All aboard for Christmas at London Transport Museum

Thursday 27 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026*

Images © London Transport Museum

 

• Enjoy festive family fun in the heart of Covent Garden

• Meet Santa before he sets off for the North Pole 

• Follow a festive family trail through London Transport Museum’s galleries and meet costumed characters from London’s past

• Find the perfect transport-inspired gift in the London Transport Museum shop and enjoy Christmas treats in the café

• Kids go free and adult tickets offer free return day-time entry for a year

 

London Transport Museum is bringing a merry mix of festive cheer and seasonal transport history to Covent Garden. In the run up to Christmas and throughout the school holidays, visitors can enjoy a packed programme of family fun. Highlights include a lively cast of characters from the past, a historical trail through the Museum’s galleries, and a magical residency from Santa himself.

 

Christmas activities at London Transport Museum

 

Meet Santa and his elves

Daily from 27 November – 23 December

Santa will be setting up shop in Covent Garden from Thursday 27 November. Families will be able to step into a magical winter scene where little ones can climb aboard a Routemaster bus inspired interactive sleigh, with buttons and bells. Cheerful elves will be on hand to help capture the perfect family photo, while the man in red will be listening to those all-important Christmas wishes. Santa will be heading back to the North Pole on 23 December, in time to load up his sleigh for Christmas Eve.

 

SEND family explorer morning

Saturday 6 December 8:30 – 10:00

Children with special educational needs, disabled children, and their families, can meet Santa and enjoy the Museum outside of regular hours. With gallery sounds turned off and the space closed to the general public, this early morning session offers a calm and welcoming environment. Tickets for this festive Family Explorer Morning are free for one adult and accompanying children but must be booked in advance. To book visit: ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-early-explorer-morning

 

Christmas characters

Term-time weekends from 29 November – 19 December

Daily from 20 December – 4 January (ex. 24 to 26 December)

Throughout the festive season visitors can meet costumed characters from London’s past. These lively encounters will bring the history of Christmas travel in the capital to life. Four beloved characters will be waiting to greet guests: a Victorian lady, a tram passenger, an Auxiliary Fire Service wartime volunteer, and a 1970s Caribbean conductor. Each day, two characters will share their stories and reveal their unique Christmas connections to London’s transport.

 

Travel through Christmases past – festive trail

Daily from 29 November – 4 January (ex. 24 to 26 December)

Families can follow a festive family trail through the Museum’s galleries to explore 200 years of seasonal stories. From Victorian carriages to steam trains, visitors can discover how Londoners travelled during holidays past.

 

Christmas shopping

Stock up on stocking fillers at the London Transport Museum shop. With a huge range of transport-inspired gifts, visitors will be sure to find something for everyone on their lists.

 

The Museum’s 2025 limited edition Christmas knitwear range celebrates London’s transport system, featuring a blue design interweaving iconic modes from across the TfL network into the shape of a Christmas tree. The range includes adult jumpers, scarves, hats and socks, plus matching jumpers for kids so the whole family can wrap up in style. Another great gift for little ones is the City of London Wooden Train Set. This charming 18-piece toy features famous London landmarks and iconic transport vehicles.

 

Gifts can also be purchased online, visit: ltmuseumshop.co.uk

Images © London Transport Museum

 

Christmas at the café
Warm up this winter at the Museum café with indulgent festive sweet treats, seasonal savoury bites, and cosy winter warmers. Perfect for a festive pit stop in Covent Garden.

 

Adult tickets to visit London Transport Museum in Covent Garden include free return day-time entry for a whole year, and kids go free! To book visit: ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/families/christmas-museum-2025

 

*Santa will be at the Museum until 17:00 on 23 December. London Transport Museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day and reopen on 27 December. The London Transport Museum shop and café will be open until 16:00 on Christmas Eve.