Top Baby & Family-Friendly Christmas Activities in London and the South-East

1. Gingerbread City

Dates: 29 November 2025 - 4 January 2026

Price: Over 12 £13.5, 3-12 £8.5, under 3s free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Imagine the iconic London skyline … made entirely of gingerbread! At The Gingerbread City, some of the finest architectural minds have built whole city-scapes out of every child’s favourite biscuit. With its beautifully intricate and detailed designs, this sweet little exhibition is one to marvel at with the entire family. Might be wise to pack some edible gingerbread for the walk round though!

The Gingerbread City

2. Noir Kringle

Dates: 17 - 22 December 2025

Price: from £30

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Victoria Park

Islington - Highbury

London Bridge & Borough

Join Mr and Mrs Kringle in their magical Christmas grotto where you’ll make reindeer food for Rudolph, go to Elf School and meet Santa himself! Perfect for Black families and others wanting to give their kids a holiday experience with positive black representation and diversity. Expect Christmas magic galore (and, of course, a gift to take home!) at this festive gathering celebrating Black British culture.

Noir Kringle

3. Christmas Walk in Central London from Bach to Baby to Covent Garden

Dates: 29 November, 6 December, 20 December 2025

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Victoria & Pimlico

After the Bach to Baby concert in Pimlico, make a festive day of it with our buggy-friendly Christmas stroll. Head through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace, then continue to Piccadilly Circus. From there, walk up Regent Street under the sparkling angels - don’t miss the windows at Hamleys - before winding your way to Covent Garden for the perfect family photo by the giant Christmas tree. Flat pavements, plenty of crossings, and lots to look at - ideal for little legs (and naps on the go!).

Your ready-made Bach to Baby Christmas Walking Route - Google Maps

4. Wintry Walk & Deer Spotting in Richmond Park

Dates: Christmas 2025

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Kew & Richmond

Twickenham Riverside

Twickenham Chertsey Road

Take a wintry stroll through Richmond Park, one of London’s eight Royal Parks. Home to over 600 wild red and fallow deer, as well as thousands of birds, you will have plenty to spot. So, keep your eyes peeled and your cameras ready to see if you can capture the frosty magic of the winter wildlife. Afterwards, head to one of the cafes or kiosks for a warming hot drink. Mmmmm.

Richmond Park Winter Walk

5. Five Winter Story Worlds at The Story Museum

Dates: 23 November - 31 December 2025

Price: £7.7

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Oxford Summertown

A calm, story-focused play session inside The Story Museum designed especially for little ones. Wander through five themed zones - think cosy nooks, soft textures and peek-and-discover corners - while a friendly host gently guides the story. For Christmas, the space gets a winter-wonderland glow with twinkly touches and soft lighting. No loud performances; just relaxed make-believe at little-kid pace.

Small Worlds at The Story Museum

6. Greenwich Lantern Parade

Dates: 19 November 2025, 4-6pm

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Greenwich

Blackheath

London Bridge & Borough

Wrap up warm and follow the lights! On Wednesday 19 November, Greenwich will be all aglow as local schoolchildren parade their handmade lanterns from the Old Royal Naval College, past Cutty Sark, and into Greenwich Market for the big Christmas lights switch-on at 5pm. After marvelling at the sparkle, snag festive treats and hand-crafted gifts while the Market stays open till early evening.

Greenwich Lantern Parade

7. The Shard Lightshow

Dates: 25 November - 31 December 2025

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

London Bridge & Borough

Greenwich

West Hampstead

Harrow

After your afternoon Bach to Baby concert, you’ll step out right on dusk. Just the perfect timing for a quick shimmer of city magic with Shard Lights, London’s highest light display (free to enjoy and visible for miles on clear nights). If you’re at London Bridge & Borough, you’re a few minutes’ stroll from a great view; from West Hampstead, head to Parliament Hill; Harrow families can wander up to Harrow-on-the-Hill; and Greenwich concert-goers can take in the sparkle from Greenwich Park. With energy-efficient LEDs running festive sequences each evening, it’s an easy, buggy-friendly add-on before bedtime.

The Shard Christmas Lights

8. ChocoLit Bookshop & Seasonal Offerings

Dates: From 15 November - 31 December 2025

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Clapham & Battersea

Balham

Tucked in Clapham Old Town, ChocoLit blends storytime cosiness with chocolatey magic - a children’s bookshop where shelves of enchanting picture books sit alongside ethical chocolates. Step in this Christmas for twinkly displays, snug corners, and the simple joy of choosing a new tale with a little sweet treat to match. It’s a gentle, festive pause for small readers and their grown-ups, perfect for gifting (and nibbling) on the way home.

9. Nutcracker Christmas Trail

Dates: 29 November 2025 - 6 January 2026

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Guildford

Farnham

Swap urban bustle for storybook sparkle at Winkworth Arboretum’s Nutcracker Trail. Follow Clara through wintry woods and see if you can spot the eight nutcrackers hidden along the paths - perhaps a drummer by the gate, a sentry between the ferns, a twinkly captain by the lake. Little legs can toddle, point and count as you wander, then warm up with a cosy treat from the tearoom (and, on select days, a gentle whirl on the vintage carousel). A calm, magical outing with just the right dash of festive sparkle.

The Nutcracker Christmas Trail at Winkworth Arboretum

10. Hot Chocolate and Ceramics

Dates: 15 November - 24 December 2025

Price: Depending on choices

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Reading

Henley

Begin with a festive Bach to Baby concert at Reading Minster - carols, seasonal faves, and plenty of wriggling for little ones. After the final bow, pop next door to Coffee Under Pressure (C.U.P!) for dark, milk or white hot chocolate (marshmallows encouraged!), then take a gentle stroll to Artology Studio to paint mugs, plates, baubles, or treasure boxes. Add names in swirly script, snowflakes, or holly sprigs for gift-ready magic. Weekends can book up quickly, and firing times vary seasonally (often around 1–2 weeks), so check Artology’s current turnaround if you need pieces under the tree.

Hot Chocolate at Coffee Under Pressure

Paint and fire your ceramics at Artology Studio