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Events Watch

It’s time to embrace the merriest time of the year and start checking off your list of Christmas things to do!  All over the county, venues and attractions are being transformed into winter wonderlands to tempt you with sparkling decorations, festive food and magical experiences to entertain the family.  Here’s our handy guide to the best of the bunch!

 

Enjoy real frosty fun with Santa this Christmas at Chill Factore!

Is there anything more Christmassy than the feeling of fresh snow beneath your feet? You’re in luck, because as from the 17th November you can visit Santa’s Grotto on real snow and be transported to a magical Lapland this winter at Chill Factore! All visits to the Grotto are combined with some sub-zero fun in the Snow Park. Take on the Downhill Donuts, Snow Luge and the Sledge-O-Mania and you’ll get a stocking-full of frosty fun! If your little one isn’t old enough for the Snow Park, then Mini Moose Land is the perfect alternative for toddlers. With prices starting from £9.50, there is no better way to gift your under-four with a fun-filled day and a magical experience. W: www.chillfactore.com/christmas

 

A Magical Christmas at Tatton Park

Step into an enchanting Christmas Mansion inspired by the theme of ‘Food Glorious Food’ when you visit Tatton Park. Experience a traditional Egerton family feast in the dining room, follow the jelly path as it twists through the gingerbread village and don’t forget the sprout spotting trail for little ones! Festive treats and music will accompany your visit. Their seasonal events are bound to enthral and delight, from uplifting carol concerts to family fun at the Lantern Parade. A holiday favourite, don’t forget Father Christmas will be at the Farm weekends throughout December, where he and his helpers will enchant the believers in all of us. W: www.tattonpark.org.uk

 

Christmas comes together at Broughton Shopping

Get ready, set, celebrate! From candles and crackers to cashmere and cuddly toys, Broughton Shopping has everything you could wish for! Join them for their big Christmas event on Thursday 29th November from 4pm where you can meet their giant Jack Frost, silly snowmen, have your face painted and meet their Christmas concierges with some special gifts for visitors plus a whole lot more of cracker-laden fun!  While you’re there, you'll find amazing presents for everyone - check out the brilliant beauty sets at Boots and stylish stocking fillers from Primark for starters! Find full details of all the festive activities, Christmas opening times and 'click and collect' services online.  W: www.broughtonshopping.co.uk

 

The White Horse offers a wonderful Christmas of feasting!

The festive season is fast approaching and The White Horse, situated in the stunning location of Chester Racecourse, is looking forward to celebrating with a feast to remember, yuletide drinks and good times all around. Their Christmas set menu will be available from Monday 26th November, for those looking to celebrate with friends and family. On weekends they'll be bringing the party with a DJ on Friday and Saturday evenings. Their normal menu will also be available throughout December with some extra festive treats for those looking to join them for a bite to eat after Christmas Shopping in Chester city centre. Book your table online or give them a call.  T: 01244 304 650 W: www.thewhitehorsechester.co.uk

 

An enchanting family treat at the theatre this January 

Head to Ellesmere Port’s Whitby Hall for one of the most wonderful stories ever told. Action Transport Theatre again joins forces with Unity Theatre for this highly theatrical and bold retelling of the beloved family tale — Beauty and the Beast! Children aged five and up will love the delightful original songs and brilliant physical theatre, with loads of laughs along the way. Beauty and the Beast brings back the creative team behind previous festive treats like Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf, Rumplestiltskin and The Jungle Book. Beauty and the Beast runs from Thursday 10th — Sunday 14th January and tickets start at just £6 each. W: www.actiontransporttheatre.org

 

Step into a different Christmas at Lyme

From putting up the tree to leaving a carrot and mince pie out on Christmas Eve, we all have our festive traditions but how did they differ in times gone by? Take the family on a day of discovery to explore festive traditions from the past at Lyme this winter as the house travels back in time to celebrate a Regency Christmas. See what different activities they got up to during their month of festive gatherings from St. Nicholas’s Day through to Twelfth Night. There’ll be festive craft activities to get involved in, carol singing to gather round for and a big present to climb in too. A special bearded man will also be stopping off at Lyme this Christmas to meet children, but with spaces filling up fast you’ll have to book soon to make sure you’re on his list.  W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme

 

Let little ones start their countdown with a visit to Claus Christmas Cabin

Claus’ Christmas Cabin is one of a host of spectacular seasonal activities taking place to make your visit to the Lowry Outlet extra special this Christmas time. Opening on 22nd November, enjoy a magical journey into Claus’ Christmas Cabin and immerse yourself in a festive, interactive experience where you can visit the reindeer stables and enter the traditional log cabin, surrounded by snow covered woodland. Meet Mrs Claus and Santa, who will be taking time out from his very busy present sorting schedule, where each child will also receive a special toy on their visit. This experience is aimed at children aged between one and nine and entry is £8 per child (adults go free). Additional festive treats include a Raymond Briggs Snowman trail around Mediacityuk, plus, don’t miss the 4 day Christmas Makers Market where you will be able to snap up unique gifts by local producers as well as sample great treats from the food stalls. W: www.lowrychristmas.co.uk

 

Santa Safari at Hawkstone Park Follies

Every year The Follies near Shrewsbury holds a magical Santa experience with a difference. After a warming festive drink you are whisked off in a Land Rover across the Park, through the Grand Valley, under the Wishing Arch and up the steep hill to Santa’s spectacular network of caves. Here children can meet real reindeer and explore an illuminated wonderland before meeting Santa and receiving a present. This year promises to be the most enchanted event yet with fairy woods, sweet shops, elf work shops and polar landscapes. If you would like to celebrate Christmas with a unique Santa visit, book your tickets before they are gone!  W: www.hawkstone.co.uk

 

Enchanting adventures await in Blakemere’s Christmas Woodland

Head to Blakemere Village this Christmas for an unforgettable journey through the Cheshire woodlands to find Father Christmas, his Elves and forest friends, plus the captivating Snow Princess and her Unicorn. This enchanting 3-hour family event runs every weekend from 8th – 24th December and under-3s join for free. Tickets are from £19.95 per person (plus booking fee) and include a gift from Father Christmas and festive photo opportunities, with gingerbread decorating in Mrs Claus’ kitchen and a festive skating rink also available for an additional cost. Also at Blakemere Village this festive season, the popular ‘Breakfast and Banquet with Santa’ returns from 14th - 16th December. W: www.blakemerevillage.com  

 

Find more than a cup full of Christmas cheer at Bents

Visit Bents Garden & Home where Father Christmas will be in residence until 24th December, meeting little ones and giving out special Christmas badges. He will be joined by several of his reindeer-in-waiting at Bents’ Festive Family Fun Weekend on the 8th and 9th December with lots of additional entertainment including fantastic fairground rides. And there’s more fun for youngsters with special workshops where they can personalise their very own Christmas Plate. Visit their website for more details of dates and how to book. A Christmas themed treasure hunt is hidden throughout the Centre and Bents’ Winter Food Market serves delicious foodie delights up until Sunday 23rd December. W: www.bents.co.uk

 

Treat loved ones to a unique horse-riding gift at Glen Jakes Riding School

Glen Jakes Riding School in Offerton, Stockport provide a wide range of activities to suit all ages and abilities. There are plenty of activities for you to join over the festive period including stable management days/weeks, hacks, walkouts, group and private lessons. The fun packed stable management courses are running from Friday 18th December, 9am until 3pm, and riding is also included daily! For a unique Christmas gift, why not treat your family and friends to a horse riding gift voucher available for any activity or amount? It’s the perfect present with a difference.  T: 0161 483 7063  W: www.gjrs.co.uk  E: glenjakes@aol.com

 

Choose the perfect real Christmas Tree to decorate your home from Delamere Forest

With something for all the family to enjoy and plenty to see and do, visit Delamere Forest to make buying your real Christmas tree a memorable part of your festive fun. The Forestry Commission offers a huge range of sustainably grown real Christmas trees and with every tree purchased, you will receive a free spruce sapling to take home. While you are there, take the family along to see Santa in his woodland grotto or have a tasty bite to eat. Local company Delamere Events will be on site providing locally sourced food and drinks from their festive Tipi.  W: www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest

 

 

Santa’s coming to Gordale!

All the way from the North Pole, Santa arrives at Gordale, ready to get started with his public engagements! Starting on Thursday 29th November 5pm-7pm, there’s a family fun Santa pre-launch party, an extra-special evening when Santa makes his first guest appearance! Then throughout December he’ll be meeting, greeting, and entertaining all your little ones and spreading Christmas cheer!  You can book to enjoy Tea-time with Santa, Story Time with Santa or visit him in his magical Grotto, open from the 1st December (on-line booking only).  Check out their website for dates, times and to reserve your place!  W: www.gordale.co.uk/event

 

Winter Funland lights up EventCity this December   

Funland, the UK’s largest undercover indoor theme park, is coming to EventCity and promises to deliver a totally awesome festive experience! It’s a merry extravaganza for all the family, which brings together a fantastic sparkling line up of rides, entertainment and seasonal magic. Opening on the 7th December, enjoy incredible fairground attractions, a grotto experience, live reindeer, plus a new ice-trail to make some magical memories with the kids. Boasting a new 1000 seater auditorium, sit back and be entertained with live shows from a line-up including TV star Andy Day with his Odd Socks band, Frozen, and the Funland Circus. W: www.winterfunland.com

 

#ChesterKidsmas has your festive entertainment all wrapped up

From the 16th November, experience a Christmas you’ll never forget in Chester city centre.  With a mixture of your favourite stores, unique shops and independent restaurants, Chester has everything you need for the perfect day out! Their #ChesterKidsmas festival is packed full of festive fun for all the family to enjoy. Spot Santa at the 12 Days of Christmas Light Switch on Parade, listen to Storytelling with Santa, pick up FREE magic glasses from Chelfie and Elfie, watch free festive family films and much more! T: 01244 403680  W: www.experiencechester.co.uk

 

Celebrate with Santa on a Christmas Cruise

Father Christmas will be parking up his sleigh in order to set sail on a canal boat where you can join him for festive fun at The National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port. After your relaxing trip along the Shropshire Union Canal, you'll visit the beautiful Grotto, where there will be festive tales, plus a gift for every child, followed by refreshments – all ensuring a delightful start to the Christmas celebrations. Cruise dates are 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd - 24th December and there are three cruises per day. Other events include Christmas Through The Decades in Porters Row on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December and the Carol Concert with the Wirral Singers and Ringers on Saturday 8th December.  T: 0151 355 5017  W: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/museums 

 

Santa, seals and surprises at the Seaquarium 

Tired of the traditional Christmas family outing? Then splash out this year with a festive visit to the SeaQuarium in Rhyl. They are busy preparing for Santa’s visit which comes complete with all the festive trimmings, music and even snow which starts on Saturday 24th November right up to Christmas Eve. Plus, you can save 15% with a midweek booking from the 3rd-7th & 10th-14th December.

Their all inclusive price of £9.99 for a Child’s Package (1yrs-15yrs), includes a Santa visit, a choice of present and access to the SeaQuarium. As well as seeing Father Christmas, visitors can enjoy a fantastic underwater view of seals in their 33,000-gallon pool, walk through the centre's underwater tunnel and see all kinds of British sharks, rays and sea creatures within their natural habitats. T: 01745 344660 W: www.seaquarium.co.uk

 

A glittering Ice Village brings magic to Manchester

Manchester is gearing up for another festive season to remember and it begins in Albert Square with a firework spectacular that rounds off the Christmas Lights switch-on event on Saturday 3rd November. A week later, the world-famous Christmas Markets return with sparkling, cheery stall holders offering seasonal delights for all! Family fun spills over into Cathedral Gardens with the UK’s first dedicated ice attraction - the Ice Village is a breath-taking experience, complete with Ice Cavern, ice sculptures and frozen ice bar – all carved using 250 tonnes of solid ice. All this, plus of course Santa’s Grotto and a chance to show off your skills on the Ice Rink!  Visit their website for details and to book your tickets.  W: www.icevillage.co.uk  W: www.manchester.gov.uk/christmasmarkets

 

Terrific Twixmas celebrations are coming to Gulliver’s

Join the festive fun this Christmas at Gulliver’s Warrington. Meet Santa, take part in the snow show and enjoy all the brilliant rides at the park. This year is extra special as Gulliver’s host their magical Twixmas celebrations between 29th and 30th December. You can save 25% specifically on those dates by using online code TWIX25 before 14th December. Don’t forget to visit their website for a full list of Christmas packages, Twixmas experiences and New Year’s Eve events. If you want to extend your visit, then explore their great value short breaks, available throughout the festive season. W: www.gulliversfun.co.uk

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your local Garden Centre

Get ready to experience a wonderful Christmas atmosphere when you cross the threshold of the Strikes Group Garden Centre in your area. You’ll be impressed by fabulous displays, sparkling decorations, enchanting grottos and children’s activities, guaranteed to inspire you! A delicious Festive Menu will be available in their restaurants from 26th November until 24th December offering traditional roast turkey through to pan fried pink trout, and delicious Christmas Pudding to an Apple and Plum Tart. Younger guests can choose from their Daisy and Bob menu – who could resist Rudolph’s Roast or Christmas Kebabs?

No Christmas would be complete without a visit to see the big man himself, so make sure you book a special Breakfast or Supper with Santa.  As you happily tuck in, he will arrive with his magical sack of presents to put a big smile on your little one’s face!

 

Step aboard and relax on a festive Santa Special! 

From the 1st -24th December, Santa will be making a special visit to the Llangollen Railway. Your festively decorated steam train will transport you in style from Llangollen Station to Carrog (renamed Lapland for Santa’s visit!). Santa will give each good boy and girl a special gift on the journey and the adults on-board get to enjoy a tasty mince pie & a festive tipple from Santa’s Little Helpers. Visit the website for journey times and further details. W:  www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

 

Santa sails in to bring Christmas cheer to all!

A fantastic day out for all the family, at Anderton Boat Lift there is so much to discover! Take a river cruise along the River Weaver Navigation, enjoy a guided boat trip through the lift or simply explore with free entry into their coffee shop, interactive exhibition, gift shop and grounds. This winter, enjoy quality time with your loved ones over a nice hot drink and delicious helping of cake! Plus, book now to join Santa this December as he takes to the water on the very special Santa Cruises complete with festive stories, songs and an early Christmas gift for every child! Spaces are limited, so for more information and tickets please visit this website. W: visitchester.digitickets.co.uk
 

Free festive fun to keep your young ones entertained!

Calling all Mums and Dads - what’s top on your Christmas wish list? How about great kids’ entertainment while you shop? The good news is that Cockhedge Shopping Centre has got it covered! They have a great line up of free, festive fun from 12noon to 4pm every Saturday in December including a Roller Skating Fairy, Elfie Selfies and a Snow Bear! Plus, with 2 hours free parking, it’s all been planned to help make your Christmas as easy as possible! Find details of their entertainment schedule online. W: www.cockhedge.co.uk