Ways to entertain your kids this Christmas in London without blowing a fortune

London might be one of the most glamorous and superbly decorated cities worldwide during Christmas, but it doesn’t mean you’ll have to break the bank to make the most of your time in this metropolis in winter. You can see the yearly Christmas-themed shows, go ice skating, visit street markets, and behold the endless lights, to name a few entertaining alternatives!

Engaging in activities with your kids in London can be fun, assuming you gather valuable information in advance to find the most suitable and budget-friendly options, so let’s explore the best possibilities!

Gaze at the twinkling Christmas lights

This metropolis is renowned for the outstanding Christmas light shows and the preponderance with which they cover most of the city. Probably, you could only see such a tremendous and spectacular Christmas lights display if you were to book a spot at the Manchester airport parking and fly to New York City for the 45,000 lights displayed at Rockefeller Center. Such a move would certainly make the trip of your life, but it’s by far a budget-friendly one, so you’ll be left with other alternatives to behold that are just as promising and will create unforgettable memories for your kid and family.

Here’s a lowdown of the three most famed places for their sparkling LEDs to write down on your visit list:

Oxford Street: Oxford Street is probably the busiest street in the metropolis at Christmas, and that’s for a good reason. This public area throws some of the most mesmerizing light plays during this festive season, and this year, it maintains an eco-conscious stance that was present last year, too, lighting up the bulbs only at night and using recycled materials exclusively. Collaborating with Starlight, a children’s charity, will empower philanthropic souls to “sponsor a star” that will cheer up kids in the hospital.
Covent Garden: This festive heavyweight keeps making it bigger and bigger each year, and in 2023, it’s rocking the stage with 140,000 lights – a considerable upgrade from the 115,000 LEDs displayed last year. It’s been decked out with 300,000 giant baubles, lights, and even eight mirror balls in the Market Building to enhance visual appearance.
Carnaby Street: This year, your kid can contemplate the neon LED waves, enormous glowing planets, and a colossal vortex shining in the air. Furthermore, you’ll be present at live music shows and entertainment on the streets, accommodating more than 100 retailers selling drinks and foods.

Check out the 2023 production at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

A lesser-known and marketed place in London, the Shakespeare’s Globe stands out as one of the most excellent places for families to see unforgettable, flawlessly directed, live, child-friendly productions. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is remarked by its unique, ages-long architecture built on the skeleton of the first establishment at the finals of the 16th century.

The theatre was developed to create a space predominantly for acting, receiving funds from the company itself.

As a Christmassy ritual, the Shakespeare’s Globe, associated with the best writer in English, has been preparing and displaying productions to children gathering around the stage for years. It is set up outdoors, so design with warm clothes and pamper yourself with some hot drink like mulled wine. Since you’re there, you can also take in the Southbank Christmas market at a maximum of 15 minutes of walking.

The tickets’ prices differ considerably depending on the date and moment of the day chosen, so conduct further documentation to get your best deals.

This year, the theatre displays a superb, freshly recreated spin-off of Hansel and Gretel, the Brothers Grimm’s story that ravaged the world. The show mentions war and conflict, so you might have to answer some spicy, complex questions after the curtains fall.

Don’t miss this year’s Christmas pantomimes

Pantomimes are exclusively developed with the joy of kids in mind, and this year, they’re back with a bang! The famous characters treading the boards include Snow White, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Potted Panto, and Aladdin, to name a few.

You will be presented funny liners, multicoloured costumes, epic songs, and many others at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, holding the Jack and the Beanstalk until the 6th of January. If your child is devoted to Santa Claus and his team, you need to take them on a memorable journey at Wonderville, where they’ll meet the famous gift maker himself. The event runs until the end of December, so hurry up because it’s one of the year's most highly awaited pantomime shows. And if your kid is keen on the fairy tale of Snow White and her Dwarfs, they can see a superb production at Greenwich Theatre. It all depends on what character and storyline your kid loves the most!

Try ice skating on London’s rinks

Ice rinks filled with kids learning to skate with the largest of the smiles on their faces is precisely the cliché image presented in movies and every cinematic production planned around the Christmas theme. If your kid’s eyes brighten and their heart pounds, it’s just the most giant tell-tale sign that taking them to one or more ice rinks in London will be what will make their festive season in 2023 one always to remember. Bring ice skating into the discussion and see them make puppy eyes at you, indirectly begging you to go there.

While they might usually see the Oval in Roseville or the Providence Rink displayed in movies, you don’t have to worry about them noticing any difference. It would be amazing to confidently leave your car in the hands of the experts at Parkos.co.uk, take the plane, and fly to other enchanting cities famed for hosting incredible shows at Christmas. Still, it doesn’t align with your budget goals, so make the most of the winter season in the comfort of your city because there’s no shortage of fantastic ice rinks spread across the metropolis.

Visit London’s Christmas tree displays

Christmas trees are staples for this celebration, and there’s likely nothing that can make a kid more enthusiastic than taking in the smell of a fresh, natural tree decked up with thousands of lights, globes, and other ornaments. Oxford Street accommodates some of the most impressive Christmas tree displays worldwide, and in its proximity, you’ll have numerous markets with delicious sweets and foods to try with your kid. London’s high-end hotels also set up chic trees that can never be replicated at home so you might plan a walk by them. The whole city flows with Christmas joy and businesses and establishments around know there’s no way to go around than follow the trend and trick out some eye-grabbing exhibitions.

So, what will you pick, and what exhibitions and shows do you think your children are the most excited to see?