Santa Claus Is Coming to Town...Thames Rockets Style!

Christmas speedboat experience London!

Christmas in London is wonderful. The lights, the markets, the decorations, the excuse to eat mince pies before lunchtime. But this year, we're adding something a little less traditional to the festivities. Think Santa Claus, Christmas classics and a high-speed adventure along the River Thames. Welcome to Christmas with Thames Rockets!

There's something about London in December that makes even the busiest parts of the capital feel a little more magical. The South Bank is filled with festive treats, the London Eye sparkles against the winter sky and suddenly everyone's walking around with a hot chocolate in one hand and approximately seventeen shopping bags in the other. We love a good Christmas tradition as much as anyone, but at Thames Rockets, we've never been particularly good at doing things the ordinary way.

So, while the rest of London is busy decking the halls, we're decking out our boats, turning up the Christmas music and getting ready to welcome a very special visitor. Our Christmas speedboat experiences in London are back, bringing together famous landmarks, festive fun and the sort of adrenaline-fuelled excitement you don't usually associate with Father Christmas. And with three different ways to enjoy the celebrations, there's a little something for everyone.

Jingle Bell Blast: Christmas With a Serious Kick of Adrenaline

Forget dashing through the snow. We're dashing through the Docklands.

Our Jingle Bell Blast takes everything people love about a Thames Rockets adventure and gives it a rather spectacular Christmas makeover. Departing from London Eye Pier, this 50-minute festive Thames speedboat ride combines sightseeing, Christmas music and high-speed thrills for a family adventure that's anything but ordinary.

Your journey begins with London's famous riverside landmarks and one of our brilliant live guides, who'll be bringing plenty of festive personality to the experience. You'll cruise past the Houses of Parliament, admire the city skyline and make your way towards Tower Bridge, all while getting thoroughly into the Christmas spirit. And if you happen to know every word to Last Christmas, this is absolutely your moment.

Then comes the part we're rather famous for. Beyond Tower Bridge, the engines pick up, the Christmas soundtrack gets louder and suddenly your festive sightseeing trip has turned into a full-on Thames Rockets adventure. With the wind in your hair and the Docklands rushing past, it's about as close to riding in Santa's sleigh as you're going to get without a flying reindeer licence.

For families searching for fun Christmas activities in London, it's a brilliant way to do something together that doesn't involve another queue, another shopping centre or another argument about which Christmas film to watch.

Meet Santa: A Little Christmas Magic Before the Big Adventure

Now, we know what you're thinking. A speedboat ride is exciting enough, but where does Santa come into all this?

Well, the big man himself is making a special appearance at Thames Rockets this December, and he's bringing presents.

Our Jingle Bell Blast: Meet Santa experience combines a festive meet and greet with a Thames Rockets speedboat adventure, making it a fantastic option for anyone looking for family Christmas experiences in London with something extra special.

The magic begins before you even step aboard. Families arrive at London Eye Pier for a chance to meet Father Christmas, take those all-important festive photos and enjoy a little one-on-one time with the man who has a rather busy delivery schedule coming up. Every child receives a complimentary Christmas gift, which means there's already something exciting to take home before the boat has even left the pier.

Once the Santa visit is complete, it's time to swap the North Pole for the River Thames. You'll head out on a Christmas-themed sightseeing adventure, complete with festive commentary, music and the high-speed action that makes Thames Rockets such a memorable experience.

It's a lovely combination of traditional Christmas excitement and something genuinely different. The children get to meet Santa, the whole family gets an adventure and everyone goes home with a story that's slightly more interesting than 'we went to another grotto'.

A little tip from us: Santa appearances take place on selected December sailings, so booking early is a very good idea. Even Father Christmas can't be in two places at once.

Jingle Bell Blast & Lights Tour: Double the Christmas Excitement

If one festive adventure simply isn't enough, we've got another way to make a proper occasion of it.

