December 2024: What's on in London with Kids

This issue is brought to you in collaboration with Beano.

It’s beginning to look a lot like… December! In this newsletter, I’ve wrapped up the best family-friendly events to light up these chilly winter days. From baby sensory classes to immersive theatre and the secret science of gingerbread, there’s a sleigh-load of ideas to keep kids happy this month, whatever Santa brings.

But first, how was your November? Mine was super busy, and included the honour of speaking at Museum Next on how cultural places can best collaborate with micro-influencers.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how much family fun we managed to fit around our hectic work schedules and seasonal sniffles. We oohed over vintage vehicles and supercars at the St James Motoring Spectacle, then cheered on parading robot dogs at the Lord Mayor’s Show. At Handel Hendrix House we made firework decorations, and we crafted autumnal wreaths during tje Sun-day Funday family art workshops at Lauderdale House. We swam through VR coral reefs at Grant Museum - though we nearly drowned in the massive ball pit at InflataNation Colindale!

We time-travelled with the Victorian lesson at the Ragged School Museum and followed the guinea pig trail through Bentley Priory Museum. At Leighton House, we experimented with colour, then questioned our own eyes at Asi Wind Incredibly Human at Underbelly Boulevard Soho.

Our festive celebrations kicked off with a visit to The Snowman at Peacock Theatreand a magical trip to Narnia at Wrest Park for CSSC.

Now, let’s unwrap those listings!

Spread some festive cheer - forward this newsletter to a friend who needs a little extra sparkle in their inbox!

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December 2024: What’s on London with kids

Here’s my roundup of London’s top December events to make the most wonderful time of the year truly magical.

Still desperately seeking Santa? Don’t miss my Christmas Grotto guide.

And remember, your family can have a magical Christmas on any budget. For loads more no-cost inspiration, check out my blog with 100+ free Christmas activities for kids!

1. The Holly King and the Oak King at Battersea Arts Centre, SW11: Help restore winter in this festive theatrical trail of puppetry, performance, and surprises, inspired by an old Celtic folk tale. Created with award-winning immersive arts company Wild Rumpus. 29 November-24 December 2024. Paid, book.

2. The Elf on the Shelf® in Croydon, CR0: Can’t be fussed with all that elf nonsense? Enjoy this 15-foot high version instead, popping up in 8 locations around Croydon Town Centre. Museum Girl will lose her mind! 29 November-24 December 2024. Free, drop in.

3. 12 Days of Christmas Trail in Duke of York Square, SW3: Hunt for lords-a-leaping, geese-a-laying, and a partridge in a pear tree in these festive-themed installations, all conveniently located for a leisurely toddle. They’re in place now and will remain ‘up throughout Christmas’. Free, drop in. Pair with Santa’s Storytime at Peter Jones - paid, book.

4. Christmas at Ham House and Garden, TW10: Take a festive family trail through stunning Stuart interiors decked with gold, greenery, and candlelight to find a sugar banquet. Enjoy outdoor games, weekend carol singing, and treats in the Orangery Café. 30 November 2024-1 January 2025. Paid.

5. Christmas at The Postal Museum, WC1: With its festive twist to their Mail Rail ride and the world’s first Christmas card in their collection, it’s a great time to (re)visit this family-friendly gem. Time it with one of their drop-in lino printing workshops (30 November and 7 & 14 December 2024), and add on a Sorted! play session for the under 8s. Paid, book.

6. Christmas at Regent Street Cinema, W1: Watch Christmas classics in ‘the birthplace of cinema’ for just £6 each - plus every ticket includes free ice-cream! Films include The Muppet Christmas Carol, Home Alone and a special 35mm presentation of Gremlins. 6-23 December 2024. Paid, book. Combine with a West End lights walk.

7. A Very Croydon Christmas: Catch carols, crafts, outdoor arts, dance, poetry, puppetry, and stunning neon light displays across Croydon Clocktower, North End, and The Queen’s Gardens. 6-8 December 2024. Free, drop in.

8. Festive Fun Day at the National Archives, TW9: Join in with wintery storytelling, interactive adventures, document workshops, crafts, face painting, messy play and more – accompanied by mince pies and mulled wine for the grownups! 7 December 2024. Paid, book. 

9. Christmas at Greenwich Peninsula, SE10: Enjoy a free festive day with gingerbread decorating, holiday group photos, Greenwich Music School choir performances and festive tunes with Loose FM. 7 December 2024. Free, drop in.

