Wonderful Things To Do in the UK This Christmas: The joyful song of carolling choirs carries over the market square in Bath, as squeals of laughter whizz round the ice rink in London’s Winter Wonderland. After a “year off”, Christmas is back in town, and there’s so much to be excited for.
THE BEST ICE RINKS IN THE UK
The city ice rinks are all gearing up for a bumper season, but not all ice rinks are made equal. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland boasts the largest outdoor rink in the country, and will have you swirling around the Victorian bandstand in the centre.
Or head to the Natural History Museum and enjoy the final season of skating there – as the rink is soon to be replaced with a building site… as the museum is extending.
If you’re looking for an indoor rink, then Ally Pally’s year-round rink will be running special Christmas skate sessions, alongside Santa’s Grotto, from 3rd to 23rd December.
And another one of our favourites is the ice rink at Somerset House open from November 17th until January 16th 2022.
If you’re in Manchester, Winter Funland returns, with funfair rides and even a circus show. The rink is massive and fantastic fun for the whole family.
Outside of the major cities, Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is back for another season of seaside skating, and Cambridge will revive the North Pole at Parker’s Piece, which has a roof – great for a rainy day!
CHARMING CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE UK
There’s something about all the colourful, twinkling lights, and exuberant jingling music that makes a Christmas market particularly special.
Edinburgh’s Christmas market is a sight to behold. A blaze of warm, festive colour, and an irreverent spread of traditional and unusual stands. Ever tried mulled Irn Bru? The market runs from 20th November 2021 to 2nd January 2022.
Bath is a gorgeous city whatever time of year you visit. But add in a Christmas market at the base of the city’s grand cathedral and it turns into something irresistibly magical. The Bath Christmas Market hosts more than 170 traditional wooden chalets, each offering a different treat to shoppers. A great market for supporting local crafts people, as more than two-thirds of the stalls are run by local business owners. The market runs from 28th November 2021 to 15th December 2021.
The East Midlands is often overlooked as a holiday destination, so make sure it’s on your list this year. Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is a charming Christmas market, which a traditional Bavarian feel to it. It’s the largest Christmas event in this part of the country and there are rides and bars in addition to the 70 market stalls. The market runs from 4th December 2021 to 24th December 2021.
PANTO IS BACK. OH YES IT IS!
Theatre audiences have returned with a renewed energy for live theatre, and pantomime casts up and down the country are ready with their best comedy songs and audience interaction, making up for time lost over the last couple of years.
We have to start this with the Panto of Pantos – that is, Pantoland at The Palladium. The annual pantomime at the London Palladium has become something of a British theatre tradition over the last few years. This year, Julian Clary returns, joined by Donny Osmond, Paul Zerdin and Nigel Havers. Performances run from 4th December 2021 to 9th January 2022.
If you’re looking for a beautiful Christmas treat for the little ones, why not join Peppa Pig for the afternoon at Theatre Royal Haymarket? Their production of Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever! promises to be a thrilling experience for any primary school children, starring well-loved characters from the TV series. Performances run from 2nd December 2021 to 2nd January 2022.
Or why not head back to the Ally Pally for The Nutcracker on Ice. This production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker has been adapted to panto for this wonderful Christmas classic.
If you’re planning a trip to Manchester, you’ll be able to catch the touring production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, fresh off the back of its successful West End run. With performances from 22nd November 2021 to 4th December 2021 at the Palace Theatre, this is a real Christmas classic that will get you in the mood for the festive season.
