One of London’s biggest Christmas attractions is returning this winter with a brand-new festive village, fairground rides and the chance for children to meet Santa Claus himself.
The Wundrful World of Christmas, designed for children aged three to eight, will take place at Immerse LDN at ExCeL London from Friday, 13 November 2026 to Thursday, 24 December 2026.
The immersive 50-minute adventure transports families to the North Pole, beginning with a simulated lift journey and continuing through the Enchanted Forest, the Elves’ Workshop and Mrs Claus’ cottage.
Children will help the elves sort letters and choose presents, before ending the journey with a meeting with Santa Claus. Live performers, animated characters and theatrical sets bring the story to life, giving youngsters a behind-the-scenes look at the North Pole.
A new addition for 2026
This year’s event adds a brand-new festive village alongside the returning attractions, with fairground rides for families to enjoy before or after their North Pole adventure.
Co-CEOs of Wundr, Andy Edwards and Justin James, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Wundrful World of Christmas back to the UK. Families in London can expect something truly magical this winter.”
The experience has grown into one of the capital’s flagship Christmas events, joining the likes of Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland in the festive calendar — and for parents of young children, its tailored three-to-eight age range sets it apart from the bigger, noisier alternatives.
What to expect
The journey is carefully choreographed for little legs and short attention spans. At 50 minutes, it is long enough to feel like a proper adventure but short enough to hold a three-year-old’s focus.
Highlights include:
- A simulated lift ride that “transports” families to the North Pole
- The Enchanted Forest, with theatrical lighting and animated characters
- The Elves’ Workshop, where children help sort letters and choose presents
- Mrs Claus’ cottage, a cosy stop on the journey
- A personal meeting with Santa Claus to round off the adventure
- The new festive village with fairground rides
Planning your visit
The attraction runs for just over six weeks, from mid-November through Christmas Eve — and the final days before Christmas are traditionally the busiest, so families hoping for a quieter experience may want to book an earlier slot.
Immerse LDN at ExCeL London is well served by public transport, with the Elizabeth Line and DLR both stopping nearby. The venue sits in the Royal Docks, and the journey east is part of the adventure for many families — the DLR ride across the water feels like the start of the trip to the North Pole.
For more on festive days out in the capital, see our guide to Neasden Temple’s Diwali fireworks and the Tower of London’s £1 ticket scheme.
London’s Christmas calendar fills up
Wundrful World of Christmas is one of several major festive attractions competing for families’ attention this year. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland returns with a £1 entry offer, while the capital’s theatres, markets and light trails are all announcing their 2026 programmes.
What sets Wundr’s offering apart is its narrow focus: rather than trying to entertain everyone, it is built specifically around the under-eights. Parents who have endured a toddler meltdown at a crowded winter market will appreciate the difference a purpose-built, time-slotted, 50-minute experience makes.
The new festive village and fairground rides also give older siblings something to enjoy — a common complaint at under-eights attractions is that the big kids get bored.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly — Christmas attractions in London routinely sell out their most popular dates well in advance. Booking early also tends to mean better choice of time slots, which matters when you’re planning around naps, school pick-ups and the general chaos of December family life.
