100+ family-friendly events and activities in Cardiff and South Wales for Christmas 2024
There is so much going on this Christmas for families. I published my guide to where to see Father Christmas a couple of weeks ago but I have included everything again here so you have it all in one place. This guide focuses on everything else, whether you’re looking for theatre or panto, light trails, festive arts and crafts, or outdoor events for some fresh air. I’ve rounded up everything I can find; let me know anything I have missed in the comments It helps me massively if you give this post a like, share or save on social media and means I’ll keep on showing up in your timeline as well as other people’s.
For more ideas of family days out in and around Cardiff, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Facebook, on Instagram or on TikTok.
Thank for you all of your support. It means so much.
Family festive fun at The Red Dragon Centre this Christmas
AD| This guide is sponsored by The Red Dragon Centre, which has got you covered this festive season, from joyful events to festive films, fun, and food, all under one gigantic roof.
Meet Paddington, Moana 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.
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.
Sunday 1 December, 12pm-4pm – 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 website here.
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100+ family-friendly events and activities in Cardiff and South Wales for Christmas 2024
Theatre and performance
Bocs, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Weekends from Saturday 16 November, daily from Saturday 21 December-Sunday 5 January (closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January), Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Sundays 11am-4pm
Pay what you can, £2, £5 or £8, no need to book.
Calling all virtual reality and immersive storytelling fans. Wales Millennium Centre has partnered with StoryFutures to bring Xperience to Bocs, their dedicated venue for new forms of storytelling. Xperience provides multiple engaging VR experiences, covering diverse themes including music, sport and climate change and range from beautifully animated 360° films to full interactive immersive experiences. Each experience last 20 minutes.
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Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Friday 22 November-Saturday 4 January
£16-£29, under 25s half price; age guidance: 7+
Transport yourself to the streets of Victorian Cardiff this Christmas as A Christmas Carol returns to the Sherman by popular demand. First seen in 2021, this new take on the classic story promises exceptional festive entertainment for those aged 7+. Gary Owen’s adaptation of this classic story brings the action to Cardiff, 1843, where Scrooge has lots of money – but it’s never made her happy. On Christmas Eve, she will meet three ghosts who will teach her the most important lesson of all. By Christmas morning, she will have learned how to live for the first time. The show stars Sherman at Christmas favourites, Hannah McPake, reprising her much-loved performance as Ebbie Scrooge; Keiron Self, making his tenth appearance in a Sherman Christmas show; and Owen Alun, who delighted audiences last year as Tinkerbell in Peter Pan.
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Little Red Riding Hood / Yr Hugan Fach Goch
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Saturday 25 November-Saturday 4 January
Age guidance: 3-6 years old; running length 50 minutes
The Sherman’s annual production for three to six year olds is the perfect introduction to theatre for little ones. This year, sees a new take on the classic fairytale Little Red Riding Hood, with both Welsh and English language performances available. Red loves giving and receiving presents – especially when a super cool new red cape turns up in her stocking. But when she gets lost in the woods on the way to her grandma’s house, her encounters with a hungry wolf show her that maybe Christmas is about more than just playing with her new toys. Join Red for a magical adventure filled with songs and laughter this festive season.
The performance is also touring South Wales throughout November. See website for full dates.
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Hamilton
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Tuesday 26 November-Saturday 25 January
From £25
Age guidance: 10+, no admittance to under 3s
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multi award-winning cultural phenomenon Hamilton comes to Wales Millennium Centre as part of its first-ever UK tour. Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.
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Cabaret, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Sundays 1, 8, 15 and 22 December, 11am and 3pm
£10 adults, £7 children
Age guidance 3+
Get set for fabulously inclusive stories and fabulously dressed drag queens together as Aida H Dee The Storytime Drag Queen as she takes you on a magical journey through a world of colourful characters that will make smiles wrap around faces, hilarious antics that will leave everyone in stitches, and a drag queen that just cannot remember where she placed her spare wig. There will also be shows in Welsh (performer TBC).
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Dick Whittington
The Riverfront, Newport
Wednesday 27 November-Saturday 4 January
Tickets from £29.50 adults, £27.50 children
Join hero Dick Whittington and his trusty cat, as they set out on an epic journey from Newport in search of friendship, fortune, and fun! This rags to riches tale promises to be full of laugh out loud gags, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, the baddest baddies and plenty of audience participation.
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Aladdin
Cardiff Theatre Café, St Andrews Church, Roath, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 December
Adults £15, children £12, under 2s £5m family (2+2) £48
Just Perez Productions presents Aladdin, a magical family pantomime for all ages.
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Insole Court, Cardiff
Monday 2, Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 December, 6pm and 7.30pm
£12 per person
A festive retelling of the classic Dickens tale, live from the historic surrounds of the Insole Court Library.
