This month
news and events for your diary
Oh yes it is! Panto is back for 2021
Car Park Panto returns this month to venues across the UK, presenting the Horrible Histories Horrible Christmas Show, in partnership with Birmingham Stage Company.
The world’s first drive-in panto, Horrible Christmas is a Covid-secure experience, where kids (and adults) can jump up and down in their own seats, cheer and make as much noise as they like (beep those horns!). It’s designed to get everyone into the festive spirit from the comfort of their own vehicle.
Horrible Christmas tells the story of how Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, and it’s up to one small boy to prevent disaster.
From Victorian villains to medieval monks, Puritan parties and Tudor treats, it’s an exciting trip through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, Henry VIII (1) and St Nick as they join forces to save the day.
Tickets are priced at £49.50 per vehicle (plus £2.50 booking fee) from carparkparty.com.
Trip the light fantastic
The festive season is offering a wealth of great light trails. Here’s a selection:
■ Bath Christmas Light Trail
The Enchanted Garden of Light at Bath’s American Museum will illuminate the museum’s dramatic setting, with a sparkling route through the gardens and parkland. Runs to 31 December. (visitbath.co.uk/christmas)
■ Glow 2021 at RHS Garden Bridgewater
Enjoy RHS Garden Bridgewater as never before, with dazzling displays lighting a magical trail. Experience a selection of Bridgewater’s best-loved locations with sparkling trees, shrubs and water features. To 30 December. Advance booking essential; £11 for adults and £5.50 for children aged five to 16. Other RHS Glow venues include Wisley (2). (rhs.org.uk/gardens/ bridgewater/whats-on/ bridgewater-glow)
■ Christmas at Longleat
This new family event has everything from singing Christmas trees to a magical Santa Train (3) and an illuminated hedge maze. Visitors can walk in a 50m tunnel of lights and Longleat House will be transformed into a series of festive scenes as they wander in a forest of 100 decorated Christmas trees. To 3 January.
Tickets include winter safari drive-through and cost £36.95 for adults and £27.20 for children aged three to 15. (longleat.co. uk/christmas-at-longleat)
■ Delamere Forest
This new after-dark trail brings twinkling lights and seasonal sounds to Delamere Forest. Discover sparkling tunnels of light (4) and walk below giant baubles. Don’t miss the iconic Christmas Cathedral, the Neon Tree and the mesmerising Fire Garden. Runs to 31 December. Tickets booked in advance cost £19.50 for adults and £13.50 for children aged three to 16. (www.forestryengland.uk/ christmas-at-delamere)
■ Lightopia Festival
The award-winning lantern and light festival returns to Manchester and London. New installations and routes will take visitors on a magical journey through the fantasy-themed light trail. Runs to 2/3 January. Tickets cost £20 for adults and £13 for children aged
three to 15. (lightopiafestival.com)
■ Watercress Steam Railway
The industrial revolution meets the digital revolution with a light show on and in a steam train, with thousands of controllable colour-mixing LEDs and LED wristbands. Runs to 2 January. Tickets £48 per table for two. (watercressline.co.uk)