Christmas Family Activities 2024

There are so many lovely things going on locally around Christmas time, that we thought we’d put them in one handy guide to Christmas events. From festive light trails to Christmas wreath making, it’s all here… and of course the big man himself!

We’ve also pulled together a selection of events that are going on further afield. It’s a slightly random selection, but based on recommendations from other local mums and dads – so if you know of a little gem outside the area but not too far, then please do let us know about it and we can add it in.

Details of all the Richmond Borough events can also be found in our What’s On guide. For the Christmas lights switch-on events and Christmas fairs & markets, please see our separate guide to Christmas Fairs, Lights & Markets.

Richmond Borough, Chiswick, Isleworth & Brentford:

Chiswick House & Gardens – Storytelling With Santa

30th November – 22nd December, selected dates 10.00am-4.00pm: Chiswick House & Gardens W4.

• Santa is returning to Chiswick House this Christmas! Join a magical experience this festive season, as Santa welcomes you to his grotto and tells a story of Christmas cheer. In small groups, children will enjoy a Christmas sing-along with the elves, before listening to a festive story read by Santa himself. Children will then have the opportunity to have their photo with Santa and receive a Christmas gift (as long as they’ve been good this year)! There will be timed slots lasting approx. 30mins at 10.00am, 11.00am, 12.00pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm. Tickets £3.00-£14.00.  Booking required.

Ham House & Garden – A Gilded Christmas

2nd December – 1st January, 10.00am-4.00pm: Ham Street TW10.

• Get into the festive spirit with a visit to Ham House, decorated in gold and gilded splendour. Take in twinkling candlelight and fairy lights, Christmas trees and aromatic greenery as you discover the stunning Stuart interiors. A spectacular sugar banquet, made by our volunteers, will also be on display. Family-friendly activities inside the house: follow a spotter trail inspired by resident cat Roscoe; discover a festive reading nook in the Back Parlour, then head below stairs for more activities; little ones can try dressing up and write a letter to the North Pole; take home a memento of your visit with a free print from our CEWE photo station. In the gardens, you’ll find traditional Christmas games and wooden summerhouses decorated with lights in the maze-like Wilderness part of the garden. Soak up the festive atmosphere with carol singing on 7th, 14th and 22nd December. Have a festive feast at the Orangery Café, serving light lunches, warming drinks and snacks. Find a special gift for friends and family in the shop– browse artisan gifts, sweet treats and more. Normal admission applies.

Hampton Court Palace – Christmas Festivities & Ice Rink

21st December – 5th January, 10.00am-4.00pm (Christmas Festivities); 22nd November – 5th January, 9.30am-8.00pm (Ice Rink): East Molesey KT8.

• Get into the festive spirit this Christmas. Savour historic Tudor cookery and revel in festive tunes from the past. Experience Tudor cookery in Henry VIII’s Kitchens where you’ll discover beef roasting while you warm up by the fire, and a selection of other Tudor Court favourites being prepared for you to investigate. While you walk around the palace, listen out for live seasonal music. Join the musicians as they play a selection of music from throughout history, as well as some familiar festive tunes. The Masters of Ceremonies will be on hand to guide you through the musician’s playlist and bring some yuletide cheer! Normal admission applies.
• PLUS Set against the backdrop of Henry VIII’s historic home, the Palace’s Ice Rink is the perfect way to glide into the season. Lace up your skates, take your loved ones and get ready for an enchanting experience on the ice. Skaters can twirl, spin and glide (or stumble!) across the stunning open-air rink in front of the palace, providing a beautiful photo-worthy backdrop to capture memories with friends and family. Booking required.

Hampton Hill Theatre – Santa’s Grotto

13th – 24th December, various times: Hampton Hill High Street TW12.

• Whisper it softly but Santa’s back at Hampton Hill Theatre this Christmas! Yes, the elves have been hard at work designing his brand-new enchanted grotto and they can’t wait to give you a grand tour. With surprise and delight around every corner, plus a carefully selected gift for every child, it’s an essential festive treat for all the family. Santa sessions are booked in 5-minute slots but you’ve plenty of time to wander the grotto and take lots of photos! Cost is £11.00 per child plus booking fees. Booking required.

