Smart Packing List for London at Christmas & New Year: what you need, what you don’t, what is nice to have
A super practical, no nonsense packing list for London at Christmas & New Years for families with kids. If you are traveling to London at Christmas or New Year with children, this practical family packing list helps you stay warm, dry and comfortable all winter long.
Visiting London at Christmas and New Year is magical, especially with kids — festive lights, Christmas markets, ice skating, theatre shows and cosy cafés.
But winter in London also means cold temperatures, short days and unpredictable weather, so packing well makes a big difference. We spend most of our winters in this part of the world, so we know this type of climate extremely well!
This family-friendly packing list focuses on warmth, comfort and practicality, without overpacking.
Documents & Winter Travel Essentials
Make sure these are packed and easy to access:
- Passports (check expiry for children too)
- Visa, Travel Permit etc – anything that is applicable to you and your family. If in ant doubt about documental needs, you can check with your local Embassy or on the UK Government website
- Copies of important documents (paper + digital)
- Travel insurance details
- Credit / debit cards
- Some British pounds in cash
- Booking confirmations (especially shows and festive activities)
- Health cards / EHIC or GHIC (if applicable)
- Consent letter if travelling as one parent – aways check with the relevant authorities what type of documents are needed and do it well in advance, should there be lead time for them to be processes.
Tip: Keep documents together, for instance in an easy to store folder and delegate one adults to be in charge of it, so you don’t get into the ‘I though you had them’, ‘No, I thought YOU had them’ scenario.
Winter Clothing for London (Adults & Kids)
London winters are damp rather than extreme, but the cold can feel sharper than expected, especially for children.
Everyday Winter Clothing
- Warm everyday outfits
- Thermal base layers (especially for kids) unless you are used to very cold weather
- Long-sleeve tops and short sleeve tops for layering
- Sweaters or fleece layers
- Pajamas (consider warmer ones for children)
- Underwear and warm socks (wool or thermal if possible)
Seasonal tip: Layers work best: indoor spaces are well heated, but outdoors can feel cold and windy. In general, unless you are going to a very fancy restaurants or special holiday event with an explicit dress code, you do not need to worry about style: London is so varied, you can wear whatever makes you feel you without worries about ‘standing out’.
Outerwear (Essential in Winter)
- Warm winter coat (water-resistant if possible) / Waterproof warm jacket
- Hat, scarf and gloves for everyone
- Neck warmers for younger children
Shoes for Winter Walking
in London, you will walk a lot and comfortables shoes that can take the rain are paramount. Styles that work well are:
- Waterproof walking shoes or boots
- Comfortable trainers for drier days
- Hiking shoes for kids: we found that these work amazing for little ones as they keep them dry also at the park / at playgrounds where muck and wet grass are ubiquitous!
Tip: Avoid slippery soles as pavements can be wet and icy and I also recommend avoiding welly boots as walking shoes. If you have a lot of space in your luggage, they can be fun for littles to jump in puddles but they are usually not warm enough nor comfy enough for walking long distances.
Accessories & Day Bags
- Backpack or day bag for essentials. You do not need to go overboard with this (you will find water, snacks etc everywhere in London)
- Cross-body bag for parents
- Compact umbrella
- Sunglasses (yes — winter sun can still be bright!)
- Small backpack with essentials for kids
Toiletries & Health Essential
- Basic toiletries
- Moisturiser and lip balm (cold air can be drying)
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues and wet wipes
- Prescription medications
- Small family first-aid kit
- Fever medication and thermometer for children
Need to know: commercial names of medications may be different from back home. I always bring a small amount of basic medications from home but I also recommend to familiarize yourself with what the medication main principle is (for instance paracetamol or ibuprofen) so you can find an equivalent, no matter the commercial name. Please be advised that antibiotics are prescription only.
Travelling with Babies & Toddlers in Winter
If you’re visiting London at Christmas with very young children:
- Winter stroller footmuff or warm stroller blanket
- Baby carrier with weather cover
- Extra layers for babies
- Warm hat and mittens
- Diapers / pull-ups
- Changing mat
- Comfort item (teddy, blanket)
Tip: I recommend to bring both a stroller and a baby carrier. Baby carriers are often easier than strollers in crowded festive areas but you will walk so much, you will be happy to have a stroller + never underestimate how nice it is to be able to have a meal with your baby safely napping in the stroller and not on you!
Tech & Travel Gear
- Phones and chargers
- UK plug adapter and converter, if needed (for instance, if coming from outside the EU, you’ll likely need a voltage converter or your non-dual voltage items will fry once plugged in)
- Power bank
- Tablet or e-reader for kids
- Headphones
Entertainment for Kids
We usually always bring:
- Small toys, figurines or toy cars
- Coloring books and crayons
- Travel games
- Downloaded movies, shows or audiobooks – we make sure to have volume controlled headphones so we know that their ears are safe but so are those of the innocent bystanders who don’t want to hear Paw Patrol playing on loop!
- Notebook and pencils to draw
Extra Christmas & New Year Items
These aren’t essential, but often come in handy:
- Smart outfit for Christmas meals or New Year’s Eve
- Festive accessories for kids like fun headgear
- Small backpack snacks for early closings on holidays
- Foldable tote bag (for gifts or winter layers)
Final Packing Tips for London at Christmas with Kids
- Prioritise warmth over style: cold kids get tired fast.
- Expect rain: waterproof layers matter.
- Plan for early sunsets: reflective details on coats can help.
- Pack light but smart: laundry options are widely available.
London at Christmas and New Year is truly special for families, and with the right packing, it’s easy to enjoy the season comfortably and stress-free.
Smart Packing List for London at Christmas & New Year – Pin this!
