Best Christmas Days Out with kids in South East London
If you’re looking for some Christmas Days Out with kids in South East London to help get you in the festive mood for Christmas in 2024 – we’ve listed all the best Christmas events that we’ve found happening in South East London and surrounding areas. There’s a list of the best places to see Father Christmas for little ones plus the prettiest light shows for young and old! Make the festive season even more magical with these fun Christmas events in South London.
Here’s our guide to the best festive activities for children in London this winter.
Best places to go ice skating near South East London
South London has lots of stunningly, beautiful places to go ice skating.
Greenwich Ice Rink at Queens house has glorious views over the city of London. It’s situated in the beautiful grounds of the Royal Museums. It’s open until 8th January so it’s a great Christmas or New Year activity in London. You can pair this with a visit to Greenwich Christmas Winter Wonderland in Greenwich Peninsula (see below). Find out more here.
Hyde Park is one of the biggest ice rinks in London (see below for more information on Winter Wonderland). It’s open from 10pm-10am so there’s plenty of time to hit the ice! Buy Tickets here.
Somerset House’s ice skating is the most fabulous and grand, they have a glorious 40ft Christmas tree, with decorations providing perfect picture moments. This year it’s themed the ‘Swiss Alpine’. They have evening sessions with DJs and delicious food and drink including Hotel Chocolat. The ice rink is open until 15th January so it makes a fun winter event to attend in South London. Book Tickets here.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park also has an ice rink – read below for more information on the Winter Wonderland.
Ruxley Manor has an all weather, fully covered ice rink! It’s open on 15th November 2024 to the 6th January 2025. Tickets are available from £5.00 per person! There also kids sessions on Weekday Mornings, 10am – 11am from Monday 13th November through until Friday 15th December. These sessions have a reduced capacity, making them the perfect opportunity to build your little one’s confidence! It also has a lovely Christmas shop to visit!
Battersea hosts London’s only riverside ice rink, from Friday 10th November 2024 until Sunday 7th January 2024. Enjoy unrivalled views of the Thames as you spin around not one, but three interconnecting rinks surrounded by twinkling lights and a spectacular 30ft Christmas tree. Vintage-style fairground rides, live entertainment, and captivating photo booths are also part of the visit. A programme of entertainment will be on offer throughout the week with pub quizzes, themed music night, DJs and live bands.
Bluewater has an all weather ice rink which is fully covered and starts from November 14, Bluewater’s popular ice rink will return for the festive period until January 7, 2025. Find out more here.
Best Christmas Light Shows in South East London
There’s nothing better than a light show to get you in the festive spirit. There are a few light shows happening in South East London that kids will love to see! Light shows are always our favourite Christmas Days Out with kids in South East London!
Avery Hill Park ‘Sparkle in the Park’
Greenwich Council run Christmas light trail, Sparkle in the Park, will be returning to Avery Hill Park from 28th November where it will be transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland for guests to explore. The historic Winter Garden will also be illuminated for guests to see. There will also be a Christmas market, with performances from choirs run by community groups and local schools.
On Sunday 1 December, the first hour will be a quiet session, for children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities and sensory sensitivities. During this time, there will be reduced noise, no flashing lights, a reduced capacity on site and sensory appropriate entertainment. There will also be an audio described tour. To book a headset email access@festival.org Sparkle in the Park runs from November 28th until December 1st from 4:30pm to 9pm daily.
In addition to Sparkle in the Park, Charlton House are running their own festive activities inside the historic property, from 4.30 to 8pm. Book your tickets now to visit the Christmas grotto to ice gingerbread biscuits, create your own Christmas tree decoration and listen to a story with Mrs Claus and her elves.
Tickets to the ‘Mrs Claus Experience’ cost £10 plus booking for fee and admit one child plus an accompanying adult, for a 45 minute experience. Stay for a drink in their cosy ‘Winter Tavern’ afterwards or head out to explore Sparkle in the Park afterwards.
