25 of the best Christmas events for kids around the UK in 2024
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 and booking your festive day out. There's something for every family this time of year.
All over the UK, places are gearing up for the Christmas season and tickets will all have been released by now. So with just weeks to go, it's time 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 Christmas 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. And remember, the closer you book to Christmas Day, the more expensive it will be.
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. There's also the chance to visit Father Christmas' Grotto, but you need to book. Tickets are now on sale on the Beamish website.
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
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. Book here.
Leicestershire: Twycross Zoo and The Gruffalo Discovery Land
From November 16th to December 24th, 2024, visitors can step into a festive wonderland and experience the magic of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child like never before. With brand new Santa shows to enjoy, a meet and greet with Julia Donaldson's characters and a whole collection of festive treats to choose from, it really will be a magical day out. There's also some festive workshops to capture their imaginations.
With a whole zoo to check out too, it's a full day of fun for all to enjoy. Tickets for adults are from £38 and children prices start at £32. Those under three go for slightly cheaper at £14.
Staffordshire: Drayton Manor's Christmas Wonderland
Given a festive makeover, Drayton Manor is bringing back it's popular Christmas Wonderland for 2024. Bring the little ones to meet their favourite Thomas the Tank Engine characters at Thomas Land, enjoy Rusty and Dusty's Hot Chocolate Factory and the Celebration Square complete with food stalls, live music, entertainment and fire pits.
Best of all, they have an Accessible Enchanted Christmas Grotto for those children in wheelchairs or a need for a calmer setting when meeting Santa.
Ticket prices are £32 for those aged 4 and up, £22 for those aged 2-3 and £5 for those between 0-23 months. Visit the Drayton Manor website to book.
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.
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!
Now available to book online.
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 at his Grotto. If you're after a bigger experience, you can also stay at the Legoland hotel.
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.
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.
Leeds Castle also has a themed Nutcracker afternoon tea you can book as an extra.
West Sussex: Christmas Santa Experience, Tulley's Farm
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
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. Find out more here.
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