The best Santa's grottos in London this Christmas

Visiting Santa's grotto is always something that the kids enjoy. It's often a great way to spend a day out over the festive period and there are plenty of them happening in London this year. Here is where you can see Santa in London this year, which will help you create some special memories for your young ones.

 

London Transport Museum

When: Tuesday 28th November - Saturday 23rd December

Where: London Transport Museum, London

The London Transport Museum may not be the first place you think of when it comes to Christmas cheer but Santa will in deed be visiting. The whole place will be dressed up in festive decor and there will be a range of cosy activities for you to enjoy.

 

Find out more about Christmas at London Transport Museum here

 

---

 

Christmas at Hamleys

Image credit: David M. Bennett

When: Saturday 1st - Sunday 24th December

Where: Hamley's, London

One of the most in-demand grotto's in London, Hamley's always go all out at Christmas and a huge part of their reputation is built upon the efforts they go through over the festive period. Head to their Santa's grotto to give your young ones an experience to remember.

 

Find out more about Father Christmas at Hamley's here

 

---

 

Christmas at London Zoo

When: Sunday 3rd December - Sunday 24th December

Where: ZSL London Zoo, London

The animals love Christmas just as much as you do at the London Zoo and dotted across the area you'll find various Christmas activities that you can enjoy. Your kids will receive a very special gift from Santa to take home. Animals and Christmas joined together will leave you with smiles all around.

 

Find out more about Christmas at London Zoo here

 

---

 

Santa's Grotto at Alexandra Palace

Image credit: Lloyd Winters

When: Friday 1st - Saturday 23rd December

Where: Alexandra Palace, London

Swapping the North Pole for North London, Santa will be at one of London's most iconic venues, Alexandra Palace, where he will be giving out small gifts to children and there will be photo opportunities too. 

 

Find out more about Santa's Grotto at Alexandra Palace here

 

---

  

Christmas at Kew

Where: Kew Gardens, London

Kew Gardens are putting on their extravagant light displays up this Christmas and it forms a light trail that is littered with delightful sights. All kinds of festive displays will be up from lit-up Santa's to gingerbread men and reindeer. Along the path you'll find Santa's grotto too. 

 

Find out more about Christmas at Kew here

 

---

 

Shrek's Grotto at Shrek's Adventure!

When: Saturday 2nd - Sunday 24th December

Where: Shrek's Adventure! London

Have a merry Shrekmas as Shrek's Adventure, a mainstay in London, will be putting their own unique twist on our Christmas traditions. Yuletide cheer will be found throughout the halls as Shrek gets all dressed up as Santa.

 

Find out more about Shrek's Grotto at Shrek's Adventure! here

 

---

 

Vauxhall City Farm

When: Saturday 2nd - Sunday 17th December

Where: Vauxhall City Farm, London

Just before Christmas, the animals at City Farm will be receiving a very special guest. Santa will be heading down to make sure the animals haven't made the naughty list. He'll have some time to meet people too on his flying visit.

 

Find out more about Vauxhall City Farm's grotto here

 

---

 

Krispy Kreme's Giving Grotto

When: Sunday 3rd December

Where: Westfield Stratford, London

The kind of Christmas treat that suits anybody, Krispy Kreme are looking to treat people on the first weekend of December and you can go get yourself some free doughnuts if you've behaved this year. 

 

Find out more about Krispy Kreme's Giving Grotto here 

 

---

 

Santa's Grotto at Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland attracts people from all over the place to come and celebrate the festive season. One of the best areas to explore Santaland which features their Santa's Grotto as the main attraction in the middle as well as plenty of other activities for you to enjoy. 

 

Find out more about Santa's Grotto at Winter Wonderland here. To see what's in store at this year's Winter Wonderland click here

 

---

 

Finding Santa

When: Thursday 7th - Sunday 24th December 

Where: Bloomsbury Theatre, London

This is an interactive Christmas adventure for all the family, a choose-your-own-adventure style of storytelling that is coming to Bloomsbury Theatre. It's a story all about how Santa receives his mail and the challenges the elves face making sure each letter is received. 

 

Buy tickets:

 

---

 

For more thing's to do in London over the Christmas, check out our Christmas events in London page here. 

 

---

---

 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

Header image credit: Hamleys (Facebook)