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Sleeping Beauty and the Kingdom of Dreams
Paget Rooms, Penarth
Thursday 5-Sunday 8 December
From £12, selling fast – limited availability
Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society presents its annual panto, a spectacular, original pantomime that has been devised and written especially for PODS as part of its centenary year celebrations. When Princess Rose is born, the evil Morgana puts a curse on her, proclaiming that on her 21st birthday she will prick her finger on a rose and die. Fairies Lilac, Blush and Beige come to the rescue, and instead the Princess falls into a deep sleep, entering the Kingdom of Dreams where the Dreamweaver takes her on a magical adventure. Will Rose awake to find true love or will Morgana turn the dreamiest of pantomimes into a nightmare?
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Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Friday 6-Friday 13 December, 7pm, plus Saturday 2pm
£9-£18
Age guidance 10+
Cardiff’s Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama present a new version of Treasure Island, adapted from the acclaimed National Theatre production. Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story of murder, money and mutiny on the high seas sees a mysterious stranger presents Jim with a huge sea-chest, full of secrets – and their dangerous journey begins. Join Jim as they meet pirates and search for buried treasure, voyage to desert islands and have sword fights.
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Tabernacl, The Hayes, Cardiff
Friday 6 December, 7.30pm
£5-£22
The world-renowned Welsh National Opera Chorus perform side by side with singers from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to present a thrilling evening of operatic singing in the heart of the city, The beautiful Tabernacl chapel in the Hayes hosts a concert that will showcase these massed voices performing opera, musical theatre, sacred repertoire, the Welsh choral tradition and music for Christmas. Conducted by WNO Chorus Master, Freddie Brown and RWCMD Director of Music Tim Rhys-Evans.
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Beauty and the Beast
Blackwood Miners’ Institute
Friday 6-Monday 30 December
Adults £18, children £18, family £64 (£22/£19/£68 on 24 and 26 December)
A beautiful girl who holds within her heart the key that will free the Beast from his terrible fate. Rainbow Valley Productions version of Beauty and The Beast brings you all the story’s thrills, romance and excitement plus sensational singing and dancing. Plus expect lots of hilarious comedy, with local comedian and presenter Owen Money as the star of the show.
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New Theatre, Cardiff
Saturday 7 December-Sunday 5 January
£24-£48
Cardiff-born TV presenter Gethin Jones stars as Prince Charming in the New Theatre’s annual panto. He’s joined by broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans as Dandini, much-loved panto regular Mike Doyle as the Baroness, and returning favourites Denquar Chupak as Cinderella and Stephanie Webber as the Fairy Godmother. Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her Prince Charming Packed with traditional pantomime ingredients, expect laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
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Aled’s Christmas Songbook featuring The Snowman
Cardiff Christmas Festival, Spiegel Theatre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 2.30pm (selling fast, limited availability)
Join singer Aled Jones and the Welsh POPS Quartet as they perform The Snowman and other festive favourites. Aled will perform and narrate The Snowman in the first half of the show and in the second half perform some of his own favourite show and classical numbers, before leading a seasonal singalong, accompanied by the amazing Welsh Pops String Quartet.
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All I Want for Christmas is Family Musicals
Cabaret, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Saturday 7 and 21 December, 11am and 3pm
£15 per person
Age guidance 2+, running time approx. one hour
A cast of musical theatre performers present a magical Christmas concert filled with festive cheer, frolics and sparkles. From Disney hits and Christmas classics to magical musicals and singalongs, head to Wales Millennium Centre’s cosy Cabaret theatre for a fun-filled festive treat for the whole family. Enjoy an hour of entertainment with Mared Williams and Steffan Hughes of Welsh of the West End fame, and Laura Dawkes who recently starred as Anna in the West End’s Frozen. They will be accompaniment on the piano by David George Harrington, who has worked with pop icons including Justin Bieber and Kylie Minogue.
See the website for details of All I Want for Christmas is Musicals, suitable for ages 16+, on Friday 6, Saturday 7, Thursday 12, Friday 13, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December.
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The Snow Queen
Cardiff Christmas Festival, Spiegel Theatre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Thursday 12-Tuesday 31 December
Children £16.50-£22.50, adults £25-£32.50
As part of Cardiff Christmas Festival, the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale has been reimagined and given a Welsh twist as Gerda sets out on an epic adventure to try to break the spell of the evil Snow Queen. The show also stars Bryn, a 7ft singing and dancing polar bear, plus there’s a guest appearance from Father Christmas – playing himself, of course. With a running time of 75 minutes and no interval, the show is ideal for younger theatre-goers.
