Our guide to Festive Family Fun

from Families Chiltern - November/December 23

On

Seek out Santa

It’s a busy season for Santa, even before Christmas Eve! His elves are already preparing his enchanted woodland at Odds Farm Park from 25 November. Children can visit the elves’ Cuddle Creation workshop to make their own soft toy or teddy bear, or head to the Christmas toyshop, where younger visitors can choose a Christmas gift. Join Rudy the reindeer for his interactive Reindeer Flying School show or turn your hand to some festive crafts. Add to this the chance to write to Father Christmas, make food for his reindeer as well as the park’s usual attractions - 30 different breeds of animals, an adventure playground, go-karts, pedal tractors and a giant Indoor Playbarn, and there’s plenty for everyone! Tickets for the Christmas Spectacular cost from £25.20 for members and £43.95 for non-members. The extravaganza runs on selected dates from November 25 until Christmas Eve. See oddsfarm.co.uk for more details. Book early to avoid disappointment.

centre:mk presents the magical story of The Snowman, for families visiting Santa’s grotto. Brought to life by actors portraying the well-loved characters from the original story, a snowy landscape provides the perfect backdrop to view some of the most memorable and magical moments from the original animated film. Children will be given the opportunity to decorate a Christmas biscuit before meeting with Santa in his woodland cabin and receiving a lovely gift. It will be open from 17 November to 24 December and tickets are on sale at centremk.com

A VR sleigh ride, train and carousel are also at the centre, along with a breath-taking array of Christmas decorations, selfie points and cabins with independent traders selling unique gifts.

Santa and his elves are visiting Amersham Field Centre to train a new generation of elf helpers. Santa’s Winter Woodland will be open in December.

Explore the enchanted woodland with Father Christmas’ top elves, learn important elf skills, make a Christmas decoration and help find Santa’s missing code. Children will also get the chance to meet Santa in his grotto and receive an Elf graduation certificate, hat and gift. The event runs from 10am-4pm on 10, 16, 17 and 20 December. Tickets cost £12 for children and £6 for adults. Babies are free. To book, see field-studies-council. org.

If you’re looking for something diff erent, how about setting off to see Santa by steam?

Bucks Rail Centre is offering a Panto Express on select dates from November. Jump aboard a steam train, take a seat and Santa will come to you, accompanied by one of his elves with a present. Enjoy a 25-minute train ride, then, on returning to the platform, take a seat for a mini family pantomime, performed by a professional touring theatre company. The Visitor Centre will be hung with decorations, there will be festive music and a Christmas tree. The Panto Express runs on November 25 and 26 and on select dates in December. Tickets are limited so pre-booking is essential. Prices from £17.50. see bucksrailcentre.org for more details.

Jump aboard one of his special carriages (all named after his favourite reindeers) at the Chinnor & Princes Risborough railway for a trip from Princes Risborough to North Pole station (aka Chinnor). Weekend Santa Steam Specials are running from November 25. The experience includes refreshments and a present. See chinnorrailway.co.uk for more details.

You can also find Santa at Bletchley Park’s Vintage Christmas Grotto on select dates in December, with a Relaxed Grotto for families with additional needs on December 2. The park’s mansion, used by codebreakers in WW2, will be decorated with toys and Christmas trees, and elves will be on hand to take photos. See bletchleypark. org.uk for more.

Winter Wonderlands

Bekonscot Model Village and Railway is the oldest, original model village, and during the festive season it takes on a truly magical feel. Open at weekends only between 4 November and 10 December, the models are illuminated at dusk and specially created festive scenes appear around the village. The train ride is decorated with snowflakes and hundreds of twinkling lights and

Santa visits the village on the final weekend of the season to welcome prebooked visitors to his wintery grotto. Bekonscot then closes for the winter break, re-opening on Saturday 10 February 2024. Visit: bekonscot.co.uk

Be spirited away to a festive wonderland at one of the county’s grandest buildings this season as Waddesdon’s legendary Christmas event returns.

In the Manor, classic childhood tales including Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and the Snow Queen come to life with fabulous, new decorations. Tour the lavishly-decorated rooms to discover the Mad Hatter’s tea party, Captain Hook’s treasure cave and much more, with immersive soundscapes, sparkling installations and intricate paper sculptures.

Outside, the fairy-tale continues as the building’s fantastical façade is transformed with a brand-new spectacular light show The bespoke animated projections have been created by artist Jamie Shiels who’s worked on projects at Buckingham Palace. Waddesdon’s legendary Christmas Fair (until 17 Dec) and Food Village return with twinkling trees, charming wooden chalets and stalls offering unique gifts and treats for one and all. Add to this, a spectacular light trail through the music-filled Aviary Gardens and it will be a season to remember!

