Best alternative Christmas events for families in London

Take baby to their first Chrismas show at the Unicorn

Sarah Argent and Kevin Lewis bring Scrunch to the Unicorn this festive season for a wonderful sensory experience for babies aged 6-18 months. The 40-minute production (which includes 15 minutes of play) brings all of the Christmas noises to the stage, from footsteps on the path to ringing doorbells to scrunching leaves and the crunching sound of presents being opened. The show stars Kevin Lewis and is absolute proof that giving your baby a piece of wrapping paper is all they need for Christmas fun.

Walking with The Snowman, London Bridge City

London Bridge City's Christmas by the River market is home to a festive sculpture trail featuring Raymond Briggs' Snowman decked out in different designs in homage to The Twelve Days of Christmas. Presented by Wild in Art and Penguin Ventures, kids will enjoy snowman-hunting along the trail, which features 12 giant Snowman sculptures created by different artists. Even better? There are storytelling and crafts sessions on weekends, which include making Snowman-themed nightlights and snow globes, so kids can get into the artistic spirit themselves.

Head to Frozen's Arendelle - without leaving central London

Hamleys has embraced Frozen 2 fever this festive season with a new castle installation in its Regent Street Store, for an immersive Arendelle experience. The castle, on the second floor of the world's oldest toy shop, stands 2.8 m tall and 9.5 m wide, with an autumnal themed courtyard filled with fun (free!) experiences for kids of all ages, from photo shoots to learning how to speak 'reindeer' to dress-up sessions with the castle's tailor and seamstress. Of course, you'll also be able to find any Elsa, Anna or Olaf-themed Christmas gifts you're after, like dress-up outfits, dolls and plushies.

Take the kids to Christmas Family Day at Westminster Abbey

It doesn't get any better than Westminster Abbey at Christmas - and the best bit is families are allowed in to soak up the atmosphere, sing along to carols with the Westminster Abbey Choir, make a decoration to take home, learn about Christmas traditions around the world and visit the Nativity crib. Suitable for ages 5+, this event is free - so book quickly.

The best Santa's grottos to see the big guy in London

A Santa's grotto on a retro London bus? Oh, yeah. Don't miss our favourite Santa's grotto destinations - that you can still get into - to try with the kiddos this season.

Decorate some gingerbread treats at York & Albany

This festive season, get stuck into the gingerbread at York & Albany's Camden-based gingerbread cabin, which is fun for the big kids (sharing menus, cocktails, Christmas carols courtesy of the cabin "fireplace") and for the smalls, who can enjoy the kids' menu for £15 and spend their meal decorating a massive gingerbread cookie.

Embrace an eco-Christmas at the Winter Wild Conscious Christmas Fair

An event for eco-mums and their babes at Re:Centre in Hammersmith, this Winter Wild Conscious Christmas Fair combines workshops and talks with fab eco products from brands like Little Earth Baby. Amazing essential oil brand DoTERRA will even be there sharing their knowledge of how essential oil can be, well, essential, for mums and babies, plus there will be reflexology, baby First Aid and nutrition workshops. Even better? Entrance is free.

Photo: Nathan Lemon

Check out the living advent calendar in Greenwich

Sworn off those chocolate advent calendars for life? Your kids can still enjoy the advent action – minus the cavities – with Greenwich's 'Field of Dreams' Advent windows, which reveal a new surprise each day. With real models, light installations, crafts and more, who needs chocolate? Plus, the tour of all of them makes for a fab walk that'll take up an afternoon.

Embrace kindness with The Giving Manger

Get the whole family involved in creating this nativity scene with a twist: every time someone does something kind or thoughtful, a piece of straw is placed in the manger. By December 25, the baby Jesus willy be comfortably ensconced on a bed of straw, thanks to your good works as a family. This is a great alternative to the typical advent calendar, and helps kids to visualise the characters they're seeing every day in their nativity show practice sessions.

Cook up a storm of treats at Sauce at The Langham

Children between the ages of 4-12 can spruce up their cookery skills at Sauce, the luxury cooking school at The Langham hotel, this December, learning to make gingerbread from scratch.

Kids will learn how to make the dough and cook their ginger biscuits, as well as decorate their festive treats, and will take home biscuits, a recipe pack and chef's gear (a Sauce by The Langham apron, cloth and tote bag).

The class is £50 per child, but the accompanying adult goes free. While you're at The Langham, be sure to check out the fab children's afternoon tea, in partnership with Daunt Books.

Escape to a winter wonderland on the Kings Road

Bluebird Chelsea is known as a kid-friendly destination, and their festive Swan Lake-style makeover complete with heated winter huts, twinkling lights and cosy faux fur blankets is just the place to curl up with the kiddos for some chocolate fondue and marshmallows or warm apple pie. For adults, there are creative winter cocktails courtesy of CÎROC Vodka. So wintry and cosy, you can even skip the pre-New Year skiing weekend.

Do some building with LEGO at The Savoy

LEGO has reimagined The Twelve Days of Christmas in The Savoy lobby and the results are brilliant for kids. Plus, they can build ornaments when they visit.