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Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Thursday 12-Sunday 15 December
£18, concessions £14, group (2 full and 2 concessions) £50
Poor Cinderella is stuck scrubbing floors and doing chores for her wicked stepmother, the Baroness, and her nasty stepsisters, Rita and Wanda. But she’s dreaming of a brighter future beyond her dusty rags and endless cleaning. Will she finally escape and find happiness? Join Barry’s Billboard Ensemble to cheer her on and watch as a little magic just might change her life.
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Christmas on Broadway
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Thursday 12 December, 7.45pm, Friday 13 December 2pm and 7.45pm
£18-£20
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama finishes its year with its much-loved annual glittering night at the musicals, celebrating the best of festive musical theatre from stage and screen.
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ICC, Newport
Saturday 14 December-Saturday 4 January
From £23; age guidance 4+; 2h20 including interval
See Elf the hit movie live on stage with this spectacular Christmas musical. The story is magically recreated with catchy music, exciting sets, punchy jokes and a heartwarming tale the whole family will love. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, Buddy the Elf embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his new family doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
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The Wizard of Cowbridge
Cowbridge
Saturday 14-Friday 27 December (excl Christmas Day)
From £12
Following the success of last year’s sold-out production, Elves Overboard, Ducky Fuzz Productions presents The Wizard of Cowbridge – a panto reimagining of a timeless classic, where Dorothy finds herself lost in Cowbridge at Christmas time. Join Dorothy on her enchanting adventure along the Yellow Brick High Street, as she seeks the help of The Wizard of Cowbridge to return home to Kansas in time for Christmas morning. Along the way, she encounters a host of quirky companions and must outwit The Wicked Witch, Karen, who is determined to reclaim her sister’s stolen ruby slippers and destroy Christmas forever.
Celebrities Bronwen Lewis, Gareth Thomas, Ian H Watkins and Caryl Parry Jones feature as voice over artists and do not appear in person.
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The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness!
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Sunday 15 December, 11.30am and 2.30pm
Squashbox Theatre’s new show is a celebration of everything Christmassy, from fir trees, fairy lights, sleigh bells and snowflakes to crackers, carols, presents and puddings. The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness! is an over-stuffed stocking of seasonal surprises crammed with puppets, songs, quizzes and comedy, and over-flowing with crazy characters, silly slapstick, tall tales and fantastic facts. Running length: approx. 55 minutes.
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Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Sunday 22 December, 3pm
Adults £13, children £9.50
Father Christmas is back, and this time he’s had three helpings of sprouts. As he tries to deliver the presents, his tummy rumbles, gurgles and groans, but Father Christmas knows he must keep it in – he doesn’t want to wake anyone up! TaleGate Theatre Productions combine witty humour, catchy music and the extra sparkle for which they have become known in this funny and bouncy musical adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s sequel to Father Christmas Needs a Wee, which has been selling out UK tours for the past five years. Running length: approx 60 minutes.
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Robin Hood – Babes in the Wood
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Friday 20-Sunday 22 December
£14-£16
Kinetic School of Performing Arts present their annual pantomime, Robin Hood – Babes in the Wood. The ultimate pantomime villain, the Sheriff hatches a wicked plan to get rid of his niece and nephew, the Babes in the Wood, and claim their fortune. It’s down to Robin Hood to save the day and stop the Sheriff, with a little help from his Merry Men and Maid Marian. Enjoy plenty of songs, dance, laughter and sumptuous costumes in our traditional family-friendly pantomime. Join us for a festive fix of slapstick comedy, boos and hisses, and all-round silliness – with the addition of good old Nottingham folklore and some guest appearances thrown in for good measure.
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Family comedy show
Glee Club, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff
Sunday 29 December, 12pm
Adults £13, children £9
Age guidance 7+, no admittance to under 5s
A fun lunchtime show for all the family, from children to grandparents. No need to get a babysitter to enjoy some weekend stand-up!
Christmas trails and light trails
FREE The Light of Winter / Goleuni’r Gaeaf
Across Cardiff
Thursday 14 November-Sunday 5 January
A new light trail will illuminate the centre of Cardiff this Christmas, with 11 installations across the city. FOR Cardiff’s The Light of Winter trail is a free immersive activity guiding visitors around the city during the festive season. Cardiff Central Station will be lit up by a huge light installation, with others located in the arcades and at Cardiff Castle.
