8 magical Christmas experiences in Cheshire you won't want to miss!

There’s no shortage of things to do and see in Cheshire this Christmas, with light displays, performances and several opportunities to give Santa your Christmas list. Here are 8 magical experiences you won't want to miss!

1) BeWILDerwood Presents Christmas

Celebrate the festive season at BeWILDerwood with "BeWILDerwood Presents Christmas – A Sparkly Light & Panto Trail!" This magical event is perfect for all the family. Wander through a mesmerising Sparkly Light Trail, enjoy a mini pantomime full of festive cheer, and encounter your favourite BeWILDerwood characters along the way. This year, there’s also a brand-new Father Christmas Meet & Greet, included in your ticket! Plus, earlier timeslots have been added for little explorers! Magical memories await! Find out more about BeWILDerwood Presents Christmas – A Sparkly Light & Panto Trail! and book

2) Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo

Once again Chester Zoo are teaming up with entertainment giants Sony Music to deliver this year's much loved festive event. This year's trail promises to be even longer and more exciting than ever, with the event opening on November 15 and going all the way through to New Year’s Day for the first time. 

Journey through a number of distinct and vibrant lands where you'll encounter an exciting line-up of costumed characters and new animal puppets including meerkats, peacocks, red pandas and snow leopards. 

An “incredible” new soundscape will add to the immersion, with animal lanterns, such as dragonflies hovering over water, elephants in permafrost and exotic birds flying overhead, decorating the route of the stunning light trail. Find out more about Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo and book

3) Christmas family days out with the National Trust

‘Tis the season for festive fun at Lyme, Quarry Bank, Dunham Massey and Little Moreton Hall. 

Start Christmas with a bang as Animal Crackers comes back to Lyme for another year. Lyme’s house has been taken over by magnificent and unusual beasts and this year they’re exploring winter traditions. You can also see community choirs perform at Lyme on selected dates from 30 November in the run up to Christmas. Join in with some Christmas carols in the courtyard at the house and you’ll feel jolly in no time. 

Head to Dunham Massey for their magical lights trail, created by award-winning, internationally acclaimed trail producers, it has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. 

Visit Santa at Quarry Bank, head out on the enchanted winter walk or enjoy a performance of 'Jack' from Little Seeds Music, a new musical for families based on Jack's tales from the beanstalk and beyond!

And don't forget Christmas at Little Moreton Hall where you can step back in time and celebrate traditions old and new! Be transported to Christmas past, from Tudor to the present day, all within a few steps! Find out more about Christmas family days out with National Trust

4) Land of Lights present Wonderwild at Gulliver's World Resort

Land of Lights Lantern Festival returns to Gulliver's Warrington, welcome to WonderWild! Discover a place where nature’s most majestic creatures and natural wonders have been reimagined. Journey through a huge new collection of incredible colourful lanterns and displays. Find out more about WonderWild and book

5) Santa Cruises at Anderton Boat Lift

Santa is once again returning to celebrate this festive season at Anderton Boat Lift. He is bringing with him some helpers, his story book, some new songs and we're sure there will be some gifts too!

Santa loves having his photograph taken, so there will be opportunity for every family to take their own photo with him on the cruise. Find out more about Santa Cruises at Anderton Boat Lift and book

This year you can also have Breakfast with Santa at Anderton Boat Lift. Your visit will start with a cooked breakfast (or a choice of cereals for children) served in the coffee shop. After breakfast, Santa will meet all the children and escort everyone down to the boat where, he will entertain you all on the 45-minute boat cruise.

6) Winter at Jodrell Bank

New for 2024, Winter of Wonder at Jodrell Bank throughout December. Immerse yourself in festive lights, captivating films, and Christmas shopping, while enjoying delicious seasonal treats like hot chocolate, mulled wine, and tasty offerings from the café.

This Christmas, discover Jodrell Bank as you've never seen it before. Be mesmerised by the Science Show "Starlight Spectacular" and enjoy special screenings of the beloved classic The Snowman in the Space Dome. Children can reach for the stars at the astronaut dress-up and creative Christmas crafts, adding an extra touch of fun for all ages.

Also for the first time ever, this Christmas they are turning the planetarium at Jodrell Bank into a festive cinema for you to enjoy all your festive favourites. Choose from Elf, Muppet Christmas Carol, Love Actually, Die Hard (yes, it's a Christmas film!), The Holiday and many more, it's a family treat or a date night with a difference! Find out more about Christmas at Jodrell Bank and book

7) Christmas at Tatton Park

There is so much happening at Tatton Park this Christmas. Get swept away on a magical adventure through the iconic scenes of The Wizard of Oz, brought to life within the grandeur of Tatton Park's historic mansion. Wander through the beautifully decorated staterooms, from the exciting adventure following the Yellow Brick Road to the sparkling Emerald City, all adorned in beautiful festive decorations.

Immerse yourself in Yuletide - a glittering winter adventure in the gardens this Christmas! Warm up around the fire at the Yuletide Gathering, and let enchanting stories and music take you to lands anew. Embark on the Glittering Trail where folklore comes to life and magical stories unfold before your eyes!

Enjoy carols in the stableyard, indulge in a delicious festive afternoon tea, hunt for the perfect gifts at the Gift Fair or enjoy a special festive concert from the Northern Chamber Orchestra. Find out more about Christmas at Tatton Park and book

8) Festive Boat Trips and Santa's Grotto at National Waterways Museum

Enjoy a Festive Boat Trip with one of Santa's elves and then visit Santa in his magical grotto.

Santa’s most mischievous elf – Naughty Ned – has been up to his antics again… He was playing hide and seek in Santa’s sack, and got stuck…so Walter the water vole had to help him out.  But now there’s a big hole in the bottom of the sack and some of the presents from the grotto have fallen out along the canal!  Jump on board the festive narrowboat with one of the friendly canal elves and help find the missing presents!

Once you’ve found them all, the cheerful elf will entertain you with Christmas jokes and puzzles before inviting you to sing Christmas songs and jingle Christmas bells all the way back to Santa’s Grotto at the museum (remember, you’ll need to sing loudly to make sure Santa hears you coming!)

After your boat trip you can meet Santa in his Grotto to share some of your Christmas wishes with him before choosing a present to take home. Find out more about the Festive Boat Trips with National Waterways and book

There’s something for everyone this Christmas, with many more events and activities taking place around the county.