20+ Awesome Places To See Santa In London 2023
Looking for places to see Santa in London this Christmas?
We have been to lots of Santa’s Grottos over the years and have found that some of the best are in London. London really is one of the best cities in the UK to visit at Christmas with kids as there are so many fabulous London attractions for kids.
We’ve never managed to get into the Santa’s Grotto at Harrods but we’ll put it on here anyway in case you happen to be a Gazillionaire (or as lucky as Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)!
We haven’t been to all of these places to see Father Christmas in London. This post is just a way to let you know what is on this year and we’ll aim to update it when more dates are released.
For the London Santa’s Grottos that have been announced, tickets are selling out fast so book soon to secure your meeting with Father Christmas in London!
Looking for something a bit special this year? How about looking into one of the Santa Sleepovers in the UK or even booking a DIY Lapland trip (which works out much cheaper than the package holidays!)
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Visiting London for the first time? How about getting some London themed games and entertainment for the kids? Perfect for the hotel room or restaurants…
London Top Trumps and our own London colouring book and pens just in case). We also love these kids’ travel guides to London, a London sticker book and things to spot in London book.
If you want to combine your London Santa visit with some of the top attractions in London at Christmas, we can recommend these ones for kids:
London attractions at Christmas
- London Eye (see what’s on at Christmas at the London Merlin attractions)
- Madame Tussauds (see our full review of Madame Tussauds here).
- Shrek’s Adventure (a bit alternative but if your little one is a Shrek fan, they can meet Shrek Santa in his Shrektacular Grotto on 3rd,4th,10th,11th and 17th – 24th December). See also things to do near Waterloo with kids.
- London Dungeon
- SEA LIFE
- Tower of London – bringing the 12 days of Christmas to life. See our review of the Tower of London.
Save money on London attractions
The best way to save money on the top attractions in London is to buy a London Explorer Pass. Add 2,3,4,5,6 or 7 attractions and make huge savings. See how it all works here.
London Christmas shows
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- Potted Panto – 7 classic pantos in 70 minutes.
- Jack and the Beanstalk – classic pantomime at the London Palladium.
- Santa Rocks – Santamime comes to London’s West End @ Wonderville.
Finally, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in London with kids, we have a few suggestions at the end of the post.
Places to see Santa in London in 2023
Visiting a Santa’s Grotto in London is just one of the many fabulously festive family Christmas events in London.
These 2023 London Grottos have not all released their dates yet so check back in as we will be updating this post.
ZSL London Zoo
The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo
They are also offering the opportunity for a VIP Breakfast with Mrs Claus on select dates.
If you live locally, the London Zoo annual membership is definitely worth getting. See also what is going on at Whipsnade Zoo at Christmas as your zoo membership can also get you into nearby Whipsnade.
Dates: 25th November to 1st January 2024.
Ticket Price: £Currently need to email to express interest.
Location: London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY.
Harrods
Dates: Tickets are usually released mid-November. The caveat is that you need to have spent at least £2000.00 in their store or be one of the 160 lucky families to get a ticket when they are released. This is out of a total of 4,400 tickets so the chances are quite slim.
Ticket Price: £20.00 per child.
Location: Harrods, 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL.
Hamleys
There is a brand new Santa’s Grotto in Hamleys for 2023.
Dates: 2023 dates coming soon.
Ticket Price: Up to 3 people – £50.00, 4 people – £65.00, 5 people – £80.00 and 6 people – £95.00.
Location: Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, London, W1B 5BT.
Kenwood House
An Audience with Father Christmas at Kenwood
Dates: Weekends in December 2023.
Ticket Price: £12.50 per child.
Location: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JR.
There is also a fabulous light show here which is a lovely thing to do with kids at Christmas.
The National Gallery
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: Ticket on sale from Mid October.
Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Santa Land at Winter Wonderland
Dates: 17th November to 1st January 2024.
Ticket Price: Visiting Santa’s Grotto is free but you need to buy a ticket to Winter Wonderland. First come, first served.
Location: Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH.
Selfridges
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: From £60.00 per person.
Location: Selfridges & Co, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB.
Chelsea Christmas
Christmas light switch-on – one of the Christmas lights in London switch-on events. Father Christmas himself will be switching the lights on.
Dates: Mid-November 2023.
Ticket Price: FREE.
Location: Duke of York Square, 80 Kings Road, London.
Greenwich Market
Dates: Mid-November to 23rd December 2023.
Ticket Price: £10.00 per child plus booking fee.
Location: Greenwich Market, Durnford Street, Greenwich, SE10 9HZ.
