Don’t miss out on all the festive fun
Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster
All change! Severn Valley Railway bosses have transformed their Santa Steam Specials this year. Passengers can now take a steam train ride through the Severn Valley with Santa on board. He will visit every family on board the decorated carriages, hand out gifts to children and pose for photos. Services steam in every weekend from November 30 to December 22 plus December 23 and 24 too. Be warned they do tend to sell out quick, especially the
Christmas Eve tickets. Fares start from £20 per person.
Weston Park, Shifnal, Shropshire
This illuminated trail through the ancient trees and woodland of Capability Brown’s Temple Wood will run from December 13 to 21. Festive Fizz & Eats will also return to the Stables Courtyard where visitors can warm up by the fire pits, toast marshmallows and enjoy fabulous street food, warming cocktails, live entertainment and a festive pop-up market selling gifts. Tickets cost £9 per person and under fours go free at the event, which runs from 5-8pm each evening.
Birmingham Rep
Peter Pan tells the story of fairies, malevolent mermaids and a raucous gang of abandoned Lost Children. Recommended for ages 7+, the show runs from November 30 to January 19. As part of The Rep’s commitment to making theatre accessible to everyone, all performances between December 5 and January 19 will be Audio Described and Captioned, meaning that audiences with visual or hearing impairments can enjoy these services on any performance. Tickets start from
£15.
Tamworth Snowdome
If you want to start the celebrations early, then this could be a good place to begin! The Winter Wonderland opens from November 15 and runs every day, right through to New Year’s Eve. There will be real snow and reindeer and an all new winter wonderland show. Families can take a walk through the ‘enchanted forest’, enjoy a game of snowballs, hitch a ride on a sledge and slide about in the snow tubes on Santa’s Christmas Snow Trail. You can also visit Santa’s Christmas Village where there is a traditional carousel, which is new for 2019. There’s also an animal area and a chance to see Santa’s house, where you can write him a letter to drop in his talking postbox. Prices start at £13.95 per person. Children under two go free.
Drayton Manor, Mile Oak, Tamworth
The event will run from November 16 to December 31. Last year, you got to enter the enchanted Castle of Dreams to see playful helpers and the Sugar Plum Fairy before meeting Father Christmas in his grotto to receive a gift. There were also live character shows, carols, light shows, festive food and every day ends with a fireworks display. Tickets are not on sale yet but you can sign up to be the first to receive information.
Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Dr Suess’ whimsical world of Whoville will be brought to life in this Christmas musical being brought to the UK for the first time. Get ready for hit songs You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch and Welcome Christmas, The Grinch in this classic festive tale about how the scheming Grinch decides to steal Christmas but learns there’s more to it than he bargained for. It runs from December 3 to 7 and tickets start from £13 plus fees.
Bell Court Shopping Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon
This Harry Potter-style Christmas experience gives kids the chance to help solve a mystery before meeting Santa. The experience lasts around 45 minutes and features an interactive performance, some quality time with Father Christmas, a gift, a puzzle trail and the chance to throw snowballs! There are counting puzzles, ciphers, things to read and magic words to find. Some clues are hidden within the magical exhibits so you’ll have to work hard to spot some of them and the whole family will need to work as a team. Everyone receives a copy of a specially-commissioned bedtime story, A Dickens of a Christmas, to be read together on Christmas Eve. Tickets cost £13 per person and babes in arms go free.
National Forest Adventure Farm, Burtonon-Trent.
Children will receive a personalised ticket from Father Christmas, then they get to check-in and collect their Elf Coins before setting off on a journey through a magical portal to the North Pole. Once there, families can explore the Victoria high street and sweet shop, help the elves sort parcels in the post office and meet the talking polar bear under the Northern Lights. There’s also the chance to sing festive songs with Silvermist the reindeer and decorate gingerbread men with Mother Christmas before meeting Father Christmas and choosing a gift. The event runs on weekends from November 23 to December 22 plus December 23 and 24 too. Prices start from £22 children, £13 adults and and £13 toddlers (12 to 23 months) when purchased online. Babes in arms go free. Tickets also include entrance to the farm.