Santa in London 2025: Where to find Father Christmas this year
- Tracy Tristram
- Nov 15
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 18
London is magical at Christmas, and nothing beats the sparkle in children’s eyes when they meet Father Christmas. But with so many Santa experiences popping up across the city — and tickets selling out fast — it’s important to plan early. Here’s your ultimate 2025 guide to Santa in London: the biggest, best, and most enchanting grottos and meet‑Santa experiences happening this year - we've also included a few out of town options for those of you who fancy a trip into the 'burbs.
Chessington World of Adventures — Winter’s Tail & Christmas Adventures
When: 22 November – 24 December 2025
Where: Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Surrey
Christmas magic lands at Chessington this year with Winter’s Tail — a spectacular festive takeover of the park, zoo, and SEA LIFE. Families can stroll through the Christmas Village, meet Father Christmas in his cosy grotto, and explore the Enchanted Hollow: Toy Workshop where elves are busy at work. A truly magical day out.
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort — Santa’s Grotto (Christmas at LEGOLAND)
When: Selected dates from 22 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
Where: LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4AY
Families can dive into a festive LEGO wonderland as the park transforms into a wintery kingdom. Inside the Christmas event you’ll find twinkling lights, a giant DUPLO® Christmas tree, festive rides, and special shows. A ticket upgrade gets you into Santa’s cosy grotto where children meet Father Christmas himself and receive a special LEGO gift to take home. Awesome stuff!
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland — Santa Land Grotto
When: 14 November 2025 – 1 January 2026
Where: Hyde Park, London
It’s the most festive corner of the capital, and Santa’s back in Santa Land for another year at London’s biggest Christmas extravaganza. Little ones can meet Father Christmas in his cosy grotto (entry is free — though queues are expected!), and children who are on Santa’s “nice list” may receive a small gift.
Notably, 2025 introduces a revamped Santa Land and a new free Santa’s Grotto, plus an interactive Elves Workshop. Wander through twinkling rides, sample festive treats, and soak up all the jingle-bell joy before heading home with that perfect Christmas card photo.
Meet Santa at London Zoo
When: 22–23, 29–30 November & 6–24 December 2025
Where: ZSL London Zoo, Outer Circle, NW1 4RY
Christmas at London Zoo means penguins, twinkling lights — and, of course, Santa himself! Kids can enjoy festive crafts before meeting Santa in his grotto and receiving a gift. Options include VIP Breakfast and Deluxe sessions, as well as Relaxed sessions designed for lower sensory stimulation. Be sure to check session types and availability — some slots fill quickly.
Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield (Hopefield Animal Sanctuary)
When: Weekends 29 November – 23 December 2025
Where: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BZ hopefield.org.uk
This beloved local event returns in 2025 with timeslot bookings to manage crowds. The event includes:
Santa’s Grotto (with gift)
Christmas Trail
Magical Christmas barn
Arts & crafts with elves
Letter-writing to Santa
Access to a miniature Christmas village
Free gingerbread & warm squash for children (and mulled wine & mince pies for grown-ups)
General sanctuary admission (indoor & outdoor zones)
This is a great option outside central London yet still within reach for families being just a 5-minute drive from junction 28 of the M25 and a 30-min train journey from Liverpool Street Station to Brentwood. ALL proceeds go back to the sanctuary to help them care for the 700 rescued animals in their care.
Islington Play Village — Santa’s Grotto & Elf Crafts
When: Weekends 6–7, 13–14, 20–21 December 2025
Time: 10:00 – 18:00
Where: 28 North Road, N7 9GG
Each session includes 1 hour of festive crafting with elves, followed by a visit to Santa’s grotto (with a gift).Tickets are typically ~£21 per child; adults go free.
Battersea Arts Centre — Santa’s Grotto
When: Saturdays & Sundays 6–14 December; weekdays & weekends 19–24 December 2025
Time: 9:30am – 5:30pm daily
Where: Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN
Kids can meet Santa in a beautifully decorated grotto, snap photos, and share their wish list. Each child ticket, and adults normally go free. Be prepared to queue a little.
SEA LIFE London Aquarium — Fish-mas & Festive Ocean Magic
When: 21 – 24 December 2025
Where: SEA LIFE London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1
SEA LIFE London brings a splash of Christmas to the deep with seasonal storytelling and ocean-themed fun. Starting around 21 December (TBC) through to Christmas Eve, children can enjoy “Storytime with Al the Polar Bear” in a special event area just beyond the penguin exhibit. It’s a cosy, aquatic twist on Christmas stories — perfect for ages 4 to 10 and their families. While SEA LIFE hasn’t yet confirmed a full “Santa meets fish” grotto for 2025, their Christmas at SEA LIFE programme (in past years) has included decorated zones, themed displays, and festive ambience throughout the aquarium
Hamleys — Santa’s Grotto
When: 15th November – 24 December 2025)
Where: Hamleys, Regent Street, London
Step inside the world-famous toy store for a magical Christmas experience like no other. The Hamleys Grotto transforms the iconic Regent Street flagship into a festive wonderland filled with twinkling lights, toy-making magic, and Santa’s cheerful elves. Families can enjoy interactive storytelling, meet Father Christmas in his cosy grotto, and take home a special gift and photo to remember the day.
