Child-Friendly Activities To Book In London For Christmas 2024
OWEN HARVEY
THE TRADITIONAL OUTING:
Skate at Somerset House, Strand
The Christmas holidays don’t start until you’ve hit the rink at Somerset House. This year, older children can skate day or night as DJs set the vibe with fun music. Little ones (or those who need a helping hand) can take lessons with National Ice Skating Association instructors. This year, ‘Skate Late’ sessions are back, and rink-side views come courtesy of the Whispering Angel Skate Lounge. Plus, homelessness charity Shelter will open a pop-up store where visitors can browse a selection of pre-loved vintage, designer and high-street clothing.
Until 12th January
Visit SomersetHouse.org.uk
THE CLASSIC:
Hansel & Gretel At Shakespeare’s Globe, South Bank
This new version of The Brothers Grimm’s classic fairy tale has been taken on by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who’s transformed the Globe Theatre with poetry, songs and mayhem. When Hansel and Gretel’s parents decide their only option to give their children a better life is to abandon them in the woods, the children must fend for themselves. The siblings’ attempt to get home soon gets side-tracked by a trail of treats too good to resist and a seemingly sweet stranger with a plan of her own… Directed by Nick Bagnall (Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Two Gentlemen of Verona), this is a 60-minute hit for children aged 5+.
Until 5th January
Visit ShakespearesGlobe.com
THE FESTIVE EXTRAVAGANZA:
Christmas at The Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington
The Royal Albert Hall pulls out all the stops for its Christmas showcase, and this year looks set to be no exception. The venue has been celebrating the festive season for over 150 years, and there are numerous events to choose from. Highlights include Home Alone in concert with a live orchestra on 7th December and the child-friendly My Christmas Orchestral Adventure on 8th December. There will also be carol services throughout December and from 29th-31st December, The Nutcracker will take over the venue.
Various dates throughout December
Visit RoyalAlbertHall.com
THE PANTO:
Pinocchio at Theatre Royal, Stratford
Stratford’s Theatre Royal always puts on a memorable panto with original music and characters, so we were excited to hear this year’s production is a classic with a twist as part of the venue’s 140th anniversary. Wooden puppet Pinocchio will be played by Dylan Collymore, alongside his toy-maker father Geppetto, played by Tok Morakinyo. Pinocchio will be joined on his adventures by Nicole Louise-Lewis as Krik Krak and Blue Rinse Fairy, a fabulous dame, who will be portrayed by Stratford East favourite, Michael Bertenshaw. Will Blue Rinse Fairy and Krik Krak the cricket be able to keep Pinocchio off the crooked path, as he battles the trials and tribulations of becoming a ‘real boy’?
23rd November-4th January
Visit StratfordEast.com
THE MAGICAL BALLET:
The Nutcracker at London Coliseum, West End
From the sound of the orchestra tuning up to the final bows and applause, a trip to The English National Ballet at the London Coliseum is always a Christmas treat. More than 100 dancers and musicians will bring The Nutcracker to life with world-class dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s popular score played live. On a sparkling Christmas Eve in a frost-dusted Edwardian London, Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker doll discover a magical world, where she battles with the Mouse King and meets a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot-air balloon ride across London to the glistening Land of Snow where her adventure really begins.
12th December-12th January
Visit LondonColiseum.org
THE CHILDREN’S SHOW:
The Snowman at Peacock Theatre, Holborn
Twinkling with festive spirit, The Snowman is back for its 27th year. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs, this performance has transported generations of children and their families into the wintery world of a boy and his magical snowman. With music and lyrics by Howard Blake, including the classic ‘Walking in the Air’, The Snowman is a heart-warming mix of dance, spectacle, storytelling, splendid sets and music performed by a live orchestra.
23rd November-4th January
Visit SadlersWells.com
THE LIGHT SHOW:
Christmas at Kew Gardens, Kew
Kew’s winter trail is set to return with old favourites and new light installations. Visitors can expect bursts of colour and enchanting optics as they explore a Unesco World Heritage landscape after dark. Along the trail, which takes around 90 minutes to complete, you’ll find a tunnel covered with a canopy of glowing, colour-changing stars. Further along, the Cathedral of Light will twinkle with thousands of fairy lights for that all-important Instagram moment. Stop off at the food stalls along the way to try festive treats and boozy hot chocolate. We also love that the venue offers ‘quiet access’ sessions for those with hidden disabilities such as autism.
