A Family Christmas in Cheshire

Let us help you 'Light up your Christmas in Cheshire'! Perfect for a family break, there’s a whole host of magical festive events and things to do in Cheshire this Christmas for all the family.

Pantomimes and Christmas Performances

No Christmas is complete without a trip to the panto, oh no it isn't! You'll be spoilt for choice in Cheshire this year, with traditional pantomimes on stages across the county. Don't forget to look out for a few familiar faces!

No Christmas is complete without a visit to see a traditional pantomime, oh no it isn't! You will be spoilt for choice in Cheshire this Christmas as there are lots of traditional pantomimes to choose from; Rapunzel, Dick Whittington, Robin Hood and the less traditional but classic Beauty and the Beast and even Peter Pan. Don't forget to look out for a few familiar faces!

More festive shows across Cheshire

Panto isn't the only way to get into the Christmas spirit. From live orchestras to puppetry and festive films, there's something on stage or screen for every age.

The Snowman with live orchestra returns to Chester Cathedral on Monday 21 December, with performances at 2pm, 4pm and 6.30pm. Watch the much-loved film on a big screen beneath the cathedral's soaring arches while a professional orchestra from Carrot Productions plays the score live. There's also a festive Shaun the Sheep short, Fleece Navidad, a fun introduction to the orchestra, and a visit from the Snowman himself. It all ends with everyone singing along to Walking in the Air. This one sells out every year, so book early.

Across the city at Storyhouse, The Reindeer Who Saved Christmas runs from 14 to 24 December in the Garret Theatre. Narrated by Father Christmas, it's the story of a very special red-nosed reindeer who stands up to Jack Frost and his snowstorm, with beautiful puppetry by Little Angel Theatre Company. The fun starts before the show: little ones can step through the Naughty or Nice Scanner and post their letters in Santa's postbox. Performances last around an hour and are recommended for ages 3 and up.

For the very youngest theatregoers, Santa's Best Ever Christmas visits The Brindley in Runcorn from 11 to 15 December. This interactive musical adventure follows Father Christmas, Dotty the Elf and Pompom the Penguin, with children's TV star Chris Jarvis as the voice of Dasher the Reindeer. Expect plenty of singalong favourites, and every child goes home with a wrapped present from Santa. It's best suited to ages 2 to 8.

The Brindley is also screening two festive favourites on Sunday 20 December. Settle in for The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) at 3pm, then stay on for Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) at 7pm. Tickets are £10 each.

More Pantomimes and Christmas performances

Light Trails

Cheshire is becoming known for its spectacular light trails at Christmas. The only problem is choosing which one to visit! Gulliver's World in Warrington presents Land of Lights, a place where nature's most majestic creatures and natural wonders have been imagined in stunning technicolour.

Christmas at Dunham Massey has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way, and at Quarry Bank you can take a wander through the Upper Garden on the Enchanted Winter Walk.

Yuletide, a glittering adventure through the gardens, returns to Tatton Park, as will firm favourites Magical Woodland at Blakemere, BeWILDerwood Presents Christmas, a sparkling snow-filled adventure and Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo, with some fantastic new additions.

Over in Glazebury, near Warrington, Bents Garden & Home invites you to follow the glow through The Magic Lamp in the Hidden Garden, running from 20 November to 30 December. This after-dark trail is full of theatrical light installations, atmospheric soundscapes and storytelling surprises around every corner. Afterwards, warm up with festive food and drink from the Winter Food Market, or settle into the Outdoor Christmas Teepee with a hot drink in hand.

All the Cheshire Light Trails

Around the World in 80 Days: The Christmas Mansion at Tatton Park

While you're at Tatton, step inside the grand Mansion for a globe-trotting adventure inspired by Jules Verne's classic tale. From 21 November to 31 December, follow Phileas Fogg as he races around the world in Around the World in 80 Days: The Christmas Mansion, with each beautifully decorated room taking you somewhere new.

Begin with a cosy Victorian welcome at Fogg's Savile Row home, then hop aboard a steam train through France, Switzerland and Italy. Wander through colourful markets and jungle scenes inspired by Egypt, Arabia and India, admire lanterns, dragons and cherry blossom from China and Japan, then cross the Pacific for an American adventure from San Francisco to New York. The journey ends back in London, just in time for Christmas.

Young explorers can pick up a passport and collect stamps along the way, meeting costumed characters as they go. Don't forget to make a wish on the special wish tree, and there's a festive treat for every explorer at the end.

The Christmas Mansion is open from 11am to 4pm. Tickets are booked in half-hour timeslots, so it's worth planning ahead, especially for weekends in December.

Where to see the big man himself

There are plenty of opportunities for the little ones to see Santa in Cheshire this festive season. Visit him in one of his many grottos, join him for a cruise on the river, bake cookies with his elves or have breakfast with him. You can even listen to him read his favourite Christmas storybook. Rumour has it that he might even be popping along to some of the Cheshire towns and villages for our special festive events!

In Chester, Santa swaps his sleigh for the Lady Diana on ChesterBoat's Santa Special Cruise. Set sail along the River Dee on a festively decorated boat for an hour of Christmas music, colouring and activities with the ChesterBoat elves. Children can meet Santa, show him their letters and receive a book chosen just for them, along with a gingerbread man and a drink. Grown-ups get tea or coffee and a mince pie. Cruises sail at 12pm and 2.30pm on 5, 12 and 19 December, and places are limited.

