Best Christmas family activities for a fun festive day out

Winter is coming, and we're not talking about Game of Thrones.

As the festive season fast approaches, we've taken a look at some of the best deals out there: from Santa Sleepovers at Alton Towers to Christmas light trails, we've got a bunch of festive events on the list for you to mull over with your wine during the most wonderful time of the year.

But if you're a little Scrooged and looking for a great day out that isn't full of festive cheer, the Digital Spy team has plenty of other enjoyable recommendations – from exciting rollercoaster rides like Thorpe Park's Hyperia to the best film and TV tours and even where to find cheap cinema tickets.

Tickets are available to some of these festive events and more via See Tickets.

Dates: 7 November, 2025 – 4 January, 2026

Get your skates on and prepare to take to the ice as London's only riverside ice rink returns to Battersea Power Station.

If skating just isn't your strong point, visitors can relax with hot churros or take a ride on the vintage-style carousel and take in the breathtaking views of Battersea Power Station from the top of the helter-skelter.

Related: Best British Christmas adverts of 2025, including John Lewis, Asda and more

Individual tickets start from £21.44 (including skate hire and fees) for ages 13+ and tickets for children aged 3-12 cost £14.84.

For those in groups, the per-ticket price is reduced to £19.80 per person when purchased together, and a family of four ticket costs £15.40 per person. There's also a skate and sparkling wine ticket priced at £35.75.

Buy Tickets to Glide at Battersea Power Station

Dates: 14 November, 2025 – 3 January, 2026

Windsor Great Park Illuminated returns for its fifth year, bringing woodland and water to life with a festive celebration of light. The dog-friendly event brings music and lights together in a magical woodland setting.

Be sure to take regular breaks along the way and sip on a glass of mulled wine, a cup of hot chocolate or toast a marshmallow around the fire pit.

Adult tickets start at £19.80 (including booking fees) for super-off-peak slots, while tickets for children aged 3-15 start at £12.10 for super-off-peak slots. Infants aged 0-2 and essential companion/carer tickets are free, but must be added to your order.

Buy Tickets to Windsor Great Park Illuminated

Dates: 14 November, 2025 – 1 January, 2026

Winter Wonderland returns for another six weeks of festive fun in London's Hyde Park. It will showcase spectacular family performances such as Zippo's Christmas Circus, adrenaline-fuelled rides and rollercoasters, delicious street food, Christmas Market shopping, the iconic Giant Wheel and the UK's largest open-air ice rink.

The enchanting Magical Ice Kingdom takes on a new theme for 2025: A Mystical Mythical Fantasy World. This immersive experience takes visitors on a journey through four realms of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water – all meticulously crafted from over 500 tonnes of snow and ice – and includes hand-carved sculptures, such as giant trolls, a phoenix, and a griffin.

Wilde Maus XXL makes a return to the wonderland after a year-long hiatus, giving visitors a thrill-ride of their life as they adventure through multiple drops, twists and turns.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is open from Friday, November 14 every day (except Christmas Day) from 10am-10pm. Free tickets are available during off-peak days and times – standard tickets are available for £5, and peak tickets are available for £7.50.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has also launched brand new packages for 2025 with bundles of its most popular attractions plus Ride & Game credit to spend on any ride in the park. Packages include Santaland unlimited ride access for £35 per person.

Or head into Bar Ice, get your skates on at the O2 Priority Ice Rink, and take in the spectacular views of London from Disney+ The Giant Wheel, plus £20 Ride and Game credit and entry to Winter Wonderland from £52.30 per person.

Buy Tickets for Winter Wonderland

Dates: running until 26 January, 2026

Little (and big) princesses can get a real taste of Disney magic at London Hilton on Park Lane's Disney Princess Afternoon Tea. Guests are treated to a selection of savoury sandwiches that have been inspired by iconic Disney tales.

Highlights include Gus's cheese sandwich crafted in the shape of a cheese wedge, and the Carriage Awaits chicken sandwich with pumpkin butter inspired by Cinderella's pumpkin carriage.

