Christmas in London with kids is such a joyous affair and we are all spoilt again with choices – so much wintery fun to be had! Here are our favourites for 2018 and our London best winter selection over the years.
Iceskating at Royal Palaces. Our favourites tested for 2018/ 2019 winter season are Hampton Court and Tower of London icerinks. A Royal palace in the background illuminated magically with festive lights, Hampton Court is superbly atmospherical and quintessence of London heritage and festive fun.
We were very lucky to be invited on a Sunday afternoon – not too crowded but just about the right ratio of iceskaters and kids. The mulled wine and hot chocolate after are the regular treat and we loved sipping them over the magic lights and ice glimmering on Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s historic home.
Tower of London icerink similarly breathes history and more festive fun – it’s impossible to choose between the two, so we vote both!
Our honorary contributor Laura made it to the Press Evening at Tower of London with her husband and daughter Freya and raved about extensively on social media (article in here). One feels blessed to take in the dramatic setting of the fortress beside the Thames whilst whizzing around on ice in one of London’s most famous landmarks.
Christmas shows. We started the winter festivities season this year with the Snowman at the Peacock theatre – what a treat! My 5 years old adored it, no doubt his favourite part was the flying above mountains to the North Pole! For me the music was superb and la mise en scene simply fantastic -tears in my eyes at the end, very emotional and Christmassy. Dedicated article in here.
Pair it with Covent Garden for more festive fun, an iconic Christmas market and street entertainers.
We also indulged into a scrumptious lunch at the newly opened Sushi Samba overlooking Covent Garden – spoilt rotten!
Huddle at Unicorn Theatre is another Christmas treat and we attempted a first time 4 of us at the theatre with our energetic and 2 years old troublemaker.
Emotional and superb, book your tickets as weekends performances are now mostly sold out. Dedicated article in here.
Christmas in London with kids will not be Christmas without Royal Albert Hall and what an array of magic shows and performances have been lined up at this iconic institution! Father Christmas at the Hall has been a favourite for years and 2018 will bring to the Hall the revamped version including a Sleigh!
We are very lucky to have in our diary My Christmas Orchestral Adventure and The Snowman and Paddington Bear – both of them fabulous, wrote about in here. My Christmas Orchestral Adventure introduces kids to classical music via a full symphony orchestra and encouraging them to sing, dance and join in as they help getting Santa’s map ahead of the Big Delivery on Christmas Eve!
The Snowman and Paddington Bear live in concert as one could guess, celebrates two national institutions. And for a wonderful arty wrap up of 2018 look no further than Nutcracker wonderfully performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet – a three generations treat that we raved about extensively in here. All these shows make also sparkling Christmas gift ideas – so much better than toys going in a cupboard ! No tidy up needed either – true festive magic points!
For festive arts and crafts head to the V&A to Gingerbread City Exhibition – architects, builders, engineers – big and young kids alike in the busy stunning South Kensington. This year we are imagining the future city !
Pair it with National History Museum icerink, a winter London classic, with the gorgeous backdrop of Alfred Waterhouse’s building, fairy lights, Austrian chalet set up and vibes just above the icerink and the Christmas tree in the middle of the ice.
What other things do YOU have planned or YOU’d like to hear about? Have a lovely Christmas ALL!
We skated at the Tower of London last Christmas and it was truly magical. Though if I’d had the chance Hampton Court looks wonderful as well. We’ve spent two Christmas’s in London and it’s such a fabulous experience I have a feeling we will be back… #farawayfiles
Very special indeed, hope you get to come back soon Hilary!
so many wonderful activities for kids! #farawayfiles
Spoilt rotten I’d say 😉
Such lovely pictures. London is so beautiful in Christmas.
Thank you Usha, glad you liked them, it feels very festive and joyous indeed!
We’ve only got a couple of days in the city this year, unusually over New Years. Struggling to choose what to do without spending a fortune! We love the build up to Christmas in the capital, and a trip to Winter Wonderland with the kids has become an annual tradition. They love the Ice Kingdom, the rides and eating sausages while singing along with Oom Pa Pa bands! #farawayfiles
Winter Wonderland is great indeed but easily spending a little fortune on the rides! 😉 Have a great one!
Yes! True – we tend to focus on a show or two but very easy to part with lots of money!
What a great collection of things to do! I love London at any time of the year, but Christmas is really special! Thanks for joining in with #CulturedKids 🙂
You’ve been a busy bee! I’m looking forward to seeing the Gingerbread House at the V and A. And those Royal Skates! Feels like such a privilege to skate with such regal backdrops. #CULTUREDKIDS
My very favourite things to do in London at Christmas is to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and go ice skating. Oh and tour the Oxford Street shop window displays. #Culturedkids
The gingerbread house at the V&A sounds fabulous #CulturedKids
Ooh the Gingerbread House at the V&A sounds just brilliant! I hadn’t heard about that one so I’m off to take a look straight away. I love London at Christmas too. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles