HULL
Christmas Calendar
Hull Minster
Various dates
Admission: various, check website for details
https://hullminster.org/christmas
From band concerts to carols and services, Hull Minster will play host to a series of events right through December, including Carols by Candlelight, Eclectic Music Orchestra concert and a Very Ceilidh Christmas.
Christmas Tree Festival
Hull Minster
5 – 16 December 2023
www.visithull.org/whatson/christmas-tree-festival/
Hull Minster is home to a display of decorated Christmas Trees in aid of the Lord Mayors fund Each tree is decorated or sponsored by a local business.
EAST YORKSHIRE
Made in Yorkshire Christmas Market
Beverley
6 – 8 December 2023
Free entry
www.madeineastyorkshirechristmasmarket.co.uk
Celebrate everything ‘Made in East Yorkshire’ and discover 40 stalls brimming with food and drink, arts and crafts, all taking place over three days of festive fun.
Festival of Christmas
Beverley
10 December 2023
Free entry
www.beverleyfestivalofchristmas.co.uk
The ever-popular Beverley Festival of Christmas – now one of the largest celebrations of its type in the UK – returns for 2023. Beverley is transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with more than 120 stalls, plus a fairground, street entertainers, music… and, of course, Santa.
Winter Wonderland
Sewerby Hall and Gardens
8 – 22 December 2023
Tickets: £16 adults, £12 children, £50 family (two adults and two children)
www.sewerbyhall.co.uk/winter-woodland/
The hugely popular Sewerby Winter Woodland returns with an all-new spectacular display of lights, sounds and special effects at this Georgian house set amidst 50 acres of parkland on a clifftop overlooking Bridlington. This year sees a new route and a new theme – a chance to embark on a Magical Christmas Rescue – along with a host of cheerful festive characters.
LINCOLNSHIRE
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle
8 – 23 December
Tickets: £11 adults, £6 children and £28 for a family. Grounds only admission costs £3 per person, booking recommended
www.lincolncastle.com
Lincoln Castle Illuminated returns with organisers promising that the event will be bigger and brighter than ever. The grounds of the Norman castle will again be festooned with festive lights and colourful Christmas features, a ‘Mini Polar Express’ and traditional fairground rides, while the Illuminated Wall Walk offers spectacular night-time views across the city from the medieval battlements.
Lincoln Ice Trail
9 – 10 December 2023
Free entry
www.visitlincolnshire.com/events/lincoln-ice-trail/
A magical weekend of frozen fun with festive and Lincoln-themed ice sculptures, as well as a host of Christmas entertainment, food and drink. Visitors will be able to wander Lincoln’s streets to discover 20 ice masterpieces and live ice-carving demonstrations of the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral will also be taking place on both days.
Santa Specials
Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway
9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 December 2023
Tickets: £14.95 adults, £16.95 children (12 months – 16 years), £9.95 infant (under 12 months). Must be pre-booked
www.cclr.co.uk/santaspecials/
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway is one of Britain’s oldest seaside miniature railways, and its Santa Specials are an annual festive favourite. The magical Christmas Express takes passengers on a journey to Lapland Central.
Christmas At The Movies
Gunby Hall
2 – 23 December 2023
Tickets: £9 adults, £4.50 children, £22.50 family
www.visitlincolnshire.com/events/gunby-hall-christmas/
A homely country house dating back to 1700 set in Victorian walled gardens at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, experience ‘Christmas at the Movies’ at Gunby Hall. The House will be seasonally decorated with this year’s theme of ‘Christmas at the Movies’, offering visitors a chance to work out the family favourites as they explore three floors of the seasonal house.
Christmas Open House
Harlaxton Manor
1 – 3 & 7 – 10 December 2023
Tickets: £45 per person
https://tickets.harlaxton.co.uk
Normally closed to the public, this imposing Victorian manor house will welcome visitors as it celebrates the festive season. With a singer and pianist to provide live entertainment, Father Christmas’ Grotto, and festive food and drink on offer, the historic house and gardens will open for two weekends only.
