Best family Christmas breaks and experiences in the UK for 2024
Take a look at some of the UK's best attractions hosting festive events for a Christmas family break, including LEGOLAND, Warwick Castle, Paultons Park and more.
Christmas is all about making memories with your family, so f you're looking make this year extra special, a family-focused Christmas experience could be just the ticket to get your little ones in the seasonal spirit.
To help you find the best experience for your family, we've taken a look at some of the UK's top attractions offering family Christmas experiences with an overnight stay. Our list highlights some of the best available this year, with a breakdown of what's included and an example package price for a family of 4 so you can easily see the cost.
These packages are designed to be short and sweet, combining an overnight stay with Santa-themed fun. Or, if you're looking for a 1-day experience without an overnight stay, we've got plenty of great options too.
Be aware that these experiences do get booked up very quickly so we suggest you book as far in advance as possible. Or, if the dates you want are fully booked for this year, you may find that some can be booked ahead for next year.
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- Best family Christmas events at a glance
- Best family Christmas events for 2024
- Family Christmas breaks with overnight stays
- 1-day family Christmas events
Best family Christmas events at a glance
Family Christmas breaks with overnight stays
- Santa Sleepover at LEGOLAND, from £420
- Santa Sleepovers at Warwick Castle, from £359
- Father Christmas Sleepovers at Chessington World of Adventures, from £173
- Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers, from £360
- Family Christmas at Haven Holidays, from £175
- Christmas breaks at Parkdean Resorts, from £399
- Christmas at Paultons Park, from £271
- Christmas Sleepover at Gulliver's World, from £194.35
1-day family Christmas events
- Hogwarts In The Snow at Harry Potter Studios, from £119
- Christmas at Kew, from £21.50
- Shrek the Halls at Shrek's Adventure, from £21
- Christmas at the Paddington Bear Experience, from £39
- Christmas at London Zoo, from £18.90
Best family Christmas events for 2024
We've split this list in 2: first you'll find all the family Christmas events with overnight stays, then you'll find a selection of 1-day activities which you can squeeze in throughout December.
Family Christmas breaks with overnight stays
Santa Sleepover at LEGOLAND Windsor, from £420
Available at: LEGOLAND Holidays
- Age suitability: 4-11
- Dates available: 25th Nov - 3rd Jan
LEGOLAND is being transformed into a winter wonderland this Christmas. From the 22nd November 2024 until the 4th January 2025 you can book a festive stay to create unforgettable Christmas memories. Enjoy the rides and wave to Father Christmas as he makes his way through the park on his sleigh.
The festive staycation package includes 1-day entry to the Theme Park, which will be fully decked out for Christmas, a complimentary breakfast and an overnight stay in a LEGO themed room or nearby partner hotel. If you upgrade and stay at a resort hotel, you will receive additional benefits such as a free LEGO gift in your room, a Christmas gift and letter and evening entertainment, including Storytime with Santa. You can pay an extra £20 per a child to visit Santa in his festive cabin, this is only available for people staying in the resort.
Santa Sleepovers at Warwick Castle, from £359
Available at: Warwick Castle Breaks
- Age suitability: 1-10
- Dates available: 23rd, 24th, 29th, and 30th November, 1st-23rd December 2024
Warwick Castle are hosting Santa Sleepovers, full of festive activities. The basic package offers 1-day access to Christmas at Warwick Castle, an overnight stay at a nearby hotel and breakfast. For an upgraded trip away you can stay at the Knight's Village or Tower Suites within the Castle grounds, get 2-day access to the Castle, evening entertainment in the Knight's Village, and an 'elf wake up call' where elves will come to visit you in your lodge with sleigh bells and a gift. You also get to experience Stories with Santa on your second day at the Castle. Much like the smaller package, you will get a free breakfast and free parking too.
There are additional purchases to enjoy during your time at Warwick Castle. You can buy tickets to the Light Trail and ice skate around the castle walls to festive tunes. If you're staying at Warwick castle you can receive 20% off the usual ticket price for these attractions.
Father Christmas Sleepovers at Chessington World of Adventures, from £173
Available at: Chessington World of Adventures Resort
- Age suitability: 8-13
- Dates available: Until 24th Dec.
Chessington World of Adventures is another theme park hosting a Santa Sleepover. However, unlike LEGOLAND you don't get access to the whole park, but you do get to explore the Winter's Tail event at Chessington and get free access to the zoo, as well as the SEA LIFE Centre.
Although not all of the rides are included, there's still so much to do during your fun-packed stay. Included in your package is an overnight stay in a themed Resort Hotel, 1-day entry to the Winters Tail Event, zoo and SEA LIFE Centre, a Father Christmas Meet & Greet, access to the Savannah Splash Pool and breakfast. Plus, you can visit the delightful underground town, Enchanted Hollow. If you stay at the resort you get free parking and hotel entertainment.
Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers, from £360
Available at: Alton Towers Holidays
- Age suitability: 4-11
- Available dates: 24th Nov - 23rd Dec
Alton Towers offers a fantastic Santa Sleepover, similar to LEGOLAND. On the day of your arrival you will get 1-day entry to a selection of family rides and attractions at Alton Towers, a visit to Santa's Grotto, entry into the Fantastical Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland Light and Lantern Trail, entry to the Towers Christmas Market, a fabulous pantomime, a festive evening meal and seasonal entertainment. To end the evening you can stay in one of Alton Tower's themed hotels.