10. Saturday Sessions with The Cocoa Butter Club at Southbank Centre, SE1: Sing, dance and jam with award-winning performance company The Cocoa Butter Club, who celebrate performers of colour. End with a Ballroom boogie! 7 December 2024. Free, drop in.

11. Animal Tales - Christmas Stories from the Raven's Beak! at Charles Dickens Museum, WC1: Become part of an interactive animal story for Christmas at Charles Dickens’ former home, decked in its festive finery. 7-8 December 2024. Paid, book.

12. Festive Sunday Sessions at Garden Museum, SE1: Decorate Christmas shaped gingerbread biscuits and make Christmas decorations with natural materials. 8 December 2024. Free, drop in (first come, first served).

13. Elves & the Shoemaker Sewing Workshop at Kingston Museum, KT1: Hand sew your own festive felt shoe to adorn your Christmas tree or to hang at home with local milliner, Bee Smith. 14 December 2024. Paid, book. Ages 7+.

14. Revel Puck’s Winter Festival at Fellowship Square, E17: Experience circus magic inside a festive Spiegeltent, featuring shows like The Ruckus and The Ugly Duckling, alongside food, drinks, and community events. 12 December 2024-5 January 2025. Paid, book. Waltham Forest residents can enjoy an exclusive 15 per cent discount on weekday tickets, reply to this email for the code.

15. Once Upon a Kingswood Christmas at Kingswood House, SE21: Journey through magical sets to help Bella find the Fairytale Alliance, rescue Father Christmas from the clutches of the Snow Queen and save the festive season! 14-24 December 2024. Paid, book.

16. The Chemistry of Christmas Baking at The Royal Institution, W1: Join chemist and Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley as he explores the hidden world of chemistry in delicious Christmas treats. With baking and chemistry demonstrations. 20 December 2024. Paid, book.

17. The Magic Circle Christmas Show, NW1: Our absolute highlight of Chrimbo limbo last year! Check out close-up magicians in the clubroom and bar, tour the Magic Circle Museum, then be amazed by a variety show of world class magicians. Arrive when doors open to make the most of it! 20-23 & 27-30 December 2024. Paid, book. Strictly ages 8+.

18. Festive Family Fun Day at London Wetland Centre, SW13: Celebrate the season with storytelling, bird feeder making, otter gift-making, marshmallow toasting, and more, all in a stunning natural haven! 21 December 2024. Paid, book.

19. Family Carols at St Paul's Cathedral, EC4: What better place to sing along to festive favourites than this iconic venue, led by the London Youth Choirs? 21 December 2024. Free, first come, first served.

20. Kids Countdown at Southbank Centre, SE1: Kick off your New Year’s Eve with Just Vibes daytime party. Featuring music, games, and a midday countdown so little ones can celebrate early. 31 December 2024. Free, drop in.

Here’s a couple of February half term highlights you’d best book now.

• Imagine Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1: Tickets are now available for London’s premier children’s art festival. Highlights include the return of recycled playground REPLAY (21 January-1 June 2025), A Morning with Dav Pilkey and DOG MAN, musical paleantology show The Colour of Dinosaurs and the world premiere of the stage version of Ross Collin’s beloved story There’s a Bear On My Chair. Main festival runs 12-23 February 2024. Paid, book.

• Family Festival: The Art of Play at Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21: Play with art, including marbling, badge-making, toy theatre, storytelling for under-5s, seed sowing, shape art, a collaborative installation, and tree-inspired tales. 15 February 2024. Paid, book.

And if you’re looking for arts without the ankle biters, here’s my picks for adults this month:

• Es Devlin - Face to Face - 50 Encounters with Strangers at Somerset House, WC2: Journey through Devlin’s recreated studio, projection-mapped Congregation installation, and layered portraits featuring chalk, charcoal, and painted glass. 23 November 2024-12 January 2025. Free, drop in.

• Eel Pie Island Artists Open Studios, TW1: Browse, buy, or commission unique art, meet artists, and explore their stunning studios on this private island on the Thames. 7-8 December 2024. Free, book.

• Versailles - Science and Splendour at Science Museum, SW7: Admire Marie Antoinette’s watch, see Louis XV’s legendary rhinoceros and discover the scientific achievements that shaped the iconic palace’s history. 12 December 2024-21 April 2025. Paid.

• Peter Blake Art Bus at Pitzhanger, W5: To celebrate the opening of For Arts Sake x Pitzhanger, hop onboard a mobile gallery designed by ‘The Godfather of Pop Art’ Blake himself, with more seminal works on display onboard. 14 December 2024. Free, drop in.

