Free and cheap places to meet Father Christmas in London
By London Rocks · Published Published
Meeting Father Christmas shouldn't cost more than the presents. Good news: London has a surprising number of free grottos this year, plus plenty where a visit costs less than a round of hot chocolates.
We've rounded up the best of them, from a free grotto with a polar bear in Wembley to a £1 visit at Waterloo. Book early where you can. Free Santas go fast, and nobody wants to explain to a three-year-old why the elves are fully booked.
Free Santa's grottos and events in London
London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park A proper grotto, completely free. Little ones meet Santa, a few cheeky elves and Lumi the friendly polar bear, with a festive trail to follow on the way in. Donations to the centre's charity partners are welcome but optional. 3–6, 10–13 and 17–24 December • Free • Book online (one booking per person per session) • FULLY BOOKED
Santa Land at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland London's biggest free grotto, and good children get a small gift. You can't book, so arrive early and expect a queue on busy days. 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 • Grotto free • You'll need a Winter Wonderland entry ticket (off-peak slots are free but still need booking) • More info
W12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd's Bush No tickets, no fuss. Just turn up and join the queue. 5–6 December, 10am–3pm • Free
Harrow Town Centre Christmas Party A whole afternoon of festive fun with Santa's grotto, rides, face painting, a market and a laser show to finish. Saturday 28 November, 12–7pm • Free entry • More info
Santa Sunday at Old Spitalfields Market Santa drops into the market for one afternoon only, with a small gift for children. First come, first served. Sunday 13 December, 12–3pm • Free • No booking • More info
Christmas in the Park, South Wimbledon A free grotto and Christmas crafts at Haydons Road Recreation Ground. Reserve your spot here. Saturday 5 December, 1.30–4.30pm • Free
Christmas in the Village, Wimbledon A market, a parade and family activities, with Santa's grotto in the middle of it all. The event is free; grotto prices haven't been confirmed yet. Sunday 6 December, 10am–5pm • Free event • More info
£1 Santa's Grotto
The Sidings, Waterloo: £1 The bargain of the season. Every penny goes to charity, and there are free craft workshops on 12, 19 and 21–24 December (11am–4pm). 28 November to 24 December • £1 per child • Booking required • More info
Pocket money Santas (under £10)
The Chimes, Uxbridge: £6 This year it's Santa's Flight School, where children find out how a reindeer-powered sleigh gets every present delivered. Sessions are small groups of up to 10 children. From 5 December • £6 per child • Book ahead • Book tickets
17&Central, Walthamstow: £7 A gift is included, and Santa is in early for organised families. Weekends from 7 November, then daily 15–24 December • £7 per child plus £1.50 booking fee • More info
The Mall, Wood Green: £7.50 A traditional grotto with a gift and a photo. £1 from every ticket goes to North London Hospice. Weekends in November, then daily 4–24 December • £7.50 per child
Ealing Broadway: £7.50 Quiet sessions are available for children who'd rather skip the hustle. Selected dates, 14 November to 24 December • £7.50 per child plus £1.50 booking fee per family • More info
Southside, Wandsworth: £7.50 Adults go free. 20 November to 24 December • £7.50 per child plus £1.50 booking fee • More info
Westfield Stratford City: £8.50 All aboard The Polaris Line, a journey through a snowy forest to Santa's cabin. Includes a gift and a professional photo. 5–24 December, outside on The Street • £8.50 per child plus booking fee • More info
Worth the extra (under £20)
Alexandra Palace: £14 Santa sets up in the East Court with a small gift and a photo. Your ticket covers up to two grown-ups. Visits are short, so think quick chat rather than long story. 4–23 December • £14 per child • Book ahead • More info
Charlton House Christmas Fair The fair is free to wander. Santa's grotto costs £10, book a time slot here. 5–6 December, from 11am • Free entry • More info
London Museum Docklands: from £15 A Victorian-style grotto in the museum's Sailortown gallery, with a gift inspired by old-fashioned toys (and very little plastic). The museum itself is free, so make a morning of it. 20 November to 23 December • From £15 per child • Adults free • More info
Kenwood, Hampstead: £15 Father Christmas reads a story by the tree, then meets each child and hands over a traditional present. Kenwood's grounds are free, so bring wellies for a heath walk after. Weekends 5–20 December • £15 per child (£12 English Heritage members) • Book ahead, arrive 15 minutes early • More info
Make a free day of it
Pair your Santa visit with a free light switch-on see our London Christmas light switch-ons collection or one of our free places to visit with kids in London.
Dates and prices can change, so check with the venue before you set off.
