What to book for Christmas 2024: The best festive events around the UK
How will you get your pre-Christmas fix this year? As the UK's incredible calendar of festive events begins to present itself, so too comes the happy challenge of booking in the thing to springboard you into the season, glitter dust and all.
While for some, the Christmas cheer starts with a trip to a twinkling light show, outdoor skating rink or Christmas grotto, for others the magic comes via a decadent train journey to a Christmas market, fuelled by a five-course lunch and Champagne.
2024's array of options feel particularly abundant, from cosy pop-up igloos to climbing a giant snow globe perched on top of London's 02 (one of an array of brand-new experiences planned for this year). Having sifted through all the options, here's our edit of the best stuff we would book this Christmas...
Christmas at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
From the producers of Christmas at Kew, Blenheim’s illuminated walk is one of the best. This year, there’s also a brand-new outdoor ice rink, plus Neverland in the Palace, an enchanting indoor adventure taking you through the dazzling state rooms, culminating in a Neverland-themed afternoon tea in the newly restored orangery. 15th November - 1st January
LaplandUK, Ascot
Nothing quite matches up to the experience of enveloping yourself in an Elven land of wishes, complete with snow, pine trees, reindeer, husky dogs and fresh gingerbread made in Mother Christmas' kitchen, followed by an enchanting journey to Father Christmas' logfire cabin. If you're not lucky enough to grab a date this year, LaplandUK has hidden five 'golden' tickets in their newly launched advent calendars. 9th November - 24th December
Glide at Battersea Power Station, London
London’s only riverside ice skating venue returns to Battersea Power Station for Christmas, featuring not one but three interconnecting rinks looping around a majestic 30ft Christmas tree. Twinkly outdoor lights, rink-side igloos and grand decorations in the historic turbine halls complete the wintry scene. For an extra-magic experience, we recommend a trip in Lift 109. 8th November - 5th January
British Pullman festive journeys, nationwide
Climb aboard a vintage British Pullman (choose round-trip routes to Bath, Oxford or Winchester from London) for the chicest way to see a Christmas market. Your Art Deco carriage, serving a Champagne reception, table d’hôte five-course lunch with wine pairings, tea, coffee and petit fours awaits. 29th November - 31st December
Hogwarts in the Snow, Hertfordshire
Warner Bros’ Harry Potter Studio Tour comes into its own at Christmas, coating the castle in snow and recreating the rich festive displays seen in the Great Hall in Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. From 9th to 13th December, there’s also the chance to join for canapes and a two-course feast in the Great Hall, while dessert is served on Platform 93⁄4. 16th November - 19th January
Longleat Festival of Light, Wiltshire
Back for its 10th year, the safari park’s annual lantern festival presents a giant Egyptian pyramid, larger-than-life dinosaurs and towering Roman Coliseum as part of its theme, Journey Through Time. There’s also a drive-through winter safari experience and a Santa train taking little ones through the forest to meet Father Christmas in his woodland log cabin.
Miracle at Henrietta Hotel, London
Billed as ‘a perfect pairing of jolly cocktails and a space worthy of your nan’s most-prized Christmas decorations’, 1970s-inspired pop-up the Miracle Bar, tucked away on the mezzanine floor of Covent Garden’s Henrietta Hotel, is all your kitsch Christmases and kitchen discos rolled into one. 11th November - 23rd December
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall, London
There’s plenty of unadulterated joy to be shared in the Royal Albert Hall’s annual singalong carol concert series that, each year, brings new surprises. If this isn’t one of the most impressive places to witness a festive carol concert, well, it isn’t Christmas. 14th - 24th December
Christmas at the Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project’s immersive music and light experience sees its tropical biomes lit in a rainbow of colours and filled with spectacular displays, from neon waterfalls to a glitter ball that will make you feel like you’re inside a giant snowglobe. 22nd November - 5th January
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Christmas House Party at Moonfleet Manor, Dorset and Woolley Grange, Wiltshire
Starting on 23rd December, the four-day ‘Christmas House Party’ at Dorset’s Moonfleet Manor begins with marshmallow toasting, gingerbread making, fossil hunting and carols, before sleigh bells ring on Christmas Day and there are visits to Santa’s Grotto, Christmas dinner, festive cinema and games aplenty. With a similar event taking place at Wiltshire's Woolley Grange, you can really embrace the magic with small children while someone else hosts. 23rd - 27th December
Coppa Club igloos, nationwide
From Edinburgh’s Secret Domes overlooking Arthur’s Seat to the snow globes perched atop the roof of London's John Lewis Oxford Street, the opportunity to drink and be merry in an pop-up igloo is impossible to resist. But if dining in a snow globe sounds even better, the food and views from Coppa Club's Tower Bridge location are hard to beat – or try one of the brand's sister locations in Putney, Surrey and Brighton.
