London and England with kids
London at Christmas With Kids: How I’d Plan It
Yes, London is a great Christmas trip with kids. Go in the first three weeks of December if school allows, ride a bus after dark to see the lights, book Winter Wonderland for an off peak slot, and plan Christmas Day as a walking day, because most TfL services stop on December 25. Every traveler, babies included, needs a £20 UK ETA.
London does Christmas really well.
The streets are lit up. There are ice rinks, markets and shows everywhere, and the big museums are still free.
It gets dark early, so I plan the day around that. Museums and parks in the daylight, lights after dinner.
The one thing to plan ahead is Christmas Day itself. Most of the city’s transport stops.
If this is your first London trip, start with the London with kids plan and come back here for the December part.
A December day that works
How I’d shape a Christmas day in London
- 1Morning
One big thing
The Natural History Museum, the Tower or the Changing of the Guard. Go early, before the holiday crowds.
- 2Afternoon
A rink or a park
Skate, run around Hyde Park, or book Winter Wonderland for an off peak slot while it’s still light.
- 3Late afternoon
Something slow
Afternoon tea or a show. It’s dark early and everyone needs a sit down.
- 4Evening
The lights
Ride the top deck of a red bus through the West End after dinner. The kids get the best seat in the city.
What the kids will love
Lights, rinks and Winter Wonderland
The holiday dates
What changes around Christmas
Plan these two days before you book anything else.
| Day | What happens | My tip |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve | Last year the Tube and buses ran but finished early. | Be back at the hotel by early evening. |
| Christmas Day | Most TfL services stop, Tube and buses included. Winter Wonderland is closed. | A walking day. Book dinner near your hotel early. |
| Boxing Day | Some lines don’t run. Last year that included the Elizabeth line. | Check TfL the week before. A slow park day works. |
| The rest of December | Everything open, lights up, rinks and markets running. | This is when I’d go if school allows. |
Before you book
The London at Christmas checklist
- A UK ETA for every passport in the family, baby included
- Passports first. Here’s how long a child’s takes
- A hotel you can walk from on Christmas Day
- Christmas Day dinner booked early
- Winter Wonderland timed tickets for everyone
- Warm coats, hats and gloves for the evening lights
- One slow afternoon a day, it gets dark early
- Contactless card or Oyster for each adult
“Afternoon tea is my favorite slow two hours in London. In December I’d put it right when it gets dark, then walk out to the lights.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three.
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Start planningQuick answers
Is London good at Christmas with kids?
Yes. The streets are lit up, the big museums are still free, and there are ice rinks, markets and shows all over the city. Keep one big thing a day and leave the evening for the lights.
When is Winter Wonderland open in 2026?
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs from Thursday November 19 2026 to Sunday January 3 2027 and is closed on Christmas Day. Everyone needs a timed entry ticket, toddlers too, and the off peak slots are the cheapest.
Does the Tube run on Christmas Day in London?
No. Most TfL services, the Tube and buses included, don’t run on December 25. Some lines also stop on Boxing Day. Last year the Elizabeth line didn’t run on December 26. Check TfL’s holiday timetable the week before you go.
When should a US family go to London for Christmas?
The first three weeks of December are what I’d pick if school allows. Everything is open, the lights are up and you skip the Christmas Day shutdown. Over winter break, plan the 25th and 26th as slow days near your hotel.
Do kids need a UK ETA to visit London?
Yes. The UK government says each person traveling needs an ETA, babies and children included. It costs £20.
Where should a family stay in London at Christmas?
Somewhere you can walk to things, since the Tube and buses stop on Christmas Day. A hotel or apartment near a big park and a few restaurants that open on the 25th makes that day easy. Here’s where I’d stay in London with kids.
How many days in London at Christmas with kids?
Four or five days in one base. That’s enough for a museum day, a lights night, Winter Wonderland or a rink, and a slow day for afternoon tea or a show.
Keep planning: London and England with kids, your first international trip with kids and kids’ passports.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Dates, fares and holiday schedules last checked November 2026 and change often.
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