Ho ho go Christmas

Before you hang up your stockings and baste the turkey, there’s more festive fun to enjoy than you can shake your tinsel at!

Festive fun is firmly on the menu for all this month and next, so stop wrapping and start carolling! 

BERKSHIRE 

Experience the enchantment of the season at Basildon Park through the magic of ballet. From Nov 15th to Jan 4th, join a festive celebration where rooms of the mansion are beautifully decorated. Experience a twirling world of dance with sumptuously adorned trees, twinkling lights and beautiful decorations inspired by the stories, characters and colours of famous ballets. Outside, little ones can run off energy on a pushchair-friendly trail – spot, twirl, and explore a world of Christmas ballet magic! 

Grab your programme, ticket and opera glasses for a warm nostalgic Christmas inspired by the joy of Victorian theatre at Greys Court. From Nov 22nd to Jan 4th, immerse yourself in a wonderland of theatrical decorations, all inspired by the characters of Henry Irving, Lady Brunner’s grandfather, and the magic of Victorian theatre. Beautifully adorned trees, garlands, and twinkling fairy lights welcome you. The garden decorations, wreaths, twinkling lights and oversized baubles add gorgeous sparkle. Little ones can run off energy on a Christmas trail in the gardens. 

Santa and his elves are stopping at Beale Park where as well as meeting the man in the red suit for story time, photos, a present and Christmas feast you can join in the elf stocking trail and feed a reindeer. Visit bealepark.org.uk/Christmas for more information & to book. 

Celebrate Christmas at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort with festive fun for the whole family! Packed with magical Christmas activities for kids and memorable Christmas events like meeting Father Christmas, new festive holiday shows, and themed rides. Nov 22nd – Jan 3rd. 

Follow a path through woodland awash with colour as sparkles of fireflies, luminous beacons and dancing fairies blaze the way, the lake alive with flood-lit fountains and glimmering reflections at Windsor Great Park Illuminated, Nov 14th – Jan 3rd. Enjoy mouth-wateringly good food, mulled wine and hot chocolate or toast marshmallows at one of the fire pits. Top your evening off with a traditional fairground ride on the carousel or big wheel or slide down the helter skelter, fun for kids of all ages. Book at windsorilluminated.com/tickets 

Make festive memories at Reading Winter Wonderland at Hills Meadow from Nov 9th – Jan 5th. Whether it’s the Huge North Pole Giant Observation Wheel or the Penguin Bumper Cars, with more than a dozen rides and attractions to choose from you’ll make festive memories this Christmas and all with an amazing array of festive food too. Santa and his Elf make it a magical experience for children with a fantastic gift to take home. You can take your own pictures of your experience with Santa too. The ice rink is even larger this year with 560sqm of skating surface all under a huge 900sqm clear dome to protect you from the elements. To book ice skating, Santa’s grotto, rides or to hire an Alpine lodge please visit readingwinterwonderland.co.uk/booking 

Christmas in Reading officially gets under way on Nov 15th with the switching on of the town centre’s lights – a display of an amazing 800,000 LED lights. Seasonal food and music will help get everyone in the mood. 

Experience Reading’s newest winter light trail and immerse yourself in a magical light trail around the grounds of Forbury Gardens & Abbey Ruins this winter. The light installations will transform the park & ruins into a glowing seasonal display from Nov 15th – Jan 4th. Visit the food and drink court for sweet treats, marshmallows to toast and more. Book at illuminatereading.co.uk/tickets 

Help Santa find his missing reindeer at Didcot Railway Centre. Explore the 21-acre site to find each of Santa’s lost reindeer, culminating in a visit to the grotto to meet Santa. Selected dates in December. Join Charles Dickens’ great great grandson Gerald for his unique telling of A Christmas Carol on Dec 16th & 17th. Booking essential, visit didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 

Copas Farm Shop near Cookham offers award-winning turkeys (whole or in boxes for pick-up or delivery); copasfarmshop.co.uk 

Markets 

Broad Street’s Christmas Market is back from Nov 15th, go gift hunting in the heart of the town centre, and bask in holiday spirit throughout the entire festive season. 

The Reading Town Hall Christmas Market is back and bigger than ever on Nov 30th. With stalls spread across the Soane Space, the Museum, and The Concert Hall foyer, this fully accessible market is packed with festive finds – a great way to support local makers.  

Sindlesham Court’s Christmas Market has over 50 stalls offering a huge selection of festive goods on Dec 1st, browse for gifts, treats, and seasonal surprises. There’s a café on-site to keep you fuelled, plus a tombola too. 

Santa 

Enjoy a festive time at Pinewood Miniature Railway. The Santa Specials include a train journey around the line – look out for the reindeer and other lineside decorations, a small gift for each child and seasonal refreshments. Book at pinewoodrailway.co.uk/specialevents.html 

Santa is back at Chocolates for Chocoholics in Hurst. Create and decorate your festive chocolate bar with Mrs Claus, join the elf training course, post your letter to Santa. Selected dates in December. Book at chocolates-for-chocoholics.co.uk/santas-christmas-chocolate-grotto 

Father Christmas has found time to visit Bucklebury Farm again, go to buckleburyfarm.co.uk to find out more details of what he’s up to & to book.