Christmas Family Activities 2023
There are lots of places to visit and lovely things going on locally around Christmas time, so we thought we’d put them in one handy guide to Christmas events. 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, 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 and markets, please see our separate guide to Christmas Fairs, Lights & Markets.
Richmond Borough & Nearby
25th November – 22nd December, 10.00am-3.35pm: Christmas at Chiswick House.
- Storytelling With Santa is sadly sold out, but the Christmas Shop will be open from the 16th – 22nd December, and Chiswick House has lovely dog-friendly gardens to walk around, a great cafe, and an adventure playground for under 7s. Visiting information can be found here.
16th – 23rd December , 10.30am-3.30pm: Christmas at Ham House.
- At time of writing, there are still a few tickets remaining to meet Father Christmas, and Ham House has lovely gardens to walk around and a great cafe. Visiting information can be found here.
16th December – 1st January (excluding 24th – 26th December), 10.00am-4.00pm: Christmas Festivities at Hampton Court Palace.
- Get into the festive spirit – savour historic Tudor cookery, revel in festive tunes from the past, and see if you can spot courtiers and guards from the Tudor court as they roam Henry VIII’s famous palace.. The Magic Garden is closed until February, but no trip is complete without a visit to the UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze in the palace gardens. Normal admission applies. Plus the Ice Rink is open until the 7th January (separate ticket required).
- No special events listed, but Hounslow Urban Farm is always a treat to visit with the little ones. Stroll around the pens with goats, pigs, donkeys, llamas, peacocks and owls, and you can even feed some of the animals. There are also animal encounters throughout the day, where you can meet and handle small mammals, reptiles and more. They are also bound to put on some festive activities. You can buy tickets at the farm or online.
- No special events apart from Christmas at Kew in the evening, which is all but sold out, but Kew Gardens always makes a great family day out, with the Children’s Garden, family kitchen & shop, log trail, treetop walkway, immense glasshouses, the Hive, and of course acres of gardens to run free in and explore. Visiting information can be found here.
London Museum Of Water And Steam
16th & 17th December 10.10am-3.50pm: Santa at the London Museum Of Water & Steam in Brentford.
- Santa is taking a break from his busy schedule to visit the Museum!. Meeting in the Museum’s shop, you’ll follow Mrs. Claus to find Santa. During your time with Santa, you’ll sing a song or two, be able to take some pictures and receive a special present! Plus the Museum always makes a great day out with the little ones – they’ll marvel at the giant steam engines, enjoy playing with the interactive water pumps and exhibits, and exploring the gorgeous historic pumping station. If it’s warm enough there’s also a fantastic water play area in the courtyard. Normal admission applies.
London Wetland Centre (Barnes)
Weekends 2nd – 17th December & daily 21st December – 7th January (except bank holidays), 11.00am & 2.00pm: Festive Family Fun at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes.
- Join a Christmas family workshop. In the run up to the big day kids can get ready by preparing thank you cards made out of seeded paper – the gift that keeps on giving! Today a thank you card, tomorrow a meadow of wildflowers! There will also be plenty of opportunities to give back this Christmas and make a gift for nature, from pine cone feeders to bug hotels.. Plus visit the ongoing Quentin Blake activities. Normal admission applies.
- No special family events, but Osterley House & Park is always a great place to visit, with its beautiful interesting House (tours available), lovely Gardens and extended Park grounds. Dogs are allowed in the Gardens during the winter, and always allowed in the surrounding Park area. The stables cafe is also a great place for a snack or lunch. Visiting information can be found here.
Further Afield
16th – 31st December 10.00am-4.30pm: The Great Christmas Stocking Search at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo.
- Seven Christmas stockings have gone missing at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo and they need your help to find them! Can you solve the clues, find all the stockings and spell out the secret word to win yourself a prize? Pick up your trail sheet in the shop (£1.50) as you enter the zoo and get searching!. Normal admission applies.
23rd November – 24th December, 10.00am-5.30pm: Christmas at Bockett’s Farm, Fetcham.
- Enjoy a magical and festive family day out at Bocketts Farm including a visit to meet Father Christmas in his traditional workshop. The Father Christmas 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. There are only a limited number of Father Christmas tickets still available, but the Farm still makes a great day out, where you can make your very own Reindeer Food to take home; complete the Christmas Activity Book; get creative in Christmas Craft Corner; step into the Snow Globe for a family photo; meet hundreds of friendly farm animals; and explore indoor and outdoor play. Booking essential.
13th November – 7th January, 10.00am-5.30pm: Christmas at Chobham Adventure Farm
- Experience the wonder of Chobham Adventure Farm’s Christmas Adventure. This year the animal barn will be magically transformed into The Reindeer Lodge, where all of Santa’s real reindeer will be staying while they get ready for the big day! This is all part of the normal entry ticket, so you can enjoy the softplay and outdoor adventures then head into the Reindeer Lodge to meet Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and of course Rudolph himself and an extra special surprise… one of Santa’s newest reindeer in training: ‘Baby Flurry’ (beware, he is very cute!). The Reindeer Keeper will be on hand to tell you all about how they look after the reindeer and polish up their flying skills. It’s sure to get your Christmas spirit soaring. Additionally, you can choose to meet the big man himself too! Wander through the snow trail as you make your way to a family one-to-one experience with Father Christmas, before heading into his Toy Workshop to choose a gift to take home. Plus you can step onto the ice rink and enjoy a spin on the ice, and round off your day with a delicious hot chocolate or a hot dog from the Christmas Café afterwards. Reindeer experience is included with normal entry, but Father Christmas and Ice Skating available for an extra cost. Booking recommended.
12th December – 2nd January, 10.00am-3.00pm: The Snow Queen at Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher.
- This Christmas, Claremont is bringing to life, The Snow Queen. The classic fairly-tale of good versus evil – where Kai has been kidnapped by the Snow Queen and Gerda, his friend, embarks on an adventure to save him. Join Gerda on this extra special trail around the lake at Claremont on her quest to rescue Kai from the Snow Queen’s winter palace. The garden will be transformed into the magical outdoor world with installations reflecting key scenes from the story with activities to enjoy along the way. Normal admission applies.
18th November – 7th January, 10.00am-4.00pm: Alice In Wonderland Trail at Painshill Park, Cobham.
- Help the white rabbit find Alice at Painshill’s Alice in Wonderland Trail this winter. Follow the trail around the landscape and meet some familiar characters along the way. Normal admission applies and booking in advance is advisable for non-members.
12th December – 7th January, 10.00am-3.30pm: Christmas Adventure through Fairy-tales Trail at Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham.
- This year at Polesden Lacey, a Christmas trail takes you through many familiar fairy tales, with a map, and a book to write your own adventure. “Polesden Lacey Library hides a secret, magic book, That comes to life each Christmas, why not take a look? As the winter months grow colder, and the frost begins to harden, A world of fairy stories will appear throughout the gardens, Are you ready for adventure? Then explore this festive trail, Create a thrilling story from these classic fairy-tales…” (poem by Rebecca Lewis). Normal admission applies.
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