Santa Claus is coming to (London) town!
As we gear up for the Christmas period, you might be looking to take your little one to see the Christmas lights and to visit Santa – either as a way to find out what they’re really hoping for this year, or to scare them into behaving so close to the big day.
Make sure you plan around any planned strikes this December, but here’s where you can find Santa in London this year, from paid experiences to free Grottos…
Spitalfields Market
Hosted in a magical grotto in Old Spitalfields Market, this experience will help your kids explore exciting papercraft as they make beautiful handmade Christmas cards before meeting Santa himself.
Tickets can be booked online, with prices starting from £9.21.
- When: December 7 – 16
- Where: Spitalfields Market, 56 Brushfield Street (nearest tube, Liverpool Street)
Chelsea Christmas Grotto
Santa has already set up shop at the Chelsea Christmas Grotto.
Situated among the sparkling lights on Sloane Square, with a Bavarian Curling Rink and Winter Terrace open until Christmas Eve, tickets to meet Father Christmas with a special gift included are £15.
You can book online.
- When: from now until December 24
- Where: Sloane Square (nearest tube, Sloane Square)
Royal Albert Hall
Now for a slightly different Christmas-y experience, visitors can expect a special storytime extravaganza at the Royal Albert Hall. He’s back to read one of his favourite books with everyone, ‘Tiny Reindeer’.
There you’ll step inside a whimsical world where you’ll be greeted by Father Christmas and his merry Head Elf as they take families on a joyful journey in this charming Christmas storytime session featuring Chris Naylor-Ballesteros’ ‘Tiny Reindeer’, ending with each child taking home their own gift.
Tickets cost from £21.50 and can be booked online.
- When: December 2-20
- Where: Royal Albert Hall (nearest tube, South Kensington)
Selfridges, Oxford Street
A pricier treat, Selfridges are turning a trip to Santa’s Grotto into a full experience.
You’re invited to step into the magical world of Dolly’s (sadly not Parton), a winter wonderland with a festive breakfast. Join Mr and Mrs Claus and their elves for a morning filled with fun and a tasty treat – plus, the all-important personalised gift from Santa himself for your little ones.
Tickets can be booked online, starting at £60 per person and bought as a table. There is a minimum of 2 people per table.
- When: December 3 – 21
- Where: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB (nearest tube, Oxford Circus)
Surrey Quays shopping centre
Surrey Quays Shopping Centre is inviting children to come and visit Santa at his magical Headquarters.
Full of Christmas cheer, Santa’s HQ includes Christmas trees decorated in sparkling lights, as well as an assortment of festive games, and musical instruments for little ones to enjoy.
It’s free to visit.
- When: December 3-23 from 11am – 4pm, December 24 10am – 3pm
- Where: Surrey Quays shopping centre (nearest tube: Surrey Quays or Canada Water)
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is the annual festive fairground that sets up shop in Hyde Park.
As well as rides, bars and an ice rink, you can go visit Father Christmas at their special Santa Land.
Entry to the Grotto is free but you will need to purchase an entry ticket to get into Winter Wonderland.
- When: Open every day from 10am to 6pm
- Where: Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park (nearest tube: Green Park, Hyde Park Corner)
ZSL London Zoo
If your little one has been especially good this year, you can turn your Santa’s Grotto trip into a fun day out at the zoo.
Little ones can join in festive crafts before meeting Santa in his magical grotto at the heart of London Zoo this Christmas and receive a special early Christmas gift to take home.
Tickets can be booked online.
- When: December 3, 4 and 10 – 24
- Where: ZSL London Zoo (nearest tube, Camden Town)
Hamleys
The oldest toy store in London is possibly the perfect place to meet the man himself. At the famous store, Santa’s enchanted elves are ready to welcome you to a magical workshop, giving you and your family the opportunity to meet Santa.
To make your time with Jolly St Nick even more special, he has a treat waiting for your little ones to take home.
Tickets must be booked online. One ticket costs £50 and allows access for up to 3 people. If more guests want to join, it’ll be £15 per each additional person up to a total of 6 people (applicable for all ages).
- When: Until December 24
- Where: Santa’s Grotto, 3rd Floor, Hamleys Regent Street (nearest tube, Oxford Circus)
Victorian Santa’s Grotto at Docklands Museum
If you want a bit of culture with your Christmas, it’s time to head to the Museum of London Docklands, which tie the Grotto experience into the Victorian history and traditions.
With a nineteenth-century spin, transforming its Sailortown gallery with appropriately vintagey decorations and distant carolling, Santa’s on hand to talk Christmas wishes and pose for selfies, and he’ll throw in a gift for the kiddies, too.
Tickets must be booked online. (They’re selling out fast!)
- When: December 3 – 23 (some dates sold out already)
- Where: Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL (nearest tube, Canary Wharf)
Transport Museum
For another educational Santa trip, head over to the London Transport Museum to see Father Christmas in his interactive sleigh.
As well as meeting Santa, you can step inside a giant festive transport poster for a Christmassy selfie, and climb aboard his Routemaster-inspired interactive sleigh. Your child can then make sure the electric sleigh is plugged in to charge up for its journey around the world, flash the headlights, ring the bell and set its cheer-o-meter to show how much Christmas cheer you’re sharing.
The grotto is free with museum tickets, and kids already go for free to the museum. Adult tickets are £21, but for this you get an annual pass. If you are on Universal Credit, you can get a ticket for £1.
- When: 11am-3pm on weekdays up to December 16, 11am-5pm on select weekends December (3-4, 10-11 and 17-18) and during school holidays (December 19-23)
- Where: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza (nearest tube, Covent Garden).
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