Christmas 2022.... Key Booking Dates

[Christmascrazyalways]

Hi! 😜

After the most miserable & stressful few months I am trying to look ahead to my fave time of year - and wondered if anyone knew any key booking dates of fab christmas days out/experiences etc....

I know some have already passed... i.e. Lapland UK.

Does anyone have anything else? I am based London/Essex but would travel... my DD is 3 so conscious this is my last xmas before we are confined to weekend days out!

1. Disney on Ice - on sale SOON
2. Polar Express Train Ride (Yorkshire) - bookable now
3. Audley End Minature Railway - September?
4. Santa Story Telling Royal Albert Hall - September?

Any others?

Lapland uk will release more tickets, I think June around the 6 month mark to Christmas and again in October.
Disney on ice is currently on pre sale, they email me daily, not sure if you can join that and not sure if codes are customer specific or generic to all.
Kew gardens do a christmas event, it's been on sale a while so not sure what's available.
There's a farm in Essex that does a brilliant Christmas event, marsh farm I think it's called. We actually preferred it to lapland uk.
Also the peppa pig afternoon tea bus, goes from Somerset House which has an ice rink at christmas

One of my favourites is the 1940s Grotto at Bletchley Park. It's really well done, you get lots of one on one time with FC (with a real beard of course!) and it's really relaxed and welcoming. We have been three years in a row and the kids recognise him as it's the same person. He remembers names and key facts. The room is filled with lit trees and it's the most magical Grotto experience we've had. Tickets normally released early September.

Luminate is available for sale now (lit up walks in various locations around UK, I booked for margam in South Wales) x

Thanks for this thread. We go to Chester Lanterns every year but can never get the time we want. Just looked and their up for sale already so have bagged our preferred time early

Great thread, thank you!

Thanks sis for the Cheshire recommendation. Also thanks Cherry for the Luminate recommendation, there is one in Cheshire We have moved to North Wales and I wasn’t sure what sort of stuff is available in this area but those both look fab.

I booked Embsay & Bolton Abbey Santa train recently. I plumped for Christmas Eve now the kids are older and don't need an early bedtime.

Story Telling with Father Christmas at Fortnums is AMAZING. Same man every year, small groups and just lovely. Tickets on sale end of August / early September. We’ve always done a weekend day and then out for a nice lunch or afternoon tea following it. I think it’s about £25 and you get a lovely goodie bag (chocolate coins, sweets, small toy and colouring pencils).

I miss this every year!! When do you think tickets will open up? Determined to get tickets this year!!!

ENB Nutcracker at The Coliseum now on sale. Cheap seats are great !

The Christmas Trail at Trentham Gardens is open for booking now.

Longleat Festival of Light tickets went on sale today. After wanting to go for years I finally booked for the end of Nov. Very excited!

www.longleat.co.uk/ticket/the-festival-of-light-all-in-one-ticket

Perhaps one not for kids but just booked afternoon tea for Christmas at Highclere (Downton Abbey) can't begin to explain how excited I am.

That sounds lovely orange

@Queeniewag sorry I missed your reply. Honestly you need to stalk it as it goes in minutes. I checked the website everyday from 1 August, followed them on Instagram, signed up to emails and followed them on Eventbrite (who they sell the tickets through). You need to be on it early am or you miss out but so so worth it. I think it was around 10 September last year but I’m sure I’ve booked in August in previous years.

Just thought I would jump on to say you can book Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park London now.

Iv done this before. It’s really good.

I was a bit disappointed with the proposed Roald Dahl theme this year though so May look at something else.

I'm looking at Dennis Severs House , Christmas tickets aren't appearing yet .

Plan to go with DD , then lunch/ tea somewhere nearby

Father Christmas at fortnums sounds fabulous. I'll keep an eye on their website.

Just booked the Northern Ballet Nutcracker at the Grand Theatre in Leeds.

I've booked ABBA Voyage for DD and me (£200+ ) so I'l leave Dennis Server till next year .

Thanks so much for replying, I’ve just seen this. Hopefully I haven’t missed the boat. I don’t see anything on eventbrite yet but will check daily now. Thank you.

Tickets for Storytelling with Father Christmas at Fortnums are up!!!! I'm taking DD6. So excited!!

Crikey they sold out within 35 minutes!!!

I think they may release some again at 11am and the 17/12 for example wasn't listed yet.

Good luck

Santa Spectacular at Willows (just north of London) is taking bookings. An expensive but lovely day out.