Christmas Fun For Everyone
Days out filled with Christmas fun
Get into the Christmas spirit with the AA's illuminating ideas for days out and evening endeavours to enjoy between now and the big day.
Explore the Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, and enjoy a magical atmosphere beneath sparkling trees. There's carol singing, gifts to buy, hot chestnuts, mince pies, and mulled wine, and a chance to meet Father Christmas. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 27 November until 20 December.
Real Reindeer
If Lapland's beyond your budget this year, see reindeer a little closer to home.
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre at Glenmore, Inverness-shire, is open until Christmas Eve. You can trek to the herd and meet, stroke and feed the reindeer; or simply meet them at the paddocks. Check out the Reindeer at Christmas section of our site for more information.
See real reindeer and have some Christmas fun with Santa himself at Glenarm Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, until 22 December.
Visit baby reindeer at the Reindeer Centre, Bethersden, Kent, on selected dates between 21 November and 24 December. You can even adopt one if they're too cute to resist.
Meet the resident reindeer at Trevarno, Cornwall, on selected dates in December. Father and Mrs Christmas will be there, too, along with carol singers, stalls and more.
Light up your life
To see Christmas lights with a bit more sparkle, why not venture beyond the crowds of central London?
Far from the hustle and bustle of London, the pretty Devon fishing village of Clovelly celebrates the illumination of its Christmas lights on 6 December, with a procession and brass band in aid of the RNLI. There'll be harbourside carols, mulled wine, a barbecue, fireworks and the chance to meet Santa Claus.
Get set for Christmas carols, festive number ones, and indoor fireworks at the Classic FM Christmas Spectacular, at London's O2 on 23 December.
Or witness a parade of beautifully crafted handmade lanterns light up the streets of Caerphilly, on 17 December. The River of Light Parade kicks off at 6.30pm accompanied by vibrant live music.
Get your skates on
If you love to hit the ice as the mercury plummets, wrap up warm and take to a seasonal skating rink. There are several in and around London, plus other outdoor rinks at Cribbs Causeway, Windsor, Cardiff, Leeds, York, Winchester, Glasgow, Chester Zoo, and at The Eden Project in Cornwall.
Partake in some Christmas fun at the Trentham Estate. Ice-skate beside a lake designed by Capability Brown, and under festive tree lights. There's even a lighting display beneath the ice.
For a more dramatic backdrop, skate in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, or beside crashing waves at Lamorna Cove.
Gingerbread and Glühwein
There are countless European Christmas markets around the UK throughout December, where you can buy jewellery, ceramics, candles, toys, glasswork, traditional Christmas decorations, gifts and more.
Sample Continental snacks and drinks from bratwurst and gingerbread to lager and Gluhwein. And enjoy Christmas fun in the shape of fairground rides and even live music at some locations.
Choose from Birmingham, Canterbury Christmas Market, Manchester, Bath Christmas Market, Brighton, London's Southbank, Glasgow, and Bournemouth, among others.
Something different
There's lots to keep the whole family entertained at Stockeld Park's Christmas Adventure in Wetherby, Yorkshire, including an enchanted wood, an ice-skating rink, a maze, and even Nordic cross-country skiing.
Meanwhile Warwick Castle's Christmas fun features storytelling, Christmas crafts, carol singing, and the chance to meet a fairy godmother. There are also special events on selected dates, including a carol concert, candlelit tours, and the chance to join Father Christmas for breakfast.
Brave a Christmas and New Year Ghost Tour in Cambridge, or experience a Medieval Christmas at the Tower of London.
If money is no object, why not pop along to the Fortnum and Mason Christmas Party? Christmas fun at the famous store takes the shape of live music, demonstrations, food and Champagne. Tickets cost £150 each and the event is in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Get outside and join in the annual Winter Solstice Parade in Brighton, on 21 December. 'Burning the Clocks' is the coastal city's 'antidote to the excesses of commercial Christmas' - quite fitting with a recession looming. People craft and carry lanterns to the beach where they're set alight to mark the end of the year. And there's a fireworks display to finish.
Book a theatre break in London - AA Members enjoy 10% off.
If a dip in the sea in the deep midwinter is your idea of Christmas fun, join the Christmas Day Swim near Boscombe Pier, Dorset.
Or, if you're really brave, tackle the icy waters off the coast of Tenby for the annual Boxing Day Swim. This charity event sees around 600 people sponsored to take the plunge, with thousands of spectators lining the coast, before a warming bonfire is lit.
Check out our other inspirational ideas for days out and weekend breaks.
Before you leave
– Plan your route
– Check the traffic
– Read our Satnav guide
– Do some simple car maintenance checks
– Stock your car with essential accessories from the AA Shop
– Find and book a place to stay
En route
– AA Members save 20% at Moto
– Keep the kids entertained
– What to do if you break down
For when you get there
– Find a pub or restaurant
– Plan walks and bike rides
– Check out our travel guides
Updated October 2009
Reindeer pictures by Alex Smith
Westonbirt picture courtesy Westonbirt Arborteum