Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Where to See Santa!
15 Nov - 24 Dec
Santa's Grotto
Centre: mk MK9 3QA
www.centremk.com
Various Times Come along and join ‘Santa’s Snow School’ this Christmas season at the centre:mk and meet Professor Freeze, Santa’s chief scientist and creator of the most powerful recipe of all, Santa’ sleigh snow fuel!
23 Nov - 24 Dec
Farmer Christmas Land
Green Dragon Eco Farm MK18 3LA
www.greendragonecofarm.co.uk
Various Times Children will be welcomed by the Green Dragon Elves and invited to explore Farmer Christmas Land - an exciting enchanted place full of festive fun and activities. Booking essential. T: 01296 670444
24 Nov
Santa Parade
Friars Square Shopping Centre HP20 2QF
www.friarssquareshopping.com
10.45am Start your Festive season with the fantastic Aylesbury Santa parade. The parade will include bouncing elves, candy cane stilts and a vibrant samba band along with a colourful array of music and dance groups.
24 Nov - 24 Dec
Santa's Grotto
Friars Square Shopping Centre HP20 2QF
www.friarssquareshopping.com
Various Times Santa will be in his Grotto until Christmas Eve.
25 Nov - 20 Dec
Meet Santa in his Grotto
Rush Trampoline Park, High Wycombe
Jingle all the way to Rush Trampoline Park, High Wycombe to meet Father Christmas and his loveable elves for fun, magic and bouncing at this festive time of the year. The festive grotto will be open from Monday 25th November to Friday 20th December 7 days a week from 9am to 12pm and children can take part in seasonal activities, spend time with Father Christmas, receive a free hot chocolate and a special gift to take home.
30 Nov
Christmas Lights Switch On
Buckingham Town Centre MK18 1JX
www.buckingham-tc.gov.uk
6.30pm Gather outside the Old Gaol to see the Mayor switch on the lights and to sing carols round the tree. There is also a Christmas Artisan Market during the afternoon and evening with festive goodies.
30 Nov
Princes Risborough Christmas Lights Switch On
Princes Risborough High Street HP27
www.princesrisboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk
3pm Santa will be there in his Grotto. There will also be an Ice-Rink, live music and dance performances. Christmas ponies, Panto stars turning on the lights, plenty of festive stalls and refreshments.
30 Nov
Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Market
Chalfont St Giles HP8
www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk
Switching on of the Christmas lights, Service on The Green, Santa, stalls, refreshments and carols on The Green.
30 Nov
Stony Stratford Christmas Lights Switch-On
Stony Stratford MK11
www.stonylights.org
11.45am Funfair, lantern procession and the switching on of the Christmas lights at 5pm in the Market Square.
30 Nov - 1 Dec
Christmas Fair
Amersham Museum HP7 0DP
www.amershammuseum.org
11am There will be stalls with a wide range of local crafts, perfect for Christmas presents and Santa will be in his in his Grotto from 12noon to 2pm both days. T: 01494 723700
30 Nov - 23 Dec
Vintage Christmas Grotto
Bletchley Park MK3 6EB
www.bletchleypark.org.uk
From 10am Visit the vintage 1940's Christmas Grotto to meet Father Christmas. Whilst you wait there will be some wonderful craft activities to keep the children entertained. Tickets £7.50 per child. Booking essential. T: 01908 272673
30 Nov - 23 Dec
Christmas at Gulliver's
Gulliver's Land MK15 0DT
www.gulliverslandresort.co.uk
Be transported into a winter wonderland with a great selection of Christmas rides, shows and attractions throughout the theme park. Look out for some festive favourites returning this year, including the popular Elf School.
30 Nov - 24 Dec
Christmas Spectacular
Odds Farm Park HP10 0LX
www.oddsfarm.co.uk
Various Times Present your Christmas Spectacular Ticket to the Elves at the North Pole and take an enchanting, immersive stroll deep into the sparkling, wintry wonderland in search of Father Christmas. Booking essential. T: 01628 520188
30 Nov - 24 Dec
Tea & Story-time with Father Christmas
Odds Farm Park HP10 0LX
www.oddsfarm.co.uk
Various Times Father Christmas invites you to join him for an enchanting group story-time, followed by a chance to meet him. Booking essential. T: 01628 520188
30 Nov - 24 Dec
The Magic of Christmas
Mead Open Farm LU7 9JH
www.meadopenfarm.co.uk
Various Times Make magical memories at the Farm and meet Father Christmas. T: 01525 852 954
1 Dec
Autism Friendly - Vintage Christmas Grotto
Bletchley Park MK3 6EB
www.bletchleypark.org.uk
From 10am A tailored session aimed at those with sensory conditions. Tickets £7.50 per child. Booking essential. T: 01908 272673
1 Dec
Haddenham Santa Dash
Haddenham Youth and Community Centre HP17 8DS
www.fnhospice.org.uk
11am Come and see a sea of Santas running, jogging or walking a 3km circular route through the heart of Haddenham, raising money for local hospice care.