Kew Gardens – Christmas At Kew 

13th November – 5th January, 4.20-10.00pm: Kew Gardens TW9.

• Experience a world of winter magic in Kew Gardens as their acclaimed light trail returns this festive season. Discover 3km of enchanting illuminations, featuring over 20 dazzling installations, including some cherished favourites and exciting new displays. Stroll through glittering tunnels, admire vibrant lakeside reflections, and marvel at trees gleaming with jewel-toned lights. Wander by the fire garden’s warm glow, enjoy larger-than-life illuminations, and keep an eye out for Father Christmas! Christmas at Kew is an unmissable opportunity to celebrate Christmas and welcome in the New Year as you walk through a botanical world brimming with seasonal sparkle. No evening at Christmas at Kew would be complete without a festive treat from the independent food vendors, offering hot food, sweet treats, spiced winter warmers, hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows and more. Booking required.

London Wetland Centre – Giving Back This Christmas

7th December – 5th January, selected dates 11.00am & 2.00pm: Queen Elizabeth Walk SW13.

• Join a FREE Christmas family workshop. Celebrate the season of giving as you craft beautiful gifts for both loved ones and nature. Kids can create heartfelt thank-you cards using seeded paper – a gift that not only says ‘thank you’ but also grows into a meadow of wildflowers, spreading joy long after the holidays. You can also help wildlife this Christmas by making pinecone bird feeders, providing a little festive cheer for our feathered friends. Choose one workshop or enjoy both – it’s the perfect way to embrace the true spirit of the season while creating memories together! Normal admission applies.

Further Afield:

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo – Candy Cane Trail

1st – 31st December, 10.00am-3.30pm: Battersea Park, London SW11.

• Polish up your glasses and get those detective hats on because there’s a brand new festive trail at the Zoo! This Christmas, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo needs YOUR help! Some of our cheeky animals have hidden five candy canes in the Zoo! Can you crack the case and find them all? Follow the clues hidden in letters to Santa from the furry, feathery, and scaly friends! Each letter holds a secret that will lead you to a hidden candy cane. Once you’ve found all five, a special prize awaits you at the Zoo shop! £1.50 per trail. Normal admission applies.

Bockett’s Farm – Christmas At Bockett’s Farm

21st November – 24th December, 10.00am-5.30pm: Young Street, Fetcham KT22.

• Enjoy a magical and festive family day out at Bocketts Farm including a visit to meet Father Christmas in his traditional workshop. The experience begins as children hop on board the Santa Express trailer. The elves then take you on a short journey to their traditional workshop. Next, you’ll be invited to meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto. Each child will receive a special golden coin to spend in his amazing toy shop, selecting the gift of their choice to take home! Before you leave you may like to purchase a professional photo or souvenir. Plus there are lots of other Christmassy activities going on at the farm, including a Christmas trail; make your own reindeer food; Christmas craft corner; and all the usual friendly farm animals and play areas. Booking required.

Chobham Adventure Farm – Christmas Adventure

11th November – 31st December, 10.00am-5.30pm: Bagshott Road, Chobham GU24.

• Experience the magic of Christmas. Say hello to REAL reindeer in the Reindeer Lodge where you will also get the chance to join Father Christmas’s head flying instructors Turbo & Gasket on their super, stupendous, and silly sleigh driving lessons, where you can earn your very sleigh licence to take home. Caraticus Searchwell, resident Chief Elf Inventor, will be on hand with more crazy inventions and will need YOUR help to make them work! Tip toe carefully through the snow but have your wits about you, you’ll likely need to dodge flying snowballs and those naughty elves! Meet Father Christmas in your one-to-one visit before heading to his toyshop to choose any present you would like from the shelves bursting with fun! Plus elf tunnels, reindeer talks soft play, slides and animals on the farm, this is one magical adventure for the whole family you won’t want to miss! Booking required.

Claremont Landscape Garden – Christmas Countdown

7th December – 5th January, 10.00am-3.00pm: Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10.

