UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
A baby’s first Christmas is sheer magic and while I wouldn’t overwhelm yourself taking them out to too many things, there are some wonderful sensory experiences available in London. For an energetic toddler there are also plenty of ways to get in the festive spirit. I have a much longer list of things to do with children of all ages here.
If you’re planning Christmas in London with a baby or toddler I have plenty of baby-friendly Christmas activities that parents will enjoy just as much as their little one. Your little one might not remember their first Christmas but you certainly will.
1. London Lights
My absolute favourite thing to do at Christmas time is to check out the Christmas decorations around the streets of London covering the facades of shops, restaurants and hotels. This is a great thing to do and it’s absolutely free!
In Mayfair I recommend paying a trip to Bond Street where top designer stores have the best decorations check out Cartier, Dior, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
On Regent Street you can see the famous angels which is a canopy of over 300,000 lights over the famous shopping street. On nearby Piccadilly, Fortnum and Mason is the star of the show and for the last few years has had a light up advent calendar as the star. Not too far away from Piccadilly you’ll get to Knightsbridge and see Harrods absolutely aglow with festive cheer! Covent Garden is a great place to check out decorations and there’s a massive Christmas tree plus the famous bells. This year the Ever After Garden is in Chelsea, it’s stunning and all for charity!
One of the best facades is always famous private member’s club, Annabel’s in Berkeley Square so don’t forget to pay a visit! The colours and light will be an absolute sensory feast for your baby or toddler. You can walk around town pushing your pram or take a Christmas lights bus tour.
2. A London lights afternoon tea bus tour
Lots of the London’s afternoon tea buses don’t allow babies and toddlers but the Peppa Pig bus allows toddlers from age 2 and is the perfect way to see London while nibbling on Peppa Pig themed Christmas treats and singing along to Peppa’s favourite songs.
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3. Museums and Experiences
Paddington Bear – We loved the Paddington Bear Experience and for Christmas the immersive experience on London’s South Bank will have a festive makeover with a Christmas Tree and festive treats. With stunning decorations including a 5.5 metre centrepiece Christmas tree and a gorgeously lit Windsor Gardens, the whole family can enjoy Paddington’s World at Christmas. There may even be a chance of snow…!
Date: 10th Nov – 4th Jan
Age: All ages (2 + need a ticket)
Price: From £24
The Discover Children’s Centre is a great museum for babies and they are running Festive Baby Story Telling. More info to come.
The Postal Museum – Festive tunnel walks and Christmas display cases. Details to come.
Museum of the Home – Christmas installation and winter market, wreath making. Details to come
Natural History Museum – Join Santa as he shares a magical Christmas story filled with surprises – both children and parents will love. After the story, capture the moment with a festive photo and take home a special T. rex tree decoration. Visit the famous animatronic T. rex afterwards, who is sporting its very own dino-sized version of our Christmas jumper.
Date: Tuesday 1 – Tuesday 22 December
Age: All ages
Price: £20 members £18
London Museum, Docklands – Victorian Santa’s Grotto. The Sailortown gallery is decorated to meet Santa in his Dickensian-style grotto. Lots of other activities including performances and sensory sessions for babies.
Date: 20th Nov – 23rd Dec
Age: All Ages
Price: From £15
4. Singing and Carols
I love Bach to Baby Concerts and this year there’s a whole programme of Christmas themed concerts. There are lots of different locations throughout London and various dates throughout the festive period. I love listening to the beautiful music with no worries that my toddler was disturbing people as this really is one for the whole family.
Date: 5th Nov – 4th Jan
Age: All ages
Price: Up to two children go FREE with every adult! Adult ticket £18
Family Christmas Carols with Little London Music School – Suitable for babies, toddlers, school aged children and their families. An afternoon of Christmas Carols and Songs.
Age: All Ages.
Price: From £10
5. A Christmas Show
Some of the festive shows have restrictions on bringing babies and toddlers while others are intended for the tiniest tots. Here are a couple I have my eye on.
Here’s the very best in Christmas shows, music and carols for babies and toddlers in London for 2026.
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith Join Father Christmas as he prepares his deliveries, feeds his reindeer and takes flight into the night.
Date: 18th Nov – 31st Dec
Age: Under 6
Price: From £15
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre : Christmas Eve magic brings a snowman to life, a young boy and his new friend embark on an unforgettable adventure through the starlit sky, meeting Father Christmas, friendly reindeer and more along the way in this classic tale. This year there is brand-new staging that will take you soaring with songs like Walking In the Air. I actually took Noah to this when he was a newborn and it’s very sedate!
Date: 21st Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: All ages (under 2s are free)
Price: From £18
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show – Theatre Royal Haymarket with an appearance from Baby Evie. With a new arrival on the way the whole family are busy getting ready. With building and decorating work to be done!
