Alternative Ideas For Family Christmas Fun In London 2016

By Zoe Craig Last edited 88 months ago

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Alternative Ideas For Family Christmas Fun In London 2016

If you've already been ice skating, visited a grotto, seen a festive show, and you're still looking for new ways to entertain the kids this Christmas, here's a round-up of some unusual and alternative London festive fun.

1. Baby Broadway Christmas Concerts

Worried about taking your very young kids to a traditional Christmas carol concert in case they can't sit still / start crying / won't be able to concentrate for the whole show? Then Baby Broadway is your answer: 45 packed minutes of all the best Christmassy songs (think White Christmas, A Muppet's Christmas Carol, Frozen) in the most child-friendly atmosphere ever.

Does your little one want to boogie at the front? Go ahead! Lie flat on their backs in the middle of the audience? Fine. Gurgle and blow raspberries in the quiet bits? Positively encouraged. There are plenty of Baby Broadway events across London throughout December. Book early, as they may well sell out.
Baby Broadway Christmas Concerts. Various dates throughout December. £10. Kids go free.

2. Around the World on Christmas Day

Visit top new Walthamstow venue Mirth, Marvel & Maud for a Christmas treat for older kids (age 10 and over). Around the World on Christmas Day from the Door Ajar Theatre celebrates Christmas tales and traditions from all over the globe. The show mixes comedy, theatre, live music, elves, and a variety of festive goats, with merriment and songs performed live by a cast of actor-musicians.
6 - 24 December. Mirth, Marvel & Maud, 186 Hoe St, Walthamstow, E17 4QH, £10/£8.

3. Winter Warmer at the William Morris Gallery

William Morris Gallery. Photo by Anna C Malo.

Head to the beautiful William Morris Gallery for a magical afternoon of entertainment: make your own Christmas lantern, hear live music from the Walthamstow-based JGL Singers and sample festive food and drink.
18 December, 1-4pm. William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4PP. Free

4. The World Beyond The Wardrobe at the Horniman Museum

Step into a magical and mysterious land to explore The World Beyond the Wardrobe, a special Narnia-inspired performance by Tea Dance for Little People. Your challenge is to bring colour back to a snowy world in time for Christmas.

On your quest, you'll drink tea with a faun, disguise yourself to creep past the White Queen and hunt deep inside a forest for the magic needed to return colour to the world.
1-4 December. Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ. £5

5. Greenwich's Living Advent Calendar

Each day during Advent, a beautiful new Advent Window will be unveiled. Advent Windows can be found all over Greenwich, at the Cutty Sark, Greenwich railway station, in local schools, pubs, businesses and homes. Advent Windows concludes with the Christmas Eve services at St. Alfege Church, the organiser of the event. All 24 windows will be on display until 2 January; taking a stroll around all of them takes around three hours.
1 December-2 January. Various Greenwich locations. Free.

6. A Victorian Christmas at Kensington Palace

Christmas is going back to its Victorian roots at Kensington Palace this year. Most of our Christmas traditions come from the Victorians: Christmas cards, crackers and trees are all pretty much Victorian inventions.

Each Saturday at Kensington, families can try lantern-making, or create a Victorian-inspired Christmas decoration. There will also be object handling in the Victoria Revealed exhibition, where you can discover popular 19th century toys, or play with a doll's house inspired by Victoria's own. In addition, there'll be talks from food historians, puppet shows and live music.
Until 2 January. Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX. Kids go free.

7. Family Day Children's Christmas Party at Benjamin Franklin House

Discover the magic of the a 18th century Christmas with crafts and treats at Benjamin Franklin House. Sing along to festive classics such as Silent Night and Jingle Bells with accompaniment on the glass armonica, Franklin’s musical instrument. Enjoy mince pies and deck the halls with Christmas crafts to make and take home.
10 December, 10.30am. Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, WC2N 5NF. Free.

8. A Family Christmas, Handel & Hendrix in London

Another Christmas concert where taking part is positively encouraged; this time at Handel & Hendrix in Mayfair.

Caoimhe de Paor.

Caoimhe de Paor (recorders) and Katarzyna Kowalik (harpsichord) present an interactive concert for families, exploring Christmas music by Handel, Balbastre and Jacob Van Eyck, as well as festive music by Bach and Couperin. Perfect for any budding recorder players.
10 December, 2pm. Handel & Hendrix in London, 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HB. £10/£6.

9. Surrey Docks Farm Christmas Fair

If you're anything like us, chances are you haven't visited your local city farm since the lambs / piglets started growing up. But city farms exist all year round, not just when the sun's shining on the daffodils and the animals are at their cutest; so now is a good time to see how the animals are getting on in the colder temperatures. Head to Surrey Docks City Farm's Christmas Fair and join in all kinds of Christmassy crafts; you can meet Santa; indulge in some festive food; and but gifts at the farmyard market stalls.
3 December, 11-4pm. Surrey Docks Farm, Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5ET

Last Updated 28 November 2016