Stay in the festive mood this week in London
In the city over the Christmas holiday? Take advantage of the (relative) lack of crowds and join in the fun family activities London has to offer. Many of last week’s events—from ice skating to pantos—are still on, so check out that roundup for more ideas. This week, the Geffrye Museum is closing but they’ll let you eat (Twelfth Night) cake, or you can go make some noise at the Museum of Childhood. Enjoy the remains of 2017!
Take a Paddington Bear tour of London.
If your kids loved Paddington 2 (which even big kids enjoyed), take them on a film-inspired jaunt around Paddington Station, Little Venice and Primrose Hill.
Cost: FREE
Create your own comic at the Cutty Sark.
Climb on board the historic sailing ship for a cartoon workshop. Sessions run on the 27th and 28th of December from 11:30am to 1:30pm and from 2 to 4pm.
Cost: free with admission (£5.95 child | £11.50 adult)
See how the other half lived in a West London manor house.
Have a roam round one of the stately homes and gardens, from Chiswick to Osterley House.
Cost: varies, most gardens FREE
Be dazzled by night at Kew Gardens…
The annual Christmas at Kew extravaganza runs evenings through the 1st of January 2018, featuring giant baubles, a Fire Garden and a laser show.
Cost: £12 child | £18.50 adult
…or learn by day at Kew Gardens.
Come to the Royal Botanical Gardens during the day and join a session of storytelling, creative writing or winter-flower making.
Cost: free with admission (£2.50 child | £11.50 adult)
Hear Victorian carols at Kensington Palace.
You may not spot new palace residents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but from the 27th of December to the 2nd of January you will be serenaded by the sounds of the Prince Regent’s Band playing Christmas music.
Cost: free with admission (free for children | £11.50 adult)
Make some noise at the V&A Museum of Childhood.
From Wednesday through Friday, the 27th to the 29th of December, the museum celebrates music, singing and noise making with three days of live performances, instrument making and more.
Cost: FREE
Say farewell to Christmas, and to the Geffrye Museum.
This year the Farewell to Christmas at the Geffrye Museum has special resonance as the beloved museum of the home will shut for a two-year development project. Join for the Epiphany Celebration on Saturday the 6th of January from 3:30 to 5pm, including bonfire, live music and Twelfth Night cake, or on Sunday the 7th, 10am to 5pm, for performances, live music, and craft and glitter workshops.
Cost: FREE
