Last updated: 11 November 2024
Plan your holiday schedule in Eltham with ease! Our guide has all the top festive events. From locals to holiday tourists, our guide highlights the best of Eltham's festive season.
Popular events include The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace, where visitors can explore enchanting decorations and historical grandeur in a festive setting. Santa’s Grotto at Hamley’s offers a delightful experience for children, featuring whimsical displays and the chance to meet Santa himself. And the Father Christmas at Marble Hill is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its charming setting and festive activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Eltham Holiday Light Displays
Leadenhall Market Christmas Light Switch-On
- What to Expect
- Colour-changing LED tree and light tunnel in a historic market setting.
- Description
- Leadenhall Market's Christmas Light Switch-On features a colour-changing LED tree, large baubles, and a twinkling light tunnel, all set against the historic Victorian architecture of the market.
- Where
- London | More Info : Leadenhall Market Christmas Light Switch-On
Covent Garden Christmas Lights
- What to Expect
- Spectacular LED light display with a 55ft Christmas tree.
- Description
- Covent Garden's Christmas lights feature over 260,000 LED lights illuminating the Piazza, Seven Dials, and surrounding streets, including a 55ft Christmas tree adorned with 30,000 lights. The event includes pop-ups, family-friendly experiences, and live entertainment.
- Where
- London | More Info : Covent Garden Christmas Lights
Eltham Holiday Markets and Shopping
Festive Fayre at Hampton Court Palace
- What to Expect
- Artisan shopping and festive food in a historic royal palace setting.
- Description
- At the Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre, explore a dazzling market featuring over 100 independent artisan producers, offering everything from Christmas pudding to sausages and brownies to churros. Enjoy delicious street food, mulled wine, and mince pies while shopping for unique gifts in the historic palace's beautifully decorated courtyards and gardens.
- Where
- East Molesey | More Info : Festive Fayre at Hampton Court Palace
Connaught Village Christmas Shopping
- What to Expect
- Exclusive pop-up shopping experience with London's top design-led brands.
- Description
- Connaught Village presents a curated pop-up shopping experience featuring London's most coveted design-led brands, including HUM London, Colours of Arley, Domenica Marland, TIDINGS, Faeger, Kokoro, and Max Made Me. The event showcases unique treasures from independent brands in an elegant and spirited setting.
- Where
- London | More Info : Connaught Village Christmas Shopping
Christmas at Greenwich Market
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light and sound show on historic marketplace buildings
- Description
- Greenwich Market transforms into a vibrant holiday hub with unique arts, crafts, and delicious street food. The historic market is adorned with festive decorations, and traders offer a variety of seasonal items and gifts. The event culminates with the iconic Christmas lights switch-on, creating a lively atmosphere perfect for holiday shopping and celebration.
- Where
- Greenwich | More Info : Christmas at Greenwich Market
Eltham Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace
- What to Expect
- Interactive storytelling and captivating performances in an art-deco setting.
- Description
- Join Father Christmas on an immersive theatrical journey through Eltham Palace's stunning art-deco mansion. Meet delightful characters, uncover the essence of the season, and receive a gift from Father Christmas.
- Where
- Eltham | More Info : The Spirit of Christmas at Eltham Palace
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith
- What to Expect
- Lonesome and grumpy Santa navigates Christmas Eve with the help of a few animals.
- Description
- Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea, and sand to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Watch as he prepares for his Christmas deliveries, feeds his reindeer, and finally takes flight into the snowy night. This timeless classic, based on the book by Raymond Briggs and directed by Emma Earle, is a delightful adventure story suitable for young families.
- Where
- London | More Info : Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at Lyric Hammersmith
Enchanted Eltham Palace Light Trail
- What to Expect
- Immersive theatrical journey through an art-deco mansion.
- Description
- At Eltham Palace, immerse yourself in an hour-long theatrical journey through the stunning art-deco mansion, featuring an immersive and theatrical Christmas experience perfect for the whole family.
- Where
- Eltham | More Info : Enchanted Eltham Palace Light Trail
Greenwich Cutty Sark Christmas Activities
- What to Expect
- Twinkling lights on a historic tea clipper.
- Description
- Celebrate Christmas at the historic Cutty Sark, where twinkling lights illuminate the ship's rigging and festive activities await. Enjoy stunning views of the River Thames and participate in family-friendly activities amidst the maritime charm of Greenwich.
- Where
- Greenwich | More Info : Greenwich Cutty Sark Christmas Activities
Greenwich Royal Observatory Christmas Activities
- What to Expect
- Live astronomy experiences with guided tours of the night sky.
- Description
- At the Royal Observatory Greenwich, immerse yourself in astronomy with live planetarium shows and guided tours of the night sky. Explore the Prime Meridian line and enjoy stunning views of London.
- Where
- Greenwich | More Info : Greenwich Royal Observatory Christmas Activities
Eltham Other Holiday Activities
Father Christmas at Marble Hill
- What to Expect
- Interactive storytelling with Father Christmas and a traditional gift for each child.
- Description
- Join Father Christmas at Marble Hill for a group storytelling session around the Christmas tree, followed by a chance to meet him and receive a traditional present.
- Where
- Twickenham | More Info : Father Christmas at Marble Hill
Afternoon Tea with Santa at Fenwick Kingston
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas activities with Santa and festive treats.
- Description
- Join Fenwick Kingston for an unforgettable Afternoon Tea with Santa, featuring delicious sandwiches, scones, and festive treats. Enjoy Christmas-themed activities and a special visit from Santa, complete with an early Christmas gift for the children.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Afternoon Tea with Santa at Fenwick Kingston
Santa’s Grotto at Hamley’s
- What to Expect
- Personalized treats for each child.
- Description
- At Hamley's Santa's Grotto, children can meet Santa Claus and his elves in a special workshop. Each child will receive a treat to take home, and the event is designed for families with children aged 2 to 8 years old. The grotto offers different pricing options based on the date of visit.
- Where
- London | More Info : Santa’s Grotto at Hamley’s
Magic of Christmas at ZSL London Zoo
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with sustainable activities.
- Description
- Celebrate a greener Christmas at ZSL London Zoo with eco-friendly crafts, festive animal talks, and special activities for kids, including meeting Santa and spotting him around the zoo.
- Where
- London | More Info : Magic of Christmas at ZSL London Zoo
Father Christmas at Kenwood
- What to Expect
- Interactive storytelling session with Father Christmas.
- Description
- Meet Father Christmas at Kenwood, where he shares seasonal stories and gives each child a traditional present amidst the festive decorations.
- Where
- Hampstead | More Info : Father Christmas at Kenwood
Father Christmas at Modern Hall Park
- What to Expect
- Special meeting with Father Christmas in a cozy grotto.
- Description
- Meet Father Christmas at Morden Hall Park, where children can draw their Christmas wish lists and then visit the cozy grotto to receive a gift chosen just for them. The event is suitable for babies and children up to 8 years old, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Where
- Morden | More Info : Father Christmas at Modern Hall Park