Santa's Grottos in London 2026: Where to Meet Santa Near You
By London Rocks · Published Published
London is big, Christmas is busy and small legs only walk so far. So we've sorted this year's grottos by area. Find your patch, pick your Santa, and save the cross-city trek for the sales.
On a budget? Our free and cheap Santa's grottos guide has every option under £20.
Places to meet Santa - North and north-west London
London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park: free grotto with Santa, elves and Lumi the polar bear. 3–24 December (selected dates), book online.
Harrow Town Centre Christmas Party: free grotto, rides and a laser show. Saturday 28 November, 12–7pm.
The Mall, Wood Green: traditional grotto with gift and photo. Weekends in November, daily 4–24 December. £7.50.
Alexandra Palace: Santa in the East Court, up to two adults included. 4–23 December. £14.
Kenwood, Hampstead: storytime with Father Christmas and a traditional present. Weekends 5–20 December. £15.
Brent Cross: Santa's Tea Party at John Lewis, with tea and cake for grown-ups. £25 per child, £8 per adult.
Places to meet Santa - West London
W12 Shopping Centre: free, just join the queue. 5–6 December, 10am–3pm.
The Chimes, Uxbridge: Santa's Flight School, in small groups. From 5 December. £6.
Ealing Broadway: quiet sessions available. Selected dates 14 November to 24 December. £7.50 plus booking fee.
Westfield London, White City: The Aurora Line, a journey to the North Pole to meet Santa. 5–24 December, ground floor atrium.
Central London
Santa Land, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: London's biggest free grotto, no booking. 19 November to 3 January (Winter Wonderland entry needed).
The Sidings, Waterloo: £1, all to charity, plus free craft workshops. 28 November to 24 December.
Grotto in the Garden, The Actors' Church, Covent Garden: a festive trail around the Piazza that ends at Santa's grotto in St Paul's Church, with a gift. 21 November to 23 December (closed Mondays), 10am–5pm. £29 plus booking fee, adults free.
Hamleys, Regent Street: back for 2026; dates and prices to come.
Places to meet Santa - East London
17&Central, Walthamstow: gift included. Weekends from 7 November, daily 15–24 December. £7 plus booking fee.
Westfield Stratford City: The Polaris Line, with a gift and pro photo. 5–24 December. £8.50 plus booking fee.
London Museum Docklands: Victorian-style grotto in a free museum. 20 November to 23 December. From £15.
Old Spitalfields Market: free Santa Sunday, small gift, no booking. Sunday 13 December, 12–3pm.
Places to meet Santa - South London
Christmas in the Park, South Wimbledon: free grotto and crafts. Saturday 5 December, 1.30–4.30pm.
Charlton House Christmas Fair: free fair, grotto extra. 5–6 December, from 11am.
Christmas in the Village, Wimbledon: free event with a grotto (price to be confirmed). Sunday 6 December, 10am–5pm.
Southside, Wandsworth: adults free. 20 November to 24 December. £7.50 plus booking fee.
Before you go
Book anything that takes bookings. The best weekend slots disappear by early December.
Most shopping centre grottos only charge for children, so grown-ups and big siblings tag along free.
Got a child who finds busy places tricky? Ealing Broadway and London Museum Docklands both run quieter sessions.
Dates and prices can change, so check with the venue before you set off.
