Tis the season to be jolly! England is packed with loads of things to do this Christmas to keep you warm and entertained during the long evenings. Keep the chill out of your bones by sipping warmed mulled wine as your browse the Christmas market stalls at London’s Winter Wonderland, sample delicious hot foods at Victorian-themed winter festivals, and pick up the perfect gift at one of many Christmas events around the country.
Christmas events
Tis the season to be jolly! England is packed with loads of things to do this Christmas to keep you warm and entertained during the long evenings. Keep the chill out of your bones by sipping warmed mulled wine as your browse the Christmas market stalls at London’s Winter Wonderland, sample delicious hot foods at Victorian-themed winter festivals, and pick up the perfect gift at one of many Christmas events around the country.
Join a festive guided walk in Stratford-upon-Avon
Experience a festive guided walking tour of Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's home-town on Christmas Day.
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
December events: Enjoy a festive family day out at Perrygrove
Enjoy a truly magical experience with the family this Christmas at Perrygrove Railway.
Location: Coleford, Gloucestershire
December events: Enjoy a city Christmas festival with a difference
Experience the timeless beauty of Durham City as you explore the traditional Durham Christmas festival this winter.
Location: Durham City, Durham
November events: Start your shopping at the Weald and Downland Christmas Market
Find the perfect gift and enjoy a great day out at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum.
Location: Chichester, West Sussex
December events: Have an Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum
Venture into Westonbirt’s magical illuminated grounds this winter for acres of Christmas joy.
Location: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
December events: Start off your Christmas season in Chester
Visit Santa, sip on mulled wine and spend the weekend celebrating all things festive in the beautiful city of Chester.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
December events: Get set for winter at The Alnwick Garden
For a festive day out with a difference, wrap up in your cosiest Christmas jumper and join in the fun at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland.
Location: The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Enjoy winter ice skating at the Centre for Life
Ice skating returns to Times Square in Newcastle this winter, offering the perfect opportunity to start your winter break in style.
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
December events: Discover yuletide fun at Kielder Winter Wonderland
Visit Father and Mrs Christmas in their secret woodland home, help the elves prepare for the big day, meet real reindeer and enjoy a jolly musical experience.
Location: Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland
December events: Find the perfect gift at the Exeter Christmas Market
The Exeter Christmas Market represents the best of what Britain, the South West and the rest of Europe has to offer – with a mix of great food, excellent crafts, unique gifts and decorations.
Location: Exeter
December events: Enter an underground Christmas cave
Follow the story of Archie and the Unicorn, told through glittering lights in an underground cavern.
Location: Clearwell Caves, Gloucestershire
December events: Step inside Worcester’s Victorian Christmas Fayre
Worcester's Christmas Fayre is the West Midlands' leading Victorian-themed street market.
Location: Worcester, Worcestershire
December events: Meet Santa on a steam train
Take a trip on Swanage Railway in the run up to Christmas and get the chance to meet Santa. It's fun for all the family and each child gets their own present!
Location: Swanage, Dorset
Ice Skating at the Royal Pavilion
Enjoy ice-skating with the magical backdrop of the Royal Pavilion on a winter city break in Brighton.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
December events: Walk in Nottingham's magical Winter Wonderland
A traditional Christmas-card scene is recreated in Nottingham's Old Market Square every winter – the perfect place to get into the festival spirit.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Enjoy a festive day out to one of Europe's biggest Christmas markets
Wrap up warm and head down to the Manchester Christmas markets this winter to experience a festive array of sights, smells and sounds.
Location: Manchester
November events: Step back in time at the Victorian Christmas Festival
Get in the festive spirit at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
December events: Find your festive spirit at Salisbury's Christmas Fayre
Shop 'til you drop at Salisbury's annual Christmas Fayre, held in the beautiful Guildhall Square.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Get that festive feeling at a cosy Christmas Fair
Soak up the festive atmosphere at a Christmas fair, while staying in a luxury apartment, and sipping cuppas with cute kitties.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
December events: Have a winter weekend at Compton Verney
Delight in festive fun with the family at at Compton Verney, Warwickshire's award-winning art gallery.
Location: Warwickshire
Be the first to hear about our offers and competitions.
The latest travel news, events and ideas for holidays and breaks in England
Customer survey …
VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website.
It should take no more than a couple of minutes.