Our guide to must-visit events – from just £5 – to make this festive season the best yet
Now we’re well into autumn, there’s an undeniable feeling that we are hurtling towards Christmas, so it’s time to get organised – not least, because those festive activities sell out fast. But what are the best Christmas experiences for kids? From ice skating to meeting Santa, here are some seasonal highlights that have it all, with (jingle) bells on.
Christmas at John Lewis: meet Santa and more
This year, we’re bringing you some truly magical Christmas experiences with a LEGO® twist. Find the festive fun at John Lewis stores as they play host to Father Christmas and his elves, with magical grottos, a treasure hunt and Santa’s tea parties. My John Lewis members get early access to tickets until 29 September, before booking opens to everyone, here, from 30 September.
Santa’s Enchanted Grotto
John Lewis and The LEGO® Group present Santa’s Enchanted Grotto (based on our exclusive LEGO® set): take to the skies on an unbelievable adventure to reach Santa’s Post Office where, finally, you’ll meet the jolly man. We won’t give all the secrets away, but you’ll leave with a special LEGO® set.
Best for: Ages 1-15 years
Where? Cheadle, Cribbs Causeway, Liverpool, Peter Jones, Welwyn and White City.
When? From 10 to 24 December 2025
How much? £12 per child, plus a £1.20 booking fee; £3 per adult, plus a 30p booking fee. Professional photos will be available to purchase separately.
How to book: Click here for booking information.
Santa Meet & Greet
Reserve your slot to meet Mr Father Christmas himself. In this memory-making experience you’ll get to meet Santa, share your Christmas dreams and wishes, before receiving a special LEGO® set to take home with you.
Best for: All ages
Where? Cheadle, Cribbs Causeway, Liverpool, Peter Jones, Welwyn and White City.
When? From 6 to 24 December 2025
How much? £12 per child, plus a £1.20 booking fee. £3 per adult, plus a 30p booking fee. Professional photos will be available to purchase separately.
How to book: Click here for booking information.
Santa’s Tea Party
Santa and his elves are taking a well-earned break, so pull up a chair and join them for a seasonal story while you enjoy a cup of cocoa and festive treats. Every guest will receive a special LEGO® set to take home.
Best for: All ages
Where? Bluewater, Brent Cross, Cambridge, Canary Wharf, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, High Wycombe, Kingston, Leeds, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Reading, Solihull, Southampton and Stratford.
When? From 27 November (depending on location) to 24 December 2025
How much? £20 per child (including cocoa and festive snack), plus a £2 booking fee; £7 per adult (including hot drink and cake), plus a 70p booking fee.
How to book: Click here for booking information.
Santa Paws experience
Come and explore a special dog-friendly grotto, where four-legged friends are always welcome. They’ll meet Father Christmas, take a sniff around, and even have the opportunity to have their festive photo taken with the main man before leaving with a special dog treat, just for them.
Best for: Dog owners of all ages!
Where? Cardiff, Cheadle, Cribbs Causeway, Liverpool, Oxford Street, Peter Jones, Welwyn and White City.
When? From 27 November (depending on location) to 24 December 2025
How much? £25 per dog, plus a £2.50 booking fee; free for adults. Professional photos will be available to purchase separately.
How to book: Click here for booking information.
Festive Plus-Plus treasure hunt
We’ve collaborated with Plus-Plus to create a family-friendly treasure hunt across all John Lewis stores. With its unique design in a single shape, Plus-Plus offers boundless creativity. Visit your nearest store to find out how to enter, then follow the clues to find the treasure. Everyone who takes part will receive a Puzzle by Number to take home and you can enter our national prize draw.
Best for: All ages.
Where? All John Lewis stores.
When? From 6 to 24 December 2025.
How much? Free.
How to book: Just turn up.
