I think we can all agree that 2020 is a year we can’t wait to see the back of, but to help you try and end the year having fun I’ve put together a huge list of Christmassy things for you to do with your little ones. These range from big Christmas days out and magical illuminations to popping in to see Santa in your local grotto. Hopefully there’s something here for everyone and activities for all budgets.
Table of Contents
Christmas Days Out
Farmer Christmas Land at Green Dragon Eco Farm
28th November 5th to 24th December (very limited dates available)
Children can search for gold tokens in Santa’s Snowpits, walk through the Enchanted Forest, meet Christmas animals, decorate gingerbread biscuits, make special reindeer food to take home for Christmas Eve, make a star for the Wishing Tree, and even feed real Reindeer. And of course, meet Farmer Christmas too – sit up on his tractor and receive a Christmas gift.
Location: Buckingham, Bucks
For more information and tickets click here.
Once Upon A Christmas’ at Odds Farm Park
28th November 2nd to 24th December (all weekend dates and 18th onwards is now sold out)
Father Christmas invites you to join him and his Elves for an enchanting, and socially distanced, group story-time. After meeting Father Christmas and stopping for a festive photo keepsake, you will take an immersive stroll deep into the sparkly, wintery woodland, to arrive at the North Pole, with a stop at the Elves Toyshop on the way!
Location: High Wycombe, Bucks
Tickets are £31.90 for children (aged 2-16) including farm admission, £17.95 for under 2’s (or free if they are not participating in the Christmas experience) and £13.95 for adults. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
Santa Steam Special at Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway
29th November 2nd to 23rd December (this event is now sold out but you can buy tickets to meet Santa without the train ride)
Santa’s Steam Trains travel to the North Pole where children (and grown-ups!) will have the thrill of meeting Santa in his Grotto for a photo-opportunity and where the Great Man’s Elves will hand-out a thoughtful present to each child aged 1-15 years.
Location: Chinnor, Oxfordshire
Online bookings are due to go live on Tuesday 3 November. Click here for more information.
Santa Steam Special at Leighton Buzzard Railway
5th to 24th December (SOLD OUT)
Take a 25-minute steam-train ride over a historic narrow-gauge railway that’s more than 100 years old to Santa’s Grotto. Meet Santa at Page’s Park grotto, where children up to 12 will receive an early present.
They have a special day for pre-schoolers on Wednesday 16th December.
Location: Leighton Buzzard, Hertfordshire
Tickets are £9 for adults, £9.50 for children (2 to 12) and £5 for under 2’s. Click here to book your tickets.
Visit Santa at the Station at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
12th to 21st December (SOLD OUT)
Jake’s Magical Christmas Grotto Experience
1st 2nd to 24th December (selected dates)
We absolutely love Jake’s and even on a normal day there is so much to do there. For Christmas they’ve put on a magical day for the whole family which includes a play in the soft play, a sleigh ride in search of Santa, a visit to Santa in his magical grotto and a trip to his “Gingerbread” factory to decorate your own gingerbread man. Then enjoy some time on the farm (daylight and weather permitting).
Location: Sandhurst, Berkshire
Tickets cost £24.50 for children and £9 for adults. For more information and details on how to book click here.
Family Christmas Experience at 4 Kingdoms Farm Park
14th November 2nd to 24th December (selected dates)
This is the largest indoor Christmas immersive experience in the UK and sounds incredible! Your 2 hour journey begins with checking-in to Santa’s Airways where you’ll then board a sleigh for an interactive journey to the North Pole. As part of your visit to the North Pole children will build their own special Christmas Bear, visit Santa and choose their own gift from the toy store. For more information on the day it’s really worth looking at the full itinerary on their website.
Ticket prices vary by date and increase as you get closer to Christmas. They start at £27.50 for children and £17.50 for adults. Click here for more information and to book.
Merry BEAR-y Christmas at Willows Activity Farm
5th to 24th December (selected dates)
Willows usual Christmas event was cancelled but they have replaced it with this new event (minus Santa) which still sounds great! As well as being able to do all of the usual activities on the farm including seeing the animals and adventure play they’ll get to wander through their winter wonderland, make-a-bear with cuddle filling, hop on their new reindeer funfair ride, watch festive shows, find Santa’s 9 reindeer around the park, write and post a letter to Santa and receive a free reply, watch a festive 3D film, festive arts and crafts, meet real reindeer and travel on Tristian into the festive wood.
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
Ticket prices vary by date and increase as you get closer to Christmas. They start at £37 for children and £22 for adults. Click here for more information and to book.
