Christmas family fun

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Christmas family fun Posted On 16 November 2018

The build up to Christmas can be fun and exciting, full of activities to getting the whole family ready for the festive season. If you’re stuck for ideas on where to go and what to do, we have some ideas here for you!

Not only do we have all the excitement at home of making Christmas cakes and decorating the house, there are events going on everywhere; from shopping centres, parks and marketplaces!

Christmas lights

Most towns hold an event with a Christmas market, children’s activities and Christmas food and drinks. Then, later in the evening, as it starts to get darker they start doing a big countdown to the lights being switched on. It’s a great atmosphere and they often have a local celebrity attending the event to speak to the crowd and switch on the lights. Some also have fireworks after the event, while many also have funfairs or late night market.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is all the rage at Christmas time and is the perfect past-time for all the family. It’s ideal if you are looking to do something that little bit different, before grabbing a nice hot chocolate to warm you up afterwards!

Christmas markets

Towns don’t just hold Christmas markets for a one-off light switch on. Some have a weekly Christmas market alongside their local market, and there are often annual markets dotted around the country. York, Winchester and Belfast have some of the largest ones in the UK. Hyde Park in London hosts a huge market every year full of attractions, stalls, food and fair rides for the children. This year it’s on from the 23rd November until the 6th January. The market itself is free to get in, and you can book tickets for the different attractions. New for 2018 are the Peter Pan on Ice show, The Snowman Experience and the Teletubbies Christmas Show, amongst other shows. There are so many markets around that usually span over a few days, so it’s extremely likely there will be one near to you! However, if you want to travel further afield, Germany holds huge Christmas markets. The Christmas markets here are popular amongst tourists because of how the country celebrates the festive season. Their Christmas food is always popular at UK Christmas markets, and their Christmas traditions such as Advent and Christmas trees have become standard around the world.

Santa’s Grotto

Going to visit Santa’s Grotto is a great way to get the children out and about, letting them experience the magical build up to Christmas and, of course, getting them to meet the man himself! It makes a great day out looking at all the beautifully decorated venues with their fake snow, Santa’s helpers and some even have rides for the children, such as Santa trains or little boat rides. This means that children get to look at all the amazing décor around and then get to speak to Santa to tell him about what they want for Christmas and whether or not they have been a good boy or girl. Some Grottos, usually those in big rural areas or in garden centres, also have live reindeer, which really excites children as they get to meet Santa’s travelling companions before they are busy on Christmas Eve.

National Trust

The National Trust regularly have events around the UK at their different properties. These range from markets, craft events for children, Santa visits and some places decorate their manors and houses ready for the Christmas period. So why not make a visit and truly experience what it would have been like to celebrate Christmas in years past!

Lapland UK

Every child dreams of visiting Lapland to see Santa and his elves. Well, now we have our very own Lapland here in the UK, rather than having to travel to the North Pole! It’s located in Berkshire and is a big adventure for children and adults alike. It’s all about the Father Christmas story, the secret world of the elves and promises to give you amazing family memories.