Until 5th January
Visit Kew.org
THE EXPERIENCE:
Hogwarts In The Snow, Leavesden
Potterheads will love this spellbinding experience at Warner Bros. Studios. The annual Hogwarts in the Snow experience sees the famous studios – where the Harry Potter movie franchise was filmed – turned into a winter grotto where children can see the sets in the snow. The trees and woodland in the Forbidden Forest have been given a festive makeover with layers of snow, while the cobbled stones and magical shopfronts of Diagon Alley, Hagrid’s Hut and the Hogwarts castle model have also been given a festive touch. Don’t miss the enchanting Great Hall which has been dressed for the occasion with wreaths, flaming puddings, garlands and trees topped with witches on miniature broomsticks.
Until 19th January
Visit WBStudioTour.co.uk
THE FUN TOUR:
Small Car Big City, City-Wide
A travel company renowned for its classic Mini Cooper tours, smallcarBIGCITY is spreading holiday cheer with a festive Christmas Lights Tour of London this year. The experience promises a two-hour journey through the city's brightest and most beautifully decorated streets. Guests will be chauffeured in a classic Mini Cooper with a passionate local guide at the wheel, down iconic London thoroughfares including Oxford Street, Regent Street, Winter Wonderland, Harrods, Covent Garden, Leadenhall Market and Mayfair. The cars feature full-length sunroofs for a perfect view of the lights, as well as warm tartan blankets, Christmas songs on the stereo, plus a stop for hot cocoa and mince pies along the way.
Pick-up and drop-off available anywhere in Zone 1; various dates
Visit SmallCarBigCity.com
THE GROTTO:
Anya's Grotto, Belgravia
For a third year, Anya Hindmarch’s fun Belgravia store has been transformed into a winter wonderland where little ones can visit Father Christmas’ grotto. Book a 30-minute time slot to wonder through the immersive grotto experience which ends with a story read by Father Christmas himself. A lovely activity to enjoy over the holidays, the grotto will be in place until Christmas Eve. Tickets cost £50 for one adult and one child.
Until 24th December
Visit AnyaHindmarch.com
THE AFTERNOON TEA:
Grosvenor House, Mayfair
Grosvenor House has launched its ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas afternoon tea. Designed to capture the excitement of the last sleep before Christmas, the feast is inspired by the 200-year-old poem by Clement Clarke Moore and is served in the twinkling surroundings of the Park Room. Created by head pastry chef Anthony Hurst, the tea will take guests on a journey of nostalgia with dishes such as Norfolk turkey, cucumber and mint sandwiches and hazelnut and praline sponge yule logs – complete with Dasher the reindeer in chocolate form – on the menu. There’s also a children’s version of the tea, featuring pastries, miniature scones with ice-cream and a warming hot chocolate.
Until 2nd January
Visit ParkRoom.co.uk
THE COLLABORATION:
Hamleys X The Langham, Piccadilly
Two London’s institutions, The Langham and Hamleys, have teamed up for the festive season. The hotel will be transformed with Christmas trees, a Hamleys Grotto, a Hamleys-themed festive afternoon tea and seasonal hotel packages. The children’s menu will feature patisseries shaped like historic toys, with fillings such as caramelia and vanilla mousse with caramelised Rice Krispies, all served on miniature tea stands and chinaware. The festive package features an overnight stay in a suite with access to the Hamleys Grotto, a Christmas tree in the room and a bottle of Taittinger for adults to enjoy.
16th-24th December
Visit Hamleys.com
THE ADAPTATION:
Room On The Broom At Lyric Theatre, West End
The Lyric is playing host to Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the bestselling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The witch and her cat are travelling on their broomstick when they pick up some hitch-hikers – a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But the broomstick isn’t meant for five and suddenly it snaps in two – just as a hungry dragon appears. Will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Find out in this Olivier Award-nominated show, designed for everyone aged 3+.
Until 5th January
Visit NImaxTheatres.com
THE COMEDY SHOW:
Horrible Christmas At Alexandra Palace, North London
The talented Horrible Histories team has created Horrible Christmas, which will be performed at Alexandra Palace Theatre this December. When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young boy to save the day – but can he save Christmas? From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, join the crew on a hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas as they all join forces to save the festive season. The show is recommended for those aged 5+ and each performance will run for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, including an interval.
12th December-4th January
Visit AlexandraPalace.com
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