The Best Santa’s Grottos In London 2024: 28 Places to See The Big Man!
If you’re searching for Santa’s Grottos in London this Christmas, we have listed all of the best places to see the big man.
From Hamleys to Harrods, breakfasts, speed boats and more. There are so many places to see Santa in London.
We have been to quite a few London Santa’s Grottos over the years. And whilst the kids still believe, we’ll keeping looking for new and fun places to take the kids to see Santa in London.
These aren’t all traditional Santa’s Grottos. There are some really quirky places to see Father Christmas in London.
For the London Santa’s Grottos (and places to meet Santa) that have been announced, tickets are selling out fast so book soon to secure your meeting with Father Christmas in London!
Not all of the 2024 Santa’s Grottos in London dates have been released yet. We’ll aim to update this post when more dates are released.
Before you read on… you might like to check our recommendations for other things to do in London at Christmas, the best museums in London for kids or the best days out for Harry Potter fans. See also our favourite places for afternoon tea which includes festive afternoon teas in London for kids and places in London where kids eat free if you are on a budget.
Finally – need somewhere to stay? How about treating the family to a night in a London hotel with a pool.
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Before we provide information on the best Santa’s Grottos in London this year, here are some other ideas for what to do at Christmas in London.
Christmas shows in London
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- Christmas by Candlelight – catch one of these stunning performances (The Nutcracker, classic carols, Christmas movie soundtracks and more).
- Potted Panto – 7 classic pantos in 70 minutes.
- Jack and the Beanstalk – classic pantomime at the London Palladium.
- Santa Rocks – Santamime comes to London’s West End @ Wonderville.
Christmas at London attractions
For any of the London Merlin attractions, take a look at a Merlin Annual Pass as it can help you save money.
- London Eye
- Madame Tussauds
- Shrek’s Adventure (a bit alternative but if your little one is a Shrek fan, they can meet Shrek Santa in his Shrektacular Grotto on 3rd,4th,10th,11th and 17th – 24th December).
- London Dungeon
- SEA LIFE
- Tower of London – bringing the 12 days of Christmas to life.
Save money on London attractions
If you’re in London this Christmas and going to be visiting some of the biggest attractions, you should take a look at the London Explorer Pass. Add 2,3,4,5,6 or 7 attractions and make huge savings. See how it all works here.
Looking for more festive ideas? We highly recommend the Polar Express train ride experience. Take a look to see if there’s a Polar Express train ride near you.
These are the best Santa’s Grottos in London in 2024
Here’s where to meet Father Christmas in London this year.
Santa’s Grottos in London department stores
Which London department store does Christmas best? Well, that’s a personal choice and they’re all great but we absolutely love the Christmas window displays at Harrods.
These are the best department store Santa’s Grottos in London..
Hamleys
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: Up to 3 people – £50.00, 4 people – £65.00, 5 people – £80.00 and 6 people – £95.00.
Location: Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, London, W1B 5BT.
Hamleys X The Ritz London Christmas Grotto
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become one of Santa’s elves, head along to Hamleys at the Ritz for an elf traning session with Father Christmas and his Hamleys elves.
This is run in collaboration with Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: Up to 3 people – £250.00.
Location: The Ritz, 150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR.
Harrods
Harrods Grotto 2024 – will not take place in 2024.
A few years ago we would have said that The Santa’s Grotto at Harrods was the best Santa’s Grotto in London. But these days it has become so exclusive and almost impossible for the average family to visit Santa here.
So sadly it isn’t the best place to see Santa in London anymore.
But if you have spent at least £2000.00 in the Harrods store or are one of the 160 lucky families to get a ticket (out of 4,400 tickets) when they are released, then you are sure to have a magical time.
Even though there is no Santa’s Grotto in Harrods this year, we think it’s still worth a visit at Christmas. You can visit their Christmas department and their toy department.
Dates: Tickets are usually released mid-November. Cancelled for 2024.
Ticket Price: £20.00 per child.
Location: Harrods, 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL.
Selfridges
Breakfast with Santa at Selfridges
Selfridges put on a few events at Christmas but their most popular one is breakfast with Santa.