Date: 4th Dec – 3rd Jan
Age: All ages
Price: From £10
Christmas Lights – the power of friendship can light up the dark
Date: 11th Nov – 22nd Nov
Age: 1 -4 years
Antartica – the Adventure Theatre is transformed into a wintry wonderland for younger audiences
Date: 27th Nov – 17th Jan
Age: 3 – 7 years
The Big Bash – A magical party of the year followed by a festive show.
Date: 6th Dec
Age: All ages
Stickman at Bloomsbury Theatre – a brilliantly fun adaptation of the Julia Donaldson book. How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree in time for Christmas?
Date: 3rd Dec – 3rd Jan
Age: all ages (under 2s are free)
Price: From £10
Unicorn Theatre
Huddle – In the frozen landscape of Antarctica, Mr Penguin receives a special delivery… his very own egg.
Date:27th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: 1 – 4
Price: Children £16.50
Disney on Ice – Discover the Magic
Date: There are shows throughout the UK from November to January. In London 24th December – 3rd Jan.
Age: All ages. Under 2 free.
Price: From £44
Candlelight Christmas Classics – Live, multi-sensory musical experience.
Date: 12th December and 18th December
Age: All ages
Price: From £20
Little Angel Theatre
Scruff’s Christmas Adventure – It’s Christmas Eve, and Scruff the puppy can’t sleep.
Date: 28th November – 3rd Jan
Age: 3 – 6 years
Price: Adult £18, child £16
Dear Santa at Battersea Arts Centre – From the author of the well-loved children’s book Dear Zoo, Rod Campbell, comes Dear Santa and it’s LIVE!
Date: 28th Nov – 24th Dec
Age: This show is an ideal introduction to theatre for those aged two and over.
Price: Prices vary
Room on the Broom – Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. At the Lyric Theatre
Date: 27th Nov – 3rd Jan
Age: 3 +
Price: From £10
The Smartest Giant in Town – George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. But after a trip to a fancy clothes shop, he has a spectacular new look: smart trousers, a smart shirt, a stripy tie, and shiny shoes. St Martin’s Theatre
Date: 9th Dec – 3rd Jan
Age: 2 – 8
Price: From £13
6. A Santa’s Grotto
The ultimate ‘they won’t remember it but you will’. The first time your baby meets Santa is a really special one. I have a full list of Santa’s Grottos in London. For a baby I would honestly keep it low key and low pressure as they might be scared! The grotto at the Transport Museum (it’s no extra charge) works well for this but the Natural History museum works well too. Try and visit during school school hours when the museums are quieter.
Hamley’s The Christmas Grotto at London’s most famous toy shop. Details to come.
7. A light show or outdoor experience
The sensory magic of a light show would work really well for a baby or toddler and most light trails take place in open space and are not too crowded. Kew Gardens is the best known light trail in London with illuminated trees, tunnels of light and installations inspired by nature however it is over two hours long but it is buggy friendly!
Neverland at Kenwood was brilliant last year. Another great option is the Chelsea Winter Village which has a more central London location and takes around 45 – 75 minutes.
Santa’s Winter Garden at Fulham Palace – Sounds great for Toddlers with a snowy garden, candy cane walk, snow maze and vintage sleds. Finally there’s a meet and greet with Santa at the North Pole Lodge.
8. A Trip to the Farm
One of our forever favourites, Vauxhall City Farm has a Santa’s grotto, light trail, market, and crafting. The farm is easily accessible for small children, babies and toddlers. Details to come.
9. Visit the Zoo
In a similar vein, Battersea Children’s Zoo is an easily accessible option for younger children and are holding Christmas performances, mini feeding sessions and festive food and drink. Details to come.
London Zoo also has Christmas activities, festive animal talks, elf storytelling, festive food and drink and Meet Santa. There is also a Christmas quest with a Meet Santa Deluxe session in the ZooTown play area.
10. Afternoon Tea
If you still have a newborn take advantage of their sleep, still nature and book a festive afternoon tea with a friend, there are lots of brilliant ones in London – for sheer indulgence check out The Dorchester, Claridges, The Ritz, Rubens at the Palace or for something more accessible there’s The Ivy, The Dalloway Terrace or Biscuiteers.
If they’re a little older, take the opportunity to share the tea with your little one and choose a delicious family friendly afternoon tea option that they will love!
The key to having fun with your baby for Christmas in London is to keep it simple. Choosing baby and toddler-friendly activities in London that work with buggies, naps and bedtime. You really don’t have to do much, I recommend a walk beneath the Christmas lights, a beautiful hotel Christmas tree, a Santa visit and the absolutely obligatory trip to Hamleys!
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