Saturday 21 November 2015

VisitEngland’s Top Christmas Events 2015

This Christmas there are a number of wonderful winter events taking place across England to get the whole family feeling festive. From delicious foodie festivities and magical train rides with Santa, to brass bands in stunning locations. Here, VisitEngland rounds up some of the best events taking place during the season to be jolly …

Nutcracker Trail, Plymouth
12 November – 4 January

Plymouth is introducing a ‘find the nutcracker’ trail this year for children and families with 20 giant Nutcrackers located around the city centre. Each Nutcracker has its own name which is decided through a competition with Primary school children, hosted in partnership with The Herald. Visitors use a trail card and map to find the locations of each Nutcracker and can upload pictures #findthenutcracker.

Enchanted Christmas, Westonbirt-Arboretum
27 November – 20 December (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings only)

Take the family wandering in a winter wonderland – a sensory trail through the Arboretum’s glorious trees, illuminated in kaleidoscopic colour, dotted with surprises. Santa Claus is on hand to greet children in his traditional green outfit, Christmas choirs serenade the crowds and food and drink stalls sell mulled beverages and delicious hot snacks. The event takes place every to the weekend before Christmas, look out for information about prices, times and bookings from October onwards.

The Polar Express Tram Ride, Exeter
December 2015

Based on the best-selling book by Chris Van Allsburg and everyone’s favourite Christmas movie, this trip to the North Pole invites you to take part in the Polar Express experience by tram. Listen to and sing along with all the songs, be served hot chocolate and cookies by the dancing chefs and meet Santa and his happy bunch of elves. Each child will receive a special gift from Santa and you’re welcome to wear your pyjamas on board just like the film.

Lantern Magic, Chester Zoo
4 – 23 December

Lantern-lit gardens and larger-than-life animal lanterns on a night-time stroll at Chester Zoo; Santa Cruises at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port; Christmas Market, Dick Whittington, concerts and a Roman-themed Saturnalia Parade in Chester; shopping for crafts made by local artisans and books at Gladstone’s Library’s Christmas Craft Fair, Hawarden; traditional pantomime fun in Jack and the Beanstalk in Ellesmere Port

Kielder Winter Wonderland, Northumberland
21 November to 22 December

As well as the natural beauty of Kielder Water, this festive season part of the Forest Park will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland creating a traditional festive delight for all ages. Discover Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and their festive friends and take part in a host of great activities such as skating, snow tubing, visiting the elves workshop and Christmas theatre.

Christmas at Clumber, Clumber Park-Nottinghamshire
12–13 and 19–20 December

Escape to the countryside this Christmas and visit Clumber Park for a day of magical entertainment. With traditional brass bands playing all your favourite yuletide classics and Christmas activities, crafts, sights and sounds a-plenty, you’re sure to get into the festive spirit. Christmas for story time in his wintery grotto and meet the Rudolph and the gang outside in the Walled Kitchen Garden.

BBC Good Food Festive Fayre, Hampton Court Palace
4 -6 December

Experience the palace’s first ever Festive Fayre in the beautiful courtyards. Stock up from over 50 handpicked producers selling seasonal food and drink, accompanied by local choirs singing carols and festive songs. The Winter Kitchen will feature demonstrations from chefs and experts and will take place in the beautifully atmospheric Tudor Kitchens – complete with roaring fire.

A Weekend of ‘Festive Cheer’ at Woodforde’s Brewery, Norwich
5-6 December

This annual free foodie event, at The Good Pub’s Guide ‘Brewery of the Year 2015’, lavishes shoppers with beer tastings, brewery tours and gift inspiration. The Brewery’s yard marquee will be packed with some of East Anglia’s finest selection of ales, wine, cheese and chutney.

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