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FREE The Cardiff Bay Reindeer Trail
Cardiff Bay
Saturday 30 November-Sunday 5 January
Nine runaway reindeer have escaped in Cardiff Bay! Can you help Father Christmas find his sleigh-pulling squad this festive season? This free bilingual activity features eight willow-crafted reindeer scattered around Bay venues, including Mermaid Quay, The Red Dragon Centre and Senedd Cymru. There’s also a ninth digital reindeer, sponsored by Cardiff Harbour Authority, who’ll spring into life in Roald Dahl Plass via your smartphone. Download a map from the website or pick up a paper version from participating attractions. For a chance to win a stay and play break in the Bay for a family of four, collect a special letter from each reindeer, and unscramble all the letters to work out the festive word.
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Festive Lights Extravaganza
Fonmon Castle, Rhoose
Saturday 23-November-Monday 23 December, 4pm-9pm
Adults from £15, children from £13
Wander through acres of illuminated pathways, encountering festive characters along the way. Experience the wonder of the Festive Lights Extravaganza, a live Santa Show with specials guests, live music, costumed characters, a festive story trail, a festive Illuminated Dinosaur Walk and lots more.
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Luminate Wales
Margam Country Park and Castle
Wednesday 21 November-Tuesday 31 December, 4.30pm-8pm
From £15 adults, £10 children, £45 family
The spectacular illuminated trail returns to Margam Country Park and Castle this winter. As darkness descends, follow the captivating light trail as it weaves through the historic gardens of Margam Country Park and Castle. The mile long walk features stunning lighting installations and interactive all set to music. Tasty treats and hot mulled wine are available near the start of the trail, as well as marshmallows for toasting on the fire pits, and hot food caterers in the cafe courtyard halfway around.
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Christmas at Bute Park
Bute Park, Cardiff
Thursday 22 November-Tuesday 31 December
From £23.50 adults, £16.5o children, £69.95 family (2+2 or 1+3)
Christmas at Bute Park returns after three sell-out three years with a re-imagined route for 2024. The award-winning light spectacular will feature a host of all-new light installations and enchanting music that promises a memorable and magical experience for guests. The Christmas Village will also feature a number of food and drinks vendors as well as festive music and live performances.
Christmas events
Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturday 7 December-Sunday 5 January, 10am-4pm
£13.20 adults, children £6.60, family (2+2) £33
Dyffryn Gardens will be filled with festive family fun this Christmas. Make your way to the Snowman Zone and decorate a ‘snow family’, play snowman hoopla and giant snowball kerplunk. Then immerse yourself in a classic Christmas tale in the Nutcracker Zone with a puppet theatre, nutcracker skittles, and the sugarplum and lollipop game and a mini nutcracker marble run. Hop into Father Christmas’ sleigh or pose in front of the giant Christmas tree in front of Dyffryn House for a festive family picture before heading to the Gallery Café for Christmas crafts and to see all the Christmas stockings hanging from the ceiling and the cosy ‘fireplace’ made completely from second-hand books.
Weekend in December will also see children’s Christmas decoration workshops in the Gallery Café. There’s no need to pre-book and no charge (normal admission applies).
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Winter Wonderlands
Cardiff Winter Wonderland
City Lawns and Cardiff Castle
Until Sunday 5 January
Ice skate on an undercover rink in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, see the city like never before from the top of the giant wheel, enjoy fairground rides, food stalls, an ice bar and lots more. Entry is free; book ice skating in advance; buy tokens on arrival for the rides.
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Next to Friar’s Walk Shopping Centre
Until Sunday 5 January
Ice skating on an undercover ice rink, rides and attractions and locally-sourced festive refreshments. Entry is free, book in advance for ice skating.
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Caerphilly Winter Wonderland
Crescent Road, Caerphilly
Until Saturday 4 January
Set against the backdrop of Caerphilly Castle, get set for ice skating, fairground rides, an Alpine bar and festive food and drink.
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Events at local castles
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Storytelling with Mother Christmas
Chepstow Castle
Saturday 30 November-Sunday 1 December, 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm
£5 per child
With Father Christmas preparing for his big night, Mother Christmas is busy spreading some festive joy here at Chepstow Castle. listen to a festive tale told by Mother Christmas in this beautiful historical setting. Each child will also receive a small gift. Numbers are limited so advanced booking is essential. Event tickets do not include castle admission; please buy general admission tickets separately if needed.
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Seasonal Scents: Medieval Christmas Decoration
Chepstow Castle
Saturday 7-Sunday 8 December, 10am-3pm
Included in usual admission charges, adults £9.50, children £6.70, family £30.40
Discover how people celebrated Christmas in medieval times and the role that scents played. Learn which ingredients were local and which had travelled from afar. Learn their stories while you make a scented decoration to take home.
This is a drop-in activity. Suitable for all ages.
You do not need to book tickets for this event.
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Christmas Weekends
Caerphilly Castle
Saturdays and Sundays 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 December, 11am-3pm
Included in regular admission, adults £10.90, children £7.60, family £34.90
Complete a Christmas quest at Caerphilly Castle this December, with a trail on every weekend and prizes to be won. Plus, decorate your own Christmas card and get crafty for the festive season.
