There are some amazing events planned for Christmas 2023! From festive steam train journeys to glittering light trails, there's something for all ages in and around Birmingham.
We've put together this guide with all the dates, details and booking information so you can start planning your festive trips now. Key weekend dates and the days leading up to Christmas often tend to sell out fast so it's best to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Our guide features everything you need to know about the Polar Express, Birmingham Hippodrome panto, NEC Winter Funland, Webbs, Severn Valley Railway, Warwick Castle, Cadbury World and Birmingham REP. Many much-loved festivities are returning and there are some brand new events to discover too!
Read more: Santa grottos near Birmingham that are well worth visiting for Christmas 2023
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Christmas Wonderland at Drayton Manor
There's an all new Christmas Wonderland at Drayton Manor for 2023. Take a ride on the illuminated Wishmas Express and experience snowfalls every day. Join in with Rory's Christmas Party Show, visit Mrs. Claus' Kitchen and enjoy her Christmas Spectacular End of Day Show. The rides are open late to help you make the most of the Christmas evenings too.
The grotto is open on selected dates from November 25 to December 24 but the festivities continue after Santa has gone, right through to December 31. Find out more and book via the Drayton Manor website.
Santa Safari at West Midland Safari Park
There's a brand new attraction coming to West Midland Safari Park this Christmas. Safari Skating will give guests the chance to try 'glide, slide and go wild' on a Glice® rink, which is an eco-friendly alternative to ice.
It runs alongside the traditional Santa Safari, which features snow showers, hundreds of Christmas trees, a traditional grotto, reindeer and a toy factory to choose gifts from. Guests can also visit Mrs Claus' Kitchen to meet elves serving hot chocolates, mulled wine and warm mince pies and cookies.
The new festive event will launch on November 24 and run right through Christmas and into the new year, closing on January 7, 2024. This means you can go skating in between Christmas and New Year or book the skating as a January treat. Find out more and book via the West Midland Safari Park website here.
Listen to our Brummie Mummies 2023 Christmas Podcast here:
Polar Express Birmingham
The Polar Express is back this Christmas, taking families on a steam-fuelled adventure from Birmingham Moor Street Station to the 'North Pole'. The idea is for guests to be immersed in the sights, sounds and tastes of this classic children's tale with characters, hot chocolates and cookies bringing the 2004 film to life.
Families check in at the station where they are given golden tickets to board the train before following the conductor down the platform to find their seat. Everyone gets to meet Santa and receives a ‘silver bell'.
Runs on selected dates from November 25, 2023 to December 23, 2023, find out more and book via the Vintage Trains website. Read our review of the Polar Express Birmingham here.
Winter Funland at NEC Arena
Winter Funland is back at Birmingham NEC Arena for 2023. This 'Christmas wonderland' offers lots of festive treats, indoors and all under one roof. What's more, everything is included once you've paid your admission fees.
This means that the kids can go on as many rides as they like without you having to buy additional wristbands or tickets. It is said to be the UK’s biggest indoor funfair, covering 25,000 square metres! There's also a huge ice rink, a Santa grotto and a festival circus. Each session lasts for four hours.
Runs on selected dates from December 9, 2023 to January 1, 2024. Find out more and book tickets via the Winter Funland website.
Christmas at Alton Towers
There will be lots of festive fun at Alton Towers on selected dates from November 24 to December 30, 2023. CBeebies Land will be super festive with little ones getting the chance to meet some of their favourite CBeebies friends and enjoy a range of rides and attractions. More information to be revealed on this soon.
And, for a real treat, you can book in for a Santa Sleepover which includes an overnight stay, a visit to Santa's grotto and fun Christmas attractions, a new panto, a festive evening meal and live entertainment, entrance to the theme park and waterpark and nine holes of Extraordinary Golf. Find out more and book via the Alton Towers website.
Winter Light Trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Luminate Winter Light Trail is returning, enabling families to wander through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens at night. The mile-long illuminated trail weaves through the historic grounds with atmospheric music, colourful elements and light play.
