Festive Watch

Long held family traditions make Christmas magical for both children and grown-ups alike! From trimming the tree, to digging out the stockings and leaving a mince pie out for Santa, it’s a season to be treasured. Make yours even more special with a visit to some of these sparkling destinations – all ready to treat and entertain you to make it your merriest Christmas yet.

 

Santa Sleepovers at Gulliver’s Land, Milton Keynes

Escape to the most magical winter world with unique Santa sleepovers this December at Gulliver’s Land, Milton Keynes. Stay overnight in cosy, family friendly, themed accommodation and experience the all-inclusive Christmas Theme Park fun! Enjoy the festive rides & attractions and explore the Winter Wonderland on your way to meeting Santa himself, receiving a free gift before he sets off on his journey around the globe! Join in on lots of Christmas activities such as Gully’s Magical Snow Show, Mrs Christmas’ Kitchen and Elf School, as well as seeing unique Christmas shows and characters! Explore the magical Santa Sleepovers online. W: www.gulliversfun.co.uk

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE Around the World Celebrations at Gulliver’s Land, Milton Keynes

Start the New Year in style at Gulliver’s! Join Gully and the gang in celebrating the new year as it sweeps across the globe. Enjoy the festive theme park rides, attractions and world-wide buffet into the evening as well as a themed celebration every hour and much more. Top the night off with a fantastic firework display above the castle at midnight as the New year reaches the UK! Make the new year even more special with a sleepover in cosy, award winning, themed accommodation situated right next to the theme park! It’s a New Year’s treat the whole family will love! W: www.gulliversfun.co.uk

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year with festive offers at Thunderbowl

Looking for some family fun over Christmas? Go along to Thunderbowl and enjoy all the activities on offer. They have children’s parties, teen parties and great offers for family and work get-togethers including a Festive Feast offer - enjoy 2 games of bowling, a choice of basket meals and a drink. You can try your skill on the new Pirate Adventure Golf or try your luck in the Escape Rooms. With amusements, a sit in or takeaway menu and a fully licensed bar, the family has all it needs for a great day out, all under one roof! W: www.thunderbowl.co.uk

 

A magical Christmas Journey awaits at West Lodge Farm!

Collect your Christmas passport on arrival at West Lodge Farm and let the magic begin! From 30th November, pop on your magical 3D glasses and walk through the twinkly wood, visiting the elves village along the way. Enter the Christmas Village, make some magical reindeer food and decorate a card for someone special. When you go to the Elf school, one of Santa’s Elves will give you a lesson on how to be the perfect Christmas Elf – including an Elf hat and rosy cheeks! Visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto and receive a Christmas token to take to the Elves’ Toy Shop where you can exchange it and choose a gift from the toy shop. Book your tickets online. W: www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk

 

Santa is parking up his sleigh at Rushden Transport Museum 

Santa is calling in at Rushden Transport Museum to spread some Christmas cheer! Go and visit Santa’s parcel office to meet the big man himself and his busy Elves. Visiting times are from 10am-4pm on the 7th & 8th December and the experience includes a child’s present, seasonal crafts and a festive drink and biscuit. A quiet hour for children with sensory needs and their family is also available between 10– 11am. Book your tickets online. T: 0300 302 3150 W: www.ticketsource.co.uk/rushden-historical-transport-society

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Swansgate Shopping Centre

Hop on board the Swansgate Express on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th December between 3pm - 7pm and take a trip around the centre on the Christmas train! There is fun for grown-ups too, shops will be open until 7pm and the shopping centre will be serving gingerbread, chocolate coins, mince pies and festive shopping cheer, all free of charge! It’s the perfect way to make this Christmas extra magical. W: www.swansgateshoppingcentre.com

 

Santa, singers and stilt walkers gather to celebrate the annual Christmas Parade! 

Weston Favell shopping centre’s annual Christmas Parade will return on Saturday 16th November with entertainment from 11am until 4pm around the centre. Shoppers are invited to go along and enjoy singers, stilt walkers, runaway presents and much more throughout the day, before paying a visit to Santa and his elves. The parade will begin at 1:00pm, with Santa leading the way through the Lower Mall and up to his traditional Grotto Cabin which will open from 1:30pm. The booking system will go live in the next few weeks, so head to their website for more updates. W: www.westonfavellshopping.co.uk

 

Enjoy a very merry breakfast with Elf on the Shelf at Holiday Inn Corby

Get in the festive spirit on Monday 23rd December with a delicious breakfast (Full English and continental options) and a surprise visit from Elf on the Shelf. It’s a family experience full of fun, games and festive cheer, and is the perfect way to spend a morning in the lead up to Christmas for only £10.00 per person! T: 01536 401020 W: www.hicorby.com E: Events@hicorby.com

 

MAGICAL WICKSTEED RETURNS!

Wicksteed Park has announced the return of its hugely successful Magical Wicksteed experience during the run-up to Christmas. Jump aboard the festive train to meet Santa’s reindeer and enjoy a story with Mrs Claus before meeting Santa Claus himself. Playground favourites such as the Carousel and Sway Rider will be open, plus reindeer food making and biscuit decorating. There are hot drinks and mince pies for grown-ups and a Christmas gift for children. The Magical Wicksteed experience lasts around two hours, with start times running from 10am to 4.30pm. There are relaxed sessions available, plus private sessions for schools and nurseries which look after children with additional needs. W: www.wicksteedpark.org

 

Burn off excess energy and festive feasting at Tigers!

Tigers Indoor Play, Daventry is open 364 days a year, they only close on Christmas Day! Tigers offers a gigantic multi-level soft play frame, a massive under 4’s toddler area and brilliant all-action activities including a thrilling zip-wire and the largest cargo net climb in the country! There are Go-Karts for £1.50 a go and a Laser Zone for just £1.50 per game! So take your children on any day (other than Christmas Day!) to burn off some energy over the festive period, and when you need somewhere to go over the New Year break, Tigers should be the first destination on your list! W: www.tigersplay.co.uk

 

The Christmas Experience at Mini Meadows Farm 

Let the Mini Meadows Farm elves transport you into a magical world of Christmas wishes and wonder. All you need is to believe! Packed full of enchanting fun and activities for little ones, see the magic unfold before your eyes as you make your way through the candy cane maze, elf forest and elf village. Write a letter to Santa and see how he delivers the presents. Decorate gingerbread in Mrs Claus’ kitchen and settle down for storytime. And of course, meet Santa in his workshop and receive a lovely present. Pre-booking online is essential and tickets are from £4.00-19.50. W: www.minimeadowsfarm.com

 

The halls are decked for a traditional Christmas at Canons Ashby 

Join the festivities at Canons Ashby this Christmas. From 30th November – 22nd December the house will be decorated for “Christmas through the ages”, there will be a festive children’s trail outdoors (£3 per trail) and there will be sparkling decorations up outside to admire. Father Christmas will be visiting Canons Ashby on 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th December – take your little ones and meet him on your journey around the house (no extra charge, no need to book). Remember some change for the children’s lucky dip! (£2 each). W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canons-ashby

 

Santa Specials steam into Northampton & Lamport Railway

Fancy a magical Christmas encounter? Then wrap up and head out to visit Santa in his Magical Grotto and then take a relaxing train ride along the Northampton & Lamport Railway from Pitsford and Brampton station. Don’t forget, as there are a large number of children who want to meet Santa, you’ll need to make an appointment with the big man himself! Appointments start at 10:30am then are at 30-minute intervals until 3:30pm. There will be a frequent train service operating each day so once you’ve seen Santa there will be a minimum delay before you can board the train and enjoy the ride. Every child will receive a present, soft drink and biscuits, while every adult can enjoy a glass of sherry and a delicious mince pie. Check out their website for dates and times. T: 01604 820327 W: www.nlr.org.uk

 

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