Twixmas doesn’t have to be “the boring bit between holidays.” After all the Christmas excitement — presents unwrapped, food enjoyed, family visits done — this little pocket of time before the New Year is perfect for fun and adventure.
With London’s festive lights, markets, shows, and easy-to-reach day trips, it’s an untapped opportunity for families to keep the joy going right up to New Year’s Eve. This means a mix of indoor and outdoor fun, cultural experiences, shows, and opportunities for fresh air day trips just outside the city.
1. Interactive Fun
Head to Puttshack for high-tech mini-golf fun where kids can compete with neon courses and score prizes with plenty of food and friendly rivalry. Or, let history come alive at immersive exhibitions like The Last Days of Pompeii, where stunning 360° projections, VR and interactive archaeology make ancient Rome leap off the screen, and The Legend of the Titanic, which uses VR, metaverse zones and hands-on activity rooms to bring the ship’s story vividly to life. For older children and teens craving social strategy, The Traitors: Live Experience in Covent Garden transforms the hit TV show into a real-world game of deception, alliances and mind-games at the iconic Round Table, testing teamwork and wits in an engaging, theatrical setting. FRAMELESS offers larger than life displays of moving art from digital masterpieces by renowned artists. And modern and contemporary art at Moco Museum explores three exhibitions featuring vibrant pop art and innovative digital art. If you want to twist your senses and spark laughs, the Paradox Museum challenges perception with mind-bending illusions and interactive exhibits that delight both young and old. Finally, for the younger ones and Paddington fans, carry on the festive theme with a visit to the Paddington Bear Experience and party with Paddington and the Brown family in this very family-friendly immersive walk-through experience.
2. Days Out
There really is something for every interest within easy reach of London. LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is a classic favourite, with more than 55 rides, shows and interactive attractions that delight younger children and Lego fans — perfect for a full-day adventure and even a short festive break if you choose to stay in one of the themed accommodations nearby. Just a couple of hours southeast, Ashdown Forest offers a wonderful outdoor escape into nature, with wide open heathland, woodland trails, wildlife watching, and spots linked to the “Hundred Acre Wood” of Winnie-the-Pooh fame that kids love to explore on walks or picnics. For a countryside getaway, Pendley Manor Hotel in Hertfordshire provides a relaxed base with acres of grounds to roam, indoor and outdoor activities like archery, splash times in the pool, games rooms, and treasure hunts to keep everyone entertained, plus great afternoon teas, walks, and over 20 roaming peacocks on the grounds. And for film-magic fans of all ages, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden brings the wizarding world to life with iconic sets, interactive exhibits and behind-the-scenes insights that make a truly immersive day trip. Take a trip to Blenheim Palace where you can still enjoy the illuminated after-dark trail and adventure through the State rooms at The Palace of Oz, inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Step through the twinkling hot air balloon entrance into Kansas and then onto the magical Land of the Munchkins. Spot the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion and of course Toto along the way, before following the road of yellow brick to the glittering Emerald City where Dorothy awaits. End with a delicious Emerald City themed afternoon tea in The Orangery. Plus, Blenheim Palace invites little ones to join Pip and Posy on a magical adventure to find the end of the rainbow! Your little rainbow rreasure hunters can hop like frogs to the bridge slides, clip-clop through giant carrots like a unicorn, and zoom down zip wires like flying dragon fish. Plus, keep an eye out for our mini friends hidden along the way. Don’t forget to bring wellies so they can splash about in the Winding River whilst keeping toes warm and dry in the colder weather!
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3. Visit A Museum
London’s world-class museums make Twixmas a perfect time for educational, interactive and family-friendly outings that appeal to kids of all ages. The Natural History Museum in South Kensington never fails to thrill with its towering dinosaur skeletons, sparkling gems and volcanic displays, while the Science Museum next door offers hands-on galleries, space exhibits and engineering wonders that turn learning into play. Both are free to enter and ideal for a day of exploration together. Just a short trip away, the Young V&A in Bethnal Green is designed especially for children, with imaginative displays and activities built around kids’ creativity. For transport lovers, the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden lets little ones climb aboard iconic buses and trains and enjoy interactive play zones, and the HMS Belfast gives teens and older kids the chance to explore a real WW2 warship with family-friendly audio trails. Other memorable stops include the Grant Museum of Zoology for curious minds and the quirky Cartoon Museum for comic and animation fun — all excellent ways to combine culture, play and discovery during the holiday week.
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4. Catch A Show
Along with all the festive shows like The Snowman at Peacock Theatre or Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out Live!, there are lots of great shows that aren’t strictly Christmas-themed – the West End and fringe stages offer plenty of family-friendly entertainment to enjoy. You can book tickets for the newly opened heart-warming musical like Paddington: The Musical at the Savoy, a beautifully crafted stage adaptation of the beloved bear’s London adventures. Classic fairy tales get a fresh twist in productions like Pinocchio at Shakespeare’s Globe, blending puppetry with vibrant music for a magical family outing, and the richly imagined Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre intertwines familiar stories with Sondheim’s memorable score for older children and teens. Beyond shows aimed specifically at kids, long-running crowd-pleasers such as Disney’s The Lion King deliver spectacular visuals and timeless music that captivate all ages, and you’ll find a range of other West End favourites (from Hercules to Back to the Future: The Musical) playing through late December and into the new year.
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5. Soak In The Last Of Christmas 2025 Fun
There’s something wonderfully festive about enjoying the last of Christmas in London between Christmas Day and New Year’s — when the big day is over but the holiday spirit is still in the air. London’s famous Christmas markets continue to buzz with charm well into late December, from the magical Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park with its wooden chalets, seasonal treats and fun stalls, to the cosy Leicester Square Christmas Market in the West End and the atmospheric Greenwich Christmas Market filled with tasty street food under twinkling lights. These markets make great spots to wander with hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand and soak up the festive atmosphere. At the same time, ice skating remains one of the city’s most iconic winter activities: you can glide across the rink at Somerset House beneath its spectacular Christmas tree or try the new Skate Leicester Square rink right in the heart of town — both open through much of the Twixmas period. Between market browsing, ice‑covered courtyard fun, and evenings lit up with beautiful lights and decorations, the days after Christmas feel just as magical as the big day itself, and no reason it should not be enjoyed after presents have been opened.
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