• Join a festive walk as you countdown to the big day! Peek behind doors, enjoy festive fun and games and get into the Christmas spirit with the family on a wintry walk around Claremont. Normal admission applies.

Garsons Garden Centre & Farm – Meet & Greet Father Christmas

9th – 19th December, 11.00am-5.45pm: Winterdown Road, Esher KT10

• The Long Winter and the White Witch’s magic have been lifted. The gift bearer to all good creatures is arriving for The Chronicles of Christmas at Garsons. Book your tickets to meet Father Christmas in a magical Narnia setting. During the special visit, each child will receive a Christmas gift, and there will also be an opportunity for additional family photo gifts. The cost per child is £15.50.. Booking required.

London Zoo – The Magic Of Christmas

23rd November – 5th January, 10.00am-6.00pm: Regents Park, London NW1.

• Festive crafts, animal advent calendar and more… Take your friends and family to London Zoo to celebrate a merry Christmas filled with eco-friendly festivities and magical experiences. With a focus on creating a greener Christmas, enjoy the perfect holiday experience for families and children while supporting our beautiful planet! Activities include festive crafts for kids; pop-up Santa; festive animal talks; reindeer rubbish round up; post your Christmas letter; sweet treats; festive drinks; and ‘Oh, Snap’ festive photos. Normal admission applies.

Painshill Park – 12 Days Of Christmas Trail

30th November – 5th January, 10.00am-4.00pm: Portsmouth Road, Cobham KT11.

• Can you find all the Christmas gifts and complete the carol as you explore Painshill? A trail sheet will be available to pick up from the Visitor Centre. With 158 acres to explore and enjoy there is space to run around, climb trees and really get back to nature. Go on an outdoor adventure to find the Gothic Tower, discover all the different lake birds, or stand in awe of the Crystal Grotto. Normal admission applies.

Polesden Lacey – Christmas

7th December – 5th January, 10.00am-4.00pm: Great Bookham RH5.

• Polesden Lacey is putting on a show-stopping Christmas Masquerade experience this year. The house has been sumptuously dressed for Christmas enhancing the elegant interior as a fabulous Masquerade Ball. Grizwald the Griffin appears in a festive family trail around the grounds. Help Grizwald choose what to wear, practise his dance steps and get ready to attend the society event of the year. There is a special gift to take home on completion. £5.00 per trail. Normal admission applies. Plus ride on the wonderful traditional gallopers carousel, right outside the front of the mansion. £3.50 per ride. Booking required.

Hyde Park – Winter Wonderland

21st November – 5th January, 10.00am-10.00pm: London W2. 

• Experience unforgettable Christmas activities this winter at Wonderland! From thrilling rides and festive games to enchanting shows and delicious food & drinks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Adventure down the rabbit hole with the classic story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland taking over Magical Ice Kingdom, featuring larger-than-life ice and snow sculptures. Get unlimited access to enjoy over 12 rides in Santaland. Children’s TV Megastar Justin Fletcher returns for 2024 with a show filled with singing, dancing and festive fun (selected dates). Ideal for a fun-packed family day out Booking required.

Wisley Gardens – RHS Glow 

22nd November – 5th January, 4.00-9.00pm: Wisley Lane, Woking GU23.

• It’s the brightest night of the year! Packed with sparkling new features for 2024, take family and friends for an enchanting festive experience. See the garden transformed on a wonderful new illuminated trail, with spectacular new views and playful, enchanting features, and enjoy festive food and Christmas shopping. Follow an exciting new route through the stunning Seven Acres, Glasshouse, Tropical House and, for the first time ever, a floating pontoon that takes you over the Glasshouse Lake, giving you a breathtaking view of the garden as never seen before. As you wander, enjoy festive tunes filling the air, illuminated trees with colour-changing roots, fairy light Christmas trees and a field of flames to light up your night. Head over to the Jellicoe Canal for the spectacular grand finale! When you’re ready for a break, check out the gift stalls along the route and pick up perfect presents for your loved ones. Booking required.

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