The festive fun doesn't end there, in the morning you can enjoy a buffet breakfast and go for a session in the Caribbean-themed waterpark and compete with your family in 9 holes of crazy golf. Although Alton Towers has rides for older kids this experience is best suited for younger due to the selection of rides and activities included in the package.
Family Christmas at Haven Holidays, from £175
Available at: Haven
- Age suitability: from birth
- Available dates: December 2024
For a bit more flexibility, you can book a night away at one of the many Haven Holiday Parks across the UK. Haven has 38 parks, each with unique cosy accommodation and entertainment facilities.
Plenty of them also run special Christmas events like Winterfest at Tattershall Lakes, which runs elf parades, a Cringle's Courtyard where you can meet Santa, pantomimes and more. Or, there's the Forest of Light at Sandy Balls, a light trail through the camp's enchanted forest. Plus, Christmas pottery painting sessions, crafting and so much more.
Christmas breaks at Parkdean Resorts, from £399
Available at: Parkdean Resorts
- Age suitability: from birth
- Available dates: December 2024
The Parkdean resorts likewise have lots going on at their dozens of UK parks. Activities include ice skating, ski slopes, breakfast with Santa, meeting reindeer and so much festive food.
Christmas at Paultons Park, from £271
Available at: Paultons Park
- Age suitability: 2-8
- Available dates: 6th Dec - 23rd Dec
Little ones will love celebrating Christmas with Peppa Pig and her family at Paultons Park, where Peppa Pig World is decorated for Christmas. Join Santa's Christmas Wish Show for some festive tunes and dancing, then visit the big fella himself at Santa's Storytime.
Although seeing their favourite cartoon characters will be a huge draw for the kids, it's a special experience for the whole family. Be wowed by the Magical Illuminations all around the park, and take a look at the Musical Christmas Tree which has its own light show every 15 minutes. On your adventure, you will meet Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer and Billy and Belinda the Elves.
Christmas Sleepover at Gulliver's World Milton Keynes, from £194.35
Available at: Gulliver's World
- Age suitability: 4-10
- Available dates: 22nd, 29th Nov, 6th, 13th Dec
You can enjoy a great value overnight stay at Gulliver's World in Milton Keynes. Arrive at 4pm for check-in and watch the Gully's Christmas show. Then, the whole family will have a light festive evening meal followed by some evening entertainment.
The next day, after a great night's sleep you will get a bacon roll ahead of a festive fun-packed day. First on the itinerary is the Winter Wonderland & Santa's Grotto experience. Then, children can choose their own little gift from the Elf Workshop. Finally, you have the rest of the day to explore all the Christmas rides and attractions open at Gulliver's World.
1-day family Christmas events
Hogwarts In The Snow, from £119
Available at: Virgin Experience Days
- Age suitability: From birth
- Available dates: 16th Nov - 19th Jan
This December you can visit the Warner Brother Studios in Watford to see the iconic Harry Potter sets decorated for Christmas. Some of the festive scenes from the films will be recreated too, such as the Yule Ball and Harry's first Christmas at Hogwarts. You will also see the behind the scenes of festive film making with props, costumes and more. If you do want to make it an overnight stay, Holiday Extras has nearby hotels and ticket packages.
Christmas at Kew, from £21.50
Available at: See Tickets
- Age suitability: From birth
- Available dates: 13th Nov - 5th Jan
Give your child a magical evening by visiting Kew Gardens for their brilliant illuminations. It's a lovely family day out with market stalls all around and beautiful light-up scenery to behold.
Shrek the Halls at Shrek's Adventure, from £21
Available at: Shrek's Adventure
- Age suitability: 3-12
- Available dates: 30th Nov - 24th Dec
Shrek's Adventure is getting Christmassy with this year's Shrek the Halls celebrations. Instead of the North Pole, visitors can wade through the Christmas swamp to meet Shrek Santa and enjoy all the festive gifts he's ready to give out.
Christmas at the Paddington Bear Experience, from £39
Available at: Paddington Experience
- Age suitability: From birth
- Available dates: 16th Nov - 5th Jan
Paddington is also decorating his home for Christmas. The new Paddington Bear Experience is getting a Christmas makeover with festive decorations all over the house at Windsor Gardens. There's sure to be some festive marmalade sandwiches to try too.
Christmas at London Zoo, from £18.90
Available at: London Zoo
- Age suitability: From birth
- Available dates: 23rd Nov - 5th Jan
Christmas crafts for kids, a pop up Santa's grotto and more awaits at London Zoo's Christmas celebrations. You can enjoy all the animals you'd normally see, but with a little festive twist.
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Authors
Chloe is a Digital Reviews Writer and Coordinator for Immediate Media's Parenting team, specialising in household and trying to help parents save money. She researches and writes articles, recommending the best products, ranging from best cordless vacuums to best playpens. She has a First-Class Honours Psychology degree where she developed a strong interest in child development. During her teenage years she worked as a play worker and Brownie volunteer to support children's play.
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