Hobbledown - Santa’s Secret Grotto
When: 29th November – 24 December 2025
Where: Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow & Hobbledown Epsom
Step into Hobbledown’s enchanting festive world, where Santa’s Grotto comes alive with rustic charm and Christmas spirit. Journey through the magical woodland trails, meet the elves, and visit Father Christmas in his cosy grotto to receive a special gift.
Alongside the grotto experience, families can enjoy animal encounters, indoor play barns, and seasonal activities across the park. A wholesome, wonder-filled day for little adventurers and festive explorers alike.
Hans & Gretel Secret Grotto
When: From 29th November 2025
Where: Hans & Gretel, Camden Market
We popped into the brand-new Santa’s Grotto at Hans & Gretel in Camden and it was Christmas magic from the moment we stepped inside! Our junior roving reporters, Darcy (9) and Eliza (6), rated it a massive 10/10 and not only did they love every second, but the grown-ups adored it too. Santa was brilliantly engaging, the whole experience felt super personal and interactive, and Crumbles the elf added an extra sprinkle of festive mischief. Add the charm of London’s most whimsical sweet emporium and the BEST ice cream selection in town, and you’ve got yourself a festive must-do for sure.
Victorian Santa’s Grotto at the Museum of London Docklands
When: From 8 November 2025
Where: No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, E14 4AL
Travel back in time with Santa at this Victorian-themed grotto inside the Sailortown gallery. Meet Father Christmas, enjoy carols, and capture photos in a historic, atmospheric setting.
Jingle Bell Blast + Meet Santa! (Thames Rockets)
When: Every Saturday in December until Christmas Eve 2025
Where: Departing from London Eye / along the Thames
Take a spirited speedboat ride through London’s festive riverscape! You’ll carol along with Santa’s helpers as you whizz past riverside landmarks. After the ride, there’s a Meet Santa session included. This is a fantastic option to combine sightseeing with Christmas magic and genuinely one of our absolute faves year in, year out.
Noir Kringle / Black Santa’s Grotto (Shoreditch)
When: 17 – 22 December 2025
Where: Shoreditch, East London
As part of the inclusive festive offerings, Noir Kringle offers a full grotto-style experience with a Black Santa. Kids can explore the grotto, take part in elf-school, make reindeer food, and receive a gift.
Kenwood House — Father Christmas Story & Meet & Greet
When: Selected weekends 29 November – 21 December 2025
Where: Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, NW3
Father Christmas visits Kenwood House, combining storytelling around the Christmas tree with a meet & greet. Tickets include a present and a charming period house backdrop.
Queen’s House, Greenwich — Nutcracker Grotto Experience
When: 22 November – 24 December 2025 (selected dates)
Where: Queen’s House, Greenwich
This year the Orangery at Queen’s House transforms into a Nutcracker-themed grotto, complete with performances and a chance to meet Father Christmas at the end of the show.
Santa’s Grotto at The Mall, Wood Green
When: 2 November – 24 December 2025
Where: The Mall, Wood Green, N22 6YQ
One of North London’s earliest-opening grottos! Each ticket includes a meet-and-greet with Santa, a wrapped gift, and a donation to local charities.
Fujifilm House of Photography (Covent Garden)
When: 15 November – 24 December 2025
Where: 8–9 Long Acre, WC2E 9LHA
Beautifully designed, photo-ready Christmas grotto where families can meet Santa, play festive games, join craft workshops, and enjoy immersive photo ops inside a “North Pole Studio.”
Christmas Candy Grotto at Woolwich Works
When: 29 November – 22 December 2025
Where: Woolwich Works, The Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD
This sweet-themed grotto brings candy-coloured décor, interactive storytelling, festive crafts, and even a dog-friendly day. Perfect for South East London families after something a bit different!
Santa Steam Express
When: Selected dates, 30 November – 23 December 2025
Where: Departs London Victoria Station
A magical steam-train journey through London, with Santa and his helpers making their way through the carriages to deliver gifts and festive cheer. Expect Christmas carols, mince pies, and classic nostalgia!
Kew Gardens — Santa’s Snowflake Grotto & Christmas at Kew
When: 14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026 (selected dates)
Where: Kew Gardens, London (Victoria, Elizabeth & Brentford Gates)
Entry to the illuminated “Christmas at Kew” light trail through the gardens, featuring spectacular light installations, projections, and festive displays, and you can also expect Santa's Snowflake Grotto, vintage carousel & traditional fairground rides on the Kew Palace Lawn, storytelling sessions with festive tales (after Santa’s visits), festive food & drink stalls: hot chocolate, seasonal snacks, mulled winter warmers and street-food style offerings along the trail.
Audley End — Father Christmas Experience
When: 22 November – 24 December 2025
Where: Audley End Miniature Railway, Saffron Walden, Essex
All aboard for a magical festive journey through the enchanted woodland! Families can hop on the Christmas train, spotting twinkling lights and festive forest scenes before arriving at Santa’s Workshop to meet Father Christmas himself. Every child receives a special gift, and little ones can make reindeer food, write letters to Santa, and enjoy storytelling with the elves. A truly heartwarming countryside Christmas experience.
Handy Tips for Seeing Santa in London 2025
Book early —the great grottos in London WILL sell out fast.
Check whether photos are included — some grottos include a professional photo; others allow your own.
Use midweek or early slots to minimise waiting.
Dress warmly for outdoor/part-outside grottos.
Need some more very merry guides to the festive season? Look no further: