23 of the best Christmas events for kids around the UK in 2024

best christmas activities for kids uk
23 Christmas events your kids will love this yearGetty Images


Christmas is the biggest and best time of year, especially if you have children enchanted by the true magic of it all still. With this in mind, now is the time to begin researching your festive day out and what Christmas activities you want to attend in 2024.

All over the UK, places are gearing up for the Christmas season and are already preparing to launch their ticket sales (if they haven't already) so now is when you want to check in with your family and see what they want from a merry day out.

From meeting Santa himself, to festive trains and even enchanted light trails -– there's an overwhelming amount of options now so pick what's best for your household and their interests as well as something that's close in distance.

It's also important to remember prices for these events can be pretty expensive so as always, we recommend you get your Christmas to-do list going now and begin with checking out which Christmas activities are the best near you.

From Essex to London, Kent, Devon and beyond, here's Prima's round up of the best Christmas days out from around the UK including Audley End, BeWILDerwood, Beamish and many more.

North East England

County Durham: Christmas at Beamish

Take a step back in time this Christmas at the Beamish Museum. Enjoy all things from the Georgian period to the 1950s including traditional decorations, tasty yuletide treats, festive music and lots of fun activities to help you count down to Christmas.

Tickets are not yet on sale but check back for latest updates on their website here.

Newcastle: Afternoon tea with Santa at Fenwick

For afternoon tea with a festive twist, head to Fenwick Newcastle's Terrace Restaurant where sandwiches, scones and seasonal sweet treats await. Perfect for both kids and grown-ups, guests will be greeted by Santa's elves before tucking into everything from roast turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches to black forest yule log (there is a separate menu for children). Younger diners will receive an elf hat and Christmas-themed colouring as well as a special gift to take home.

Tickets are £32.00 for both adults and children (under twos go free) and are available from 10 October 2024.

Northumberland: Winter Lights at The Alnwick Garden

The award-winning Alnwick Garden puts on a magical winter light trail each year and it's set to be bigger than ever this Christmas. Once you've toured the gardens, indulge in a festive afternoon tea or head to Lilidorei – a magical village which is home to nine clans who worship Christmas. Here, kids can visit Father Christmas in his grotto and play on the famous Lilidorei structure.

Find out more and book tickets at alnwickgarden.com


North West England

Liverpool: Lapland Liverpool

The Otterspool Promenade is transformed into the North Pole this November, when Lapland Liverpool arrives at this outdoor adventure centre. Tickets include three hours of festive activities including a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a trip to a 'Make a Bear' workshop, watching a festive show and gingerbread making with Mrs Claus. Unlimited play on the site's ice rink is also included.

Prices range from £29.99 - £39.99, with discounts available for members. Find out more here.

Manchester: BeWILDerwood presents Christmas, Cheshire

bewilderwood christmas event
BeWilderwood

The magic of Christmas is coming to the woods where not only will you enjoy all the usual adventures of BeWILDerwood, but you can also meet Father Christmas, enjoy a special pantomime and see the Sparkly Light trail.

Tickets are on sale now and are £17.50. There is also a sister site in Norfolk if Manchester is too far.


Midlands

Coventry: Visit Santa Vintage Sleigh Ride Experience

Head to Coventry Transport Museum for a meeting Santa experience like no other. Guests will wander through a winter wonderland before taking a ride on a vintage sleigh. After Christmas wish lists have been written, visitors will meet Santa in his grotto before collecting a special gift from an elf. Tickets also include free admission into the museum itself for the whole day.

Tickets aren't available to book yet but visit transport-museum.com for updates.


East Anglia

Norfolk: The Polar Express, Mid Norfolk Railway

Bring the magical Christmas movie to life with this highly-rated train ride. A fully immersible experience of the Tom Hanks classic, you will meet a conductor, the Chefs and of course Father Christmas himself.

This is a popular event so you will need to get tickets fast with prices starting at £29.95pp.

christmas at roarr norfolk
ROARR!

Norfolk: Dippy Christmas Celebration, Roarr!

Got a dinosaur lover on your hands? Then we fully recommend heading to Roarr! in Norfolk's Lenwade to see their winter wonderland transformation.

Tickets are priced at £15.95pp and each guest will get to do the Candy Cane trail, see Dippy and his friend's Christmas show and enjoy all the usual attractions. You can also pay extra for the Father Christmas experience as well as a trip to the Christmas Present House where children can choose gifts for their loved ones.


South West

Devon: The Magic of Christmas, Milky Way Adventure Park

It's time to visit Santa's Christmas Cottage at one of Devon's favourite attractions. Available on all weekends in December, children get to journey through the magical snowy forest where they'll meet elves, make reindeer food, decorate some gingerbread and then meet Mr Claus himself. There's also a festive train and show to enjoy!

Tickets and prices are yet to be confirmed but you can keep up to date with all the latest announcements here.


South East

Berkshire: Christmas at Legoland

Legoland is always a brilliant idea for children and is an action-packed day of rides, shows and entertainment - and it gets even better with a Christmas makeover! Bringing in new lego builds full of festive cheer, there's also carol sing alongs and special characters to meet throughout the day.

Park entrance tickets are from £29pp but can be upgraded to include a meet with Santa.