7 Dec - 8 Dec
Traditional Christmas
Chiltern Open Air Museum HP8 4AB
www.coam.org.uk
11am The Museum’s historic buildings will be decorated traditionally for Christmas and brought to life by costumed characters. Visitors can meet Father Christmas and hand deliver their Christmas lists to him. T: 01494 871117
7 Dec - 8 Dec
Father Christmas Grotto
Hughenden Manor HP14 4LA
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Various Times
Visit Father Christmas in his 1940s inspired grotto and receive a Christmas gift. Cost £9 per child. T: 0344 2491895
7 Dec - 8 Dec
The Panto Express with Father Christmas
Bucks Railway Centre HP22 4BY
www.bucksrailcentre.org
10am Enjoy a visit from Father Christmas on the train. When the train comes back into Platform 4, come inside the Visitor Centre and take your seats to enjoy our mini family pantomime. Booking essential. T: 01296 655720
7 Dec - 8 Dec
Santa's Grotto
Black Park SL3 6DS
www.buckscc.gov.uk
10am Visit Santa in his magical grotto at Black Park and tell him your Christmas wishes. Cost £6 per child. Booking essential. T: 01753 511060
7 Dec - 8 Dec
Santa Weekend
Bekonscot Model Village & Railway HP9 2PL
www.bekonscot.co.uk
1pm Come and visit Santa in his grotto and receive a fabulous gift. Cost £5 per child. T: 01494 672919
8 Dec
Christmas Fayre
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
12pm Visit Santa in his grotto, explore our Winter Woodland Trail, meet real-life reindeer, decorate gingerbread, browse our local craft stalls, hear carols from local choirs and more! Entry to the fayre is free. Some activities are charged. T: 01494 957210
11 Dec
Beaconsfield Festival of Lights
Beaconsfield HP9
www.facebook.com
6pm Walk in the lantern parade, see Santa on his sleigh, see his reindeer, sing carols on the green, visit our amazing stalls and listen to all the fantastic music and entertainment from our local schools and groups.
14 Dec
Christmas Parade
Buckingham Town Centre MK18 1JX
www.buckingham-tc.gov.uk
10.30am For over 30 years the parade has been thrilling the large crowds that gather to see everything from marching bands to floats. Prizes are awarded to the best float and best walking group.
14 Dec - 15 Dec
Father Christmas Grotto
Hughenden Manor HP14 4LA
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Various Times
Visit Father Christmas in his 1940s inspired grotto and receive a Christmas gift. Cost £9 per child. T: 0344 2491895
14 Dec - 15 Dec
The Panto Express with Father Christmas
Bucks Railway Centre HP22 4BY
www.bucksrailcentre.org
10am Enjoy a visit from Father Christmas on the train. When the train comes back into Platform 4, come inside the Visitor Centre and take your seats to enjoy our mini family pantomime. Booking essential. T: 01296 655720
15 Dec
Christmas Fayre
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
12pm Visit Santa in his grotto, explore our Winter Woodland Trail, meet real-life reindeer, decorate gingerbread, browse our local craft stalls, hear carols from local choirs and more! Entry to the fayre is free. Some activities are charged. T: 01494 957210
18 Dec
Christmas Bedtime Storytime
Buckingham Library MK18 1JP
www.buckscc.gov.uk
5.45pm Come along in your pyjamas and bring your teddy for stories & songs with Santa. T: 01296 382415
18 Dec
A Very Safari MK Christmas Party
Safari MK MK11 3ET
www.safarimk.co.uk
5.30pm A fantastically festive evening with food, games, disco and a visit from Father Christmas. Booking essential. T: 01908 565165
19 Dec
Autism Friendly - Vintage Christmas Grotto
Bletchley Park MK3 6EB
www.bletchleypark.org.uk
From 10am A tailored session aimed at those with sensory conditions. Tickets £7.50 per child. Booking essential. T: 01908 272673
20 Dec - 24 Dec
Afternoon Tea With Santa
Milton Keynes Theatre MK9 3NZ
www.atgtickets.com
Various Times Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule to pop in to Milton Keynes Theatre to say hello to the children and give them a special gift. Children will also enjoy a seasonal afternoon tea complete with lots of yummy food.
21 Dec - 22 Dec
Father Christmas Grotto
Hughenden Manor HP14 4LA
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Various Times
Visit Father Christmas in his 1940s inspired grotto and receive a Christmas gift. Cost £9 per child. T: 0344 2491895
21 Dec - 22 Dec
The Panto Express with Father Christmas
Bucks Railway Centre HP22 4BY
www.bucksrailcentre.org
10am Enjoy a visit from Father Christmas on the train. When the train comes back into Platform 4, come inside the Visitor Centre and take your seats to enjoy our mini family pantomime. Booking essential. T: 01296 655720