Runs from November 25, 2023 to January 2, 2024, tickets must be pre-booked online in advance. Car parking is not included with your ticket but there is limited free parking at the University and School within walking distance. Find out more and book via the Luminate website.
Christmas at Chatsworth
Chatsworth is being transformed into a giant advent calendar with a light installation animating 24 Christmas scenes from 24 windows on the south façade of the house. Inside, 24 themed rooms will be filled with Christmas sights, sounds and scents.
There will also be snowflake showers and a glittering Christmas tree brooch forest plus the chance to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Father Christmas' workshop. In the gardens, there will be an illuminated light and sound trail and the farmyard will be transformed with lights and decorations. Families can join Father Christmas for story time in his grotto.
The Palace of Advent runs from November 4, 2023, to January 7, 2024. Chatsworth’s annual Christmas market also returns from November 4 to November 26, with more than 100 exhibitors offering Christmas crafts, gifts and decorations, as well as festive food, drink and live music.
Find out more and book tickets via the Chatsworth website and take a look at our gallery of photos here:
Enchanted Christmas Kingdom at Hatton World
Hatton will be transformed into a 'Winter Wonderland' this Christmas complete with a 3D glowing forest and an interactive North Pole postal station for sending letters to Father Christmas. Children can see Santa in his cosy grotto and marvel at Mr. Holly's Magic show.
There's also gingerbread decorating with Mother Christmas, reindeer food making, Father Christmas’s secret toy shop and the return of the Create-a-Bear experience.
Hatton also has a light trail and drive-in cinema showing festive films. The shopping village will be packed with Christmas gift ideas too. The grotto is open on selected dates from November 25 to December 24. Some of the other activities continue until December 30. Find out more and book tickets via the Hatton World website.
Neverland Fun House Santa Grotto
Peter Pan themed Neverland Fun House in Erdington is hosting a Santa grotto this year plus there will be a special festive menu too.
The soft play centre is now opening in the evenings so that families can enjoy authentic home cooked Greek food whilst the kids play for free. Find out more via the Neverland Funhouse website here or call 07975768533 to book a table or grotto visit.
Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle
There's a 'Wizard of Oz' themed light trail taking place this Christmas. Thousands of beautiful lights are set to illuminate stunning grounds and historic ruins of Sudeley Castle near Cheltenham.
Families are invited to follow the characters Dorothy, Toto, the Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman, as they try to find the Emerald City without encountering the Wicked Witch! On the way, they can discover the flickering Fire Flowers of the Queens garden and the Light Wave on the Mulberry Lawn.
Look out for the sparkling water features, Harlequin trees and the columns of light in front of the castle itself. It's all part of this year's Spectacle of Light, which is said to be Gloucestershire's most popular festive light trails.
Taking place on selected dates from November 24 to December 30, there will also be mulled wine and warming hot chocolate plus tasty doughnuts and street food at the Castle Terrace. You'll even be able to pick up a Christmas present or two from the gift shop before heading home. Find out more about the event via the Spectacle of Light website.
Jack and the Beanstalk Panto at Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham’s own Alison Hammond is to star in this year's Hippodrome panto - oh yes, she is! The TV presenter will appear alongside panto favourite Matt Slack, who is returning for his tenth year.
Look out for stage and screen star Samantha Womack, comedian Doreen Tipton, panto dame extraordinaire Andrew Ryan and Brummie local Alexanda O’Reilly in the title role. Runs from December 16, 2023 to January 28, 2024, find out more and book tickets via the Birmingham Hippodrome website.
Yuletide from the creators of Just So
Step into a world of folklore, festive tradition and ridiculous rituals at Yuletide, a brand-new family Christmas event from the creators of the Just So Festival. Dance to wild folk bands, roast marshmallows around the campfire as you listen to enchanted stories, enjoy live music and fire breathing, and crown your family’s ‘Lord of Misrule.’
Taking place at Tatton Park Gardens in Knutsford, you can walk the Glittering Trail through Tatton’s famous gardens, where winter witches have captured the moon and sun and shapeshifting snow hares will be playing tricks on guests!.
