Free things to do in London with kids: December 2024
Welcome to the December 2024 edition of our posts on free things to do in London with kids! Here we round up a selection of free London events for you and your family to enjoy in the last month of the year.
We know that planning a trip to London near Christmas can be busy and the choice of things to do can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve published this post early. We will keep adding to it as more free things to do are released. So do keep checking back!
Before we dive in, please note that while all activities listed here are free to attend, some may require advance booking or free tickets to manage capacity. We strongly recommend checking the official websites of any venues or events you’re interested in before making your journey, as opening times and entry requirements can change.
Please be aware that we are not affiliated with any of the venues, organizations, or events mentioned in this guide. We don’t specifically endorse any particular activity – every family is different, and what works brilliantly for one might not suit another. This guide aims to help you discover new possibilities, but the final choice of activities should always be based on your family’s interests, children’s ages, and comfort levels.
Let’s explore what London has to offer this December!
What: Penguin Sculpture Trail
Details: Embark on a fabulous festive adventure to discover 12 adorable penguin sculptures throughout the Quarter..
Where: Fleet Street Quarter
When: Thursday 14 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Who: Everyone
Find out more here.
What: Sparkle in the Park
Details: A team of elves are transforming Charlton House and Gardens into a winter wonderland for this year’s free light trail, Sparkle in the Park.
Where: Charlton House Park and Gardens
When: Sunday 1 December 2024, 16.30-21.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Wonderful Wildlife Weekends
Details: Explore the ponds and surrounding areas to discover the wildlife that lives at Camley Street Natural Park.
Where: Camley Street Natural Park
When: Sunday 1 December and Sunday 15 December, 13.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Design Baby: Play Build Play
Details: Play with unusual and experimental materials and mix them up with your little ones! Explore the space and sensory areas.
Where: V&A
When: Wednesday 4 December, 11.00-14.00
Who: Ages 0-3
Find out more here.
What: Sound Explorers
Details: Listen, play and make some noise! This free, informal session will invite you and your little one to explore the Young V&A’s museum display through sound and music.
Where: Young V&A
When: Thursday 5, Friday 6, Thursday 12, Friday 13, Thursday 19, Friday December, 10.30-11.10
Who: Ages 0-2
Find out more here.
What: Festive Storytelling Session
Details: Come along to The Gallery where storytelling duo Cat & Hutch will bring the magic of a well-known Christmas tree to life. Plus, all children will receive a free copy of The Christmas Pine by author Julia Donaldson!
Where: St Martin-in-the-Fields
When: Saturday 7 December and Saturday 14 December, various sessions between 10.00-12.00
Who: These sessions are aimed at children aged 3 years and older.
Find out more here.
What: Dawnosaurus
Details: Neurodivergent children and their families have the opportunity to explore the museum before anyone else and enjoy activities around different themes.
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Saturday 7 December, 8.00-10.00
Who: This event is best for children aged five to 15, and siblings are welcome.
Find out more here.
What: Saturday Sessions with The Cocoa Butter Club
Details: December’s Saturday Session is The Cocoa Butter Club’s cabaret, choreo and choir morning, where you can take the chance to sing, dance and join a band (with no experience needed)!
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Saturday 7 December, 13.00-15.30 (there’s also a relaxed session at 10.30)
Who: Ages 5-11
Find out more here.
What: Gingerbread decorating
Details: During our Gingerbread Decorating Session, you’ll transform gingerbread figures into edible masterpieces with vibrant icing, sprinkles, and playful decorations. Unleash your creativity and enjoy a hands-on activity that’s a treat for all ages.
Where: CANTEEN Greenwich Peninsula
When: Saturday 7 December, 13.00-15.00 and 16.00-18.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Holiday Postcards with The Photography Foundation
Details: Bring your friends, family, or flatmates to their relaxed studio for a fun group portrait session. Afterward, unleash your creativity by designing your own personalised greeting card, complete with a printed copy of your portrait.