Christmas at Waddesdon runs from November 22 – January 1. Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment. Visit: waddesdon.org.uk/Christmas

The National Trust’s Hughenden Manor has taken the famous carol, The 12 Days of Christmas, as its festive theme this year. Look out for giant gold rings and swans a-swimming on a sea of baubles. Visit on a Musical Saturday and enjoy choirs, bands and jazz singers too. Mums and dads can take part in a festive creative workshop to create a watercolour Christmas card or have fun with the kids on a festive trail in the garden. For more details see: nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden

Spot giant willow-woven bird sculptures

‘A Winter’s Tail’ around Stowe from 18 November to 4 January. Match tails to their owners, find clues, solve puzzles and keep an eye out for the elusive fox tail. Local choirs will perform at weekends beneath the decorated tree and twinkling lights of the New Inn Courtyard. More at: nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe

Christmas Fairs

Feeling festive at Missenden Abbey

On Saturday 3 December, enjoy some festive cheer at the annual Missenden Abbey Christmas Market. Open from 12-4pm, you can enjoy some lovely festive food & drink and get stuck in to your Christmas shopping from lovely local artisan and craft stalls. It’s a date not to be missed. For more information head over to: missendenabbey.co.uk

If you’d like your spending to go to a good cause, head to The Grange in Saunderton where Hearing Dogs for Deaf People are hosting Christmas market on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November. There’ll be gifts, food, mulled wine, beer and local entertainment. A visit to Father Christmas’ grotto is included in the price. There are a range of tickets, including family tickets at £15. Book online at: hearingdogs.org.uk

In Olney, step back in time in for its Dickens of a Christmas, when townsfolk dress in period costumes for their

Magical decorations inspired by childhood tales in the house, spellbinding outdoor light projections, immersive g arden light trail and Christmas market with over 70 stalls

For more activity ideas, follow us on Instagram & Facebook @Families Chiltern

Victorian-inspired Christmas fair. There’ll be festive stalls, street entertainers and music by the Olney Brass Band. The event takes place on December 3, from 10am-4pm.

Peterley Manor Farm in Prestwood has a 4-day Christmas Market in its’ atmospheric glasshouses from 16 November. There’ll be boutique stalls and entertainment plus street food in their newly-built Dutch Barn. Entry tickets required. See: peterleymanorfarm.co.uk

Head to Haddenham village hall, for its Christmas market on November 12. Doors will be open from 11am-4pm. It promises hand-made gifts, facepainting, mulled wine, mince pies and hot chocolate with marshmallows!

Museum Magic

There’s a magical Christmas in store at some of our local museums. The Chiltern Open Air Museum at Chalfont St Giles is decking its historic buildings with holly for a festive weekend on 2-3 December. Head to the 1940’s prefabs to see how Christmas was celebrated in war time and enjoy crafts, story-telling and performances from local choirs. Pre-booking is advised. See: coam.org.uk

The Story Museum in Oxford has a whole host of events this festive season. In November and December, visit the museum’s galleries and huddle up with fireside tales in the Whispering Wood or fly with a snowman in the Enchanted Library. Tickets cost £12. Drop by the cafe on November 17, for snowy stories and maybe a hot chocolate (story-telling is free) or enjoy a performance of Tom Thumb on select dates in December. Tickets £12. For more information, visit: storymuseum.org.uk

The Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden is also offering various free and ticketed events. Take part in craft activities, make your own Christmas sweet decoration and listen to stories from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as part of a themed celebration on December 2. Story-tellers will also be reading from the famous book throughout the Christmas holidays, encouraging listeners to join in with noises and actions to celebrate the magical tale. Visit: roalddahlmuseum.org for more information.

Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury has a Family Christmas Activity Day on December 2, with stories, games, crafts and Santa. There are also festivethemed sessions for pre-school children on various dates in November and December. The price includes a drink and a snack for the kids. Once you’ve had your fill of all things festive, why not visit the museum’s I Grew Up 80’s exhibition, a family-friendly trip back in time to the days before the internet! Imagine! The exhibition runs from Oct 21 – March 16 2024. For more information, or to book, visit: discoverbucksmuseum. org.

Light Up Your Life

Christmas is all about sparkle, so make sure you don’t miss a Christmas lights switch-on! Head to High Wycombe for its Christmas light extravaganza on November 18. There’ll be a special appearance from the Snowman (and his snow dog!), market stalls and a funfair. The day runs from 10am-9pm, with lighting up time at 6.45pm!

Aylesbury is holding its Christmas on the Cobbles on November 26, promising A Day of Festive Delight and an illuminated parade ahead of the town’s switch-on. There will be funfair rides in Kingsbury, games, activities and face painting at Friars Square Shopping Centre and a Snowball Arena, packed with handmade snowball pompoms made by the local community, in the Market Square. Expect magic shows, live music, lego building, badge-making and a visit from snow fairies! The Illuminated Parade begins at 5:30pm in the Market Square with the Christmas light countdown at 6pm, hosted by Bucks Radio. Festivities end with fireworks. The event runs from 1pm.

Chesham is switching its lights on during a festive, fun-filled evening on November 17. Expect fairground rides, food stalls and live music. The switch-on is at 6pm. Lantern parades, live music, school bands and street food will all be on offer at Beaconsfield’s Festival of Lights on December 6. The seasonal spectacular takes over the town, with a lot of the money raised going to good causes. Live music, local choirs and festive parades will all form part of Tring’s Christmas Festival which will be held on 25 November, from 3.30pm8.30pm. Princes Risborough High Street will also brighten up the start of the season with the town’s annual Christmas Lights Switch On, on November 25.

For even more Christmas events, see our What’s On guide from page 28.