Gainsborough Model Railway Open Day
Gainsborough
3 & 29 – 30 December 2023
Admission: £5.00 adults, £4 children, £12 family (2 adults, 2 children)
One of the largest hand-built model railways in the country, featuring replicas of some famous locomotives, including the Flying Scotsman, the Gainsborough Model Railway will be in full steam on selected dates in December. The collection is also one of the largest model railways in O gauge, depicting The East Coast Main Line from Kings Cross to Leeds Central.
STAFFORDSHIRE
Festive Day Out
Alton Towers Resort
Various dates
Tickets: from £18 per person, booked in advance
www.altontowers.com/explore/events/christmas/
Experience a whole world of festive fun this Christmas at Alton Towers Resort including the UK’s only CBeebies Land where families can meet some of their favourite CBeebies friends. Along with live entertainment, selected family rides and attractions will be open, including The World of David Walliams with Gangsta Granny: The Ride, as well as Mutiny Bay, the home of budding buccaneers, plus Spinball Whizzer!
Illuminated Arboretum
National Memorial Arboretum
7 – 23 December 2023
Tickets: from £19 adults, £9 children
The UK’s year-round place to remember will be lighting-up after hours for the festive season, bringing “a kaleidoscope of colour” to the 150-acre woodland site. The brand-new route for 2023 will feature new installations as well as some familiar favourites, including the ‘Beacons of Light’ at the Armed Forces Memorial. The mile-long immersive display of light, colour and sound has become an annual highlight of the festive season.
The Polar Express
Churnet Valley Railway
Various dates until 23 December 2023
Tickets: from £22.95 per person
www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/polar-express-train-ride
Take a magical journey to the North Pole on the famous train with enthusiastic cast telling the story whilst singing along with your favourite characters from the hit film. The adventure begins with the singing chefs serving hot chocolate and a cookie, while travelling through the Northern Lights is arguably one of the most spectacular parts of the journey.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland
SnowDome
Various dates until 7 January 2024
Tickets: from £17.95 per person
www.snowdome.co.uk/santas-winter-wonderland/
Dubbed the ultimate Christmas adventure for all the family, Santa’s Christmas Snow Trail offers a chance to play and slide around in real snow, featuring the new Santa’s Summit Slide, while completing the line-up are Santa’s Christmas Village, with furry animal friends and huge Christmas tree, and all new Santa Show.
Christmas Light Show
Lichfield Cathedral
16 – 20 & 22 December 2023
Tickets: £10 per adult, £7.50 per child, £30 family ticket, under 3’s free
Visit Lichfield Cathedral for a light spectacular by acclaimed animation team: Illuminos. Enjoy a spectacular light show around the Close, and on the front of the Cathedral, listen to popular carols, and head inside to soak up the atmosphere of this special time of year.
Magical Santa Show
Tamworth Castle
9 – 10 & 16 – 17 December 2023
Tickets: £10 adults, £18.95 children (3-15 years), £17.95 (two years and under), must book in advance
Join Santa and his elves for a fun packed show full of festive cheer, songs, and merriment. Prior to the show, children will have the opportunity to write a letter to Santa, post it through a magic letter box and create a Christmas keepsake.
STOKE
World of Wedgwood
Various dates and prices
www.worldofwedgwood.com/content/christmas-events-2023
Home to Stoke-on-Trent’s most prestigious brand, Wedgwood, and the galleries of the V&A Wedgwood Collection, gold award-winning attractions World of Wedgwood offers plenty of Christmas crackers for 2023, including Breakfast with Santa, Storytime in Santa’s Grotto, and the Decorating Studio on weekends and school holidays.
Josiah & Co Presents: The Christmas Artisan Markets
World of Wedgwood
9 – 10 & 16 – 17 December 2023
Free entry
www.worldofwedgwood.com/content/josiah-co
Specially curated independent stalls with different Artisans at every event.
The North Pole Express
Foxfield Railway
Until 24 December 2023
Tickets: from £69 for a family of four, must be pre-booked
This Christmas head to the North Pole on one of Britain’s oldest heritage steam railways, decorated for the season, for an hour-long festive experience with Santa and onboard entertainment by Jack Frost and Baby Reindeer.
