Planning a family trip to London during the festive season? While the city sparkles with holiday cheer, it’s important to note that some attractions may have limited hours or closures around Christmas and New Year. This post will guide you through the key information you need to know about when London’s family-friendly attractions are closed during this magical time of year. We’ll help you navigate holiday schedules so you can make the most of your visit with the kids, ensuring your family creates lasting memories in London without any unwelcome surprises.
British Museum
The British Museum is closed 24–26 December.
Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is closed 24-26 December.
Design Museum
The Design Museum is closed 24-26 December.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is fully closed 24-25 December. On 26 December the gardens are open but the Palace is closed.
HMS Belfast
The HMS Belfast is closed 24-26 December.
Horizon 22
Unclear but there are sources online that suggest that Horizon 22 is closed 25-26 and 31 December.
Kensington Palace
Not yet confirmed on the official website but Kensington Palace is likely to be closed 24-26 December.
Kew Gardens
Not yet confirmed on the official website but Kew Gardens is closed on at least 25 December.
London Aquarium
The London Aquarium is closed on 25 December.
London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is closed on 25 December.
London Eye
The London Eye is closed on 25 December.
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is closed 24-26 December.
Madame Tussaud’s
Madame Tussaud’s is closed 25 December.
Museum of London Docklands
Unclear but there are sources online that suggest that the Museum of London Docklands is closed 24-26 December.
National Gallery
The National Gallery is closed 24–26 December and 1 January.
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is closed 24-26 December.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is closed 24-26 December.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is closed 24-26 December.
Old Royal Naval College
The Painted Hall is closed 24-26 December.
Postal Museum
The Postal Museum is closed 24-26 December.
Royal Mews
Not yet confirmed on the official website.
Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory is closed 24-26 December.
Science Museum
Not yet confirmed on the official website but the Science Museum is likely to be closed 24-26 December.
Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is closed 25 December.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is closed for sightseeing on 25 December but is open for various services.
Tate Britain
The Tate Britain is closed 24–26 December.
The Garden at 120
The Garden at 120 is closed on on Bank Holidays, so it is closed 25-26 December and 1 January.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is closed 24–26 December.
The Shard
The Shard is closed 23-26 December.
Tower Bridge
Unclear but there are sources online that suggest that Tower Bridge is closed 25 December.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is closed 24-26 December, 1 January. For 2025, the booking system suggests that the Tower of London is also closed 6-7 January.
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
The V&A is closed 24–26 December
Westminster Abbey
Not yet confirmed on the official website.
Young V&A
The Young V&A is closed 24-26 December.
Have you been in London over Christmas and enjoyed visiting open attractions? Share your experience in the comments.
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