10 wonderful wintery things to do with kids in London’s home of entertainment

Looking for things to do with your kids this festive season?

This December, there’s plenty of family-friendly fun for you to explore as London emerges from lockdown.

From the likes of our Scenes in the Square interactive film trail, family-friendly cinema and pantomime sensations, and mouth-watering menus to get stuck into, we’re sure we’ve got just what you’re looking for to keep the kids entertained for the whole festive holiday in Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

Whatever you decide, get ready to spoil your family silly in London’s home of entertainment.

Here’s our quick guide so you can plan a cracking Christmas adventure.

Discover the insanely Instagrammable Scenes in the Square film trail

Looking for film-themed outdoor fun?

Immerse your family in the world of film with the Scenes in the Square interactive film statue trail.

Hop onto your brooms to discover Harry Potter. Scour the buildings to find DC’s Super Heroes Batman and Wonder Woman. Budge up on a bench next to Paddington and Mr Bean. Burst into song with musical stars Mary Poppins and Gene Kelly. Or, career into comedy capers with comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, or the brilliant Bugs Bunny.

Whatever you do, tune-in to the ultimate soundtrack to your journey with the audio walking tour. Narrated by TV’s Alex Zane and specially designed with social distancing in mind, it’s the perfect accompaniment to your journey. Packed with movie clips, trivia, humour and interviews with stars including Paddington’s Hugh Bonneville and Gene Kelly’s wife and biographer Patricia Ward Kelly, the tour is available on all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Scenes in the Square and the audio walking tour here.

Cinderella Pantomime and magical Christmas movies at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square

Looking for an enchanting Christmas for all the family?

Give your loved ones a gift that’ll last a lifetime with a spellbinding live pantomime performance of Cinderella as it takes to the stage of the ODEON Luxe in Leicester Square.

Offering only one live performance on Sunday 3^rd January 2021 at ODEON Luxe in Leicester Square, the show will be the grande finale of the panto tour making it a must-see this festive season. Starring Michelle Heaton as the Fairy Godmother, get tickets from £15.75 per child and £25.75 per adult and get ready to discover if true love will prevail with this magical stage-show spectacular.

Plus, rediscover magical Christmas movies as they return to the big screen throughout December. The likes of Home Alone, Elf and the Grinch will all be screening at Leicester Square’s home of premieres, making it a must-visit this festive season.

Whatever you decide, you can rest assured it’s safe to rediscover cinema as ODEON have enhanced their health and safety systems in line with the latest government guidelines.

Learn more about the Cinderella Pantomime here.

See what’s on at the ODEON here.

Meet Father Christmas at the National Gallery

The man in the big red suit is set to stop off at the National Gallery from the 12^th-13^th December and 17^th-23^rd December 2020.

Running from 10.15am – 8pm on select dates through December, it’s the ultimate festive experience for budding young artists. You’ll meet Father Christmas and his Elves, enjoy a tasty treat, and take home a great gift from one of London’s leading art galleries.

Tickets cost £20 including a gift, for children under 12, and are £10 including refreshments, for adults and children 12+.  Tickets booked for visits before 5pm include free access to the National Gallery Collection, making it a must-visit for art lovers this festive season.

Plus, don’t miss a painter’s winter wonderland as you explore Hendrick Avercamp’s ‘Winter Scene’. Journey with the National Gallery to learn more about the characters as they play, show-off, laugh and fall over, all overlooked by a giant pink castle.

What’s more, step into the painting with the Gallery’s life-size seasonal scene. Take a photo and take it home with you to cherish the memory for a lifetime.

Whatever you decide, make memories that’ll last a lifetime this Christmas with the National Gallery.

Book your tickets online here. Or, call or email using the following details:

T: +44 020 7747 2885

E: information@ng-london.org.uk

Potted Panto at The Garrick Theatre

Looking to make magical memories with your little ones this festive season?

Don’t miss Potted Panto as it returns for the tenth time this Christmas with a socially distanced run at the Garrick Theatre.

See seven iconic pantomime productions packed into one 70-minute show, brought to you by double Olivier nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner.

In a madcap ride through the biggest stories and best-loved characters from the wonderful world of pantomime, the dastardly double act dash from rubbing Aladdin’s lamp to roaming the golden streets of Dick Whittington’s London and making sure that Cinderella gets to the Ball.

It’s all unmissable fun, whether you’re six or 106.

Tickets cost from £20 per person. Or, book tickets for a family of four for £70 here. Or, book for groups of 4-6 from £17.50 per person here.

Whatever you decide, get ready to give your family a gift they’ll cherish forever.

Book your tickets online here. Or, call using the following details:

T: 0330 333 4811

The Garrick Theatre operates strictly under the government COVID-19 guidelines. For further information check the COVID-19 secure information page. All bookings in a party must only be from the same household or the legally defined support bubble.

Nutcracker Delights by the English National Ballet at the London Coliseum

Looking for a spellbinding Christmas for all the family to enjoy?

Make memories that’ll last a lifetime with trip to the London Coliseum this Christmas to see the Nutcracker Delights.

Running from 17^th December 2020 – 3^rd January 2021, see dancers from the English National Ballet bring the Nutcracker to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s popular score played live at the special socially distanced performance.

Set on a sparkling Christmas Eve in a frost-dusted Edwardian London, Clara receives an enchanted Nutcracker as a gift. Together, they discover a magical world where she battles with the Mouse King and meets a handsome stranger.

From the sound of the orchestra tuning up, to the final bows and cheers, a trip to English National Ballet at the London Coliseum is an unforgettable Christmas treat.

English National Ballet’s Nutcracker returns for four weeks only, following sold out performances in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 – book early and make Nutcracker part of your holiday celebrations. View the Covid-secure Seating plan.

