To be shocked at the price of doing anything in London at Christmas

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Got some friends coming to stay from abroad and we want to do something in London (I live in London) for the kids over Christmas. Just a show or winter wonderland thing... kids are all around 10 years...

Everything is horribly expensive....

Help!

There will be lots of Christmas markets around which are free (obviously not if you buy stuff).
Get a bus that goes down Oxford Street/Regents St to see the lights.
Trafalgar Square for the tree.
I think they have a Christmas market there too.
Covent Garden usually has something Christmasy going on.

This is affordable(ish) and enjoyably anarchic for that age, we used to go every year when mine were younger.
https://wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/potted-panto/

Tucked away down a dodgy East End back street but a fabulous venue once you get there.

Most of the free museums will offer a range of Christmas events. Look for off-West End theatre productions (The Yard, Unicorn Theatre, Tabernacle, Wilton’s) for affordable theatre shows. There’s a nighttime open top bus tour (Tootbus or Golden Tour) which gives a lovely tour of Christmas lights and London looking lit up and festive.

I wouldn’t take children to Winter Wonderland tbh. Apart from being overpriced and pretty crap, there are lot of drunk young adults, it’s just not a particularly Christmassy atmosphere - and I’m often a drunk adult!

Edit: if it’s not too much of a trek to get there, Eltham Palace does a festive fair and light show walk - it’s not cheap cheap, but it’s also nowhere near as pricey as the more famous and central ones.

Richmond's Panto (Beauty and the Beast) has some reasonably priced tickets available
Beauty and the Beast | December 2024 | Richmond Theatre, Richmond | ATG Tickets

Things are crazily expensive. However you can visit the Southbank market or see the lights (Covent Garden, Oxford Street etc) for free. You could also get a normal bus to view some of the lights. Then have dinner somewhere normal but nice e.g. Giraffe on the Southbank. Tickets for the Sky Garden is a good option (needs planning) or there is another free building nearby.

Yes, from Ireland and a friend originally from London was laughing at how undoable London is now for tourists. She said the cost of any attractions even the London eye is eye watering if you have a group or family

Hop on a bus and see the lights, lunch at pizza Express with Tesco vouchers then pop into Hamleys. Job done.

Same in Edinburgh. I saw an advert for an evening with Rick Astley, it was all sold out and £86 a ticket! As for anything involving lights, you'll have to double the already extortionate cost to get basic drinks and standard 'street food'.

There's also a penguin sculpture trail.

Never gonna let you down!

The RAF museum also have their 'Elf Cadet' bookings open- it's £7.50 for children but adults are free
Christmas Elf Cadet Training - RAF Museum

If your friends aren't from London the lights alone in Oxford Street will be enough at night. Perhaps go to China town and get a hot drink or waffle cone, then onto Leicester Square for street entertainment. Winter Wonderland does not have a magical or child friendly vibe IMO. There's something edgy about it, and not in a cool/trendy way. I found the staff to be really rude and aggressive and there was a lot of alcohol being consumed.

Also can't remember the number but there's a few bus routes where you can go around the famous landmarks, get on the top of a double decker and go around and that will be magical by itself.

Absolutely deserted mate. I expected better from Rick!

Still cheaper than Dublin though.

Just have a nice afternoon in town. Oxford Circus then Christmas lights down Regents Street, stop at a fancy cafe in town that serves whatever the visiting kids are into- bubble tea, donuts, whatever it is it exists.

Wander through Trafalgar Square to see what’s happening there, walk over the bridge at embankment, take selfies on the bridge then walk along South Bank which had lights and Christmas stuff. Don’t overplan it- the kids will see shops and things they want to stop and look at. They will have a great time.

We used to plan out a route round the West End lights on foot on Sunday evening at 6:30 ish just after the shops shut to avoid the crowds Time Out usually highlights the Must Sees to help you draft the route.

Make sure to research a quiet back street cafe which will still be open to get hot chocolate on your way - even just a Pret or Starbucks option with all the toppings can be a bit special at that age after dark.

potatocakesinprogress

Is it? (I honestly don’t know!)

edited to add I do know Dublin and Ireland is pretty much unaffordable in most aspects

We love London at as but always do the free stuff. All the lights, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, hot chestnuts and hot chocolate, maybe a museum. Take them to the cinema or something as well?

For children of the age of your guests and you, I have suggested that if they have ever seen Horrible Histories, the National Portrait Gallery. It's free.

Plan to visit the shops with lovely Christmas windows - Fortnum and Mason ( and go inside to marvel at the Christmas section with phenomenally priced crackers) and Liberty also usually has great windows, also maybe Selfridges. Museum of the Home ( aka The Geffrye) used to have an exhibition every year of Christmas through the ages

Hi! I've pulled together over 100 free Christmas events and activities for families in this post: https://museummum.com/free-christmas-london/. Hope it gives lots of ideas!

Depending on when you visit, you might catch a switch-on event, which usually have free entertainment and giveaways, dates are all in the post.

Walking around the West End and Mayfair/Bond Street to see the lights is always lovely. Fortnums has great window displays and Selfridges have meet Santa and a big party starter on Saturdays where you get a fun parade and loud music.

London Bridge has the best central Christmas market, with extra activities and choirs, whereas the best one overall is in Kingston.

In terms of a show, you can always try rush tickets or entering a ticket lottery.

A heads up - Eltham Palace lights and fair are cancelled this year, they have an interactive grotto instead.