Dates: 2nd to 21st December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £60.00 per person.
Location: Selfridges & Co, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB.
Photo Credit: Selfridges
John Lewis Santa’s Grotto
In 9 stores across the UK, children will get the chance to meet Santa in the Santa’s Grotto at John Lewis.
Dates: 22nd November to 24th December (dates vary slightly by location).
Ticket Price: Child – £20 (plus £2 booking fee). Adult – £2 (plus 20p booking fee). Booking is now open.
Location: John Lewis, 300 Oxford St, London W1C 1DX and Peter Jones, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8EL.
If you can’t book the Santa’s Grotto, there will be a chance to book ‘Santa’s Tea Party’ at more locations.
Peter Jones
Kids can work their way through this interactive grotto and meet Santa for a photo and a gift.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Peter Jones, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8EL.
Westfield
Meet Santa in his woodland lodge and then try a spot of ice skating.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Westfield London, Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 7GF.
Fortnum & Mason
Storytelling with Father Christmas is an incredibly popular event at Christmas in London and needs to be booked as soon as tickets are released.
As with the other London department stores, they go all out with the Christmas decorations. We love how they decorate the store front to look like an Advent calendar each year.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: Tickets went on sale on 5th September 2024 and sold out almost immediately.
Location: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER.
Santa’s Grotto at Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park has a Santa’s Grotto among the many other attractions. It is free to visit but you do need to buy a ticket to Winter Wonderland.
There is no booking a visit to this London Grotto. It is on a first come, first served basis.
It is open every day from 10am to 6pm and there will be a gift for children.
On certain days, you can also spot Santa when he sets off on a parade at the end of the day.
SantaLand at Winter Wonderland
Dates: 21st November to 5th January 2025.
Ticket Price: Visiting Santa’s Grotto is free but you need to buy a ticket to Winter Wonderland.
Location: Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH.
See here for more free things to do with kids in London.
Other Santa’s Grottos in London
ZSL London Zoo
London Zoo, one of London’s top family days out, brings you ‘The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo’. You will get the chance to meet Santa and London Zoo and also take part in lots of fun Christmas activities.
They are also offering the opportunity for a VIP Breakfast with Mrs Claus on select dates.
Dates: End of November to the beginning of January. 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £Currently need to email to express interest.
Location: London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY.
Shrek’s Adventure
This is a bit of an alternative Santa’s Grotto in London but during December you can visit the Shrek themed Santa’s Grotto and even meet Shrek Santa.
Dates: Dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £TBC.
Location: Shrek’s Adventure, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge, London, SE1 7PB.
You can buy your Shrek’s Adventure tickets here.
Wishmas
Wishmas – billed as London’s ultimate festive adventure, how about meeting Father Christmas in the magical realm of Wishmas?!
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: From £69.00 (includes a private audience with Santa).
Location: The Old Bauble Factory, 1 Launcelot Street, London, SE1 7AD.
Santa Steam Express
Hop aboard the Santa Steam Express and enjoy a 90 minute return journey departing from London Victoria. Children will receive an age appropriate gift from the Big Man. This is the only Christmas train ride in London.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: From £65.00 per person.
Location: Victoria Station, Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5ND.
See also this list of Santa trains in the UK.
Thames Rockets
Jingle Bell Blast – carol sing your way along the River Thames on a speed boat while sightseeing. On weekends, you will get the chance to meet a gift-bearing Santa too.
Dates: During December.
Ticket Price: Adult: £49.95. Child (Under 14): £44.95.
Location: Thames Rockets, The London Eye Pier, Boarding Gate One, London, SE1 7PB.
Kenwood House
An Audience with Father Christmas at Kenwood (their Facebook page has the most up to date information)
Dates: Weekends in December 2024.
Ticket Price: £10.00 per person.
Location: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JR.
See also their fabulous winter illuminations.
The National Gallery
Dates: Weekends from the end of November to the end of December 2024.
Ticket Price: Ticket on sale from Mid October.
Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
Chelsea Christmas
Chelsea Christmas light switch-on – Father Christmas will be switching the lights on and there will be a Christmas Grotto.
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: FREE.
Location: Duke of York Square, 80 Kings Road, London.
Greenwich Market
Dates: Mid-November to 23rd December 2024. 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £10.00 per child plus booking fee.
Location: Greenwich Market, Durnford Street, Greenwich, SE10 9HZ.
Museum of London Docklands
Meet Santa in the Victorian Santa’s Grotto
Dates: Throughout December 2024.
Ticket Price: £12.50 per child.
Location: Museum of London Docklands, No1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL.
Christmas in Leicester Square
Leicester Square is transformed at Christmas into a fabulously festive Christmas market. There are lots of food stalls and Christmas ornaments as well as a Grotto where you can visit Father Christmas.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £TBC.
Location: Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LU.
London Transport Museum
Dates: 22024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB.
Charles Dickens Museum
Follow a Family Trail full of clues and puzzles which will help you discover Santa’s Grotto. You’ll learn loads about how the Victorians celebrated Christmas, and what inspired Charles Dickens to write A Christmas Carol.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LX.
The Strand Palace
The basement of the Strand Palace hotel is transformed into a winter wonderland. After a wander through the snow, you’ll find a lovely cosy Santa’s Grotto.
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £25.00 per child (including gift), £5.00 per adult and £8.00 for a photo.
Location: The Strand Palace Hotel, 372 Strand, London, WC2R 0JJ.
Alexandra Palace
Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £14.50 per child.
Location: Alexandra Palace East Court, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY.
Royal Albert Hall
Storytelling with Father Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
Dates: Through December. 2024 dates TBC but this sells out fast.
Ticket Price: £21.50 per child.
Location: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP.
Photo Credit: Royal Albert Hall
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens transforms at Christmas into a magical winter wonderland with its fabulous light trail. Look out for details on the Santa’s Grotto.
Dates: 13th November to 5th January 2025.
Ticket Price: Adult – £21.50 to £28.50, Child (4-16) – £14.00 to £14.50, Under 4 – Free.
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE.
Photo Credit: Kew Gardens
Chelsea Physic Garden
Take a look at their family-friendly events throughout the year. They offer some really lovely classes, including some fun Halloween activities.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £11.50 per child and £9.50 for an accompanying adult.
Location: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HS.
Jungle Cave
The Jungle Cave (formerly Rainforest Café) offers the opportunity to have breakfast with Santa in London.
The breakfast runs on select mornings from 9am to 10.30am and includes a meeting with Santa, a photo opportunity and a goody bag for the children.
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: From £15.00 per person.
Location: Jungle Cave, 20 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EU.
Springtime Nurseries
Christmas Wonderland is a magical place to visit at Christmas. It is a little way out of the centre of London in Enfield but is one of the best Santa’s Grottos in London.
Dates: Mid November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: Children – £14.95, Adults – £3.95.
Location: Springtime Nurseries, Cattlegate Road, Crews Hill, Enfield, EN2 9EE.
Santa’s Grotto’s near London
If you are willing to travel a little way out of London, there are some really great places to see Santa near London.
You can also arrange a family Christmas break at Legoland and Chessington if you have the time.
Remember the Merlin Annual Pass can help you save on Merlin attractions.
Legoland Windsor
Legoland at Christmas – one of the best days out for families from London. See our advice on taking toddlers to Legoland.
Dates: Select dates from end of November 2024.
Ticket Price: Tickets coming soon.
Location: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY.
Chessington World of Adventures
Dates: Weekends from end of November to 30th December 2024.
Ticket Price: Tickets coming soon.
Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE.
See our Chessington review for more info on visiting.
If you are looking for a Christmas break, they also offer festive sleepovers.
Lapland UK
Lapland UK is arguably the best place to see Santa in the UK, but it is incredibly expensive and can be difficult to book.
Dates: Mid November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £65 to £135 per person.
Location: Lapland UK, Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD.
These are the best Santa’s Grottos in London in 2024. Have any more suggestions? Let us know!
