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Check out our selection of things to do in the Midlands during the next few weeks.
STEP INTO CHRISTMAS AT CADBURY WORLD
Festive celebrations get under way at Cadbury World this month. The popular venue is presenting a whole host of seasonal activities for families to enjoy, all of which come complete with that ever-important chocolately twist.
Visitors can catch one of the 17 daily performances of the Santa Show (included in the ticket price), where his super-helpful elves will be handing out gifts to young audience members.
Before heading for home, be sure to swing by the world’s biggest Cadbury shop to pick up some handmade Christmas chocolates.
Cadbury World, Birmingham, weekends from until Saturday 23 December, and also Thursday 21 & Friday 22 December
BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW
It’s once again time to eat, drink and be merry as the winter edition of the BBC Good Food Show comes to the NEC.
As well as watching celebrity chefs - including The Hairy Bikers, Nadiya Hussain (pictured), and James Martin - cook up a storm on the show’s Big Kitchen stage, visitors can also pick up some tasty festive treats from hundreds of hand-picked producers.
Also back by popular demand is the Fabulous Food Finds Tasting Theatre - a great place to sample a selection of products - and the Winter Workshops - offering handy hints & tips on how to make a variety of festive treats.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER - Get 15% off tickets* with the code WHAT15 at booking.
*15% discount on standard general admission tickets, excludes VIP. Offer ends 31/10/2023
NEC, Birmingham, Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 November
CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR
Have yourself a brick-tastic little Christmas at Legoland Discovery Centre.
Get into the festive spirit by joining in with a selection of magical activities, including a scavenger hunt in the winter wonderland-themed Miniland. There’s also the chance to build a Christmas tree out of Lego and meet Lego Santa in his brick grotto.
Fun rides, build & play zones and a 4D cinema further add to the popular visitor attraction’s festive offer.
Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham, Saturday 25 November - Saturday 24 December
ALDERFORD'S SANTA ISLAND
Discover the story of Santa and his elves on a magical adventure across Alderford Lake this festive season.
On arrival at the venue, the elves will welcome guests with a tasty treat, after which the adventure begins...
Families can cross the wishing bridge and head to the toy workshop, where little ones can try their hand at making toys.
Then it’s time to pay a visit to the grotto, where Santa will be waiting to hear the children’s Christmas wishes...
Alderford Lake, North Shropshire, Friday 24 November - Friday 22 December
NORTH POLE ADVENTURE
Enjoy a magical trip to the North Pole with this fully immersive experience!
Grab your personalised ticket, check-in, and head through the Magical Portal. Then explore a Victorian high street, give busy elves a helping hand in their workshop, and say hello to a talking polar bear beneath the stunning spectacle of the Northern Lights.
The experience concludes with a special meeting with Father Christmas, during which children can choose a gift to take home.
National Forest Adventure Farm, Staffordshire, selected dates from Saturday 25 November - Sunday 24 December
WINTER GLOW
The 2023 edition of Winter Glow features a number of new activities, including elf circus-skills workshops and pet experiences (on selected dates).
One of the event’s key features, the outdoor light trail, will take visitors on a journey around the North Pole, following the story of the Golden Snowflake and be bigger than ever this year.
Other highlights include personalised ‘Santa experiences’, an indoor ice rink, a food quarter, fairground and Christmas market (which is available to visit without a ticket).
Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Friday 24 November - Saturday 6 January
VISIT SANTA: VINTAGE SLEIGH EXPERIENCE
The Vintage Sleigh Ride experience returns to Coventry Transport Museum this month.
Wander through a magical winter wonderland of festive activities and snowy scenes before taking a ride on an enchanting vintage sleigh pulled by two trusty reindeer. Your next stop? Lapland. Meet Santa, tell him your Christmas wishes and collect a special gift!... The Vintage Sleigh Ride experience includes museum admission tickets for the day of your visit.
Coventry Transport Museum, Saturday 25 November - Saturday 23 December
SANTA'S GROTTO EXPERIENCE
Get ready to dive into the ultimate, er, fish-mas adventure at the National SEA LIFE Centre in Birmingham, as Santa and his elves set about the business of spreading some serious Christmas cheer!
Sea explorers can check out more than 2,000 incredible creatures - including a colony of Gentoo penguins, jaw-some sharks and the UK’s only sea otters - before heading to Santa’s spectacularly snowy grotto, where every child will receive a special gift to take home with them.
National SEA LIFE Centre, Birmingham, Saturday 25 November - Saturday 24 December
SANTA TRAINS
Experience a magical rail journey courtesy of Severn Valley Railway’s Santa Trains.
After walking through a winter wonderland at Kidderminster Station to meet Mrs Christmas and her elf, guests will collect a hot drink & sweet treat and board the steam train for a journey to Arley station.
Once there, they will be treated to a live stage show, featuring a host of festive characters alongside Father Christmas as he prepares for the biggest night of the year.
The train journey back to Kidderminster comes complete with a ‘present-shaped surprise’ for every child.
Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, nr Kidderminster, selected dates from Saturday 25 November - Sunday 24 December
THE ENCHANTED EXPRESS
Severn Valley Railway’s ever-popular Enchanted Express will return to its Bridgnorth station each weekend until Christmas.
The voice of Dame Julie Walters will guide passengers aboard the train, where they will meet train driver Luna Loco, Pip the Christmas Mouse, Brigadier Dimple the Toy Soldier, Violet the Sugarplum Fairy, Mama Lumi the Post Elf and Father Christmas himself.
Once everyone has settled into their very own private compartment, an enchanting Christmas tale and festive music will play as the train steams through a winter wonderland. As the journey progresses, characters will appear to personally sign guests’ hardback books, with each child receiving a gift from Father Christmas.
And to top it all off, the experience includes a free 2024 return ticket for each child.
Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, nr Kidderminster, every weekend from Saturday 2 - Sunday 24 December
CHRISTMAS AT COMPTON VERNEY
Compton Verney is a hive of yuletide activity this month, with attractions at the venue including festive lunches (7 - 15 December), a Winter Wassail (on the 9th) and numerous Christmas concerts.
Those visiting on the weekend of the 16th & 17th will be greeted by the Christmas camel and his donkey friends, with opportunities available to stroke the animals and take a photo with them.
The following week sees Santa stopping off at the venue (from the 22nd to the 24th) and hiding out in the grounds and galleries, waiting for visitors to find him and share their festive plans and Christmas wishes.
Compton Verney, Warwickshire
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Take a step back in time this month and sample a Blists Hill Christmas Weekend (or two!). As well as enjoying the popular Victorian town’s usual exhibits - decorated for the season - kids will also be able to whirl down the helter skelter, check out Punch & Judy shows and meet Santa in his grotto. Candle dipping and Victorian Christmas card-making also feature, and there’s a Christmas Emporium too, providing shoppers with the chance to purchase some unique gifts. A choir, brass band, reindeer and snow further add to the festive feel.
Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 and Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 December
WINTER FUNLAND
Described as a ‘full-on festive extravaganza’, Winter Funland is home to the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair. Attractions include an ice rink, a 1,200-seater circus and the chance to enjoy unlimited rides.
As an added treat, youngsters can visit a special festive grotto (pre-booking is essential), where Santa will be checking out who’s been naughty or nice while his mischievous elves make themselves available for some not-to-be-missed photo opportunities.
NEC, Birmingham, Saturday 9 December - Monday 1 January
CHRISTMAS AT ASTON HALL
With Christmas trees and twinkling flameless candles much in evidence, Aston Hall is dressed for the season and ready to welcome visitors!
On Sunday 10 December, the magnificent 17th-century mansion will host Aston Alive: Christmases Past, an event that will see a cast of historical characters share stories about how they used to celebrate Christmas.
Then, on Sunday the 17th, visitors can enjoy a day of action, humour and adventure courtesy of two cracking Christmas tales from the Court of King Arthur.
Aston Hall, Birmingham
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW
Acclaimed animation team Illuminos return to Lichfield Cathedral this month with another festive light spectacular.
The audio-visual shows will be displayed outside against the cathedral’s Bishop’s Palace and West Front, using the popular carol In The Bleak Midwinter to tell the Christmas story. Visitors will be introduced to a kind and generous fox, who gives gifts to other animals he meets as he makes his way to see the newborn baby Jesus.
The festive experience will then continue inside the cathedral, where visitors can check out the Christmas Tree Festival.
Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire, Saturday 16 - Wednesday 20 and Friday 22 December
WINTER GLOW
The 2023 edition of Winter Glow features a number of new activities, including elf circus-skills workshops and pet experiences (on selected dates).
One of the event’s key features, the outdoor light trail, will take visitors on a journey around the North Pole, following the story of the Golden Snowflake and be bigger than ever this year.
Other highlights include personalised ‘Santa experiences’, an indoor ice rink, a food quarter, fairground and Christmas market (which is available to visit without a ticket).
Three Counties Showground, Malvern, until Saturday 6 January
ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM
Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel make a welcome return to Centenary Square this month.
While the wheel offers the opportunity to enjoy fantastic views across the city, the weather-proofed ice rink accommodates up to 300 people per session.
Younger or inexperienced skating enthusiasts can keep upright by using special penguin aids. And when skaters have finished their Torvill & Dean routine, they can warm themselves up with some festive fare in the nearby Ice Lounge and double deck rooftop bar.
Centenary Square, Birmingham, until Sunday 7 January
SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND
Tamworth’s SnowDome is being transformed into a winter wonderland this festive season.
Step into the Christmas Village - where you can say hello to Santa’s real-life furry friends - take a ride on the carousel, check out the festive game zone, visit Santa’s house and drop off your gift list.
And that’s not all... Visitors can also play and slide around in real snow on the Christmas trail, explore the enchanted forest, battle it out in a snowball fight, and enjoy Santa’s all-new Summit Slide.
Plus, Santa, Rudolph and the North Pole Players will be performing a brand-new stage show based on the classic rags-to-riches fairytale of Cinderella.
SnowDome, Tamworth, until Sunday 7 January