Runs on selected dates from November 24 to December 23, 2023. Find out more and book via the Yuletide website.
Severn Valley Railway Santa Trains and Enchanted Express
Get into your PJs, and hop aboard the Enchanted Express as you listen to Dame Julie Walters tell the classic tale ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. Meet characters from the story and Father Christmas who will give each child a gift.
There are four departures a day from Bridgnorth Station on weekends from December 2 to 24. Find out more and book tickets via the Severn Valley Railway website.
And, on weekends from November 25 to Christmas Eve plus December 22, you can climb aboard a Santa Train. The experience begins with hot drinks and sweet treats from Mrs Christmas and her Elf at Kidderminster Station before a steam train journey to the festively-decorated Arley station for a Christmas show. Note, you don't meet Santa on this trip. Find out more and book via the Severn Valley Railway website.
Neverland Light Trail at Webbs
Webbs' popular Christmas light trail is back for 2023 and this time there's a Neverland theme! Families are invited to fly with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell to Neverland, looking out for mermaids, fairies, pirates and Captain Hook!
Runs from November 17, 2023 to January 3, 2024, Santa will be at the event from November 17 to December 28 inclusive. Find out more and book tickets via the Webbs website. There's also a Santa Grotto at Webbs West Hagley on weekends from November 25 to December, 2023 plus daily from December 18 to 22.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Birmingham REP
Direct from London's West End comes the smash-hit production of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe this Christmas at Birmingham REP. Audiences are invited to join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they venture into the magical kingdom of Narnia.
Runs from November 14, 2023 to January 28, 2024, tickets are available from the Birmingham REP website. And, at the REP's intimate venue, The Door, you'll be able to see Little Red Riding Hood from December 7, 2023 to January 6., 2024 too.
Santa Show at Cadbury World
Santa will be spreading festive cheer in a special stage show at Cadbury World this Christmas. There will also be a sleigh filled with chocolatey gifts for all little helpers at the show.
There are 17 shows a day during weekends from November 18 to December 23, 2023 plus December 21 and 22. Find out more and book via the Cadbury World website. It's also a great place to stock up on Christmas presents from the Cadbury Gift Shop.
Christmas at Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is set to be transformed into a flourish of 'twinkling trees and dazzling decorations' again this Christmas. Meet Santa in the cosy castle library as you hear a story of festive hope and joy.
You can then take a stroll through the Christmas market and treat yourself to a festive feast. There's a light trail plus open-air ice rink underneath the towers and turrets.
Runs from November 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024, find out more and book tickets via Warwick Castle website.
Winter Glow at Malvern Showground
Winter Glow will return to the Malvern Showground and boasts an ice rink, Santa grotto, light trail and traditional fairground plus several new activities for 2023, including elf circus skills workshops and pet experiences.
Running from Friday November 24, 2023 to Saturday January 6, 2024, families, couples and friends will have six weeks to enjoy the range of festive experiences - and you can pick and choose which activities you want to do. Find out more and book via the Winter Glow website.
Christmas in the Crystal Kingdom at Magic Alley
There's a special festive quest at Magic Alley in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Christmas in the Crystal Kingdom journey starts in the snow covered Enchanted Forest where you will solve puzzles, meet Santa, enjoy activities with the elves and visit the Ice Queen.
This event is geared at slightly older children who are able to read and solve puzzles so there is also under fives and SEN sessions available too. Runs on selected dates from November 25 to December 20. Find out more and book via the Magic Alley website.
North Pole Adventure at the National Forest Adventure Farm
Children receive a personalised ticket from Father Christmas then check in and collect passports and Elf coins before setting off on a journey through a ‘magical portal to the North Pole’ to see Father Christmas and choose a gift from the present room at the National Forest Adventure Farm in Burton.
There’s also the chance to decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas, sing festive songs with Silvermist the reindeer, meet a talking polar bear under the Northern Lights and fix the toy machine to help save Christmas. Runs on selected dates from November 25 to December 22. Find out more and book via the Adventure Farm website
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