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.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no additional cost to you.

Kids standing in front of a huge Christmas tree in Covent Garden in London at Christmas.

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

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.

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.

Children visiting Father Christmas at a Santa's Grotto.

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

Hamleys Grotto 2024

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.

Little boy in a Christmas jumper standing with the Hamleys Elves in London.

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.

Young boy standing beside a large puddle in front of Harrods with the lights of Harrods reflecting in the puddle.

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.

Breakfast with Santa in London at Selfridges.

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

Santa’s Grotto at 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

Christmas at 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.

Store front of Fortnum & Mason at Christmas.

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.

Christmas tree ornaments on display on a Christmas market stall 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

The 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.

Meet Santa in London on the Thames Rockets boat trips at Christmas in London.

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.

Winter illuminations at Kenwood House in London.

The National Gallery

Meet Father Christmas

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

Greenwich Market Grotto

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

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.

People coming out of Christmas in Leicester Square which has one of the best Santas Grottos in London.

London Transport Museum

Meet Santa

Dates: 22024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB.

Charles Dickens Museum

Finding Father Christmas

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.

Santa on Strand

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.

Two children visiting Santa at the Strand Palace - one of the best Santa's Grottos in London.

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.

Father Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall.

Photo Credit: Royal Albert Hall

Kew Gardens

Christmas at Kew

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.

Christmas at Kew.

Photo Credit: Kew Gardens

Chelsea Physic Garden

Father Christmas Storytelling

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

Breakfast with Santa

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

Winter’s Tail

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!