As the twinkling lights begin to glow and the scent of cinnamon fills the air, families across the UK are gearing up for a season of sparkle, laughter, and togetherness. Whether your perfect festive day out involves meeting Santa and his reindeer, stepping into a storybook winter wonderland, or watching a timeless Christmas classic come to life on stage, there’s magic waiting around every corner this holiday season.
To help you make the most of this special time, we’ve rounded up some of the most enchanting festive experiences for families, from dazzling light displays to chocolate-filled adventures and heartwarming shows. So wrap up warm, grab a hot chocolate, and discover the best places to make memories together this Christmas.
1. Wundrful World of Christmas
Step inside a spellbinding festive world as the Wundrful World of Christmas transforms Borough Yards into a North Pole adventure right in the heart of London. Designed for families with young children, this immersive walk-through combines theatrical sets, interactive storytelling and lifelike characters to create a truly magical experience.
Your journey begins with a ride in the “Wundr Lift,” whisking you away to snowy scenes filled with twinkling lights and laughter. From there, wander through the Enchanted Forest, join the elves in their Toy Sorting Station, and stop by Mrs Claus’s Kitchen for a festive baking moment. The adventure ends in Santa’s cosy cottage, where little ones can meet the man himself before posting their letters and picking up a keepsake gift from the North Pole Post Office.
- Dates: 8 November – 24 December 2025 (selected days)
- Location: Units 219-221, Borough Yards, Clink Street, London SE1
- Tickets: From £17.50 per person (includes a group photo with Santa)
2. Santa’s Ultimate Festive Stay at Chester Zoo
For families dreaming of a Christmas escape with a wild twist, Santa’s Ultimate Festive Stay at The Reserve, Chester Zoo, is the perfect way to combine luxury, adventure, and festive cheer. Nestled within the grounds of the UK’s most beloved zoo, The Reserve’s collection of lakeside lodges offers a cosy retreat surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. This exclusive seasonal package includes a private visit from Santa and his cheeky elf, complete with a special gift for each child.
Guests can explore the zoo by day with a two-day pass that includes early access to the Heart of Africa, before returning to a fireside evening of winter campfire stories and festive relaxation. Alongside the zoo’s dazzling Lanterns and Light trail, which transforms the park into a glowing wonderland of colour and sound, it’s a stay that brings both magic and meaning, with every booking supporting Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work around the world.
- Dates: December 2025 (limited-edition stays)
- Location: The Reserve at Chester Zoo, Cheshire
3. Port Lympne Illuminated
Step into a wild winter wonderland as Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve unveils its very first light trail, Port Lympne Illuminated, transforming its 600-acre landscape into a dazzling night-time spectacle. Created by LCI Productions, this immersive experience blends storytelling, art, and technology in a way that blurs the boundaries between the real and the magical. Visitors journey through glowing portals and enchanted forests guided by holographic fairies, as 3D projections light up the treetops above.
Along the way, expect captivating light and water shows, immersive snow scenes, and even hyper-realistic holographic tigers prowling through the shadows. Families can visit Santa’s Grotto for a special meeting and premium gift, then enjoy festive food, drinks, and vintage fairground rides that make the evening complete. For those wanting to extend the magic, Port Lympne offers the Nightlights Overnight stay or an All-Inclusive Two-Night Christmas Eve package, giving guests exclusive access to the reserve, animal encounters, and indulgent festive dining in luxurious surroundings.
- Dates: 28 November 2025 – 3 January 2026 (Port Lympne Illuminated); special 2-night Christmas Eve package: 24–26 December 2025
- Location: Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Hythe, Kent
- Tickets: from £10
4. Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World
This winter, Gulliver’s World in Warrington becomes a glowing playground of festive magic as the Land of Lights trail returns. Stretching over a mile long, this illuminated spectacle features twelve themed dreamworlds filled with glowing lanterns, larger-than-life light sculptures and enchanting installations that will delight visitors of all ages. From the roar-some Jurassic Zone to shimmering fantasy lands, each area brings a new story to life through light and imagination.
Families can hop aboard the North Pole Express or take a ride in Santa’s Enchanted Elevator for a virtual journey to meet Santa himself in his grotto. Alongside the dazzling displays, guests can enjoy selected rides, festive attractions and Gully’s Christmas Show, a fun-filled performance with music, mischief and magic that captures the joy of the season.
- Dates: 25 October 2025 – 31 January 2026
- Location: Gulliver’s World Resort, Warrington, Cheshire
- Tickets: From £39 for theme park entry, North Pole Express and Land of Lights access; £9 for children under 90cm
5. York’s Chocolate Story – Christmas Family Masterclass
At York’s Chocolate Story, the festive season is all about creativity, cocoa, and a little Christmas sparkle. The annual Christmas Family Masterclass invites families to roll up their sleeves for a hands-on workshop of pure chocolatey indulgence. Guided by expert chocolatiers, you’ll craft six luxury truffles filled with rich Belgian ganache, decorate a festive chocolate lolly with glittering toppings, and personalise a chocolate bar with your own piped designs or messages.
The 90-minute session finishes with a creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, the sweetest way to celebrate the season. Perfect for gifting or simply savouring, it’s a delicious family experience right in the heart of York.
