Family Christmas ideas
Warm yourselves with mulled wine at your local Christmas market and cheer on the switching on of the Christmas lights. Take the kids to some enchanting yuletide attractions and savour the sounds of carols as you shop. England is full of goodwill and merriment this time of year, so check out some great ideas for enjoying a family Christmas this year...
Northwest
Peter Pan - Empire Theatre, Liverpool
11 December 2009 - 3 January 2010
Come join Peter, Wendy and the lost boys on their journey to save Tinkerbell from the villainous Captain Hook, his bumbling sidekick Smee and their crew of dastardly pirates. It will be a thrilling ride of laughter and joy that will captivate both young and old with stunning special effects, brand new sumptuous sets and costumes and a good helping of fairy dust.
North East
Lantern Parade with Fireworks - Town centre, Middlesborough
13 December 2009
Centre Square hosts the famous Liverpool Lantern Company who create a spectacular Community Based Carnival. Make your own lantern and join a procession of puppets and lanterns around town. Followed by fireworks at 5.00pm.
Oliver Twist - Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland
Tuesday 29 - Thursday 31 December 2009
The “Storytellers Theatre Company” bring the classic Victorian tale to audiences young and old alike. It follows the fortunes of Oliver, a young orphan with a mysterious past on an enthralling journey from the horrors of the workhouse, to the undertakers shop and on through the back streets of London.
Stockton Christmas Market Festival - High St, Stockton On Tees
17-20 December 2009
A Magical 4 - day Christmas wonderland with fun for all the family including FREE Victorian funfair rides, Stockton's famous 'Queen of the North' market.
Yorkshire
Christmas Adventure - Stockeld Park, near Wetherby
Opens Friday 23rd October 2009
In addition to the huge eco ice rink, Santa's Grotto, Ice Bar Cafe, fresh Christmas tree store and Christmas gift shop, you can now visit the Enchanted Wood, a mixture of theatre and fantasy, ski on our nordic cross country ski trail, and lose yourself in our huge illuminated hedge maze, and for the first time ever, you can experience our magnificent firework display.
Dickensian Christmas Festival - Grassington, Yorkshire
4, 5, 12 & 19 December 2009
This pretty village, near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales, transforms itself into a Dickensian wonderland, its streets and square filled with a bustling market thronged by strolling musicians, dancers and other entertainers in Victorian costume.
Heart of England
Breakfast with Santa - Warwick Castle, Warwick
Throughout December 2009
This Christmas at Warwick Castle children are invited to a truly wonderful party in the Conservatory Terrace Marquee and are wholeheartedly encouraged to eat, sing and be merry.
A Christmas Carol - Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham
25 November - 20 December 2009
It’s Christmas Eve and Ebenezer Scrooge has no time for merriment or mistletoe. But just as the clock strikes midnight his world turns around when he is taken on a journey through the vivid and enchanting worlds of past, present and future.
South East
Magical Christmas at Rare Breeds Centre - Ashford, Kent
Sat 12 & Sun 13 December and Sat 18 through to and including Wed 23 December 2009
Christmas at the Rare Breeds Centre is a truly magical time for the children, the real Santa, the really real Reindeer to meet and pet, a star filled Wonderland, quality presents for the children, a one-man join-in pantomime plus all the fun of the farm.
A Victorian Festival of Christmas - Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth
28-30 November 2009
With its snow-covered street, seasonal carols, Father Christmas, Christmas shopping and cast of Victorian characters, this hugely popular event is a delightful trip to Christmas past for all the family. Wander through the European-style shopping village, Victorian Street, Georgian colonnades and discover superb quality gifts, fine crafts, festive food and drink at the biggest Christmas market on the South Coast.
The Yuletide Fayre - Westgate Hall, Canterbury, Kent
19 & 20 December 2009
The Yuletide Fayre features a wide variety of stalls offering unique and alternative gifts for presents. Throughout the weekend there will be a selection of traditional folk customs and entertainment.
Christmas Nostalgia - Toys, Treats and Treasures - Bleheim Palace, Oxfordshire
14 November - 13 December 2009
Enjoy heart-warming memories of Christmas for the festive season at Blenheim Palace. The magnificent Palace will be decorated with elegant displays bringing to life childhood memories of Christmas including magnificent Christmas trees and treasured yuletide gifts of antique toys, teddy bears, and train sets. In the Great Court Christmas trees will sparkle in the colonnades, offering visitors a simply magical experience.
London
The Nutcracker - The Coliseum, London
From 16 December 2009 until 3 January 2010
It's your last chance to see English National Ballet's vibrant and eccentric production of The Nutcracker. Designer Gerald Scarfe and choreographer Christopher Hampson's magical show is the perfect Christmas treat for all the family.
Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park - London
21 November 2009 - 1 January 2010
Set between Hyde Park Corner and the Serpentine over five weeks this winter, Winter Wonderland is the perfect event for family, friends and colleagues to delight in the magical atmosphere of London this Christmas. Open from 10am to 10pm each day, the 24,000m² Winter Wonderland site will feature London’s largest outdoor ice rink, a toboggan slide, a traditional and authentic German Christmas Market with over twenty five separate wooden chalets, numerous cafes and bars, an incredible 50m giant observation wheel offering magnificent views of Hyde Park, a carousel, a helter-skelter, carol concerts and a selection of amusement rides to entertain all ages.
South West
Enchanted Christmas - Westonbirt The National Arboretum, Gloucestershire
28 November - 20 December 2009
Take a walk through the famous Enchanted Wood and see The National Arboretum lit up at night. See Father Christmas plus lots of other festive excitement - carols from local choirs and bands, roast chestnuts and mulled wine plus a gift shop selling some fantastic gifts and decorations.
Clovelly Christmas Lights 2009 - Clovelly, North Devon
Sunday, 6 December, from about 4pm
Starting from the Visitor Centre, a brass band leads the procession down to the harbour where carols will be sung. Then, watch out for Father Christmas’ arrival. There’ll be warming food and drinks and the evening ends with a spectacular firework display.
Candlelit Dartmouth - A Festive Weekend - Dartmouth, Devon
11-12 December 2009
Candlelit Dartmouth is a weekend-long event that will kick-off with a spectacular lantern procession, lighting up the main shopping streets for an evening of late night shopping with music and street entertainment. On Saturday, the town will be host to two seasonal markets. Street entertainers and musicians will again be performing throughout town with shops and the market in the Royal Avenue Gardens remaining open into the evening.
Carol Trains - Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, West Somerset
14, 15 & 16 December 2009
The ever popular Carol Trains are hauled by heritage steam locomotives to recreate the era of Christmas gone by, travelling from Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. Arrive at the station at 18.30 to see the locomotive waiting in steam and the band preparing for the carols.