National Trust Christmas lights, nationwide
With their playgrounds, space to run around and all-important cafes, National Trust properties and family time go hand in hand. Over the festive period, NT houses and gardens around the country will be transformed into winter wonderlands, with a stellar line-up of Christmas illuminations, family-friendly twinkling trails and Santa visits. Find your nearest for a little seasonal sparkle.
Best for: All ages
Where? Nationwide
When? Mid-November 2025 to January 2026
How much? From £15, but see individual events for details.
How to book: book online at nationaltrust.org.uk
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2025, London
The Capital’s annual extravaganza has an epic array of frosty activities, from an ice slide to the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, and Bar Ice where you can sip festive cocktails in a cavern kept at -10ºC. Feast at street-food cabins, enjoy a show at Zippos Christmas Circus, and get that Insta-perfect shot of the city from the 70m-high Giant Wheel.
Best for: All ages
Where? Hyde Park, London
When? 10am-10pm, from 14 November 2025 to 1 January 2026
How much? Entry from £5
How to book: visit hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
The Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park, Hampshire
Home of Peppa Pig World, Paultons Park promises a magical festive experience for all the family. Expect illuminations, the chance to meet Santa in his grotto – with his famous sidekicks Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer, Peppa Pig (and all the family) in attendance – and all the rides and attractions that Paultons is famed for. New for 2025, there’s also the indoor dark ride, Ghostly Manor.
Best for: Ages 1-15 years
Where? Paultons Park, Romsey
When? 6-23 December 2025
How much? Entry from £40 per person
How to book: visit paultonspark.co.uk
Hogwarts in the Snow, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Hertfordshire
Magical at any time of year, the Harry Potter Experience pulls out the festive big guns with Hogwarts in the Snow. The Great Hall is transformed with icicles and snowflakes, the Gryffindor common room will be dressed for the holiday season and a blanket of faux snow will cover the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and the magnificent Hogwarts castle. Unmissable for fans big and small.
Best for: Ages 4 years+
Where? Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Watford
When? 15 November 2025 to 18 January 2026
How much? Price is experience dependent, please check the website
How to book: visit wbstudiotour.co.uk
The Polar Express Train Ride 2025, various locations
Based on the 2004 film The Polar Express, this one-hour rail trip relives the magic of the classic story. Think golden tickets, silver bells, hot chocolate and cookies (served by dancing chefs). Plus, Santa will join you on board and – if you’re on the nice list – give you your first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell (just like the one in the movie).
Best for: All ages
Where? 12 sites nationwide: Yorkshire; South Devon; Seaton; Telford; Norfolk; Churnet Valley; Spa Valley; Birmingham; Spa Valley Tunbridge Wells and London Euston
When? November to December 2025
How much? Prices vary, but start from £25
How to book? Check the individual websites for details.
Ice skating, nationwide
From London’s Somerset House to Skate Manchester, you can find seasonal ice rinks up and down the country to practice your glide. Throw in a Christmas market or a festive fayre – with mulled wine, mince pies, carol singers and twinkly tree lights – and you’ve basically completed Christmas. Here are some of our favourites…
Best for: Ages 4+
Where? Skate at Somerset House; Hampton Court Palace; Canary Wharf Ice Rink; Bath on Ice at Royal Victoria Park; Eden Project Ice Rink, Cornwall; Reading Winter Wonderland; Ice Skate Birmingham, SKATE Tunbridge Wells
When? November 2025 to January 2026
How much? Prices vary by location
How to book: See individual websites for details.
Pantomime, nationwide
Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! We’ll leave the bad gags there, but nothing says ‘It’s Christmas!’ quite like a family trip to the panto. Here are a few that we’re looking forward to this season.
Best for: Ages 3+
Where? Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Milton Keynes Theatre; Peter Pan at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone; Jack and The Beanstalk at the Bristol Hippodrome; The Little Mermaid at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow; Robin Hood at the Opera House Manchester; and Jack and the Beanstalk at E.M Forster Theatre, Tonbridge.
When? December 2025 to late January 2026
How much? Prices vary by location
How to book? See the individual theatre websites for booking details.
