London, this weekend - help?!

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We're going to be, unexpectedly, in South London this weekend. Has anyone got any Christmassy ideas - attractions or events? Could travel around a bit, would prefer to avoid the tube/winter wonderland/chaos as I have a child with autism. Had thought Legoland but its closed :-O :-O and Lapland UK has sold out :'( :'(

Hamleys toy parade is on Sunday.

Harrods toy department much nicer and less hellish than Hamleys. John Lewis Christmas department and toy department/monster house also quite civilised (especially if you approach from the back through Cavendish Square not Oxford Street - or alternatively maybe Peter Jones though I’ve not been there this year. Mind you the big sleeping monster is in the Oxford Street window).

My preferred route to see the lights and shop decorations goes Selfridges, St Christopher’s Place, Bond Street, Fortnum & Mason, Green Park Tube, and is relatively less crowded .

The big Lego shop in Leicester Square will be Hell on Earth.

How old is DC? If he's old enough, you could try ice skating at the rink outside the Natural History Museum in South Ken. It's far quieter and prettier than the one at Winter Wonderland, especially if you go after sunset. The Christmas market on the Southbank opened a couple of days ago and has lots of fun stalls and great street food if you go around lunch time. Royal Festival Hall and the Southbank Centre (next to the market) usually have child-friendly matinee shows on around Christmas too. They might not start until school holidays, but worth a look? www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/winter-festival

Kew Gardens has a Christmas thing on which looks beautiful.

Do you have a car or will you be travelling by public transport? The Hornimann museum in Forest Hill south London is relatively small, has a nice garden where you can escape the crowds inside. There is a food market on a Saturday morning in the garden. There is a glass conservatory where you can eat lunch away from the crowds in the main cafe.

I would avoid taking your child into central London, it will be hellish for them. Try garden centres as well, lots of them have their festive displays out now.