Santa’s Rooftop Ramble at Mead Open Farm
12th to 24th December (selected dates)
Join Santa at his Rooftop Ramble Show! You’ll meet Santa and join him for a story, choose a special gift from his toy store. Children will also learn to be an Elf at Elf Academy, follow the North Pole Expedition trail, chill out at the Alpine Lodge with a festive drink around the fire pit and meet some adorable animals on the farm.
Location: Billington, Bedfordshire
Tickets cost £23 for children (1-16 years) and £15.75 for adults. For more information and to book your tickets click here.
A Peter Rabbit™ Winter Adventure and Christmas at Hughenden
5th December to 4th January
Treat your little ones to the magic of a Peter Rabbit winter adventure activity trail at Hughenden. Spot all kinds of nature and help Peter’s friends as you make your way around the gardens.
Discover Hughenden’s nature inspired Christmas, with natural decorations and handmade baubles they are celebrating all things green this year. See some of their favourite Christmas trees from past Christmases inside the Manor, while outside the gardens are given a festive touch.
Normal admission rates apply. The activity trail costs £2 per pack. Tickets are released each Friday for the following week. Click here to visit the Hughenden website.
A Peter Rabbit™ Winter Adventure at Cliveden
Delayed and now starting on 5th December
Embark on a Peter Rabbit™ winter adventure activity trail at Cliveden and help Peter and his friends prepare for the colder months ahead. Peter Rabbit’s friends need some help finding items to see them through the colder winter months. Young nature adventurers can lend a hand to some of Beatrix Potter’s well-loved characters and solve the clues to earn your special trail badge and certificate.
Normal admission rates apply. The activity trail costs £2 per pack. Tickets are released each Friday for the following week. Click here for more information.
Christmas Fayre at High Wycombe Cricket Club
11th to 13th December
Outdoor family friendly Christmas fayre with a variety of stalls including Christmas trees, a beer tent with mulled wine, an open bar, BBQ, children’s fun rides and live music playing Christmas classics! The event will be raising money for local charity ‘One Can Trust’
It’s running on Friday evening from 4pm-8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 8pm (stalls close at 4pm).
Location: High Wycombe Cricket Club
Free to attend. Click here to view the Facebook event page.
Santa’s Grotto
Christmas Walk Around and Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Wendover
Opening on 3rd December
The Christmas walk aroung at Dobbies is one of our favourite things to do so I’m really glad it’s back again this year. It is going to be smaller than past years to enable them to make Santa’s grotto larger and covid safe. There’s no need to book the walk around, it’s done on a first come first serve basis and costs £3 per person.
In the grotto families will be able to interact and have photos with Santa. New this year is the Magic Christmas Tree experience where children will be decorating them afterwards in a crafts area inside the grotto. This is included in the ticket price along with a toy for the children.
Location: Wendover, Bucks
Tickets are £12 for children £3 for adults plus £1 booking fee. Click here to book your tickets.
Santas Grotto Dobbies MK
22nd November 2nd to 24th December (all weekend dates and 18th onwards sold out)
Bring your little ones to explore their Winter Wonderland and visit Santa in his Grotto. There are loads of other Christmas to get involved with such as playing in a giant snow globe, having breakfast with Santa or Christmas Afternoon Tea.
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks
Tickets for Santa’s grotto cost £11.99 for children plus £1 booking fee. Click here to book your tickets.
Hale Leys Christmas Grotto
14th November 2nd to 24th December (selected dates)
Stay and Play are bringing Santa to Aylesbury this year at The Hale Leys Grotto. The grotto has moved location to ensure more space and socially distanced experience. Each child can be accompanied by a maximum of two adults as each time slot can have a maximum of 4 children.
Location: Aylesbury, Bucks
Visiting Father Christmas is £7.95 per child with every child receiving a present. Click here to book your ticket.
Vintage 1940s Christmas Grotto at Bletchley Park
21st November 2nd to 23rd December (SOLD OUT)
Meet Father Christmas in their beautifully decorated Mansion, where children can spend time telling him their Christmas wishes and take photos surrounded by vintage toys, Christmas trees, 1940’s greeting cards and decorations. All children will receive a lovely Christmas gift to take home.
General admission prices: Adults £21.00, children (12-17) £12.50 and children under 12 free. If you are a Friend or existing Annual Season Pass holder, you will just need to book tickets and a timed entry slot for the Grotto.
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks
Tickets for the Grotto cost £8.50 per child. For more information and details on how to book click here.
Enchanted Wonderland
5th to 24th December (limited dates available)
Visit Enchanted Wonderland and you will see we’ve lovingly recreated Santa’s famous arctic home in the North Pole. Guided by Mrs. Claus, children will discover their elf name and explore the enchanted wonderland. Afterwards they will be invited to meet Father Christmas and receive a special gift.