Christmas Days Out with kids in South East London
Winter Light at Southbank Centre 2024/25
Winter Light at Southbank Centre is one of the few FREE light shows in South London. It consists of a series of outdoor artworks by 10 different artists which are colourfully illuminated at night. Jakob Kvist’s Dichroic Sphere makes a return, along with a Cosmic Bloom projected onto the Royal Festival Hall by Leo Villareal. Again, it’s on until the 7th January so it’s easy to check it out over the Christmas holidays too and you could combine it with a theatre show or dinner on the south bank.
Winter Light 2024/25 at Southbank Centre, FREE, 1st November 2024-5th January 2025.
Eltham Palace
Enchanted Eltham at Eltham Palace is a magical world of illumination, sound and colour. When you’ve finished the light show you can warm up with a glass of mulled wine, toast a marshmallow under the night sky or hop on a traditional fairground ride. Booking is essential and time slots are open from 4pm-7pm on selected nights in December. Make your booking here.
Canary Wharf
Our Winter Lights festival is the largest of its kind in London, transforming Canary Wharf with over 20 stunning installations, leaving the dark winter evenings aglow. The spectacle showcases light art and interactive installations by some of the most innovative light artists across the globe with some new commissions alongside pieces never before seen in the UK.
Christmas Events for Families in South East London
A run down on some of our favourite Christmas Days Out with kids in South East London. And if you’re visiting London for the first time – you’ll like our list of Museums for teens and older Kids in London.
Immersive Christmas Experience
‘Once Upon A Kingswood Christmas’ is an immersive storytelling adventure through the grounds of a beautiful Grade II listed building running 14th Dec – 24th Dec in South London. Set against the backdrop of a Grade II Listed Victorian Mansion in South London, this 50 minute immersive experience makes every guest the hero of their own bespoke festive fairytale.
Aimed at families and children aged 3-11, the Christmas journey makes each guest the hero of their own festive fairytale. All tickets are £20, with family tickets and group discounts available
Experience duration is 50 minutes and sessions run throughout the day from 10am – 5pm
To book visit: www.onceuponachristmas.uk Location: Kingswood House, Seeley Drive, Dulwich, London, SE21 8QR.
Help Bella find the Fairytale Alliance, rescue Father Christmas from the clutches of the Snow Queen and save the Christmas Season whilst being guided through the fantasy lands and meeting the characters along the journey.
Aimed at sparking wonder and joy in the hearts of both young and old, the show is a celebration of love, family and the true spirit of Christmas. A fully immersive and interactive journey through a maze of rooms and storytelling to discover the origins, traditions, and joyous inspirations behind this new and exciting Christmas Fairytale.
Winter wonderland Hyde park
This is a must do over the Christmas period if you’re visiting London. It’s a Christmas Extravaganza including festive activities, rides and food and drinks. It’s probably better to visit with older children as a lot of the rides are height restricted. A highlight is the Magical Ice Kingdom where customers can explore 500 tonnes of sculptured ice including secret passageways, the snow-tunnelled ice slide and the crystal carriage of the Ice Palace. Find out more here.
Festive Glow Lanterns
11am & 2pm, 14 December
Join the Foundling Museum for a special festive family workshop. Led by artist Laura X Carlé, create a twinkly Christmas lantern then join other families in a procession around the Musuem galleries, spreading festive cheer as you go. Suitable for 5-12 year-olds. Tickets £5 or free for Camden residents and concessions.
Backyard cinema
Watch a Christmas movie in a magical setting with sparkling lights, snow and bean bags! From 21st December, you can watch one of the great classic Christmas movies to see at the Backyard Cinema with christmassy decorations with pizza and drinks served in a Big Top. Buy Tickets Here.
Greenwich Market
Greenwich market opens on the 20th November this year from 4-6pm it’s always a winner for stunning handmade Christmas gifts. It also include a Father Christmas grotto and festive performances.
Greenwich Peninsula Market
Greenwich Peninsula in North Greenwich brings an Enchanted Forest to the city this Winter with a line-up of events guaranteed to get everyone into the festive spirit. There’s a pop up cinema, stalls and craft workshops, a Christmas market and even a jazz show! The pretty light lit enchanted forest adds a Christmassy feel to the city.