Museum of London Docklands
Meet Santa in the Victorian Santa’s Grotto
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £12.50 per child.
Location: Museum of London Docklands, No1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL.
London Transport Museum
Dates: 24th November to 4th January 2024.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB.
Photo Credit: Selfridges
The Strand Palace
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £25.00 per child (including gift), £5.00 per adult and £8.00 for a photo.
Location: The Strand Palace Hotel, 372 Strand, London, WC2R 0JJ.
Also just a short stroll from here is the Somerset House ice skating rink, one of the best places to go ice skating in London.
Alexandra Palace
Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £14.50 per child.
Location: Alexandra Palace East Court, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY.
You might want to combine this visit with some ice skating too!
Royal Albert Hall
Storytelling with Father Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £21.50 per child.
Location: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP.
See also – Elf in Concert on 9th December 2023 and A Christmas Gaiety on 12th December.
Photo Credit: Royal Albert Hall
Broadgate Circle
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Exchange House, 12 Exchange Square, London, EC2A 2BQ.
Photo Credit: Broadgate Circle
Fortnum & Mason
Storytelling with Father Christmas
Dates: Sold Out for 2023.
Ticket Price: On sale 8th September 2023 at 7.30am. Book through their events page.
Location: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER.
Kew Gardens
Pop along to see the fabulous Christmas light trail and say hello to Santa along the way.
Dates: 15th November 2023 to 7th January 2024.
Ticket Price: Adult – £21.50 to £28.50, Child (4-16) – £14.00 to £14.50, Under 4 – Free.
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE.
Photo Credit: Kew Gardens
Chelsea Physic Garden
Dates: 2nd to 17th December 2023.
Ticket Price: £12.50 per child and £10.50 for an accompanying adult.
Location: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HS.
Jungle Cave
The Jungle Cave (formerly Rainforest Café) is one of our recommendations for family-friendly restaurants in London and offers the opportunity to have breakfast with Santa in London.
The breakfast lasts 90 minutes and includes a meeting with Santa and a goody bag for children.
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: From £15.00 per person.
Location: Jungle Cave, 20 Shaftesbury Ave, London, W1D 7EU.
Hard Rock Cafe
Santa’s Grotto & Breakfast with Santa
Dates: Santa’s Grotto is taking place at weekends during December.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Hard Rock Café, Criterion Building, 225-229 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9HR.
Springtime Nurseries
Dates: 11th November to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: Children – £14.95, Adults – £3.95.
Location: Springtime Nurseries, Cattlegate Road, Crews Hill, Enfield, EN2 9EE.
National Trust
The National Trust has a few lovely properties in London that usually offer a meet Father Christmas experience.
Ham House is a great example. This London Santa experience takes place mid-December.
Make sure to check out the NT website to see what else is going on this Christmas in London. Haven’t got your National Trust membership? You can buy an annual pass here.
These are the best places to see Santa in London in 2023.
What else is there to do in London at Christmas?
Other things to do in London at Christmas
You might also want to just wander around and peruse the festive gifts in the London Christmas markets or marvel at the twinkling Christmas lights in London.
These are some of our favourite free things to do in London at Christmas – including some of the best museums in London for kids.
How about booking an ice skating session at one of the fabulous ice rinks in London? Hampton Court is ideal for family day trips from London.
If you fancy venturing out of London over a weekend, how about these Santa Sleepovers near London? We also have a post on festive Christmas breaks for families.
We also have a whole section on Christmas if you are looking for more festive days out this year, including details on the best Christmas markets in the UK and, if we can travel this year, the best Christmas markets in Europe!
You might also like…
We have some guides for Christmas events happening near London where you can meet Santa.
Christmas events in Hertfordshire
Christmas events in Cambridgeshire
Accommodation in London
Looking for the perfect, family-friendly hotel in London to complete your visit to London at Christmas?
Luxury
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – Located in Mayfair, this is a 5 star luxury aparthotel with a difference.
See also:
The Ritz – Located on Piccadilly near Hyde Park Corner.
The Rubens at the Palace – Located near Buckingham Palace.
St Ermin’s – Located near St James’s Park. They also do a fabulous afternoon tea for kids.
Mid-Range
Park Plaza County Hall – Located near the London Eye.
Budget
Premier Inn Waterloo – Located by Westminster Bridge near the London Eye.
See this post on where to stay in London with kids for more hotel suggestions and our guide to family accommodation in London with pools.
For more budget accommodation, here are some of the Premier Inns in London we recommend for families. They offer free breakfast for kids.
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