Our Jingle Bell Blast & Lights Tour brings together two very different sides of London at Christmas. We've teamed up with Evan Evans Tours to combine our 50-minute festive speedboat adventure with a 90-minute panoramic Christmas lights coach tour through the West End.

First, there's the Thames Rockets experience, with London landmarks, Christmas music and an exhilarating blast through the Docklands. Then, you'll get to enjoy a different perspective of the capital as the coach takes you through some of London's best-known festive streets, including Oxford Street and Regent Street.

And let's be fair, London's Christmas lights are rather impressive. Regent Street's illuminated angels and the festive displays across the West End are among the highlights of the season, with Visit London's Christmas lights guide offering a useful look at what's lighting up the capital this year.

The combination makes a great choice for visitors wanting to experience more of Christmas sightseeing in London without having to organise every element separately. You get the excitement of the river, the sparkle of the West End and two completely different experiences in one festive outing.

And after the speedboat, sitting back on a coach while somebody else handles the driving sounds rather nice, doesn't it?

Make a Whole Christmas Day of It on the South Bank

One of our favourite things about setting sail from London Eye Pier is that you're already in a brilliant spot for a festive day out. The South Bank is one of London's most popular Christmas destinations, and during December it's packed with places to explore before or after your Thames Rockets adventure.

The Southbank Centre Winter Market is a particularly good place to start, with festive food, seasonal drinks and riverside stalls creating the perfect excuse to linger a little longer. You can grab something warming, browse for Christmas gifts or simply enjoy the atmosphere with the Thames and London's famous landmarks right beside you.

For anyone planning Christmas days out with kids in London, it's an easy way to turn a 50-minute speedboat experience into a much bigger family outing. Enjoy the market, meet Santa if you've booked the relevant experience, head out on the river and finish with a well-earned festive treat.

And for those who like to plan ahead, our best advice is to leave a little breathing room in your schedule. Christmas in central London can be busy, and nobody wants to spend their festive day sprinting between attractions while carrying a bag of freshly purchased mince pies.

A Few Things to Know Before You Set Sail

Christmas on the Thames is wonderful, but it is still December in London, so dressing for the weather is a very good idea. Warm layers, sensible winter clothing and a Christmas jumper are all encouraged. We also have jackets and ponchos available if required, so you can concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about the temperature.

All three experiences include a Thames Rockets speedboat adventure, but the check-in arrangements are slightly different. For the standard Jingle Bell Blast, please arrive 15 minutes before departure. For Meet Santa, you'll need to arrive 30 minutes beforehand to allow time for the festive meet and greet. The combined Lights Tour also includes a separate coach departure point, so make sure you check your booking confirmation carefully.

Our Christmas experiences are designed to be enjoyed by families, but anyone travelling with very young children or passengers with additional boarding requirements should contact our bookings team in advance so we can discuss the arrangements.

Most importantly, remember that Meet Santa is a separate experience from the standard Jingle Bell Blast. If meeting Father Christmas is at the top of your Christmas wish list, make sure you book the correct adventure.

This Christmas, Make Some Memories Worth Talking About

There are plenty of wonderful ways to celebrate Christmas in London. You can admire the lights, browse the markets, visit Santa and enjoy all the festive traditions that make December such a special time of year. But if you fancy adding a little more excitement to the celebrations, we think a Thames Rockets adventure deserves a place on your Christmas list.

Whether you're joining us for the classic Jingle Bell Blast, treating the children to a magical meeting with Santa or combining a speedboat ride with a tour of London's Christmas lights, we've got a festive adventure ready and waiting.

So gather the family, dig out those Christmas jumpers and prepare to experience the capital with a little more speed, sparkle and seasonal silliness.

Santa's got his sleigh. We've got the Rockets.

Explore our Jingle Bell Blast Christmas adventures and book your festive experience before the best December sailings disappear faster than the last mince pie at the office Christmas party.