Christmas events at London’s museums and art galleries

Christmas is coming, and there are more festive activities happening in the capital than there are presents in Santa's sack.

If you're keen to have an arty party or want to learn a little more about Christmases past, London's cultural institutions are putting on unique and quirky experiences for curious Londoners.

These are the festively fun (and secretly educational) events across London's museums and galleries that will add a sprinkling of culture to your Christmas.

Natural History Museum

Christmas at the Natural History Museum starts before you even get through the door, as the famous ice rink will be running until January 20 from morning until the evenings. If kids want to stay even later, the museum will be running a special festive edition of its Dino Snores sleepovers, which will include the chance to meet a real reindeer. Grown-ups can enjoy the museum into the night on New Year’s Eve at the Party Animals celebration, where you can dance into 2019 under the museum’s famous blue whale skeleton.

Until January 20, nhm.ac.uk

British Museum

Members of the British Museum's Young Friends scheme and their families will also get the chance to experience the iconic institution at night with the Christmas Through The Ages sleepover. Activities will explore the festival from its pagan era to its Victorian splendour, before sleepyheads can nod off alongside kings and queens in the Egyptian galleries.

December 15, britishmuseum.org

The V&A

The V&A’s Christmas tree will arrive on November 27, having been designed this year by architects Studio Weave. The museum will also unveil a spectacular 60-building Gingerbread City courtesy of the Museum of Architecture, and a Festive Family Rave will be hosted by Glastonbury favourites Big Fish Little Fish. Among many festive workshops is a Christmas card-making session, inspired by Victorian designs from Liberty & Co and Charles Dickens books. Those heading to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green will be able to pick up gifts from independent designers at a Christmas Designer Market.

Throughout December, vam.ac.uk

London Transport Museum

Santa Claus is coming to town – on a Routemaster. The London Transport Museum invites kids to track down Santa either in his secret cabin or on his travels around the museum, and receive a free badge on finding him. Families can add some sparkle to the iconic London Underground logo at the museum’s winter bunting workshops, while adults can discover the history of Christmas in the capital with a display of vintage yuletide posters.

Until January 6, ltmuseum.co.uk

National Gallery

Members of the National Gallery can head to its Christmas Party, where carol singers will accompany your night time viewing of iconic masterpieces, along with drawing workshops and talks on paintings. All art fans are also welcome to join in with festive-themed Facebook Live talks, in which experts will talk through wintry paintings in the collection by the likes of Alfred Sisley and Caspar David Friedrich.

Until December 17, nationalgallery.org.uk

Museum of London & Museum of London Docklands

The Museum of London will be recalling the era of The Thames Frost Fairs – parties that used to be held on the Thames when it froze over in winter – with storytelling sessions for children. Over at the Docklands location, families can head back to the Victorian era in Santa’s 19th century-styled grotto, and enjoy an immersive experience based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Until December 23, museumoflondon.org.uk

Charles Dickens Museum

What would Christmas be without Charles Dickens? This Holborn museum will be hosting a whole host of events in the home of the Victorian writer, including special Christmas Lates featuring a candlelit bar, as well as readings of A Christmas Carol. Christmas Eve will see the whole home host the characters of Dickens’ iconic festive tale, with theatrical performances, mulled wine and mince pies.

Until December 24, dickensmuseum.com

Tate Britain

Tate Britain will soon welcome a new outdoor commission by British artist Monster Chetwynd, who is set to decorate the gallery’s columned facade in time for Christmas. The gallery will also host a Queer Fayre, a winter market packed with handmade gifts from and for the LGBTQ community. Tate members can also take part in a Christmas wreath making workshop, and attend a Christmas concert in the members' room with live jazz and festive snacks.

Throughout December, tate.org.uk

Sir John Soane’s Museum

The preserved home of 18th century architect Sir John Soane will host a nights of yuletide festivities at a Georgian-themed Christmas Late. Enjoy warm cocktails and mince pies to the backdrop of live carols, and head into the kitchen where Soane’s housekeeper, Mrs Conduit, will take you through the sights and smells of a Georgian kitchen in wintertime.

December 15, soane.org

The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is hosting an arty take on the Christmas carol concert. The Vox Luna Chamber Choir will be performing Christmas songs old and new in the spectacular Great Gallery, which visitors can enjoy after a pre-concert mulled wine and mince pie.

December 20, wallacecollection.org

Horniman Museum

This Forest Hill museum is set to become a Christmas shopping haven for one weekend, hosting a Christmas Market packed with independent makers and local designers. Children can also immerse themselves in a wintry wonderland at storytelling sessions conjuring Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, with song and puppetry from Sandal Sticks Theatre.

Until December 16, horniman.ac.uk

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Little monsters can enjoy a mischievous Christmas at Dulwich Picture Gallery, by taking part in an interactive workshop inspired by the Horrible Histories books. Kids can discover how Christmas was celebrated in the Dark Ages, through the Tudor times and up to the Victorian era, before or after taking part in a session of Horrible Christmas crafting. Grown-up crafting comes in the form of a printing workshop by artist and printmaker, Alex Booker, who will be teaching how to print festive Christmas cards and wrapping paper.

Until December 16, dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk