More Days Out News
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Watch the stunning ‘Blue Morpho’ take flight this Christmas!
Posted on Fri 28 Nov
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World’s first Peter Pan drone light show comes to the Midlands
Posted on Fri 28 Nov
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Birmingham Hippodrome announce second date for Sir David Jason
Posted on Fri 28 Nov
GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER
Taste seasonal delights, shop for unique gifts, and watch your favourite chefs and experts bring festive recipes to life on stage... Yes, the Good Food Show Winter is returning to the NEC this month!
This year’s line-up of culinary legends includes James Martin, Lisa Faulkner, Michel Roux and Si King, all of whom will be taking to the stage to cook up festive feasts and seasonal treats.
Get ahead with your Christmas shopping by visiting the show’s hundreds of handpicked producers - from big-name brands to small artisan creators - then check out the brand-new Gifting Village, an excellent place to purchase stocking fillers and presents.
There are plenty of hands-on workshops to sample too, including The World of Magical Masalas with Cyrus Todiwala and Andy’s Christmas Cocktail Crackers.
NEC, Birmingham, until Sunday 30 November
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ TRAIN RIDE
This winter, Vintage Trains are once again bringing THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride to Birmingham - ‘an enchanting festive journey’ straight from the beloved 2004 motion picture.
An immersive, family-orientated experience, the event sees the film theatrically recreated onboard heritage carriages, behind a real steam locomotive.
Each passenger will receive a golden ticket, a hot chocolate and a cookie to enjoy, and a bell that only rings ‘for those who believe’, given out by Father Christmas himself
Departing from Birmingham Moor Street Station, until Tuesday 23 December
SPECTACLE OF LIGHT
Spectacle Of Light returns to the enchanting grounds of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire for its 10th anniversary this festive season.
To mark the milestone, organisers have unveiled a brand-new theme for this year’s event: King Arthur.
The trail will take guests on a journey through the myths and mysteries of Camelot. Attractions include an iconic glowing-sword installation, an enchanted woodland, magical beasts, projections and ‘lots of surprises around every corner’.
Visitors can also enjoy a selection of festive food & drink during the course of their visit.
Sudeley Castle, Cheltenham, until Tuesday 30 December
WINTER WONDERLAND STOKE
Winter Wonderland Stoke has returned for its 10th year of festive fun, once again transforming Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre into a glittering world of seasonal cheer.
Visitors can glide across the ice rink, check out rides and fairground attractions, and sample an array of seasonal food & drink.
In the true spirit of Christmas giving, admission to the event is free. Popular attractions such as ice skating fill up quickly, though, so visitors are encouraged to book ahead to guarantee their space. Visit the website winterwonderlandstoke.com in order to do so.
Lichfield Street, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sunday 4 January
WALKING WITH THE SNOWMAN™
A specially curated Walking With The Snowman™ art trail launches the festive season at the National Trust’s Baddesley Clinton venue this month.
Twelve uniquely decorated sculptures will be displayed throughout the gardens, with each having been inspired by the song The Twelve Days Of Christmas.
Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire, until Sunday 11 January
WINTER TATTOO FESTIVAL
More than 150 award-winning tattoo artists will be centre stage when the Winter Tattoo Festival takes place at Coventry Building Society Arena for the first time this month.
The UK’s only Christmas-themed tattoo festival, the show will see the best artists from the UK and beyond showcasing their talents across the two days.
Live entertainment, a wide range of stalls and family-friendly attractions further add to the weekend’s appeal.
Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry, Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November
CHRISTMAS FOOD & GIFT FAYRE
Kickstart your Christmas-shopping mission with a visit to Weston’s festive-season fayre this month. Attractions include live music, a variety of artisan food & drink, and the chance to purchase presents from a host of talented crafters.
Away from the fayre, visitors can enjoy a walk in Temple Wood, check out a fun festive trail, and take a ride on the Miniature Railway.
Weston Park, Shropshire, Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November
MADE IN TELFORD CHRISTMAS MAKERS MARKET
The Made In Telford Christmas Market brings together an array of festive stalls showcasing the area’s talented artisan makers.
The brand-new event offers visitors the chance to explore and purchase locally crafted gifts, seasonal decorations and handmade goods, all created by independent businesses from across Telford and Wrekin.
Southwater Square, Telford, Saturday 29 November - Sunday 7 December
STORYTIME WITH SANTA
Step into the magic of the season at Thinktank Science Museum’s Santa’s Grotto, where little ones are welcomed into a cosy, festive setting to meet the man himself.
Children will gather around to enjoy a heartwarming Christmas story read by Santa, before heading to his workshop for a hands-on craft activity.
While families get creative, each child will be invited to meet Santa personally and receive a special gift, with parents able to take a photo as a keepsake of the day.
Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, weekends and Christmas holidays from Saturday 29 November - Tuesday 23 December
VISIT SANTA: VINTAGE SLEIGH RIDE EXPERIENCE
Coventry Transport Museum’s hugely popular Visit Santa: Vintage Sleigh Ride Experience is back!
Families will wander through snowy scenes, board a beautifully restored vintage sleigh pulled by reindeer, write a Christmas wish-list, meet Santa in his grotto, and collect a bespoke gift from one of his North Pole elves.
Tickets also include same-day museum admission, allowing visitors to explore the transport collection either before or after their sleigh ride.
Coventry Transport Museum, Saturday 29 November - Tuesday 23 December
MAGICAL FESTIVE EXPERIENCES AT SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
The Severn Valley Railway is offering two festive-themed attractions to enjoy in the run-up to Christmas.
Presented in collaboration with Wise Owl Theatre Company, The Elf Express departs from Bridgnorth station, with a cast of mischievous and merry elves entertaining families onboard the steam-hauled train.
Meanwhile, Santa’s Steam Special starts out from Kidderminster, whisking passengers away to Arley for The Great Christmas Train Rescue, featuring Santa, Polly the polar bear and a scheming villain called Victor Von Sneeze.
Santa’s Steam Specials will operate as ‘relaxed’ services on selected dates.
Severn Valley Railway, selected dates from Saturday 29 November - Wednesday 24 December
CHRISTMAS FUN AT THINKTANK
The festive magic continues at Thinktank this month, with little ones invited into the museum’s grotto to enjoy a heartwarming Christmas story read by Santa himself.
Each child will then get to meet Santa personally and receive a special gift from him, with parents able to take a photo as a keepsake of the day.
Other festive-season attractions at the venue include the chance to get hands-on with a craft activity in Santa’s workshop.
There’s also a ‘cinema under the stars’ experience to enjoy in the planetarium on Friday the 12th & Saturday the 13th, with Elf, Gremlins and It’s A Wonderful Life among the films being screened across the two days.
Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, throughout December
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
Worcester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival is bigger than ever this year, with 100 additional trees - decorated by charities, schools, businesses and community groups - featuring in the display. New for 2025 - and located in the ancient Chapter House - are 60 trees dedicated by members of the general public ‘in memory of a loved one, in celebration of someone, or simply to say thank you’.
Worcester Cathedral, Thursday 4 December - Tuesday 6 January
A FAMILY CHRISTMAS AT HARTLEBURY CASTLE
Returning to Hartlebury Castle across the first weekend of the month, A Family Christmas is this year jampacked with more festivities than ever.
With seasonal music and festive decorations helping to set the scene - and Mother Christmas on hand to greet families - visitors can get stuck into all manner of Christmassy craft fun, including biscuit decorating and balloon modelling.
There’s also the opportunity for children to write that all-important letter to Father Christmas.
Hartlebury Castle, Worcester, Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December
CHRISTMAS THROUGH TIME
Visitors to Avoncroft Museum’s Christmas Through Time event not only discover how the festive season has been celebrated throughout the ages, they also get to see the venue’s historic homes imaginatively festooned with traditional decorations.
Children can take part in a special Christmas Stocking Trail on both weekends, while across the weekend of the 13th & 14th, talented reenactors will recreate the sights and sounds of a medieval Christmas.
Other attractions during the second weekend include a carol service in the Mission Church with singing group Stream of Sounds, and a performance by local musical group Bromsgrove Recorder Consort (on Saturday the 13th only).
Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December & Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 December
WINTER FUNLAND
Described as a ‘full-on festive extravaganza’, Winter Funland is home to the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair, with all of the show’s rides and attractions being included in the ticket price.
Alongside a whole host of funfair favourites - think dodgems and waltzers - the event also features Birmingham’s largest ice rink and a special Christmas circus, complete with clowns, acrobats, and the ‘jaw dropping’ Globe of Steel.
NEC, Birmingham, Saturday 6 December - Saturday 3 January
FESTIVE GARDENS
Take the kids on a trip to the North Pole this Christmas, as sparkling lights, shimmering displays and enchanting festive projections transform Telford Town Park’s Chelsea & Maxell Gardens into Santa Claus’ snowy homeland.
Visitors can follow a trail and discover all manner of festive-season delights along the way, from twinkling ice caverns and candy cane forests to heartwarming Christmas scenes brought to life with music and light. Plus... keep ’em peeled for cheeky elves and frosty friends! And who knows, you may even catch a glimpse of Santa himself...
Chelsea & Maxell Gardens, Telford Town Park, Thursday 11 - Sunday 14 & Friday 19 - Sunday 21 December
CHRISTMAS GROTTO AND FESTIVE FUN AT THE LOCK UP
The lock-up at West Midlands Police Museum is being given a festive makeover this month.
Visitors can follow a family-friendly trail and discover what the naughty elves have been up to, take part in a Christmas craft activity, enjoy a free hot chocolate, and meet Santa in his grotto to receive a special gift.
West Midlands Police Museum, Birmingham, Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 and Saturday 20 December
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW: A ROBIN'S REWARD
Lichfield Cathedral’s Close will once again be transformed into a glowing winter spectacle mid-month, courtesy of acclaimed animation team Illuminos.
The 2025 Christmas light show - The Robin’s Reward - follows the journey of one little robin through a dazzling display of light and sound.
Meanwhile, inside the cathedral, guests are invited to ‘pause, reflect and soak-in the peaceful beauty of the season’. They can also enjoy favourite Christmas carols sung by guest choirs, check out the Crib and the ever-popular Christmas Tree Festival, and take advantage of after-hours access to the gift shop.
Tickets are priced to suit a range of budgets:
All proceeds support the ongoing work and upkeep of Lichfield Cathedral.
Lichfield Cathedral, Mon 15 - Sun 21 December