As we head towards Christmas there are events and activities aplenty to get you in the festive mood with illuminated trails starting this month to kindle your enthusiasm for the season ahead.
Tis the season to set eyes all aglow and nothing does that like the wonder of an illuminated trail. Windsor Great Park Illuminated is returning for its fourth year from November 15th to January 4th. Bringing the woodland and water to life with a festive celebration of light and a sparkle of magic. Discover a forest trail full of music and light where woodland creatures come to life, elves have a party and a whole host of festive moments will get you in the spirit. Take a moment to enjoy a delicious dish, mulled wine and hot chocolate or toast a marshmallow around the fire pit at a cosy rest stop. Booking essential, visit Windsor Great Park Illuminated: light up your year!
Image: Mike Will
Be captivated by the magic of Wellington Illuminova as you step into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Embark on a journey through the illuminated paths of Wellington Country Park, November 22nd to December 23rd. Let the enchanting lights spark your creativity and transport you to a realm where dreams come to life. Experience the illuminated night trail that never grows old and book at Wellington Illuminova – An illuminated kingdom in the heart of Wellington Country Park
Starting from November 16th, immerse yourself in a wonderland of beautifully adorned trees, garlands, and twinkling fairy lights, all inspired by classic Christmas films. Experience the enchantment of the season at Basildon Park as it pays tribute to timeless Christmas classics until January 5th. Younger visitors will want to pick up an activity sheet and take part in the children’s trail around the gardens.
Step into Greys Court, sparkling with Christmas decorations from November 23rd to January 5th and take part in the children’s festive trail around the grounds. Join a candlelight tour of Greys Court and get into the festive spirit on December 5th, 11th & 19th when a knowledgeable guide will take you on a tour of the house with a mince pie and glass of mulled wine.
Head to Reading Winter Wonderland at Hills Meadow, selected dates November 30th to December 24th to enjoy Santa’s grotto with personalised Reading Winter Wonderland gift, huge undercover real ice rink, character days, not to mention festive food and treats, authentic German sausages, German bar with all your favourite German beers, giant candy canes, rides and attractions. Unlimited ride wristbands offer great value too. Find out more and book at Booking — Reading Winter Wonderland
The elves are busy at Bucklebury Farm creating the most magical experience for you to enjoy this Christmas time. Book your grotto slot with Santa, select dates from 7th December. Book at Buy Father Christmas at the Farm Tickets online – Bucklebury Farm
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without chocolate so head to Chocolates for Chocoholics in Hurst to meet Santa in his grotto. Pick up your passport, make and decorate your own Christmas choccy bar with Mrs Claus before joining the elves to play games and have a dance at the North Pole Disco. Book at Santas Chocolate Grotto in Hurst Berkshire
Celebrate the festive season at Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Hare Hatch, Twyford where this year it’s even more magical with a Little Seedlings train-themed journey for families to enjoy. Take in the atmosphere of the enchanting forest, and after a warm welcome from the elves at Sleighbell Station, children will get to experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, find hidden nutcrackers, all culminating in the chance to meet Santa. November 28th to December 24th. Your furry friends aren’t forgotten either, they can join the Santa experience and get a special dog toy to take away, December 5th to 24th. There’s also a quiet grotto on December 6th to allow children with additional needs to enjoy the experience. Book for any of these at Events | Dobbies Garden Centres
Visit Santa in his grotto at Squire’s Garden Centre, Wokingham, selected dates November 23rd to December 24th. Be welcomed by one the jolly elves and chat with Santa himself – you can ask him what you’ve always wanted to know! Children will receive a wonderful, wrapped gift and an ‘I’ve Seen Santa’ badge. £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Wokingham centre’s chosen charity of the year CLASP.
Bertie Slippers will have the whole family laughing as he brings the Christmas cheer with his magic, balloons, and puppet show to Hobbs of Henley Santa Cruises, December 21st, 22nd & 23rd. Father Christmas will be holding court in his grotto, bearing gifts for all the good girls and boys. Visit River cruises & boat hire on the Thames ~ Hobbs of Henley
Go along and enjoy a skate in the historic Alexandra Gardens and take in the fun of the fair in Windsor, November 15th to January 5th. There’s fun on the ice for young and old alike, where all levels of skaters are welcome, experienced and inexperienced. The viewing area, serving festive food, and some attractions are also under cover, so non skaters can relax and stay warm while watching their family have fun on the ice rink, whilst enjoying freshly ground coffee or sampling the festive food and drink from the Bar and Grill.
You won’t fail to be impressed and amazed by the giant LEGO tree on a festive family day out at LEGOLAND transformed into a wintery wonderland! The twinkly lights, giant DUPLO® Christmas tree and magical atmosphere will have the whole family full of Christmas spirit. There is so much to do from festive shows and entertainment to LEGO® building fun and your favourite rides and attractions. Visit Father Christmas’s cabin and much more, selected dates from November 23rd.
Wokingham Winter Carnival is a fun day out for the whole family on Sunday, 24th November where you can shop at more than 125 stalls, take funfair rides, and enjoy a whole host of street entertainers, music, singing, dancing and the fun of the fair with loads of different rides, whether you’re young or old. Santa will be in his grotto and for lunch there are stalls offering an amazing choice of food and drink. Organised by Wokingham Lions Club it’s one the year’s highlights.
Look out for the Christmas lights trail around Spencers Wood, Three Mile Cross and Shinfield. Join in the festive fun and find all the wonderfully decorated houses in the villages. No décor is too big or too small! Check Facebook for details Spencers Wood, Three Mile Cross and Shinfield Charity Christmas Trail 2024.
The Lexicon’s festive season will burst into life on Friday, 15th November when the town centre’s new Christmas lights are switched on. Santa will launch the Christmas celebrations with the Rock Choir, before he heads to his grotto which opens the next day, 16th. Santa’s Grotto will feature an enchanted elevator to transport visitors to the North Pole where you’ll be greeted by friendly elves and invited to step inside to magically travel through wintery and festive landscapes, before reaching the door to his cosy cabin. Take part in The Lexicon’s free Reindeer Trail and shop at The Christmas Market Stalls from the 15th featuring 13 picturesque wooden huts selling a selection of gifts and delicious food and drinks. For more & to book Santa’s Grotto visit The Lexicon Shopping, Bracknell, Berkshire | Shops, Restaurants, Cafes & Gym
See Dinton Pastures Country Park glow and party the night away as you join in a two-mile walk around Black Swan Lake under starlight and take in the illuminated woodland, various light features, live music from Abi Powell and Saxcelerate and much more on Saturday, 16th November on the Glow Walk 2024. Why not try – or just watch if you’re not brave enough – illuminated Stand Up Paddleboarding organised by Go with the Flo. Buy glow in the dark merchandise and enjoy hot chocolate, hot dogs, burgers, prosecco, beer and mulled wine, all available to purchase from Dinton Activity Centre. Book tickets at Glow Walk 2024 | firstdays
If you’re looking for a different tipple to celebrate the season with then how about keeping it local with Tutt’s Clump cider. The multi-award winning ‘proper’ cider is made by crushing apples and letting them ferment and mature naturally. Owner Tim Wale says: “We use unwanted cooking and eating apples as the base for most of our ciders and receive donated apples from all over Berkshire.” You couldn’t get more local! Try it for yourself, order from Tutts Clump Cider |
And of course, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a panto to boo and hiss at. There’s Snow White at the Kenton, Henley; Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal, Windsor; Cinderella at Reading’s Hexagon and Robin Hood and the Magic Arrow at South Hill Park, Bracknell.
Don’t miss our panto special next month!
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