Festive family fun at The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay, this Christmas

Paid collaboration with The Red Dragon Centre

When it comes to festive family fun and Christmas days out, The Red Dragon Centre has got you covered this festive season, from joyful events to festive films, fun, and food, all under one gigantic roof.

Meet Moana, Dash the reindeer and King, the world’s most realistic animatronic lion, grab a selfie with a reindeer sculpture or catch one of this season’s hottest film releases on the big screen.

Plus give the gift of reading this Christmas with The Jolly Book Bank, where you can bring along your pre-loved, good condition children’s books and take home a free book of your choice in exchange.

Films are a fiver all day every day at the ODEON with a bumper selection of new releases to choose from:

• Red One (12A) on Wednesday 6 November;
• Paddington in Peru (PG) Friday 8 November;
• Gladiator 2 (15) on Friday 15 November;
• Wicked (PG) on Friday 22 November;
• Moana 2 (TBC) on Friday 29 November;
• The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (TBC) on Friday 13 December;
• Mufasa: The Lion King (TBC) on Friday 20 December;
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (TBC) on Saturday 21 December.

Plus get set for a series of extra special family events:

Monday 18 November-Sunday 5 January – Bring along your pre-loved, good condition children’s books to The Jolly Book Bank, and take home a free book of your choice in exchange. Supported by the centre’s partner charity Make a Smile, any books remaining at the end of the appeal will be redistributed by the charity.

Saturday 30 November-Sunday 5 January – The Reindeer Trail launches across Cardiff Bay and The Red Dragon Centre will be hosting one of the happy herd. Pick up a map at the Centre (or download at www.visitcardiffbay.info), help Father Christmas track down all nine of his reindeer crew, while collecting special letters along the way for a chance to win a bumper prize provided by Bay attractions.

Saturday 30 November, 12pm-4pm – The Red Dragon Centre is celebrating the big screen release of Moana 2 with volunteers from Make a Smile Cardiff visiting the centre to spread smiles and joy. Meet some of your favourite princesses and heroes including Moana, Belle, Anna, and Spiderman, at intervals between 12-4pm. The character squad will be gratefully accepting donations throughout the afternoon and supporting the Jolly Book Bank appeal.

Plus on Sunday 1 December – young reindeer Dash will be visiting the Centre to celebrate the trail in a unique puppet encounter, which makes the animals look incredibly realistic and magical. Dash will be joined by a young mammoth, unicorn, and snow leopard, with appearances in pairs between 12pm and 4pm.

Sunday 22 December – Celebrate the return of Mufasa to the big screen, by meeting King, the world’s most realistic animatronic lion, with an animated face, paws and ultra life-like body movements. Appearances at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

You can feed the family with dining options including Five Guys, Volcano all you can eat Japanese, Zaika Asian and grill restaurant, and Everytime Pan-Asian fast casual restaurant and noodle bar, or book a children’s Christmas party at Hollywood Bowl for £13 per person for some ten-pin action.

With free parking for up to six hours (subject to minimum spend and validation), The Red Dragon Centre is a great day out for the whole family this festive season.

Visit The Red Dragon Centre website