5 Festive activities in London that teens (and parents) will actually enjoy
The Christmas lights are on, the kids are home, and you’ve officially run out of fun activities – you need these 5 festive activities in London.
If you’re searching for something that isn’t another trip to a shopping centre, or you want to avoid another hour of screen time, London’s festive season has hidden gems that will get the whole family involved.
This isn’t just about forcing your teens to pose for a photo under shining Christmas lights (although you’ll get some good ones). It’s about wrapping up warm, exploring the city, and finding that rare, magical middle ground where both teens and parents are genuinely having a good time.
1. Hyde Park winter wonderland – one of the best festive activities in London
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is iconic for a reason – giant rides, Christmas markets, and enough lights to glow up an entire December.
But here’s the secret: go early and beat those overwhelming crowds. By grabbing some warm treats, you can actually enjoy the venue before the queues get wild. Your teens get the adrenaline rush, while you get the satisfaction of being outdoors without freezing.
📍Hyde Park
🎟️ Free entry during the day (rides and attractions priced individually)
⏱️ 10 AM – 10 PM
2. See London’s lights in true vintage style
Instead of weaving through crowds on foot, climb aboard a festive vintage bus and watch London’s Christmas lights glisten around you. The open-top deck gives you cinematic views of Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, and the West End – without anyone complaining about tired legs.
It’s warm, cosy, and surprisingly charming for teens who might not want to “go on a walk” but will absolutely enjoy being driven through the city’s glow with Christmas music playing in the background. It’s the perfect amount of Christmas spirit – and it ends right in central London.
After your festive bus ride around London’s lights, a great way to wrap up the evening is with a meal or drink at Embankment Bistro. They strike the right mix of comfort and relaxation to offer a mellow end to a busy evening of lights, music, and sightseeing.
📍Departs from Embankment
🎟️ From £20 per person
⏱️ 5 PM – 10 PM
3. Elf The Musical
If you want something full of holiday energy, booking tickets to Elf The Musical in central London is a brilliant idea. It’s a theatre show with heart, laughter, and enough festive sparkle to get even the grumpiest teen into the Christmas spirit.
With a 2 PM matinee, it’s an easy, comfy winter escape: you get a warm indoor venue, a guaranteed holiday-themed storyline and songs, and a night of family-friendly entertainment. Plus, after the show, you’re already in central London – ideal for grabbing dinner at Flat Iron. Teens and parents alike will enjoy the simple, high-quality steaks and sides in a warm setting.
📍Aldwych Theatre
🎟️ Tickets from £25-£55
⏱️ 2 PM & 7 PM
4. Warm up with Christmas markets and hot chocolate
Christmas markets are unbeatable for keeping teens engaged and well-fed – and they’re some of the most reliable festive activities in London for families.
Start at the Southbank Centre Winter Market, where wooden chalets line the Thames, selling street food, handmade crafts, and cosy winter treats.
If you want something a bit more atmospheric, head to Leadenhall Market, with its Victorian architecture, glowing wreaths, and boutique stalls – ideal for quick browsing and great photos.
Then finish with wandering through Covent Garden’s Christmas Village, famous for its giant tree, twinkling decorations, and pop-up stalls filled with gifts and festive drinks.
And if you’re making it a full day out, Knoops is your secret weapon. After exploring the markets, loop back to their Covent Garden shop for a hot chocolate that is worth the hype. With their huge menu of seasonal drinks, teens get to customise their drink, while parents get something warm and genuinely delicious. It’s the perfect warm treat before heading home – or straight into the next festive activity.
📍Southbank, Leadenhall Market, & Covent Garden
🎟️ Activities from £4
⏱️ 10 AM – 10 PM
5. The one they won’t expect: a festive mystery game through the city
Here’s the real wildcard – StreetHunt Games. Using their phones in a positive, interactive way, families follow clues through London’s streets. By solving clues and exploring hidden corners as a family, you’ll experience the city in a way that a standard Christmas lights walk just can’t match.
It strikes that perfect balance: festive but not cringeworthy, energising without leaving anyone worn out, and collaborative in a way that feels easy and fun. Everyone gets to work together, without forcing older siblings to “bond” on command with the younger ones.
As a bonus, keep an eye out for festive surprises like the Fleet Street Snoopy Trail. A series of little Snoopy-themed houses, each with its own design, is scattered around London. Discover the cheerful installations while you play Colombia’s Finest; it’s a fun extra that makes the game feel even more like one of the most memorable festive activities in London.
📍 Available in London
🧠 Best for ages 10+ (The Case of Colombia’s Finest or Will Breaker)
⏱️ 90–120 minutes
🎟️ From £16.50 per player
Make this festive season actually memorable
London is full of things to do in December – but the best moments are the ones you experience together. Whether it’s a vintage bus ride under the Christmas lights, seeing Elf The Musical, or exploring the city with StreetHunt Games, the magic of the season hits differently when you’re not stuck at home.
If you want something that gets the whole family moving, talking, and working together (with zero stress), a StreetHunt Game is the perfect festive adventure. It turns London into a story you experience as a team. Solving clues, exploring hidden corners, and making memories that last far longer than another shopping trip.
So layer up, grab your teens, and step into a festive day out that actually is remembered. Ready to book your family’s holiday adventure?