Enchanted Wonderland is an interactive experience designed for young people aged five to eight years old, they will accept children younger or older so long as they can keep the magic alive!
Tickets start from £12pp (under 3’s free) with discounts available for larger family groups. Click here for more information and to book.
Visit Santa at Smith’s Garden Centre in New Denham
21st November 2nd to 24th December (SOLD OUT)
The Grotto will be smaller than previous years and won’t be ‘hands on’ but they will be offering a safe Santa’s Grotto experience with every child getting to meet Santa and receive a gift. There will also be postbox for you to send your letters to Santa (you must write the letter at home).
Location: New Denham, Bucks
Tickets are £7.50 per child and bookings can be made on the phone or in store. Call 01895 233844.
Click here for more info.
Santa’s Grotto with Peter RabbitTM at the Centre:MK
13th November 2nd to 24th December (weekend dates sold out)
Experience an incredibly exciting, immersive theatrical Christmas adventure, brought to life by actors playing the part of Peter Rabbit and his woodland friends.
Each family will spend 25 to 30 minutes enjoying the experience, which includes a decorated Christmas Elf biscuit and a lovely quality gift from Santa in the ticket price for each child.
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks
Tickets are £12.50 for children (increasing to £13.99 from 28/11) and £4.99 for both adults and baby’s under 1. Click here for more information and to book tickets.
Meet Miss Christmas in her grotto at Dragon Sensory
Dragon Sensory are running Christmas Party Weekend Sesssions in December. You’re little ones will get to spend 90 minutes exploring their popular sensory and creative rooms, dance to Christmas songs, make reindeer food and build their very own cuddly Reindeer to take home.
Finally they’ll walk through to the Christmas Grotto and meet Miss Christmas who will read ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ and give out yummy festive treats.
Location: Holmer Green, Bucks
The Christmas Party sessions cost £20 per child, adults go free (1 adult per full paying child). Click here to book.
Outdoor Christmas Fair at Missenden Abbey
5th to 6th December
Missdenden Abbey are holding their Christmas Fair outdoors this year in their beautiful grounds. It will feature a range of craft and gift stalls, festive food and drink plus the chance to see Santa. Santa will be in his grotto but it will be a viewing activity only and children will get to choose a gift from the lucky dip (£1 cash).
Location: Great Missenden, Bucks
Entry prices: £5 for adults, £3 for children (aged 12 & under). To book tickets click here.
Santa Experiences
See Santa at Notcutts in Booker
5th to 23rd December
There’s no Santa’s grotto this year at Notcutts but you will still get the opportunity to see Santa from a short distance. No gifts will be provided, there will be an opportunity to take photographs or a selfie. It’s free to see Santa with no booking or ticket required.
Location: High Wycombe, Bucks
For more information click here.
Breakfast with Santa at Dorney Court Kitchen Garden
5th/12th/19th/22nd/23rd December (first 3 dates sold out)
Take your little ones to enjoy breakfast with Santa in their cafe this December. All children will receive an ‘Elves breakfast’, gingerbread to decorate, plus a gift!
Location: Windsor, Berkshire
£14.95 per child (Adults £10.95 – at least one adult required per group) For more information click here. To book call 01628 669999.
Brunch with Santa at Missenden Abbey
12th to 13th December (SOLD OUT)
Treat your little ones to a magical brunch with Santa at Missenden Abbey. Children will be able to write their Christmas list, have a festive photo with Santa by the tree and receive an early Christmas gift.
Location: Great Missenden, Bucks
Tickets cost £13.50 for children and £12 for adults (under 2’s free). For more information and to book your tickets click here or call 01494 866811.
Brunch with Santa at The Royal Saracens Head
5th and 12th December (looks like this might be sold out but phone to check)
Join Santa for a very festive brunch. Your little ones will be spoilt for choice with a great selection of children’s breakfasts, a breakfast juice and a special gift from Santa. There’s a delicious menu for adults which includes a brunch dish, hot drink and breakfast juice.
Location: Beaconsfield, Bucks
Brunch costs £15 for adults and £8 for children (including gift). To view the menus and book click here.
Meet Miss Christmas in her grotto at Dragon Sensory
5th to 19th December
Dragon Sensory are running Christmas Party Weekend Sesssions in December. You’re little ones will get to spend 90 minutes exploring their popular sensory and creative rooms, dance to Christmas songs, make reindeer food and build their very own cuddly Reindeer to take home.
Finally they’ll walk through to the Christmas Grotto and meet Miss Christmas who will read ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ and give out yummy festive treats.