Where: The Photography Foundation, Greenwich Peninsula
When: Saturday 7 December, drop in anytime between 13.00 – 19.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: A Global Christmas
Details: A free concert celebrating the festive season through global musical traditions. Enjoy performances from Caribbean steel pan rhythms and soulful Motown classics to Tamil choirs and traditional English carols.
Where: Sound Shell, Olympic Way, Wembley Park
When: Saturday 7 December 2024, 13.00-18.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Festive Forest: Tudor story time
Details: Listen to a Tudor story, read by our very own Tudor character, in the beautiful surroundings of Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, which will be bedecked in festive foliage and illuminated with atmospheric candlelight. Each child will receive a free Tudor gift to take away with them at the end of story time! There will also be a free crown making activity taking place throughout the day.
Where: Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, Epping Forest
When: Saturday 7 December 2024, stories will be read at 11.00, 12.00 and 14.00.
Who: Not specified
Find out more here.
What: Family Event: Patterned Clay Bead Making with Clare
Details: Try your hand at mark making on air-dry clay to make your own bead bracelets or charms, with threading and colouring-in exercises on hand for very young audiences.
Where: Petrie Museum
When: Saturday 7 December, three bookable sessions, starting at 11.00, 12.00 and 13.00
Who: Suitable for all ages and abilities. Everyone is welcome.
Find out more here.
What: Drawing Quest
Details: Join this drop-in drawing workshop for families of all ages. Explore the different ways to express yourself through drawing!
Where: V&A
When: Sunday 8 December, 11.30-15.30
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Mini Mondays: Snowy City – Toddler Session
Details: Explore a winter city transformed by swirling snow storms in this sensory session for toddlers and their carers. Encounter arctic animals, explore the frozen river and experience blizzards made of bubbles in these interactive sessions featuring stories, props and play.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Monday 9 December, 13.30-14.15
Who: These sessions are for toddlers up to 4 years old and their carers. Younger siblings may attend, but require a ticket.
Find out more here.
What: Festive Family Gospel
Details: Sing and clap along to a mixture of festive songs, soul and Motown hits. And of course, a few Christmas carols and nursery rhymes from the astonishing vocal talents of London’s CK Gospel Choir.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Wednesday 11 December, 11.00-12.00 and 14.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Travel the Silk Roads
Details: Inspired by the Silk Roads exhibition, you and your under-fives can traverse these early routes with multisensory activities. From crafting a travel pack, to grooming the camels and horses, finding a ship to sail or a caravan to join, there will be activities for everyone to enjoy.
Where: British Museum
When: Thursday 12 December, 10.30-12.00
Who: Under 5s
Find out more here.
What: Hear it Live!
Details: December’s Hear it Live! is a unique opportunity to hear the vibrant sounds of Afro beats and Amapiano by an acoustic band, brought to you by 4 talented musicians of the Love and Afrobeats Orchestra!
Where: Horniman Museum
When: Thursday 12 December, 15.30-16.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Festive Fairy Workshop – Clermont Hotel
Details: Guests will be provided with everything they need to create a beautiful set of fairy wings and a floral, sparkly headpiece during two 45 minute workshops under the expert guidance of workshop hosts.
Where: The Clermont London
When: Saturday 14 December, 10.00-11.45
Who: Children aged 5 years and older. (Children between 5 & 6 years old will need parent/ guardian assistance)
Find out more here.
What: Family Event: Origami Reefs with Lizzie
Details: Learn about the many marine animals that can be found amongst coral reefs through the paper folding art of origami with Lizzie Burns.
Where: Grant Museum of Zoology
When: Saturday 14 December, three bookable sessions, starting at 11.00, 12.00 and 13.00
Who: Suitable for all ages and abilities. Everyone is welcome.
Find out more here.
What: Second Saturday Family Activities
Details: A fun range of activities to celebrate the Festive season by make something special which you can take away with you to decorate your home.
Where: Guildhall Art Gallery
When: Saturday 14 December, 11.00-16.00
Who: This event is for children aged 3-13 and their families
Find out more here.
What: SENsory Sailors
Details: Disabled children, children with additional needs and their families are invited to a monthly session at the National Maritime Museum led by disabled creatives. Explore the Museum’s collections, enjoy the opportunity to be creative together as a family, and meet other local families.
