Join Santa on the river this Christmas

With twinkling lights, the echoes of carols, and perhaps a sprinkling of snow, London always feels magical at Christmas. Join Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to experience the ultimate Christmas cheer this December. Enjoy views of the city, contactless journeys and fresh air throughout.

What’s more, Santa will be sailing around the river Thames aboard the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers regular services on Saturdays 11 December (11am-2pm) and 18 December 2021 (1-5pm). Did he mistake North Greenwich Pier for The North Pole? Or was he drawn to London's biggest chimneys at Battersea Power Station?

Try to track Santa down; you might be rewarded with a treat and a selfie! As luck would have it, we’re aware of a few sailings where you’ll be able to find him enjoying the on board experience:

Saturday 11 December – 10:56 RB2 Westbound departure from North Greenwich Pier or the 12:35 RB2 Eastbound departure from Battersea Power Station Pier.

Saturday 18 December – 13:01 RB1 Eastbound departure from Embankment Pier or the 15:36 RB2 Westbound departure from Greenwich Pier.

You can join a Santa Sailing at any pier along the route. If you need further help tracking him down, you can ask a member of the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers team at the pier.

For those also wanting to explore the Capital, what better place to start your festive adventure than at the Winter Village at Battersea Power Station (pier). With delicious pop-up food and drink huts, a Christmas Market offering crafts and gifts from local artisans and family-friendly rides and games, it’s the perfect spot to get into the Christmas spirit.

Disembark at Embankment Pier to experience Somerset House’s iconic ice rink. Skate around the grand neoclassical courtyard on this huge, 900-square-metre outdoor rink. The 40-foot Christmas tree, decked out in beautiful lights makes the perfect backdrop for your Christmas snaps. Feeling a little chilly after all that ice? Warm yourself up back on board Uber Boat by Thames Clippers with a boozy orange hot chocolate from the on board café bar.

Continue onto Greenwich Pier to visit the Greenwich Christmas markets. Sitting just inside a beautiful Regency-fronted quadrant of discreet shop fronts and residences, this historic covered market features dozens of independent arts and craft sellers offering original and often unique products. The market is also circled by a range of boutique shops and a wide array of food and drink delicacies available at the famous food court.

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, also known as London’s River Bus, offers a comfortable way to travel through London, with easy ramp access for buggies, cosy indoor cabins with café bars and outdoor back decks to feel the river breeze. Regular River Bus services operate across 23 piers throughout the capital, all the way from Putney in the west, to Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) in the east, with several key central London piers. For an all-day hop-on hop-off experience across London, consider the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ Family River Roamer for just £36.70 (online or via the app); valid for two adults and up to three children (15 years and under; 4s and under travel for free as standard).

Santa’s nice list

• Be sure to ask him for a photograph and share it with us using #SailingSanta on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok or Instagram
• You will be able to board Sailing Santa services with any valid ticket; there are no additional costs to meet Santa
• Santa sails safely, wears a face covering, and abides by all the latest safe travel guidelines. You should too or you will end up on his naughty list