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Decoration Decorating
Chepstow Castle
Saturday 14 and Sunday 14 December, 10am-3pm
Included in usual admission charges, adults £9.50, children £6.70, family £30.40
Decorate a wooden Christmas tree decoration to take home and hang on your tree.
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Saturnalia – A Roman Festival
Caerleon Roman Baths
Saturday 14 December-Sunday 5 January, 11am-4pm
Included in regular admission, adults £5.30, children £5.10, family £17
Celebrate Saturnalia – the Roman festival held in December when there were feasts and present-giving. Romans would decorate their houses with wreathes and candles to celebrate Saturn the Roman God of agriculture. Follow the free trail to discover all about the ancient Roman festival Saturnalia celebrated in December.
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Light-Up Reindeer Trail
Chepstow Castle
Saturday 21-Tuesday 31 December, 10am-3pm
Santa’s reindeers are back at Chepstow Castle!
Find the reindeer hidden in the castle and search for clues to work out who has raided the carrot store. A trail full of fun for the whole family.
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Events at museums
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Write your Christmas letter in the Victorian schoolhouse
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, 10am-1pm and 2-4.30pm
£4 per child, age guidance 3+
Children can visit Maestir School to meet one of Father Christmas’ Elves, who will help them write their special letter. They can then pop round to the museum’s tiny Post Office to send it off to the North Pole.
See my article on where to see Father Christmas for details of St Fagans’ grotto
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Christmas Crafts
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, 11am-4pm, multiple timeslots 10am-4.30pm
£5 per child, age guidance 3+
A festive crafts session, where each child will make their own special decoration to take home.
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Christmas Trail: Runaway Reindeer
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturday 30 November-Monday 22 December
£3.50 per trail including a prize, age guidance 4+
Help save Christmas! The mischievous elves have left the stable door open, and now Father Christmas’ reindeer have scattered all across the museum grounds. With Christmas Eve fast approaching, your help is needed to find them and bring them back to the North Pole in time for the most important night of the year.
A limited number of trail maps are available – book in advance.
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FREE Festive musical performances
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, 11am-4pm
The museum welcomes local brass bands and choirs who will be performing uplifting festive music to get visitors in the Christmas mood. Performances will take place in the main building and outside the Miners’ Institute (weather permitting) at intervals between 11am and 4pm.
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Carols in the chapel
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
£6 per person
Get in the mood for the festive season with carol singing in the museum’s 18th century Pen-rhiw Chapel. Sing along to traditional tunes and contemporary Christmas classics, with sessions available in Welsh or English.
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Festive Afternoon Tea
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Selected dates from Wednesday 4-Sunday 22 December
£25 per person
Step back in time for a festive afternoon tea with a museum twist! Enjoy a selection of homemade festive finger sandwiches and a variety of savouries and cakes, served alongside your choice of Welsh Brew tea or freshly brewed coffee. All dietary requirements can be catered for with at least 72 hours notice
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FREE Christmas Traditions: The Mari Lwyd and Hunting of the Wren performances
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 7-8 and 14-15 December, 11am and 2pm (Sat), 1pm and 3pm (Sun)
Witness two of the most well-known Welsh customs during the Christmas season, The Mari Lwyd and Hunting of the Wren*, performed by Cwmni Dawns Werin Caerdydd. These unusual ancient Welsh winter traditions include singing, dancing, and a horse’s skull. *No wrens will be harmed!
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Elf-led Crafts
National Museum Cardiff
Saturday 30 November-Sunday 1 December, 11am and 2pm
£6.50 per child to complete all 3 crafts
Age guidance: 4+; limited tickets available
Ready to become one of Santa’s magical elves? Perfect for all ages, this hands-on activity is your ticket to a truly elf-tastic transformation. Create a classic elf hat and signature elf ears, make a jingle bell stick, and a snowy decoration to display on your Christmas tree.
National Museum Cardiff
Saturday 30 November-Sunday 1 December, 10am-3pm
£4 per trail
Age guidance: 4; limited tickets available
Explore the museum in search of magical elf clues. Once completed, head back to the main hall to claim your Christmas prize.
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National Museum Cardiff
Saturday 30 November-Sunday 1 December, 10am-4pm
Free entry
Browse an exclusive selection of market stalls offering handcrafted gifts, holiday décor, and artisan foods to find that perfect present for loved ones or a special treat for yourself.