Where: National Maritime Museum
When: Saturday 14 December, 11.00-12.30
Who: Sessions are tailored to children under 13 years. Siblings under 13 years old without SEND are welcomed.
Find out more here.
What: Family Design Challenge: Festive Glow
Details: Get in the festive spirit and brighten the darker months with this colourful drop-in activity. Inspired by the light installation Quantum Jungle you will make a slot together 3D decoration and play with layering pattern and colours that dazzle and radiate.
Where: Young V&A
When: Saturday 14 December, 12.00-16.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with Light
Details: Come along to our Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with light, a monthly workshop for neurodiverse visitors of all ages and their families. Join this session to explore drawing and designing with light!
Where: V&A
When: Saturday 14 December, 11.00-16.00
Who: Neurodiverse families with children over 5
Find out more here.
What: Winter Reimagined: Family Morning
Details: Create your own winter fun by upcycling old and waste materials into amazing creations, accompanied by uplifting songs and a giant festive sing-a-long from one of London’s best choirs.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Saturday 14 December, 11.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Britten’s Ceremony of Carols
Details: The ever-popular, inspiring work for children’s voices and harp, performed by the St Paul’s Cathedral Choristers alongside readings for Advent and music from the St Paul’s Cathedral Vicars Choral.
Where: St Paul’s Cathedral
When: Saturday 14 December, 17.00-18.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Family Event: Christmas!
Details: Learn about the history of Christmas in London, from the 18th century to the present day. Discover the Georgian traditions that Benjamin Franklin experienced over 250 years ago! Create your very own Christmas decorations to take home. Make a special Christmas card using a Georgian or Victorian design and write your message using a quill pen!
Where: Benjamin Franklin House
When: Thursday 19 December, 16.30-18.00
Who: This event is designed primarily for families with children aged 4-10. However, all are welcome to take part in the festivities!
Find out more here.
What: Family Tour at Tate Modern
Details: Each tour is different and unpacks 2-3 artworks through a multisensory experience. They can include responses to textures, shapes, colours and sounds which are expressed verbally and non-verbally.
Where: Tate Modern
When: Friday 20, Sunday 22 and Monday 30 December, 11.00-11.30
Who: Ages 5-11
Find out more here.
What: Greenwich Park Winter Solstice Festival
Details: The Greenwich Park Winter Solstice Festival will bring together the community for a night of festive cheer, creativity, and awe-inspiring performances, making it an unmissable experience.
Where: Greenwich Park
When: Saturday 21 December, 12.00-18.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Cheeky Meeky Festive Family Rave
Details: In partnership with Babylon Park, DJ Amika will be back with her festive spin on family fun, with dancing, singing, games, competitions and prizes in partnership with Babylon Park. Expect lot of music for little ones and interactive activities, balloons, face painting, plus visits from festive fairies and more!
Where: Inside Babylon Park, in the party room
When: Monday 23 December, 16.00-18.00
Who: Not specified
Find out more here.
What: Family Tour at Tate Britain
Details: Each tour is different and unpacks 2-3 artworks through a multisensory experience. They can include responses to textures, shapes, colours and sounds which are expressed verbally and non-verbally.
Where: Tate Modern
When: Friday 27 December, 14.30-15.00
Who: Ages 5-11
Find out more here.
What: Kids’ Countdown with Just Vibez
Details: Start your family’s New Year celebrations early at a daytime party with Just Vibez, perfect for sharing the excitement with little ones. Count down to 12 at midday, letting all party hard, have a smashing time and still be in bed nice and early!
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Tuesday 31 December, 10.30-12.30
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
If you are looking for Christmas lights and markets, check out our post on London Christmas lights and markets dates to find out when everything switches on. And don’t miss our London Christmas lights: self-guided walking tour for a free tour of the best of London’s Christmas lights.
And don’t forget to also check out our post The ULTIMATE list of free things to do with kids in London which provides plenty of ideas of things to do in London that are free and always available.