Christmas/December events for toddler and baby

[Monsoon92]

I'm sure there's a thread on here somewhere but I'm new to the Christmas board so forgive me! I'm looking to book some things for throughout Dec to properly get my toddler into the Christmas spirit. What should be on my list? We've already booked a light trail, and I'm looking into a Santa's grotto and train ride. I'm looking into a Christmas Disco but they've all sold out already down here it seems! She's only 2 so a bit too young for panto I feel, so we'll save that until next year. Is there anything else that should be on my list? And is it too early to book pubs for Boxing Day/Christmas week? I'm new to being this organised!

We found a really short Christmas play, designed specifically for toddlers as my two are a bit too young for panto. It's at the Lowry in Salford if you're based in the north west

Ah no, Portsmouth, but will have a look around!

Local light trail? DS enjoyed that even as a baby. Most stately homes around us seem to be doing one.

Local library or museum might have something?

We are taking DS aged 2 to a North Pole Breakfast at a soft play. Cooked breakfast, meet Santa, horse around dancing to Christmas songs with the other kids

Christmas market days

An easy, cheap idea is to visit somewhere with a Christmas shop.
Our local garden centre has a large area dedicated to selling decorations and all the Christmas tat you could want.
My littlies always enjoyed looking at the displays especially the lighting areas, which are often dark and full of flashing Christmas lights.

Not sure if it would be your thing, but many churches run Christmas services aimed at kids, often as early as the last weekend in December, look for "crib" services or "christingle" services.

Just a warning, my local pub are already fully booked for Christmas day, so if you are wanting to eat out, get on to that asap.

My daughter will be 22 months at Xmas and I'm not sure about panto. Lights are too late - by 5pm she's on the wind down to bed. But we are doing a Xmas miniature train ride, an 'elf academy' event at a local farm type place, and a Xmas session with a Santa meet and greet at another kids fun park/farm place. I'd just get googling your local toddler oriented venues and also Facebook events pages

Taking very little Gdcs to a big garden centre with loads of Christmassy stuff - lit up reindeer, big Santas, lots of twinkly decorated trees, etc., was a big hit.
And free! Except for the one small decoration each they were allowed to choose.

Are you anywhere near any of these?

santa.stewarts.co.uk/

Local churches do lovely crib services etc that are aimed at even toddlers. Toddler groups often have Christmas parties.
There are lovely Leigh events at some arboretums and stately homes.
Christmas lights switch on in your town?
You could have a little Christmas party with your friends and tots at your house. We did that and hired a Santa to deliver a little present, it was lovely and such a lovely thing to remember in our group of baby friends.

Ds2 is the youngest of 4 and we have planned the Panto but more for his older siblings.
Local farm park visit with Santa visit?

Garden centres and village Christmas markets can be ok.
Our local children’s centre used to do a lovely Christmas party for toddlers with sensory stuff, songs, Santa and mini disco, maybe worth checking?
We did the light trail a couple of times with our other dc and have found them to be expensive and as toddlers they all had awful tantrums, horrendous weather or they were completely underwhelmed, however everyone I know who has been had the a lovely experience along with cusp, cold dry weather.

Keep it really simple, don't try to meet Santa more than once. The stuff you've got so far sounds plenty tbh!
I nearly always had mine in tow when I was Christmas shopping at that age so going to garden centres and department stores to see the decorations is quite festive. Little things like crafts and baking are fun but at 2 the attention span tends to be short. My youngest used to watch The Snowman over and over that always makes me feel Christmassy.
You could try making reindeer handprints, have a look on Pinterest. Very cute. Salt dough ornaments is another good one use biscuit cutters to make stars or angel shapes then paint when dried out. You can buy wood decorations to paint as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions!