With Christmas just around the corner here is a round up of what’s on around the UK to celebrate this year’s festivities.  Remember to check if pre-booking is necessary by visiting their website.  For more ideas and inspiration please look at our E-Magazines.

CORNWALL

Minack Theatre

There’s music, mischief, and ghosts at the Minack this Christmas.  Enjoy a seasonal concert on Sunday 12 December, performed by Pendeen Silver Band. Let actor David Mynne entrance you with his enthralling one-man performance of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol (It’s Dickens with added silliness!).

20-22 December at 4pm.
www.minack.com
The Minack Theatre, S W Coast Path, Porthcurno, Penzance TR19 6JU

The Piskie in the Garden
29 & 31 Dec, 2 Jan at 11am

Younger children and families will be bewitched by storyteller John Brolly’s magical tale, The Piskie in the Garden.  An old gardener is woken by mysterious noises from the potting shed. It can only mean one thing, he has a piskie in the garden.  A mix of puppets, music and storytelling, this magical, mischievous tale is perfect for families.

29 & 31 December and 2 January at 11am. www.minack.com/past-shows/piskie-garden
The Minack Theatre, S W Coast Path, Porthcurno, Penzance TR19 6JU

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Open from 10am every day of the holiday season (except Christmas and Boxing Days). On specific days, we will also be offering; choirs by candlelight (including fireworks), a wreath-making workshop, themed Gardens and Glasshouse tours, and a festive afternoon tea. Please see www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/whatson/ for details.

Birmingham Botanical and Horticultural Society Ltd., Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TR

BRISTOL

Victoria Art Gallery

November 28 – 1 January

The colourful celebration of children’s book illustration will appeal to children of all ages, from pre-schoolers to young adults. Visitors will meet a motley crew of characters, from the Gruffalo to the Iron Man, fearsome dragons to the Little Ogre, and even monsters in underpants! They will also come face-to-face with several larger-than-life 3D exhibits.

Star contributors include:

• Axel Scheffler – The Gruffalo and other Julia Donaldson books
• Michael Foreman – War Boy, Stubby and The Littlest Dinosaur
• Cressida Cowell – How to Train Your Dragon
• Victoria Topping – Mythologica: An encyclopedia of gods, monsters and mortals from ancient Greece
• Chris Mould – The Iron Man

For a list or rolling events and to book tickets visit www.victoriagal.org.uk

The Magic of Christmas
Pittville Pump Room
December 12 & 19

This magical afternoon with Mrs Claus is sure to capture the magic of Christmas. Your little ones will be taken on a wonderful, imaginary adventure with the story of ‘Little Robin Red Vest’. Meanwhile the grown-ups can listen while indulging in a festive afternoon tea. Customers are able to upgrade to traditional glühwein mulled wine or glass of bubbly for additional £4.95 on the day of the storytelling session. Suitable for children aged 7 and under. visit www.pittvillepumproom.org.uk/opening-times/

Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1QA

HAMPSHIRE

Avon Tyrrell Christmas Activity Trail

Saturday 11th December

Join Avon Tyrrell for some festive activities including climbing, archery, adventure course, problem solving, bushcraft and many more. Suitable for children aged 5+ years old. It costs just £7 per person and parents go for free!

Avon Tyrell Outdoor Activity Centre, Bransgore, Christchurch, BH23 8EE

www.avontyrrell.org.uk

Father Christmas’ Flying Visit

Wednesday 22 December
Hawk Conservancy Trust

Hawk Conservancy Trust, Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8DY

www.hawk-conservancy.org/events/father-christmas-flying-visit/

HERTFORDSHIRE

Bach Choir Christmas Carol Concerts
11 December
The Christmas concerts at the Cathedral are uplifting and will set you in the mood for Christmas.

St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY

www.stalbanscathedral.org/Event/life

The Borrowers

17-28 December

Abbey Theatre St Albans

Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 2DL

www.abbeytheatre.org.uk/whats-on

LANCASHIRE

Blackpool Illuminations

There us it better treat than driving along Blackpool’s promenade and looking at the lights.  Why not take the famous ghost Blackpool Heritage Tram Tour for some additional spooky fun.  Until 3 January 2022

Blackpool.  www.visitblackpool.com/things-to-do/blackpoolilluminations/

Famous Ghost Blackpool Heritage Tram Tour

19 November

A584, Promenade North Pier & Tower Heritage Tram Stop,

Blackpool FY1 1AP

www.blackpoolheritage.com/tours/ghost-tour

LONDON

Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature

Until 3 January 2022

Natural History Museum

Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, SW7 5BD

www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/fantastic-beaststhe-wonder-of-nature.html

Illuminature Light Trail

Until 9 January 2022

London Wetland Centre

www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whatson/illuminature/5969#

NORTHUMBERLAND

Northumberland National Park
Mission Imp-Possible
18th December 2021

Walltown Country Park

Your mission begins with a message from Santa explaining the problem. Our Chief Imp will then issue you with a special piece of clothing and get you warmed up for your mission. The 3k route follows paths and tracks around Walltown Country Park, with fantastic views of Hadrian’s Wall to inspire you.  This is a great event for all the family and the course can easily be walked by younger children and is buggy friendly. Under-fives in your group go free. www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk

Pennine Way, Greenhead CA8 7JD

Get Creative
18^th December

Join us at The Sill this festive season and learn how to make simple willow decorations which you can hang around your home. Suitable for families.   www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk

The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, Once Brewed, Bardon Mill, Hexham NE47 7AN

STRATFORD UPON AVON

Shakespeare’s School Room
One of the most atmospheric buildings in Stratford-upon-Avon, is being transformed this Christmas. Santa at the Schoolroom is an enchanting family experience that will be taking place for the first time at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall.

Visitors will take a journey through the 600-year-old building, meeting a host of Christmas characters along the way including Santa Claus, settled by the fireplace in the Master’s Chamber.

A festive quiz with fun-loving Puck, a Christmas story with Thursday the Elf, crafts and games in the Georgian Schoolroom and a ‘What the Dickens?’ encounter in Shakespeare’s Schoolroom with Charles Dickens.

The experience lasts 1-11/2 hours. Participants will receive a small gift from Santa.

Book tickets: www.ShakespearesSchoolroom.org

SUFFOLK

Solstice Lantern Walk
Get the family out and enjoy a twilight walk through the woods

21 December

Bradfield Woods Nature Reserve

Felsham Rd, Bury Saint Edmunds IP30 0AQ

www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/event

WALES

Powys
Percy Park Keeper’s Winter Trail
Great to keep little ones entertained.

From 4 December

Powis Castle and Garden

Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8RF

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garde

YORKSHIRE

Jack and the Beanstalk
3 – 31 December
Stephen Joseph Theatre A brand new adaptation of the classic tale with plenty of silliness and lots to enjoy for young and old alike! Age guidance 6+. Westborough, Scarborough, YO11 1JW
www.sjt.uk.com/event/1134/jack_&_the_beanstalk