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Festive Film Screening: The Snowman
National Museum Cardiff
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 10.30am, English; 12pm, Welsh; 1.30pm, English, 3pm, English
£6 per ticket, age guidance 3+
Take a seat in the museum’s Reardon Smith Lecture Theatre for a festive family screening of the classic Christmas film, The Snowman. After a welcome from Father Christmas and Rudolph, settle back and watch the film, before a visit from a friendly snowman. This is an hour-long experience, with the film being 26 minutes. Please note, Father Christmas will be on the stage and will not see children individually.
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Silent Disco
National Museum Cardiff
Saturday 7 December, family event 6pm-8pm, adults only 9pm-midnight
Family event £9, adult event £18
Sing along to your favourite party classics as some of the city’s finest DJs battle it out under the dome of one of the city’s most prestigious buildings. Pick up your headphones on arrival and switch between three different channels as the DJs take you on a musical journey between different genres.
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Festive Afternoon Tea
National Museum Cardiff
Wednesday 4-Sunday 22 December, selected dates, 12pm and 1.45pm
£25 per person
Enjoy a selection of homemade festive finger sandwiches and a variety of savouries and cakes, served alongside your choice of Welsh Brew tea or freshly brewed coffee.
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Decorate your own Christmas cookie
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon
Monday 2-Monday 23 December and Thursday 27 December-Sunday 5January, 11am and 2pm
£10 per person
Decorate your own Christmas cookie in the museum’s café. The ticket includes three cookies and a children’s hot drink. Gluten free and vegan options are available.
FREE Saturnalia
National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon
Saturday 7 December, 11am-4pm
Celebrate Saturnalia, the Roman winter festival. Meet a Roman Soldier and find out how the Romans would have celebrated the festival. Make a ‘Calennig’ and discover more about this festive tradition, then take it with you to decorate your own home.
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General Christmas events
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FREE Snow Character Crafts
The Senedd, Cardiff Bay
Saturday 30 November, Saturday 7, 14, Monday 16-Saturday, Monday 23-Tuesday 24 December; Thursday 2-Saturday 4 January
The Senedd will be celebrating the launch of Cardiff Bay Reindeer Trail with a day of craft on Saturday 30 November, where visitors can decorate your own snow characters and winter baubles. Snow character crafts will then be available in the Senedd on the above dates for December and January.
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FREE Mrs Claus’ Kitchen
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
Saturdays 30, 7, 14, Sunday 15, Saturday 21 December, various sessions 11am-4pm
Families will be welcomed to Mrs Claus’ Kitchen by cheery Elves before they take a seat on the cosy cushions for a story time with Mrs Claus herself. There will be lots of fun during the story time with immersive games such as musical statues with the Cheeky Elves!
Then children will be able to take time to decorate a gingerbread biscuit and write their letter to Santa before leaving with a candy cane gift. No need to pre-book but spaces for each session are limited.
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FREE The Grinch
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 22 December, 20 minute appearances at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Hate, hate, hate, double hate, loath entirely…. the Grinch is visiting Mermaid Quay this December. H e will be making four mischievous appearances.
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FREE Christmas Lantern Parade and Laser Show
Llantwit Major
Sunday 30 November, 6pm
The parade starts at CF61, Station Rd at 6pm and the laser show will follow the parade, at the Llantwit Major Town Hall. Bring along a festive lantern and join the parade.
FREE Carol singing and open doors event
Penarth Pavilion
Saturday 7th December, from 11am
Visit Penarth Pavilion for its 2024 Open Doors event – a chance to meet the team and find out more about this iconic venue.
The day starts with carol singing in front of the Pavilion at 11am, joined by Penarth Salvation Army Band. After the carol singing, come inside for tea/coffee and mince pies and the opportunity to look around this beautiful building, which is open until 1.30pm.
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Children’s Christmas Disco
Penarth Pier Pavilion
Sunday 15 December, 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm
£12.25 + booking fee per child, includes a Christmas Cookie and soft drink
A fun packed Christmas children’s disco with DJ Sparky Marky back bringing the best Christmas tunes and games. Little ones will be greeted with a Christmas Cookie and soft drink and then on to the disco to enjoy a great selection of festive tunes and party games, with a prize for the best Christmas jumper! And before leaving, there’s a visit from Santa too.
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Festive Family Weekends
Tredegar House, Newport
Saturdays and Sundays 14-15 and 21-22 December
Adults £13.20, children £6.60, family £33 (Gift Aid prices) or free to National Trust members
Lively and busy festive weekends for families to get involved with the spirit of Christmas. Join in with Christmas singalongs, festive choirs and look out for two very special guests – Ebenezer Scrooge and Father Christmas, who will be wandering throughout the gardens and house.