Essex: The Father Christmas Experience, Marsh Farm

A full-on experience, both you and your children will leave full of Christmas joy after this family day out. The journey begins at the Elf Academy before moving on to Mother Christmas' kitchen where you get to do some gingerbread decorating. Of course they get to meet the big man himself before heading to the Teddy Bear Market.

There is also access to the festive fun fair, soft play and farm itself, all included in the ticket making it a full day out. Prices start at £40 for non-members and increase in price the closer you get to Christmas.

Essex: Santa Specials, Epping Ongar Railway

Climb aboard for a festive adventure through the heart of Essex! Begin your journey at Epping tube station or in Ongar where you'll be picked up by the vintage London bus to take you to the station. You'll be entertained by characters and a beautiful brass band before you're taken on board the steam train.

During this magical journey, there will be plenty of interactive and entertainment while the children wait to meet Father Christmas.

Prices vary from around £55 per family to £300 as you choose dates and compartments on the train. Check out all ticket information here.

audley end at christmas
Audley End

Essex: Christmas Special, Audley End Miniature Railway

Audley End do fantastic seasonal events all year round but their Christmas special has customers coming back year after year. You and your family will go on an enchanted journey via train through their beautiful woodland which will have plenty of festive things to see.

You then make an important stop in the Grotto to meet Santa and his elves, with every little one receiving a gift. Following your train journey, there's still plenty of fun to be had in the glorious woodland park, plus you can make reindeer food, write Santa a letter and even visit the fairies.

Prices start at £14.75 for young children and £29.50 for adults and older kids.

Kent: Christmas Lights, Leeds Castle

Light trails are a great Christmas idea for energetic kids as they can follow their own wonder in the great outdoors. At Leeds Castle, you can enjoy one of the very best trails which also includes a glimpse of the man in red himself.

Tickets are on sale now for the event which runs from November 22nd until January 1st. Tickets start at £24 for adults and £17 for children.

West Sussex: Christmas Santa Experience, Tulley's Farm

tulley's farm christmas experience
Tulley's

If you're looking for one big festive day out then look no further than Tulley's who have got you covered. At each and every corner there is Christmas fun to be had including gingerbread decorating, a Christmas Circus, make a bear workshop, 3D cinema and so much more. You can also add on ice skating for an extra cost.

Prices start at £29.95 for adults and £46.95 for children.


London

Winter's Tail, Chessington World of Adventures

Snow, reindeer, log cabins and Christmas carols, Chessington has pulled together its biggest and best event for children in 2024.With tickets starting at just £29pp, you and your family get to enjoy all the usual attractions along with entry to their Winter's Tail and a timed-entry to the Christmas village where kids can meet Santa and make a toy.

winter wonderland, hyde park
Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

It's a London staple for the festive season and each year it gets bigger and better. Running from November 21st to January 5th, you and your children will be spoiled with options. Rides, food stations, games, ice slides, an ice rink and so much more.

Entrance prices begin at £5pp with certain attractions being bookable extras. This event can get pretty busy too so make sure you pick wisely with your time slots. There are even free entry times if you can attend off-peak.


Scotland

Edinburgh: Castle of Light, Edinburgh Castle

Grab your adventurers and head to the city's biggest attraction, Edinburgh Castle! Enjoy the historic site in all its beauty in a special after-dark trail. Fully immersive displays, interactive installations, music and more, it's festive fun with a difference.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and cost £22 for adults and £12 for children. Kids under 7 go free.

Edinburgh: Festive Family Funfair, Edinburgh's Christmas Market

It's one the best Christmas markets in the UK for a reason as there is something for everyone at the Edinburgh market. For kids, head to West Princes Street Gardens Family Funfair. With free entry, your wee ones can enjoy rides (at an extra cost), an illuminated trail and Edinburgh's Nativity Scene.

Glasgow: Irn Bru Carnival

Europe's largest indoor funfair is back this December with dozens of stalls and rides for all ages. Held at Glasgow's SEC, the line-up of attractions includes the dodgems, a carousel, arcade games, a climbing wall and an ice palace 3D show. There's also an inflatable play area for younger members of the family, with eight different inflatable areas to explore. General entry tickets range from £19 - £27 with children under the age of 3 going free. Book online at irn-bru-carnival.com.


Wales

Cardiff: Ice Skating at Winter Wonderland

Get your skates on at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink and Ice Walk, which will be set within the grounds of Cardiff Castle against the backdrop of the Norman Keep. The undercover ice rink, with a 150m Ice Walk, is suitable for all ages and abilities with penguin skate aids on offer for younger skaters. Food and drink will be available and tickets must be booked in advance. Find out more at visitcardiff.com/christmas/events


Cardiff: Christmas at Bute Park

This popular festive lights trail is back this November with over 15 stopping points to enjoy, including the immersive ‘Light of the Night’, featuring 500 LED orbs. Don't miss the Christmas Village at either the start or the end of the trail, where a selection of warming food and drink options will be served.

Tickets are £23.50 for adults, £16.50 for 3-16-year olds and free for under twos. Find out more at christmasatbutepark.com


Northern Ireland

Belfast: Walking with The Snowman

Enjoy a festive tour of Belfast's Hillsborough Castle & Gardens this winter with this The Snowman-themed trail. There are 12 sculptures of Raymond Briggs's famous character to discover, with each painted by a different artist and inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas. Tickets are not available yet but check for updates here.

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