For those with a sweet tooth (just don't tell the tooth fairy), there are plenty of spellbinding desserts including the Heart of Te Fiti – a white chocolate and matcha spiral cookie inspired by Moana's magical shell pendant. There's also The Little Mermaid's Under the Sea shell-shaped macaroon with a white chocolate pearl and citrus ganache, but the showstoppers have to be The Enchanted Rose inspired by Beauty and the Beast – a chocolate mousse with raspberry and rose compote served in a delicate glass cloche.

Visitors big and small will be delighted with the Chocolate Velvet Tea, which is a blend of black tea and high-mountain Taiwanese oolong, infused with cocoa, raspberry and creme caramel. All treats and drinks come served by your very own Prince Charming, too.

Prices start at £70pp for adults, and £45 per child aged up to 12 years old. Princess Afternoon Tea is served daily from 12.30pm-7pm, and the experience also provides a dedicated vegan menu. Guests can save £10 on an adult and child experience via Red Letter Days, or two adults can save £28 through Buyagift.

Book the Disney Princess Afternoon Tea at London Hilton

Buy tickets to Disney Princess Afternoon Tea for two adults

Buy tickets to Disney Princess Afternoon Tea for one adult and one child

Dates: 31 October, 2025 – 4 January, 2026

Brent Cross shopping centre has launched its first-ever ice rink. For visitors looking for a festive family-friendly day out, to skating buffs who can't wait to show off their skills on the ice, Skate Brent Cross will transform the John Lewis car park into a winter wonderland.

Brent Cross will host magical visits to Santa's Grotto, where Father Christmas is ready to hear every Christmas wish and pose for a family photo that visitors can take home at a cost. Spaces fill up fast, so book early to secure your visit.

Those feeling peckish after all of that skating can pop to one of Brent Cross' delicious dining destinations or head to the stores for more festive-filled shopping.

Adult tickets to Skate Brent cost £15, while child tickets cost £13. Visitors can save up to 50% on tickets when purchased through Wowcher.

Buy Tickets for Skate Brent Cross

Dates: 21 November – 31 December, 2025

Bute Park's accessible, illuminated light trail is back for 2025.

Visitors to the park can immerse themselves in a multi-sensory experience along a festive trail that includes a brand-new show, Mycelium Network: a huge, fibre-optic network of festive fungi which leads visitors through a colour-changing carpet of glowing mushrooms.

As part of Bute Park's annual Improvements Pledge, and responding to audience demand, popular Christmas hits will now feature in the Christmas Village and the event's food and refreshments area, alongside a greater selection of seasonal surprises along the route of the trail itself.

The park will also be running two neuroinclusive evenings on 3 and 10 December. These sessions have been designed with neurodivergent visitors in mind and feature a lower level of noise on the trail. The capacity has also been reduced by 75%.

Prices start at £15 (super off-peak) for an adult, and from £5 (super off-peak) for children aged 3-16 years. Infants aged 0-2 years are free, but you'll need to select a ticket for them.

Buy tickets for Christmas at Bute Park

Dates: selected dates between 22 November – 31 December 2025

Chessington's Winter's Tail returns for the 2025 festive season bringing seasonal sparkle to theme park. Young explorers can write and post their very own letter to Santa at the brand new Letter to Father Christmas experience. Then, with the help of Santa's helpers, take a trek through a twinkling woodland trail with snow-dusted trees to discover Father Christmas' woodland grotto to meet the man himself.

Head over to Enchanted Hollow where elves are hard at work in their Toy Workshop and help them with festive errands to bring the toys to life and receive a special Christmas gift from Mr Claus. It wouldn’t be Chessington without their animal residents. Animal lovers can visit reindeers in 'training' at the reindeer encounter which costs £32 per person.

If that wasn't enough Christmas spirit, guests can also tuck into a sweet treat at the Cookie Corner, jingle all the way at the festive silent disco with some Christmas classics, and visit Chessington's Christmas Panto: Jack & the Beanstalk.

Guests staying overnight in one of the themed rooms from storybook favourites such as The Gruffalo or the brand-new PAW Patrol rooms, can start their day with a special 'Elf Wake-Up Call' (which costs an additional £25 per child). After being woken up by friendly elves, children can enjoy a festive gift bringing the excitement and magic of Christmas morning to your stay.

