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 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. The Christmas Grotto at Harrods runs from 7th November - 24th December, but tickets can be booked in advance from 22nd September.
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 are in for a treat again in 2009. The 2009 Christmas Grotto has a winter wonderland theme with polar bear and penguin animatronics, and is open from 22nd November - 24th December 2009. 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 meeting with Santa. Delicious food is being served up for breakfast or afternoon tea with Father Christmas. Santa is at the Regent Street store every day from 10am - 4pm, 30th November - 24 December 2009. 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 are at Canary Wharf from Saturday 5th December and return every weekend until Christmas from 11am – 5pm. Nearest tube: Canary Wharf.

Santas Grotto at Canary Wharf

Santa at Kew Gardens
Creating a magical winter wonderland, Santa has taken up his grotto at Kew once again for 2009, 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. The festive grotto at Kew runs from 12th December - 23rd December 2009.

Christmas at Kew

Santa Claus at Lewisham
Kids can take a break from all the family Christmas shopping with a visit to see Santa at the Lewisham Shopping Centre grotto. Tickets for the Christmas grotto cost £4.00, and Santa can be seen from Saturday 7th November - Thursday 24th December 2009.

Santas Grotto at Lewisham Shopping Centre

O2 Christmas fair
Santa can also be found at the O2 Arena, amid the traditional market stalls and funfair rides of the Christmas fair.

Santas Grotto at O2

Santas Wish Kingdom
Head to Westfield Shopping Centre for 3D special effects, a wish finder fairy and of course Father Christmas himself at Santas Wish Kingdom, open from Saturday 14th November - Wednesday 23rd December 2009.

Santas Grotto at Westfield

Rainforest Cafe
The Santas Grotto package includes a three course meal for adults, and a trip to see St Nicholas and a two course menu for the little ones.

Santas Grotto at Rainforest Cafe

Covent Garden
Santa is also making an appearance at Covent Garden this Christmas, from 1st December 2009.

Santas Grotto at Covent Garden

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

The London Dungeon
For Christmas 2009, The London Dungeon is playing host to Oliver Cromwell's puritanical henchmen who are taking visitors back to the 17th century and banning all Christmas celebrations and frivolity. With a miserable Christmas grotto full of burnt Christmas trees, smashed decorations and robins on stakes, this is the place to go if you're sick of the festive season already and your kids need taking down a peg or two.

Christmas at London Dungeon

Santas on the Run
Not in a grotto but out and about in their hundreds, the Santa on the Run London event is a brilliant charity race that takes place every year. With Santas sprinting all over London, this is one sight your ankle biters will really enjoy.

Santas on the Run London

The Santas Grottos London events take place throughout November and December 2009.

Christmas Hampers London

Christmas Carols London

Christmas Lights London

Ice Skating London

Winter Wonderland Tickets

Christmas for Children in London

Free Christmas Events in London

Christmas Food Fairs in London