Christmas Theatre Shows in South East London 2024
Churchill Theatre Bromley
If you’re looking for a fun family activity with some added sparkle, the Churchill Theatre Bromley is showing Snow White for their pantomime this Christmas with shows starting from 7th December-5th January 2024. Christmas doesn’t begin until you’ve seen a pantomime! For more info and tickets, click here to book!
Globe Theatre
From 29th November to 5th January 2024, The Globe has a lovely adaptation filled with music, magic, songs of Simon Armitage’s poem based on Hansel and Gretel – it’s the perfect treat for everyone aged 5+. Find out more and to book tickets – see here.
Best Places to see the Christmas Lights in London for Kids
Good places to see lights in London
Celebrate the most magical time of year by seeing the FREE festive lights of London. It’s one of the best free things to do with kids at Christmas. This year, the lights will be turned on from the beginning of November until 2nd January. Enjoy the colourful display in Carnaby Street, the Stunning Angels in Regent Street and the sparkling stars of Oxford Street. Covent Garden has giant baubles along with fake snow which appears several times a day. Our favourite places for Christmas light watching in London are:
- Oxford Street
- Regent Street, London
- Carnaby Street, London
- Seven Dials Christmas lights
- Savile Row
- Southbank Christmas Lights
- Covent Garden
- Bond Street
- Canary Wharf has a great light show in January
Best Places to see Father Christmas in South East London
Looking for places to see Santa in London this Christmas? Here’s the best places to see Father Christmas that we’ve found in South East London.
Greenwich Market
Dates: 30th November to 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: £10.00 per child plus booking fee.
Location: Greenwich Market, Durnford Street, Greenwich, SE10 9HZ.
Woolwich Works has a great Gingerbread Exhbibtion as well as being able to see Father Christmas in his gingerbread grotto! Tickets are £10 and you can book here.
Polhill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks
Polhill celebrated Santa’s arrival between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday (November 7), with real reindeer and actual snow – and that was just the start of Polhill’s festive extravaganza – they really do love Christmas! A 20 minute visit to the grotto costs £10 and includes a gift. The centre has massive Christmas Decoration display too – book here polhill.co.uk
Dates: 28th November to 24th December. 2022.
Ticket Price: £15.00 per child plus £2 adult ticket
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7AD
The Glades
With everything from letter writing in Santa’s Sorting Office and festive characters, to meeting Santa Claus himself, The Glades in Bromley has lots of festive activities to keep the whole family entertained whilst finishing their Christmas shopping! Check out all their festive events here. Read here for more ideas to do in Bromley with Kids.
Coolings Garden Centre
Coolings has a whole exciting adventure to visit Santa this year. You can earn a golden ticket, take part in a festive bakery, embark on a delightful boat ride along the chocolate river and create reindeer food before visiting Santa in his cabin! It promises to be an interactive experience filled with wonder, joy, and holiday cheer! Find out how to book here.
Ticket Prices: Children from: £12.50 each, Adults: £6.50 each
Location: Rushmore Hill, TN14 7NN
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
For a whole Father Christmas experience, try Ruxley Manor. You can meet their Head Elf in the magical forest and learn all about the magic of wishes and join Mother Christmas in her kitchen to make some magical reindeer food before meeting Father Christmas. There are group tickets ranging from £39.00. Book here.
Location: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
Maidstone Road
Sidcup
Kent
DA14 5BQ
Danson House
Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice will once again be running the Danson House Grotto and raising much needed income for their special care. By supporting the Grotto, you will be giving families, needing hospice care this Christmas, valuable support. Advanced booking is essential – find out more here.
Your visit will involve a personal meeting with Santa in his grand Grotto library, where children can tell Santa their Christmas wishes, receive a lovely gift and have an optional professional photo taken. £10.00 per child on Saturdays and Sundays in December.
Hope you’ve found some fun things to do at Christmas time with kids in South East London! Check this out for more things to do in South London with kids. If you’re based in the North West, then you’ll love these light shows for kids in the North!
