December events
9 fantastically festive places for a Christmas break
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Enjoy a festive break in December with one of these special Christmas time events.
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: 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: Wander through a Bavarian-style village in Bristol
Bristol is brimming with free events, festivals and markets during the winter.
Location: Bristol
December events: Experience a quintessentially English Christmas
Visit the small market town of Much Wenlock for festive trinkets, handmade gifts and sweet and savoury snacks at its Christmas Fayre.
Location: Much Wenlock, Shropshire
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: Enjoy a spot of festive shopping at Taurus Crafts
Pick up tasty treats and Christmas gifts at Taurus Crafts’ annual Christmas market.
Location: Lydney, 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
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: Grab yourself a festive bargain at Bath Christmas Market
Bath Christmas Market is a magical festive shopping experience, set against the city centre’s stunning backdrop of historic buildings.
Location: Bath, Somerset
December events: Visit Hyde Park at Christmas and witness a Winter Wonderland
Gather the family and get your skates on for the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink at London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
Location: London
December events: Join Santa on the La'al Ratty through Eskdale
Climb aboard the family favourite 'Santa Express' which returns to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway this winter.
Location: Ravenglass, Cumbria
December events: Enter a magical winter wonderland in Suffolk
Get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to a Christmas Fair in medieval Lavenham and a Dickensian Christmas at a Tudor manor in Long Melford.
Location: Lavenham and Long Melford, Suffolk
December events: Visit Birmingham's famous Christmas market
Have a Teutonic shopping experience, all washed down with a cup or two of Glühwein!
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
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
8 unmissable Christmas steam train experiences
Get into the Christmas spirit by jumping on board any one of these classic steam train experiences in England. From meet and greets with a certain Mr Claus to illuminated rides through the countryside, the kids are sure to have an unforgettable time on board.
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
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
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: Celebrate the Winter Solstice at Burning the Clocks
Brighton marks the shortest day of the year with the Burning the Clocks winter solstice parade.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
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
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