Location: Holmer Green, Bucks
The Christmas Party sessions cost £20 per child, adults go free (1 adult per full paying child). Click here to book.
They are also running Festive Fun sessions Monday to Friday without the Christmas Grotto and cuddly reindeer and these sessions cost £10 per child.
Christmas Lights
Waddesdon Christmas Lights and Fair
4th November 3rd to 3rd January (selected dates available)
This was voted as your number one Christmas attraction in Bucks on my Instagram poll and we love it too! The Winter Light trail through the grounds is really beautiful and the Christmas Fair is a great place to pick up some gifts with 80 stalls to choose from.
Ticket prices for non members are £16 for adults and £8 for children or £40 for a family ticket (up to 2 adults + 3 children). National Trust members are also required to pay this year £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Ticket prices increase by £2.50 for adults and £1.25 for children (both members and non members). You will also receive a £5 adult (£2.50 child) voucher to redeem in their onsite shop/food-to-go outlets and the Five Arrows on the day of your visit.
Location: Aylesbury, Bucks
For more information and to book your tickets click here.
Festive Illuminations at Missenden Abbey
20th November 2nd to 23rd December
For the first time ever you can experience festive illuminations at Missenden Abbey. Travel through the tunnel of enchanting sparkle and be met and mesmerised with a magical scenic trail this Christmas. Follow the illuminated path and be dazzled with glittering baubles, candy canes, majestic trees and more.
Location: Great Missenden, Bucks
Tickets are £10 for adults (increasing to £13 Thurs to Sun) and £5 for children (increasing to £7 Thurs to Sun). Under 3’s are free and car parking places must be booked in advance at £2 per car. Click here for more information and to book.
Illuminated Light Trail at Blenheim Palace
20th November 2020 2nd December to 3rd January 2021 (very limited availability, all weekend dates before Christmas sold out)
The light displays at Blenheim Palace are truly spectacular and a fantastic outdoor Christmas experience. This year promises to be even better with new installations in the gardens.
Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire
For prices and to book tickets click here
Glow at RHS Wiseley
21st November 2nd December to 4th January (SOLD OUT but they are occasionally adding new tickets due to cancellations)
The light trail gives you the chance to see some of Wisley’s iconic sights in a new and dazzling light. You’ll see the Glasshouse glow with stunning installations both inside and out, including a projected light show and a beautiful Christmas tree with twinkling lights.
There are plenty of Christmas shopping opportunities for you and several food and drink locations, including a special Glow menu at the Terrace Restaurant.
Location: Woking, Surrey
Non-member prices: Adults £15; children (5–16) £10; children (under 5) free
For more information and to book tickets click here.
Christmas at Kew
18th November 2nd December to 3rd January (SOLD OUT)
Visit Kew Gardens for the most magical time of year as their after-dark trail lights up for 2020. Be dazzled by both old and new light installations including a glittering tunnel of bells, a treetop waterfall, fiery sculptures and the iconic Temperate House lit up with dynamic laser projections.
You’ll also be able to enjoy tasty treats from their street food vendors or book a traditional Christmas dinner at Kew’s Botanical restaurant.
Location: Richmond, London
Adults tickets cost £19.50 (off peak)/£24.50 (peak). Child tickets (aged 4 – 16) cost £12 (off peak)/£14.50 (peak). Family tickets are also available. Ticket availability is very low. For more information and to book click here..
Christmas Trail
Winter Windowland Christmas Trail 2020
16th to 23rd December
Over 80 houses in High Wycombe are taking part in a Christmas Trail and decorating their windows, doors, front gardens with decorations! The houses taking part are all within 2 miles of Cressex Road.
To receive your map of the trail they are just asking for a small donation to their chosen charity, Wycombe Women’s Aid. Click here to donate and get your map.
Elf School Graduation Trail at Eden Shopping Centre
Junior Elves in training will collect their Elf hat, special pencil and trail card at Elf School HQ, located at Kids Corner next to Toys UK.
Then off they go around Eden to find their magical Elf Name, help Santa sort his post and find the missing reindeer before finally learning the special Elves Code.
Once all tasks on the trail card have been completed, little ones will head back to HQ where they will enter the ‘Elf School’ principal’s office to individually meet Headmistress Elf who will award them with a graduation certificate along with reindeer food and a festive craft to create at home.
Location: High Wycombe
This event is FREE and you can book your ticket by clicking here.
I will continue to update this article as more events get added so keep checking back. I already know of several more that are going ahead but haven’t yet finalised their plans, some of these are completely free as well!
If I see that any events are cancelled or sell out then I’ll also update with this information. If you find out an event is sold out then please do let me know.