Trentham Christmas Festival
16 – 17 December 2023
Tickets: Day or evening tickets, each session costing £12 adults, £7 children, £30 family (2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children)
https://trentham.co.uk/christmas-at-trentham/
Famous for its contemporary planting in a historical setting, Trentham Gardens already offers visitors a winter wonderland experience with its award-winning Italian Gardens, frosty strolls through the Rivers of Grass and a winter woodland walk following the lakeside path. And Christmas will offer even more, with a brand-new ice sculpture trail, festive live music, food and markets.
Christmas Artisan Market
Middleport Pottery
2 – 3 & 9 – 10 December 2023
Free entry
Festive markets with lots of local hand-crafted products that will make perfect gifts for all the family.
HAMPSHIRE
England’s Christmas Capital?
Until 21 December
www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/christmas/
Winchester in Hampshire has been dubbed ‘England’s Christmas Capital,’ not least because of Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market, which is one of Europe’s best. Famous for its bustling atmosphere, location and high-quality exhibitors, this year’s Market will again see festive wooden chalets set up around the grounds. Meanwhile, the Cathedral is at the heart of the City’s celebration, with its many seasonal events.
Pop-tastic Steam Illuminations
Watercress Line Heritage Railway
Until 6 January 2024
Tickets: from £59 seating for two, £250 for compartment for up to six people
https://watercressline.co.uk/steam-illuminations/
Steam Illuminations is an incredible light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns. And this year there’s sound as well as light. Join the festive action on board with Christmas Chart Crackers DJ mix up until Christmas Day then after Christmas continue the on-board family fun and celebrate the new year with Pop Anthems Journey.
Southampton Christmas Market
Above Bar
Until 2 January 2024
https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/christmas
Transformed into a festive wonderland, complete with glittering lights, hot and refreshing drinks, food, and alpine chalets with over 30 independent vendors, Southampton’s Christmas Market also features the UK’s tallest Ferris Wheel. Over at the Bargate, a spectacular light projection show will illuminate its historic walls every 30 minutes from 5 pm to 9:30 pm until 24 December.
Westquay On Ice
Southampton
Until 8 January
Tickets: See website for prices and to book
https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/christmas
Westquay’s ice rink, set against the backdrop of the city’s historic town walls, is back for some seasonal skating.
Glow Marwell
Marwell Zoo
1 – 23 December and 27 – 30 December 2023
Tickets: from £19 adults, £15 children
www.marwell.org.uk/christmas/
This year’s event is set to really sparkle with more than half a million LED bulbs, the UK’s first glowing seesaws and hundreds of gently glowing flowers. Lasers, projections, uplighters and firepits complete the line-up for 2023’s enchanted nature trail, where visitors can be among the first in the country to ride an illuminated seesaw, as well as wander through a 36-metre multi-coloured light tunnel. Also featured is a towering Enchanted Tree with fluttering butterflies and animals brought to life in a Glow Forest.
Light Up at Christmas
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Selected dates until 31 December 2023
Tickets: from £20 adults, £12.50 children (2-15 years), £61 family, booking essential
www.lightuptrails.com
Award winning producers, Light Up Trails, return with a host of new glittering installations along with food and drink, for a magical light trail family experience, Expect sparkling illuminations, evocative soundscapes, and a feast of tasty treats in one of the UK’s most distinctive and stunning locations.
A Celebration of Christmas
Paultons Park
2 – 23 December 2023
Tickets: from £37 per person, booked in advance
https://paultonspark.co.uk/christmas/
Billed as the friendliest, most magical Christmas theme park in the UK, Paultons Park is transformed into a winter wonderland with decorations and illuminations across the family park. Peppa Pig World is decorated for Christmas, with a chance to meet Peppa and George in their winter outfits, while there is singing, dancing and fun at Santa’s Christmas Wish Show. The Musical Christmas Tree has its own light show every 15 minutes, and Tornado Springs will also be open for Christmas.
Christmas Canoe Paddle
New Forest Activities
9 – 23 December 2023
Tickets: £36 adults, £24 children (18 months – 16 years)
www.newforestactivities.co.uk/seasonal/christmas-canoe-paddle
Here’s a different way to meet Santa – on a festive paddle. Explore the stunning Beaulieu River on a 90-minute guided canoe tour before meeting Santa on the water with presents for all the children. There will also be hot drinks and mince pies to enjoy.