Over at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, the Festive Boat Trips and Santa's Grotto Experience takes place on 5 and 6 December. Start with a festive trip along the canal, where one of Santa's elves keeps everyone entertained with stories, games and a Christmas quiz. Then step into Father Christmas's grotto, a snowy woodland scene with a crackling fireplace, where every child receives a gift. You can also choose to visit the grotto on its own, and your ticket includes entry to the museum for the rest of the day.

And if you fancy a trip just over the border, all aboard The Polar Express™ Train Ride at the Churnet Valley Railway in Froghall, Staffordshire. Pull on your pyjamas and dressing gowns and climb aboard a heated 1950s train, where the much-loved story comes to life through live performances, music and storytelling. Sip hot chocolate with a freshly baked cookie as you travel, and every passenger receives a silver sleigh bell, the first gift of Christmas. The journey lasts around an hour, with trains running on selected dates from 7 November to 23 December. Tickets are only available online, so book ahead.

All the places you can see Santa in Cheshire

Christmas at Cheshire's National Trust places

Cheshire's National Trust properties really come into their own at Christmas, with festive fun for little ones and a few centuries of history thrown in.

At Quarry Bank in Styal, the elves have taken over the mill. Pick up a trail sheet at the Mill Entrance for Operation Elf, a festive trail that leads you through the mill all the way to the top floor, where you can swap your completed sheet for a sticker at the Mill Yard Shop. The trail runs from 26 November to 3 January.

When you reach the top, you'll find the popular indoor play space transformed into Elf HQ for Operation Elf: Save Christmas, open from 2 December to 3 January. The elves need help with their Christmas jobs, so children can stack presents on the sleigh, test their snowball skills and even write their very own elf CV. Old favourites are back too, including soft play, the swing, giant snakes and ladders, a puppet show and a stage with a dressing-up box.

For the youngest visitors, the Baby and Toddler Festive Play Session with Father Christmas runs from 10 to 18 December. These relaxed 30-minute sessions in the Top Floor Play Space include an interactive story and a festive sing-along, before Father Christmas pops in with a gift for every child and time for a photo. Sessions are designed for ages 6 months to 5 years, though older brothers and sisters are welcome.

Or book a private family visit with Father Christmas in the beautiful setting of Quarry Bank House at the Meet and Greet with Father Christmas, from 5 to 23 December. Catch him during his final preparations before the big day, share your wish list and take that perfect family photo. Every child receives a gift. Tickets are needed for each child, whether or not you're a member, and don't include admission to Quarry Bank.

Near Congleton, Little Moreton Hall turns Christmas topsy-turvy with Misrule at Yule. The mischievous Lord of Misrule and his band of fools have tumbled through time from the court of Henry VIII and are baffled by modern Christmas. Follow their adventure through the beautifully decorated Tudor hall and discover how festive traditions have changed over the centuries. Jesters and musicians perform on Saturdays and Sundays, with Piva playing on 19 and 20 December. Afterwards, warm up with a seasonal bake in the historic Tea Rooms. There's no extra charge and no need to book, and National Trust members go free.

Christmas at The Ice Cream Farm

The Ice Cream Farm in Tattenhall has a whole calendar of festive fun this year, and every experience includes all-day entry, so you can make a full day of it.

The star of the show is Santa's Grotto, open from 11 to 24 December. Meet Santa and his elves, then choose your own present from the Elves' Emporium. Children also take home a Christmas Prep Pack and their own homemade reindeer food for Christmas Eve, and everyone can enjoy two scoops of Cheshire Farm Ice Cream served in a collectible Christmas mug.

Little bakers can join Trixie and Mixie the Elves for Cookie Making from 5 to 24 December. Roll, cut and decorate festive cookies with plenty of toppings, then take them home freshly baked in a gift bag, with a photo with the elves to remember the day.

Start the day the festive way at Breakfast with Santa on 19 and 20 December, with more dates on 23 and 24 December. Tuck into a bacon or sausage bap, or a pancake stack for the children, with an hour of bottomless drinks. There's time for photos with Santa, and every child receives a gift plus a free go on one of the main attractions.

For a calmer morning, Storytime with Santa on 11 December and 18 December sees Santa read one of his favourite Christmas tales, followed by a festive sing-along, a snack box and a gift for every child.

Or make an evening of it at Make a Bear on 12 December. Children stuff their own cuddly Christmas bear, design a carry bag and take their new friend home complete with a birth certificate. There's playtime in the Fun Factory Soft Play and a hot food platter for the family too.

The Ice Cream Farm also runs SEN-friendly sessions, starting on 28 November with a SEN-Friendly Breakfast with Santa and SEN-Friendly Cookie Making with Trixie and Mixie, alongside a SEN-Friendly Santa's Grotto.

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are a must in the lead-up to the big day, and it seems almost every town in Cheshire is hosting one this year. Pop along to find all your gifts, from locally produced and handmade candles, jewellery, crafts and textiles to plenty of tasty treats to keep the kids happy!

Find Christmas Markets in Cheshire

If you're after something a little different, Blakemere's 20-plus shops and 100 independent retailers are a sleigh-load of gift ideas, with handcrafted jewellery, beautiful handbags and accessories, children's toys, food gifts, houseplants, homeware, furniture, antiques and collectables.

Other events worth a mention are the many light switch-ons taking place across the county and the fantastic parades in Chester, both lovely ways to spend a festive afternoon or early evening. Cheshire West Museums are offering craft workshops for kids who love to be creative, and two of our country parks are letting their elves loose and need your help to find them, a great way to get the kids out into the countryside for some fresh air.

Find more Christmas events in Cheshire

We think you'll agree there's far too much happening in Cheshire to come for just the day. Stay for at least one night, if not two, to make sure you unwrap everything Cheshire has to offer at Christmas time.

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