea shells, prince charming frogs, lucky pennies. And try hot chocolate, English style, e.g. Cadbury’s is a classic.

Fortnum & Mason has a lovely selection of gingerbread houses, trains and cookies.

At Harrod’s food hall we saw unicorn cakes, and gold covered cupcakes!

Mince pies and fruit cakes are traditional English sweets, served at Christmas time. Children’s books are filled with descriptions of these desserts, so this is a chance for kids to take a taste.

Mince pies (shown above) are a buttery pastry filled with variety of currants, sultanas (like a raisin), apples, nuts.

Christmas cakes have a similar fruit filling, topped with white icing.

Tip: Vegan, gluten and nut-free mince pies and Christmas cakes are available in London.

Look for mince pies and cakes in many cafes, department stores, Covent Garden, but also shop at Waitrose supermaket, which has a good selection of British made treats.

 

Ice skating

Throughout the Christmas season, ice skating rinks are open from the end of November to January.

Rinks have separate areas for little kids, no experience needed, “plastic assists” (penguins and bears) are provided.

Look for ice skating rinks at the following locations:
Tower of London
Somerset House
Natural History Museum
Winter Wonderland – Hyde Park
Hampton Court Palace

 

Winter Wonderland – Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland started as an open-air Christmas market in Hyde Park.

It’s now expanded to a large amusement park and carnival with food, live music and shows.

Santa Land is perfect for younger kids, with rides such as tea cups, taxis and buses, a mini train, carousels, and a visit with Santa Claus.

For teens, take your pick, plenty of tingling roller coaster rides.

Everyone in the family will have fun at the ice skating rink, midway (win prizes), large ferris wheel with panoramic views, food stalls, sweets, shows and live music.

 

Family events

London has many seasonal family events throughout December.

At Hampton Court Palace – Ice skating, ice sculptures, Skating Santa, live music, Christmas feasts in Tudor times, Festive Fayre Dec. 5 -7, 12 – 14 with fun food, horse and cart rides, special Christmas in the Magic Garden play area.

Christmas at the Tower – Tower of London has special Christmas displays throughout, such as storybook adventure of tales of the kings and queens, animals in the menagerie, royal celebrations, and live performances.

London Zoo has Christmas activities, such as follow Lights Trail, or find Hidden Elves, Tiny Door Tour, plus Christmas crafts, story time, send letter to the North Pole, festival food and drinks.

Museums also have family activities, such as make gingerbread houses at the Victoria and Albert Museum, or Christmas sleepover at the British Museum.

Theaters and concert halls throughout London offer a variety of Christmas themed shows, such as “The Snowman and Paddington Bear.”

 

Tips for London at Christmas

• Weather
• December can be variable, from pale winter sunshine to rain and chilly weather. Your family will want to be out at night, bring clothing to stay warm.
• When you arrive in London, check the weather forecast, and plan outdoor activities, e.g. ice skating, Winter Wonderland, for days with a promising weather forecast.
• Cozy cafes and bookstores
• When it does rain, step into the nearest cozy cafe for hot drinks and snacks.
• Or go shopping, e.g. Selfridges on Oxford St. has a fun Christmas toy shop on the 4th floor, plus Christmas sweets on the ground floor.
• Or browse the bookstores – London bookstores are filled with stellar children’s books. Two of our favorites, are Daunt Books on High Street in Marylebone, and Waterstone’s at Trafalgar Square.



• Christmas Day and Boxing Day
• London shuts down on Christmas Eve, and doesn’t re-open until Dec. 27.
• Christmas Day and the day after Christmas, Boxing Day, stores and many restaurants are closed.

 

Fun places to stay


London at Christmas is one of our favorite times to visit, and you’ll need a fun place to stay.

Check out Travel for Kids list of London family hotels and London family apartments.



Travel for Kids
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