The Ultimate Guide To Free Festive Fun this Christmas!

Here at Kidadl, we know that Christmas isn’t just the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also the most expensive! From presents to meals out to entertaining the kids, it can all add up pretty quickly. But don’t worry! We’ve found some of the best free Christmas activities so you can enjoy the festive season without breaking the bank.

This Christmas The Savoy are decking their halls with lego for The Twelve Rebuilds of Christmas! Head to the famous London hotel to see some brilliant builds, from a fairytale tower to a Christmas tree dragon! Your kids will be amazed by what they've managed to create.

Head to A Miracle Leake Street on the 17th of December for an evening off festive fun. There's a free screening of ELF, wreath making, a Christmas Cabaret and plenty more to get you in the holiday mood.

Selfridges were the first department store in the world to unveil their Christmas windows this year and they're already attracting the crowds! This year the creative theme is 'Future Fantasy: A Christmas For Modern Times'

This festive sculpture trail adds something extra to your Christmas Market visit. The Snowman sculptures have landed at Christmas By The River so go and see if you can spot them all!

The Elephant and Castle Community Hub are hosting a Christmas Party for the whole family on the 11th of December. There'll be arts and crafts, carols and tasty treats for you to enjoy.

Fortnum & Mason's Christmas windows will definitely leave you feline festive! Cats are the focus of the displays, we get to see them in action working behind the scenes of the famous shop.

Head to Oxford Street for a huge dose of Christmas cheer! They’ve got beautiful new lights for the first time in 6 years and the shop windows are some of the city’s most impressive.
 

This is a great story-time session based on the Victorian tradition of telling spine-tingling tales around the festive season. It’s happening at both The Museum of London and The Museum of London Docklands.
 

Head to Kingston for an afternoon or evening to soak up the atmosphere at this traditional local market. It’s a great excuse to get out of the city and explore somewhere new.
 

The V&A are putting on interactive pop-up performances over the Christmas holidays. They’ve got one all about Christmas in Victorian times and a slightly less educational but just as fun dance show!
 

Eccleston Yards is tucked away in Victoria and has some Christmas lights with a difference. Chromotherapy Christmas is an art installation made up of individually lit vibrating orbs!
 

If you’ve got some budding musicians in the family, this is the free activity for you. Join Charlie at The Museum of London or The Museum of London Docklands to jingle your bells and have a singalong.
 

People often worry about the cost of Winter Wonderland but did you know it’s actually free to enter? Wandering around the market is a great was to soak up some festive fun.
 

The V&A are putting on free festive play sessions for under-5s. These sessions are a great way to get out of the cold and into the Christmas Spirit.
 

Carnaby Street is a little bit of magic tucked just behind Oxford Circus and Regent Street. Their Christmas Lights always have a fun twist and this year they’ve got an underwater theme. It’s a great place to do a bit of window shopping too.
 

Calling all budding comedians! Head to this workshop to learn how to build your own jokes and perfect your puns. We’re sure you’ll come up with some Christmas crackers!
 

As always, there’s plenty happening at the Southbank Centre this Christmas. Their Christmas Market is free and there’s always a great atmosphere. If you do fancy treating the family and paying for something, we love Circus 1903.

If you haven’t ever seen hundreds of people in festive fancy-dress running around an obstacle course in Covent Garden, now’s your chance! You can take part in the Great Christmas Pudding Race but it’s almost as much fun to watch for free.
 

Watching a performance of A Christmas Carol is always a great way to feel festive. Even better, this one is free! There’s an arts and craft activity to go with the show as well. Make sure you take full advantage of the rest of The Museum of London Docklands while you’re there.
 

The famous Christmas angels are flying back over Regent Street to light the way for shoppers. Go and have a look at the beautiful lights and some of the stunning window displays.
 

Learn about different festive cakes from around the world at this interactive and creative workshop. Get creative and bring cultures together by creating your very own cake collage. 
 

You can’t get more festive than Covent Garden at Christmas Time. From the huge tree to the reindeer and Christmas buskers, it’s definitely worth a visit. 
 

This one is actually for Christmas Day Itself! Wrap up warm and head to the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park to see people brave the freezing waters for the annual Peter Pan Cup Race! If you’re kids have been up since the crack of dawn, it’s a great way to get out of the house.
 

Take inspiration from the V&A architecture at this drop-in design workshop and create your own tree decoration! Mould your ornament from clay and take it home to hang in pride of place on your Christmas Tree.
 

This Christmas Market by Tower Bridge has an incredible backdrop of the Tower of London and the city’s iconic skyline. The views, combined with the market’s vintage ski theme make it well worth a visit.
 

Chelsea’s Christmas lights are always worth a visit but we definitely recommend saving the date of the switch-on event. From 2pm on the 23rd of November there’ll be plenty happening, from reindeer to roasted chestnuts to horse and carriage rides.
 

Sometimes you can’t beat a good story time. The Lord of Misrule is telling the tale of Dick Whittington in an interactive and fun way for the whole family!
 

Trafalgar Square is home not only to arguably the most impressive Christmas Tree in London, but some of the best carols too. Over 40 performers take to the square’s stage over the festive season to spread Christmas joy and raise money for good causes!
 

The celebrations continue into January with Epiphany. If you don’t know much about Dia De Los Reyes, head to The Museum of London or The Museum of London Docklands to learn more and make your own traditional bread.
 

Leicester Square is home to one of the city’s most central Christmas Markets. Although it can get quite busy, it’s a great break from the surrounding high street shops and definitely a good way to feel festive.