Check out these choices for visiting Santas Grotto at London venues - a traditional festive Christmas event that will hopefully involve only a minimal amount of queuing.

Santa's Secret Village
Meet Santa, enjoy magical storytelling, try the gingerbread kitchen and much, much more. And adults? You can have fun too at the adjoining Cologne Christmas Market. For more information, click the link below.

Santas Secret Village London

Christmas Grotto at Harrods
Santa will be heading to his legendary Santas Grotto at Harrods once again this Christmas. This is one of the top spots to visit him, so arrive early for the best chance. Father Christmas World is on the 4th floor. Enter via Door 3 on Basil Street. The Christmas Grotto at Harrods begins with the Christmas Parade on Saturday 1st November but tickets must be booked in advance.
For more information and to book tickets, call 020 7893 8877 or follow the link below.

Harrods Christmas

Santa Claus at Selfridges
If you’re in search of one of the top Santas Grottos, London visitors to the Selfridges store will be in for a treat. Get on the Santa Express before coming out to see the man himself. For 2008 the Christmas Grotto will be open from Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2008 at the Oxford Street location and is located in the Ultra Lounge on the ground floor. Nearest tube: Bond Street.

Santas Grotto at Selfridges

Breakfast with Santa at Hamleys
Santa and his elves are visiting Hamleys again this year and invite all the little ones to join them for a magical breakfast with Santa. There'll be delicious food served up in the Hamleys Cafe, including gingerbread biscuits which can be decorated and taken home to munch on or admire. Kids will be able to sit with Santa and have an individual chat with him about life in Lapland and to, of course, tell him what they would like in their stocking. They'll even receive a special goody bag to take home with them. To book your place at Breakfast with Santa, call 0800 2802 444. Each place is £35.00 and is suitable for children aged 3 and above. Breakfast with Santa takes place at Hamleys, at 9.30am and 3pm from Saturday 29th November - Wednesday 24th December 2008. Nearest tube: Oxford Circus.

Santas Grotto at Hamleys

Christmas at Canary Wharf
At one of the more activity packed Santas Grottos, London children can take part in events all over Canary Wharf. Visit the Grotto and be entertained by street performers, have your face painted or try the Christmas Craft Workshop plus loads more. Santa and friends will be at Canary Wharf from Saturday 29th November and will return every weekend until Christmas from 11am – 5pm on Saturdays and 11am - 4pm Sundays. Nearest tube: Canary Wharf. Visits to the Grotto are free but must be booked in advance.

Canary Wharf Christmas Events

Santa at Kew Gardens
Creating a magical winter wonderland, Santa has taken up his grotto at Kew once again for 2008, bringing his festive magic to the enchanted woodland. Kids will love exploring the gardens, and seeking out Santa in his grotto, making for a very special Christmas treat for children young and old.

Christmas at Kew

Alternative Santas Grottos
For a slightly less cheerful option, here are a couple Santas Grottos London residents sick of the Christmas spirit are sure to enjoy.

The London Dungeon
Back again for Christmas 2008 the Devil himself has kidnapped Santa and paid a visit to the London Dungeon for a Christmas grotto full of fire and brimstone. In exchange for the souls of children he can give you everything you ever wanted for Christmas - what a deal. For Christmas 2008 The London Dungeon is set to do something similarly macabre as Satan is here again to ruin Christmas.

Satans Grotto at London Dungeon

Green Santa Claus
Kids will be intrigued by the green Santa who is taking up residence at the Ethical Christmas Emporium this year. Highlighting the ethical and environmental solutions to Christmas, the grotto will be a real treat for kids with a conscience.

Ethical Christmas Emporium

Santa Skate
Not in a grotto but out and about in their hundreds, the Santa Skate London event is a brilliant charity skating run that takes place every year. With Santas on their skates zooming all over London, this is one site your ankle biters will really enjoy.

Santa Skate London

The Santas Grottos London events take place throughout December. Other Christmas events in London

Christmas in London 2008

Christmas Hampers London

Christmas Trees London

Christmas Carols London

Christmas Lights London

Ice Skating London

Winter Wonderland Tickets

Christmas at Geffrye Museum

Santas Secret Village London

Jungle Bells at London Zoo

Christmas Shopping at Fortnum and Mason

Shop of Delight Christmas Workshops