• Christmas at the Natural History Museum, SW7: Enjoy exclusive gallery access, seasonal science, Christmas crafts, harp performances, a mystery book swap, and exhibits like Wildlife Photographer of the Year in this adults-only after-hours event. 20 December 2024. Paid, book.

I use feedback from my followers to help hone my recommendations. Let me know what you think if you make it to any of these events - hit reply, or DM or tag me on Instagram.

December 2024: What’s On for Under 5s

1. Meet Santa at London Transport Museum, WC2: This is the Father Christmas I always recommend for a quick snap with younger kids, as it’s included with (annual) entry, hardly any queues, and a whole museum to play in after! 23 November-23 December 2024. Paid.

2. Whipper Snappers Winter Wonderland at Dulwich Park, SE21: Enjoy festive fun with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Christmas Tree fairy, featuring refreshments, Christmas karaoke, cinema, gingerbread decorating, face painting, a magical grotto visit, and more. Select dates, 1-22 December 2024. Paid, book. Best ages 3-7.

3. Design Baby at the V&A South Kensington, SW7: Play with unusual and experimental materials in a child-led, non-structured session devised in collaboration with Play Build Play. 4 December 2024. Free, book. Ages 0-3.

4. The Snowy Day at Polka Theatre, SW19: Wander a snowy New York with Peter in a brand-new dance adaptation of Ezra Jack Keats' classic icy adventure. Featuring original music, limited dialogue, and an enchanting set. 6 December-2 February 2025. Paid, book. Ages 1-4.

5. My Pet Star at Museum of the Order of St John, EC1: Discover what it takes to nurse a star back to health and create your own sparkling star decoration to take home! With storytelling, singing and dancing. 11 December 2024. Under 3s and Under 5s sessions available. Book.

6. Festive Family Gospel at London Museum Docklands, E14: Sing and clap along to a mixture of festive songs, soul and Motown hits. Concerts are baby-friendly and open to all ages from newborns to school age and grandparents. 11 December 2024. Free, book. Tickets released 6 December 2024.

7. Under 5s Storytelling with the Jewish Museum London at Pancras Square Library, N1: Celebrate the festival of Channukah with this interactive storytelling session. 11-12 December 2024. Free, drop in.

8. Mini Morris - Jingle Bells at William Morris Gallery, E17: Make festive decorations using natural materials and bells to take home and display. 19 December 2024. Free, donations welcome. Places allocated on a first come, first served basis.

9. Harping at Christmas at Stanley Arts, SE25: Bop and boogie to the sounds of the harp - with a chance to try harps of all shapes and sizes! 19 December 2024. Paid, book.

10. Kids at Keats at Keats House, NW3: Festive storytelling and crafts, including flying angels and Christmas tree decorations. 19 December 2024. Paid, book.

Book ahead for Great Big Tiny World at Southbank Centre, SE1. A relaxed sensory show created by internationally acclaimed sensory theatre company Oily especially for babies and their adults. Part of Imagine Festival. 19-22 February 2025. Paid, book. Ages 0-12 months.

For even more inspiration, check out my Under 5s cultural play sessions post.

Weekend events 30 November-1 December 2024

Finally, here’s some last minute ideas to light up your weekend. Check the links for more info and any booking details.

1. Sparkle in the Park at Charlton House and Gardens, SE7. 28 November-1 December 2024. Free.

2. Assemble Play at Mudchute City Farm Christmas Fair, E14. 30 November 2024. Free.

3. Hands on Armour: The Knight Before Christmas at Wallace Collection, W1. 30 November 2024. Free.

4. Create your own felt bunting at Bethlem Museum of the Mind, KR3. 30 October 2024. Free.

5. The Royal Arsenal Winter Festival, SE18. 30 November 2024. Free.

6. Winter Light Trail switch on at Vauxhall City Farm, SE11. 30 November 2024. Free.

7. Museum Shop Sunday 2024 includes gingerbread Hetty Feather biscuit decorating at Foundling Museum, WC1 and festive tree decoration making at Freud Museum, NW3. 1 December 2024. Paid.

8. Camels, Christmas Carols and live music! at St Etheldreda Church Fulham, SW6. 1 December 2024. Free.

9. Christmas in the Village in Wimbledon Village, SW19. 1 December 2024. Free.

10. Primrose Hill Christmas Festival, NW1. 1 December 2024. Free.

Thanks for reading! This is my final newsletter before Christmas - wishing you and your family a joyful December.

Until next time,

Please check listings before heading out. Events can change or be cancelled at short notice; and, despite my best efforts, sometimes I make mistakes.