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London Santa's grottos to book now

By Lucy Brooks on 11/11/2021

When you're a kid, Christmas just isn't Christmas without a Santa sighting. From high fashion grottos to wild animal adventures, here's where to meet Father Christmas in London.

Anya's Grotto

Thought Santa's Grottos could never be chic... enter Anya Hindmarch, queen of high fashion kitsch, with a festive adventure at Anya's Village in Chelsea. Guests are invited on an immersive journey through a snowy forest, which ends with a story and a present from Santa himself. Combine the visit with a trip to the oh-so instragrammable cafe (the grotto ticket includes a hot drink for parents).

WHEN

14 Nov - 24 Dec

WHERE

9 Pont Street, London, SW1X 9EH

Meet Santa at London Zoo

The animals aren't the only thing to see at ZSL London Zoo this year... Santa has arrived! Children can enjoy festive crafts before going to meet Father Christmas in a magical grotto in the heart of the zoo. Also keep an eye out for him as you explore the Zoo as Santa will be nipping out to feed some of the animals.

WHEN

26 Nov - 23 Dec

WHERE

London Zoo, Outer Circle Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY

Father Christmas and a healthy dose of London culture at the Royal Albert Hall

Storytime with Father Christmas at the Hall, Royal Albert Hall

Father Christmas is making his annual visit to the Royal Albert Hall. In this immersive experience, families will enjoy an exclusive tour around the 19th-century Hall and have the chance to interact with a range of North Pole characters along the way. Kids will learn about Christmas, the characters, the RAH – and even pick up some exciting secrets from the elves – before meeting the big man himself.

WHEN

2 - 20 Dec, various times

WHERE

The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

Santa's Grotto at Hamleys

Where better to host a grotto than in a toy shop? Well, for the pocket of said toy shop, anyway. Your little ones will surely add some last-minute items to their wish-list on their way to meet Santa himself in this charming (if a little expensive) grotto experience. Tickets are £50 and allow access for up to 3 people (additional people cost £15pp), but the gifts they leave with are likely to make up for it.

WHEN

12 Nov - 24 Dec

WHERE

Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, London W1B 5BT

Santa's Grotto at Ally Pally

Santa has swapped his home in the North Pole for London's palace on top of a hill. Here, little ones can have their photo taken with him, present their wish lists and leave with a small gift to tide them over until the big day.

WHEN

2 - 23 Dec

WHERE

Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY

Noir Kringle's Grotto

Spread diverse cheer this year at Noir Kringle. Frustrated with the overwhelmingly white representation of all things festive, a London mother set up a new grotto experience centring around a black Santa. It goes beyond a mere meet and greet, with story-telling, activities and elf school.

WHEN

17 - 20 Dec

WHERE

Crooked Billet Yard, London, Shoreditch E2 8AF

Victorian Santa's Grotto

Embrace vintage charm this year with a Victorian themed grotto at the Museum of London's Docklands. The Sailortown gallery is festooned with decorations, and a traditionally dressed Father Christmas is there to say hello and pose for pictures.

WHEN

2 - 23 Dec

WHERE

Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL

Santa's Calling You

For those who'd rather schedule a meeting with Santa from home: Santa's Calling You offers little ones the chance to chat with an elf or Mrs Claus as well as the big man himself. Storytelling sessions are available too! Experiences start at £19.99.

WHEN

1 - 24 Dec

WHERE

Online

Santa’s Socially Distanced Greenwich Market & Virtual Grotto

Greenwich Grotto

Visit Santa in the festive confines of Greenwich Market and give back to charity with this hospice-run initiative. While the kids present their Christmas wish lists, you can get on with a bit of present buying at the numerous stalls lining the market walls. Tickets start at £11.

WHEN

23 Nov - 23 Dec

WHERE

Greenwich Market, 3- 3a Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ

London Santa's grottos to book now

When you're a kid, Christmas just isn't Christmas without a Santa sighting. From high fashion grottos to wild animal adventures, here's where to meet Father Christmas in London.

Anya's Grotto

Meet Santa at London Zoo

Storytime with Father Christmas at the Hall, Royal Albert Hall

Santa's Grotto at Hamleys

Santa's Grotto at Ally Pally

Noir Kringle's Grotto

Victorian Santa's Grotto

Santa's Calling You

Greenwich Grotto

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