Kids’ Christmas Party
Techniquest, Cardiff Bay
Saturdays 7 and 14 December, 5:30pm-8:30pm
£10 per person; age guidance 3-9
A festive evening at Techniquest with access to over 100 hands-on exhibits, crafts, music and entertainment, perfect for under-10s. Wave hello and grab a selfie with Santa, create alternative Christmas crafts, dance to some Christmas classics and take a chilling journey to the coldest place on Earth in the Ice Ice Maybe live science show.
Upgrade for an extra £5 and add a VIP Screening to your entry ticket. Choose from screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol on 7 December, or Arthur Christmas on 14 December, both hosted in the Science Theatre. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult.
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Lantern making workshops
Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend
Saturday 7 December, 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm
£3.50 per person
Create your very own winter lantern to use in the lantern parade on Sunday 8 December.
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FREE Winter Lantern Parade
Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend
Sunday 8 December, from 4.30pm
LED drumming troupe Worldbeaters SPARK! will lead the parade as they light the way through the darkness joined by a giant puppet from Small World Theatre. Visitors will then head back to the Visitor Centre for Christmas carols by the amazing Ogmore Valley Silver Band, starting at 5.30pm. Parking available for parking ticketholders only (see above). The parade is free to attend.
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Lantern parade and festive activities
RSPB Newport Wetlands
Friday 13 December, 6.30pm-9.30pm
£18 adults, £9 children
Experience the Wetlands in a whole new light this Christmas with an lantern parade including festive activities for all the family. The event begins at 6:30pm with decorating lanterns, making Christmas tree decorations, building a wooden reindeer and wreath making. The parade will begin at 8.30pm and will take around an hour.
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Where to see Father Christmas in South Wales
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Storytime with Santa
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December, 10.45am-4.30pm various sessions available, English and Welsh language options
£10 per child
Join Santa and his elves in a cosy cottage, for a warm welcome and a festive story told by Santa. Each child will receive a gift plus an opportunity for you to take photographs, and to get creative with some Christmas Crafts – all included in your ticket price. You can also book for Christmas biscuit decorating, £10 per child, plus pay a visit to the underground mineshaft while there.
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Blaenavon Ironworks
Saturdays and Sundays 14 and 15, and 21 and 22 December, 10.30am-3.30pm
£10 per child, free for accompanying adults
Visit Father Christmas in the Victorian grotto at the Ironworks this Christmas for a unique family experience. Must be booked in advance in person at the site or by telephone or email.
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Blaenavon Heritage Railway
Saturdays and Sundays 7 and 8, 14 and 15, 21 and 22 and Monday 23 December,10.45am, 12.10pm, 1.30pm, 2.50pm, 4.10pm
Open seat ticket, adult or child £22.50, traditional compartment up to six £125, up to eight £150
Step on-board Santa’s Magical Steam Train for a fun festive journey. Santa will meet everyone personally at their specially reserved table or compartment in the vintage train carriages, with a present for all the children.
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Brecon Mountain Railway
Saturday 23 November-Sunday 22 December
Adults and children 2-15 £23, under 2s £10
Travel by steam train from Pant Station to Pontistcill to meet Santa in his Grotto where every child receives a lovely present and enjoys an unforgettable experience. Selling fast – limited availability. Includes gift for children and babies.
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British Bird of Prey Centre at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Carmarthenshire
Saturday 30 November-Monday 23 December
£8 per child, accompanying adults free; owl handling experience £3
As well as meeting Santa/Sion Corn, come face to face with the owls who help deliver Christmas wishes straight to the North Pole. Watch Wings in the Shadows: The Secret Life of Owls, an immersive indoor flying show narrated in the style of David Attenborough, and hold one of Santa’s magical owls. Get creative by making a decoration or holiday card, wand find all the elves hiding in the Great Glasshouse in festive scavenger. Tickets also include entry to the National Botanic Garden of Wales, The British Bird of Prey Centre and the Christmas Flying Show.
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Afternoon tea and story time with Santa
Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend
Sunday 8 December, 12pm-3pm
Standard £36, under 10s £24, infant (no food) £6
A festival afternoon tea in the beautiful marquee, before Santa arrives to read a Christmas story to the group.
Sunday 15 December, 12pm-3pm
Standard £37.50, under 10 £21.50, infant no food £7.50
A three-course meal in the beautiful marquee Santa arrives to hear the children’s Christmas wishes.
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Cantref Adventure Farm, Brecon
Saturdays and Sundays 23-24, 30 November, 1, 7-8, 14-15. 21-22 December plus Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December
Adults £15, children £20
Meet Santa in his magical grotto. While you’re waiting, you can create your own reindeer food, sit in Santa’s sleigh, and slide down his chimney! Plus meet the adorable animals and play our snowball game.