- Dates: 29–30 November; 6–7, 13–14, and 20–23 December 2025
- Location: York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York City Centre
- Tickets: £35 per person
6. Paultons Park Christmas Celebrations
Paultons Park, home to the beloved Peppa Pig World, transforms into a magical festive wonderland each holiday season with its Celebration of Christmas events. From glittering illuminations to hundreds of sparkling lights, the park delights visitors of all ages with enchanting experiences. Peppa Pig and her friends don their Christmas outfits for daily meet-and-greets, while Santa’s Christmas Wish Show brings music, dance, and holiday cheer to the Show Stage.
Families can also visit Father Christmas in his grotto, meet his reindeer, polar bears, and toy makers, and enjoy festive photo opportunities across the park. Thrill-seekers can continue enjoying more than 70 rides, including rollercoasters, Storm Chaser, the Cyclonator, and the brand-new indoor dark ride, Ghostly Manor. With fun extending throughout the Christmas holidays, it’s a season-long celebration of festive magic for the whole family.
- Dates: 6 December 2025 – 3 January 2026 (Santa’s Grotto: 6–24 December)
- Location: Paultons Park, Ower, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6AL
- Tickets: From £29.50
paultonspark.co.uk | paultonsbreaks.com
7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Drone Light Show
This Christmas, the night sky becomes a stage for a mesmerising drone light spectacle as Lumina Drones brings the beloved 1964 Rankin/Bass classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to life across the UK. A swarm of 600 LED drones, choreographed to an original cinematic score, creates a moving canvas of iconic characters including Rudolph, Santa, and the Abominable Snow Monster, while narration guides audiences through the timeless story. Before the main show, families can explore a festive winter village featuring fairground rides, Santa’s Grotto, gaming stalls, face painting, and a variety of seasonal food and drinks, making it a full evening of holiday magic suitable for all ages.
Dates & Locations:
- 22 November 2025 – Royal Victoria Park, Bath
- 29 November 2025 – South of England Showground, West Sussex
- 6 December 2025 – Kent Showground, Maidstone
- 20 December 2025 – Royal Windsor Racecourse
- Tickets: From £15.99 per person
8. Lighting Ceremony of London’s Tallest Christmas Tree at Pan Pacific London
Celebrate the start of the festive season at Pan Pacific London with the lighting of the Eastern City Christmas Tree, standing an impressive 67 feet tall. The ceremony takes place in Bishopsgate Plaza, just two minutes from Liverpool Street Station, on Thursday 20th November 2025, with television and radio presenter Dermot O’Leary performing the official switch-on. Themed “Let It Snow”, the tree features hundreds of glowing snowflakes that light up in choreographed sequences to a seasonal soundtrack, accompanied by performances from Revelation Avenue Choir, stilt walkers, and festive treats like mulled wine and mince pies. Over the evening and the following days, the tree presents light shows with snowflake patterns dancing in time to classic Christmas music.
Inside the hotel, the celebrations continue with a luxurious collaboration with Ladurée, offering a curated hot chocolate journey with artisanal drinks, macarons, Éugénie pastries, and exclusive Christmas gift boxes. Guests can also enjoy festive afternoon teas, seasonal package stays for families or couples, and glamorous Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations, a refined and magical escape for those seeking a true London Christmas experience.
- Date: Thursday 20 November 2025, 17:30–18:30
- Location: Bishopsgate Plaza, Pan Pacific London, London EC2M 4QH
- Tickets: Free to attend; hot chocolate experiences, afternoon teas, and hotel stays available at additional cost
9. Christmas in Cambridge
For a festive family day out with historic charm, Christmas in Cambridge transforms Parker’s Piece into a magical Christmas village. Running from 13 November to 31 December 2025, the event offers attractions and entertainment for all ages, making it a perfect way to soak up the seasonal spirit. Visitors can explore a charming Christmas Market with local and national traders, discover unique gifts, and enjoy festive street food like Yorkshire pudding wraps.
Cambridge’s largest outdoor ice rink welcomes skaters of all abilities, with skate aids for beginners and cosy heated domes for breaks. Other highlights include the Alpine Lodge for seasonal drinks, a Christmas Tree Maze featuring over 300 twinkling trees, the lively Après Terrace with curling, shuffleboard and air hockey, and a 36-metre-high Big Wheel providing sweeping views across the city. Together, these experiences create a vibrant, fun-filled festive atmosphere in the heart of Cambridge.
- Dates: 13 November – 31 December 2025
- Location: Parker’s Piece, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB1 1RJ
- Tickets: Ice rink £10–£12 per person; other attractions vary, Christmas Market free entry
christmasincambridge.com
10. The Snowman – West End Show
Returning for its 28th year, The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre brings Raymond Briggs’s timeless tale to life through a magical combination of live music, dance, and spellbinding stagecraft. From the soaring melodies of “Walking in the Air” to dazzling visuals, this immersive West End production continues to captivate audiences of all ages, offering a truly enchanting festive experience for families. Perfect for introducing little ones to the magic of theatre or reliving childhood favourites, it’s a seasonal must-see in London.
- Dates: 22 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
- Location: Peacock Theatre, London WC2B 5PW
- Ticket: From £23 per person