Book online today. Or, call or email using the following details:

T: +44 (0)20 7845 9300

E: box.office@eno.org

Killer stocking-filler ideas at M&M’s world

Looking for killer stocking-filler ideas?

Christmas isn’t complete without a hefty helping of chocolate. So, discover the world’s largest candy shop, M&M’s World in the heart of Leicester Square, reopening from 3^rd December 2020.

Large enough to house 100 double decker buses, spread over four floors of chocolatey heaven, get ready to give your little ones a shopping experience they’ll never forget.

Feast your eyes on the world’s largest wall of chocolate and create your very own chocolate pick’n’mix selection from over 100 different M&M varieties. Offering a great stocking filler idea, a gift to take home to loved ones, or tasty treat that’s perfect paired with a trip to the cinema only seconds away.

Perhaps you’re looking for a personal touch? Get your face printed on your very own M&M’s and give someone a spectacular gift with a chocolate selfie!

What’s more, with oodles of M&M’s merchandise and bundle loads of fun to be had exploring the store, there’s no place better to stock up on chocolate this festive season.

Discover more online here. Or, call for any queries using the following details:

T: +44 (0)20 7025 7171

Great gifts to inspire their creative genius at LEGO®

Want to conquer gift giving this Christmas?

Get set to spend more time at home this Christmas with gifts you know they’ll cherish from the LEGO®  Store in Leicester Square.

Reopening from 3rd December 2020, discover two-floors of LEGO®  fun and the biggest selection of exclusive and hard to find LEGO® packs including the classic collection, Batman, Disney, Star Wars, LEGO® City and Creator sets. Whether you’re shopping for your brother, sister, dad, mum or cousin, there’s a great gift for the whole family to enjoy.

Plus, don’t miss the huge LEGO® model of London’s famous clocktower, Big Ben as you walk through the doors. Towering at an incredible 6.53 metres tall, LEGO® Big Ben has a working clock that’s illuminated at night – just like the real thing. As well as Big Ben, there are loads of other fantastic models to make the heart of every LEGO® fan beat a little faster.

So, what are you waiting for?

Pop-in store to pick-up great gifts for all the family to unwrap with excitement this festive season.

Discover more online.

Bella Italia’s Christmas Joy of the Italian table

Treat your family to a taste of Italy with Bella Italia, seconds away from Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

For a Christmas that’s like no other, the Bella Famiglia are here to help you make this festive season one to celebrate and welcome you to experience the joy of our Italian table.

Choose three-courses from Bella’s set menu from only £18.99 per person, including a complimentary glass of Prosecco for the adults. Refill your tummies with traditional favourites ranging from home-made pastas, piping hot pizzas, freshly made salads and delicious desserts.

Whatever you decide, the friendly staff will be sure to serve it all with a complimentary side of famiglia-friendly fun.

View menu.

Make a reservation online here at your preferred location. Or, call or email the Cranbourn Street branch using the following details:

T: +44 (0)20 7734 1246

E: CranbournSt@bellaitalia.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply. The nearest Bella Italia restaurants to Leicester Square include Irving Street, Cranbourn Street and St Martin’s Lane branches.

Kiss Me Under The Mistletoe Menu at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus

Looking for the ultimate festive menu to feast on with your family?

Tuck-in to a mega menu that’ll leave your tastebuds rockin’ with delight with Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus.

Running from 3^rd December 2020 – 10^th January 2021, the lip-smacking Kiss me Under the Mistletoe Christmas menu serves two-courses for £30.95 or three-courses for £37.95.

Fill-up in rockin’ festive favourites like the a blue cheese chopped salad or a Caesar salad serving to start, followed by your choice of Hard Rock’s brilliant burgers, including the beefy Legendary Burger, grilled or smoked BBQ selections, juicy salmon or New York Strip steak. Whatever you decide, it’s a must-have menu for all the family to enjoy this season.

Plus, if you’ve got any space left, wrap your lips around a dreamy dessert. From the warm chocolate brownie including crushed candy canes and whipped cream for the little ones, to the devilishly delicious Espresso Martini for the grown-ups, it’s a festive feast filled with delight.

You can rest assured it’s safe to rediscover a merry Christmas feast as Hard Rock Cafe have enhanced their health and safety measures in line with the latest government guidelines.

Reserve your table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:

T: +44 (0)20 7287 4600

E: Piccadilly_circus_social@hardrock.com

Breakfast with Santa experience at the Rainforest Café

Dine under a starry night sky surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest, alongside special guests, Santa Claus and his little elves, with this exclusive December breakfast dining experience at the Rainforest Café.

Running on select dates in December, guests will enjoy 2 hours of magic from 9-11am from as little as £15 a ticket. Adults and children alike will tuck-in to a delicious meal from the breakfast menu serving a full english breakfast, veggie breakfast or pancakes, while Santa, his elves and one of the Rainforest Café’s famous mascots greets guests at their tables for an immersive dining experience they’ll never forget. Each experience will end with a personal photo opportunity with Santa so you can cherish the moment for a lifetime.

Plus, all the little ones will leave with an amazing goody bag filled with treats from the Rainforest Café’s incredible first floor gift shop.

What’s more, guests can rest assured it’s safe to dine at the Rainforest Café as they have enhanced their health and safety measures in line with the latest government guidelines. As such, bookings are limited to 6 guests per booking and a maximum of 6 people can be seated per table in the restaurant.

So, get ready for a magical breakfast experience with Santa Claus in the heart of London.

Book your ticket online here. Or, call or email using the following details:

T: +44 (0)20 7434 3111

E: saleslon@therainforestcafe.co.uk

*Please note, this event has now sold out. Please contact the restaurant directly to find out if there have been any cancellations. Terms and conditions apply.