Winter's Tail tickets, including Christmas Village entry start from £32pp (£22pp without the Christmas Village). Or take up The Ultimate Christmas package which includes a dedicated Elf guide around Winter's Tail, Father Christmas meet and greet, the Reindeer encounter, a theme park meal and more. Prices for the Ultimate Christmas package start at £140 per person.

For those looking to make the most of their stay, Festive Short Breaks which includes hotel stay in a festive themed room (and breakfast), one day entry to: Winter's Tail, theme park, zoo, SEA Life Aquarium and the Christmas Village, and more starts from £53 per person.

Buy Tickets for Chessington's Winter's Tail

Book a Chessington Festive Short Break

Dates: 24 November – 27 December, 2025

Butlin's is bringing all the Christmas magic families could ever want to their sites in Bogner Regis, Minehead and Skegness. Get into the joyful spirit with their festive welcome party, festive pottery painting, a festive puppet castle and a festive-themed night at the infamous Reds – all included in your stay.

Also included in the price, is a trip to visit the Father Christmas Express Delivery Experience, or for those who aren't quite ready to visit the big man just yet, head down to The Skyline Gang's Present Drop – both are bookable via the app, but you'll only be able to choose one.

Families staying on Christmas Eve will be treated to a dazzling fireworks display at 6pm, and if your stay extends into the New Year period, there will be another display on 1 January at 6pm.

With a range of experiences for the whole family, they've got everything from pantos, Santa visits, festive fairground rides to dazzling live shows. Short breaks start at just £41 per person for a family of four.

Book Butlin's Festive Wonderland

Dates: Selected dates between 28-30 November, 5-7 and 12-24 December, 2025

Alton Towers' Santa Sleepover is back for 2025. Guests wishing to get into the 'holly-day' spirit can enjoy an overnight stay in one of four resort hotels, which includes a festive evening meal, buffet breakfast and festive entertainment.

This is in addition to one-day entry to the theme park with a selection of family rides and attractions, a unique visit to Santa's Grotto, plus entry to the Waterpark and nine holes of golf. Overnight guests can also visit the Christmas Panto.

Overnight packages start from £91 per person and include entry to the park, festive entertainment, Santa's Grotto and the Christmas Panto.

Buy Tickets for Alton Towers' Santa Sleepover

Panto season is officially upon us, and if you're ready to step into something merry, we've got some great pantomimes to share.

Rylan Clark will return to Southend's Christmas Panto as The Fairy Godfather in Cinderella at Cliffs Pavillion, Southend from Saturday 13 December, 2025 – Sunday 4 January, 2026.

Catherine Tate, Julian Clary and Nigel Havers star in the London Palladium's Sleeping Beauty from Saturday 6 December, 2025 – Sunday, 11 January, 2026.

Strictly fans can watch ex-professional dancer Kevin Clifton in Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre's Aladdin where Clifton will play villain Ivan Tochacha. Aladdin will run from Friday, 5 December, 2025 – Sunday, 4 January, 2026.

Buy Tickets for Cinderella, Cliffs Pavilion

Buy Tickets for Sleeping Beauty, The London Palladium

Buy Tickets for Aladdin, Sheffield Lyceum

Of course, we can't forget about the local pantos (oh no, we can't!) showing at theatres all over, such as Broadway Theatre's Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat in Catford, South London.

The 'tail' sees hero Dick Whittington and his feline friend setting sail on the Empire Windrush from Jamaica, whisk(er)ing away to seek their fortune on London's streets of gold. Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat will run on selected dates from Tuesday, 9 December – Wednesday, 31 December, 2025, and tickets are priced between £8.50 and £43.50.

There's also Hackney Empire's Cinderella, which sees the classic rags-to-riches tale come to life in Hackney, featuring all your favourite pantomime ingredients – oh yes, it does! Cinderella will run from Saturday, 22 November, 2025 – Wednesday, 31 December, 2025. Tickets are priced between £10 and £46.

Buy Tickets to Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat, Broadway Theatre

Buy Tickets to Cinderella, Hackney Empire

Other pantomime tickets can also be purchased at local theatres.