Top 10 Christmas Experiences

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we’re using it as an excuse for chocolate indulgences, ice-skating, atmospheric carriage rides, luxurious hotels and mulled-wine-fuelled market expeditions.

1. Visit a Chocolatier

What would Christmas be without boxes of delectable chocolates and sweet treats? Enjoy a guided gourmet chocolate tasting, learn about the world of cacao and browse the gift shops. Discover chocolates at many UK boutique outlets, from The Highland Chocolatier to Rococo Chocolates in Belgravia.

Chocolatier

2. Experience Christmas in the wizarding world

Winter has officially arrived in the wizarding world, with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter undergoing a festive makeover. Explore the famous sets from the Harry Potter franchise and delight at the Yuletide touches, including Christmas trees, decorations and a replica festive feast. Bewitching Diagon Alley looks especially frosty with a decorative dusting of snow on its twee cobbles and shopfronts. Elsewhere in the studio you can see roaring fires and piles of presents in the Gryffindor Common Room and the Boys' Dormitory. Even the impressive Hogwarts Castle model is covered in a dusting of snow. The atmospheric Forbidden Forest has also been given a special seasonal makeover, with glistening snow draped across the haunting trees. Wander through a series of animatronics, costumes and special effects that bring scenes from the movies to life.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

3. Enjoy a Christmas Carriage ride in Richmond Park

Glide like royalty through Richmond Park on a special Christmas carriage ride. Festive music will play as your group is pulled along by the same horses that were responsible for transporting the Queen's memoriam flowers from Green Park to Kensington Gardens. Snuggle under a cosy blanket and enjoy sloe gin and a mince pie as you steadily traverse a wintery landscape – including falling snow if you’re lucky.

Carriage ride in Richmond Park

4. Go out after dark and see the illuminations

Across the UK and Ireland there is an array of immersive light trails that are sure to spark Christmas joy. Marvel at show-stopping lights and illuminations at Kew Gardens and feast on festive street food. Walk the enchanting Christmas trail at Leeds Castle and watch carefully choreographed light installations, perfectly timed to a seasonal soundtrack. Learn about The Magic of Life while enjoying Ireland's Wild Lights festive display in Dublin, or head over to see Wonderlights at Malahide Castle. Arouse your senses with millions of sparkling lights and Yuletide music filling the crisp winter air at Blenheim Palace. Make sure to also get a festive family snap in front of the tallest living Christmas tree at Glow Wild in West Sussex.

Christmas illuminations

5. Enjoy a London Festive Cracker Experience

London is pure magic in the holiday season, so why not hop on a special seasonal tour and get ready for Christmas in style? Walk through the glittering displays in the West End, make your own decorations, and sample traditional food and drink.

London Bridge

6. Take a festive masterclass

Master a craft this Christmas and head over to the World Heritage Site, the Tower of London to learn how to create a decorative Christmas festive wreath to proudly hang at home.

Over at Heckfield Place, shake off festive excesses and plunge into icy waters with a spot of guided cold-water swimming in the pristine lake. Post-swim, be sure to join their spirited whisky trail or mix up perfect Christmas cocktails in a boozy masterclass.

Christmas at the 5-star Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast includes festive wreath-making workshops and feasting on seasonal afternoon tea, with Christmas songs and carols performed by the Bangor Ladies Choir.

Join us in Bath, the only city in the UK to be a designated World Heritage Site in its entirety, to combine a memorable experience with a great gift. Here, we take Dream Escape guests to visit a glassblowing workshop, where you can choose to watch the artists at work, or learn how to shape, heat and blow yourself.

National Trust properties in Wales will also host festive workshops and classes in December. Learn snowflake embroidery in Tredegar House in Newport and craft a wreath from foraged forest materials at Llanerchaeron.

Christmas festive wreath

7. Glide into a winter oasis

Ice skating at Somerset House is an essential festive activity for all the family. The neoclassical courtyard is transformed into a splendid, open-air ice-skating destination at Christmas. Enjoy contemporary music, glittering decorations and a post-skate glass of fizz at the Skate Lounge by Moët & Chandon.

Glide at Battersea Power Station is London’s newest and only riverside open-air ice rink in the capital. Skate alongside the Thames over three interconnecting rinks surrounded by Christmas lights and a towering 30-foot Christmas tree. While in Ireland, the popular ice rink and light trail returns to Fota House and Gardens, Cork.

Battersea Power Station

8. Catch a Christmas play

Nothing could be more festive than watching the ultimate Christmas classic, Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker with dancing snowflakes and the famous sugarplum fairy. This historic twoact ballet opens at Woking New Victoria Theatre and then departs on a multi-theatre tour to dazzle audiences with ballet prowess.

In Northern Ireland, The Magic of Christmas concert is being performed by the Ulster Orchestra and Belfast Philharmonic Choir at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

For another unforgettable Christmas experience head to the Grand Opera House, Belfast to experience the magic of pantomine – and where this year the much-loved classic Cinderella hits the stage.

Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker

9. Stay for Christmas in a beautifully decorated luxury hotel

Treat yourself to a luxurious Christmas stay at Grade-I-listed Bamburgh Castle and enjoy an opulent festive wonderland like no other. During the joyous holiday season, the castle is filled with festive theatrical sets and lighting, fabulous floral displays and gleaming decorations. In Dublin, only steps away from Christmas shopping on Grafton Street and the Christmas lights, stay at The Shelbourne, which offers a glittering array of festive dining options, or stay in an Irish castle. Ashford Castle is where children can enjoy a Santa's Grotto Festive Lunch that includes a magical visit to meet Santa. The Goring also offers a plush Christmas break, with deluxe decorations and a gourmet festive feast carefully created by Executive Chef Richard Galli.

Luxurious Christmas stay

10. Enjoy mulled wine and shopping for special gifts at a Christmas market

Across the UK and Ireland, many cities and towns will also host a range of jolly Christmas markets packed with decorated stalls and tempting food vans.

Over in the spa city of Bath, artisan stalls and Christmas carts line the grand streets with all manner of gifts and handcrafted items. You will find festive eats and treats at the Waddesdon Manor Christmas market too. Browse charming stalls housed in wooden chalets and buy a range of crafts and chocolates. Warm up with a mulled wine or a festive hot drink as you shop.

Right in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic city centre, with stunning views of the city’s dramatic skyline, Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument, you will find Edinburgh’s Christmas Market (named the best in Europe by National Geographic in 2022). Discover a wonderful range of gifts and delicious Scottish fare.

Or soak up the sparkly atmosphere and Yuletide spirit at the traditional Winterval Christmas Market in Waterford, Ireland's oldest city – transformed into a magical wonderland at Christmas.

Waddesdon Manor Christmas

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Contact the team at Dream Escape...

Annika Busam, Travel Design Manager

"For me, Christmas is the most magical time to relax, enjoy and celebrate. It is such a special time of the year where family and friends come together to celebrate. We are thrilled to showcase some of our favourite and truly unique winter experiences, for all ages to enjoy, which are sure to get you into the festive spirit.” ⬥ annika@dreamescape.co.uk