Holkham Hall by Candlelight, Norfolk
This stunning stately home in North Norfolk welcomes artists and makers each year to create unique festive stage sets in every room. Past highlights include a showstopping Christmas pudding, snow and ice statues and an entire display crafted from paper and ribbon. Choose from a guided or self-led tour – both are accompanied by music, mulled wine and flickering candlelight. 29th November - 30th December
Hamleys x The Langham Hotel, London
The UK's most famous toy store, Hamleys London, has partnered with another Regent Street legend in The Langham hotel this Christmas, creating an spectacular Christmas grotto (16th - 24th December) and festive afternoon tea designed especially for children (from 7th November). Guests can play games with elves, enjoy sweet treats that resemble classic toys, and even sleep over as part of an exclusive seasonal hotel package that includes your own Christmas tree and bottle of Taittinger to enjoy. 7th November - 24th December
Up at the 02, London
As the capital turns on its lights, The O2 debuts a giant snow globe on its world-famous roof, allowing visitors to step inside as part of its popular outdoor clip and climb experience and take in 360-degree views of London as it twinkles for Christmas. 22nd November - 5th January
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Winter's Tail, Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey
The UK's biggest wildlife theme park unveils a brand-new Christmas village for 2024, as part of its annual Winter's Tail event. After meeting Father Christmas in his cosy cabin in a snowy forest, the fun continues at the Enchanted Hollow, an underground town where the elves have set up their workshop. Then there's time to enjoy the Christmas Panto, resident animals (including reindeer) and rides, including white-knuckle rollercoaster Mandrill Mayhem. 23rd November - 31st December
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Christmas in Winchester
Winchester comes to life at Christmas, as the city's iconic cathedral bursts into colour and its Christmas market, thought to be one of the best in Europe, returns to its grounds. This year, there's even more unique festive fun to be had, as the Winchester Science Centre unveils Cosmic Christmas, an immersive space adventure inviting visitors to join Santa on a mission to the International Space Station, plus starlight cinema showings of Elf in its planetarium. 14th November - 23rd December
The Nutcracker, Birmingham, London and Scotland
Choose between productions of The Nutcracker this Christmas as the Birmingham Royal Ballet brings its production to the city (from 22nd November) and The English National Ballet sets its scene at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, before transferring to the London Coliseum (from 28th November). Meanwhile, Scottish Ballet begins its national tour (from 6th December).
Mischief at the Mansion, Harewood House, Yorkshire
The long-awaited sequel to 2019’s award-winning immersive experience ‘Night at the Mansion’, Yorkshire's Grade I listed Harewood House sparkles into life with singing baubles, swirling ceilings and gossiping statues, thanks to a feat of digital wizardry. 15th November - 5th January
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Christmas at Kew, Richmond
The UK's original festive light trail returns for its 12th year, illuminating the UNESCO World Heritage site with optical illusions and installations, including the iconic Christmas Cathedral and spectacular light show at the historic Palm House. Once you come to the end of the glittering 3km trail, there's a chance to enjoy a festive fun fair and Christmas market of independent street food vendors.
Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz, London
Slink into The Ritz for a glass of Champagne and you’ll be dazzled by a Christmas tree so big, the hotel’s famous revolving door is removed temporarily each year to welcome it. Daily festivities start with Christmas-themed afternoon tea accompanied by The Ritz choir singing carols, while mini guests receive a Ritz teddy bear. 23rd November - 6th January
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