Visitors can also enjoy festive shows including Mr Ev’s Christmas show, learn the secrets of elf life at Elf Academy, and unleash your creativity with Mary Christmas’ gingerbread decorating. Join in the fun with our energetic party games and don’t miss our adorable animals in the pet barn.
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Cardiff Castle
Tuesday 10-Tuesday 17 December, selling fast, limited availability
Private tour £80 (up to two adults and two children), additional adult £12, additional child £18
Santa’s ever-popular Victorian Christmas gives visitors the chance to enjoy an exclusive private evening tour of Cardiff Castle’s beautifully decorated apartments where you’ll learn about a Victorian Christmas. Take part in a festive treasure hunt around the rooms and then get ready for a special meeting in the elegant Drawing Room, where children will have a chance to talk to Santa, have photographs taken and leave with a choice of gift. Includes a complimentary mulled wine or soft drink and biscuits in the Library.
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Cefn Mably Farm Park, Cardiff
Weekends from 30 November-22 December
£20 per child, £4 per adult
More information to follow as Cefn Mably gets set to welcome back Santa.
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Celtic Manor Resort, Newport (Caernarfon Suite, resort hotel)
Selected dates from 30 November-24 December, various times
Prices vary according to date, adults from £34, children from £24
The Celtic Manor resort welcomes back Santa and his helpers with a magical experience for all the family. Get in the Christmas spirit with a festive afternoon tea including sweet and savoury treats, in magical surrounding and with plenty of festive cheer. Includes individual meeting with Santa and a gift.
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Dan Yr Ogof Showcaves, Abercrave, Swansea
Weekends Saturday 30 November-Sunday 22 December, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December, 10am-3pm
Adults £20, children 3-12 £18 including gift, under 2s £10
Visit Santa, explore magically festive caves, as well as visiting the dinosaur trail and park, the outdoor and indoor play areas, and the Shire Horse Centre and farm.
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Dobbies garden centre, Swansea
Thursday 28 and Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1, Saturday 7, Sunday 8, and Saturday 14-Tuesday 24 December. (Selling fast with limited availability on some dates)
£12.99 per child
Dobbies popular Santa experience includes a train-themed theatrical experience for children and families, complete with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa himself. Take in the atmosphere as you arrive at the enchanting forest, and after a warm welcome from the elves at Sleighbell Station, children will get to experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, find hidden nutcrackers, all culminating in the chance to meet Santa.
‘Quiet’ experiences available
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Eto, Holton Road, Barry
Saturday 7 December, 11am-4pm
£3 per child
A Santa experience with a twist. Festive magic meets sustainability, as Father Christmas and his elves have been busy carefully selecting special preloved gifts for each child, ensuring that every present is filled with love and care. Explore the grotto, adorned with upcycled decorations that add a creative and eco-friendly touch to the holiday scene. From repurposed ornaments to recycled festive decor, every detail reflects our commitment to a greener Christmas.
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Fonmon Castle, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturday 23 November-Monday 23 December
Adults £40, children £32, under 3s £10, selling fast, limited availability
Have a private meet and greet with Santa Claus and his elves and enjoy a special party with your child. The ticket also includes live shows with Santa’s Elves, surprise Christmas characters making an experience, Santa reading the children a Christmas tale and a tea party with Santa’s Elves. You’ll also get access to Festive Lights, were yourself in the enchanting atmosphere as the castle comes alive with festive lights, a journey through a festive story trail, and a festive illuminated dinosaur walk. You can also just buy tickets to just the Festive Lights as well as the Silver Experience which includes most of the above but not the Santa festive tea.
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Forage, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturdays 30 November, Sunday 1 December, Fridays 6, Saturdays and Sundays 6-7-8, 13-14-15 December plus Tuesday 17-Monday 23 December
Adults £13.50 (14+), children 3-13 £16 (includes gift), children 2 and under £5 (includes gift)
Not just a chance to meet Santa but a mini Christmas show too! Forage returns with its popular Christmas experience, a festive family show featuring music, magic and dance. Ever wondered how your letter to Santa gets all the way to the North Pole? Watch Elf Mabel as she takes charge of Secret Santa Sorting Office 13875 – Location: Forage Farm, where she discovers not everything is as it should be. Can she get the children’s letters to Santa in time for Christmas?
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Future Inns, Cardiff
Lunch Sundays 1, 8, 15 and 22 December, 12.30pm-4pm
Adults from £35, children under 12 from £21
A three-course festive lunch, children’s disco and meet and greet with Santa in his grotto.
Brunch Saturday 24 December, 10am-1pm
Adults from £28, children under 12 from £17
A traditional Welsh brunch and a visit from Santa.
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Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, Gower, Swansea
Saturday 23 November-Monday 23 December
Adults £6.95, children £9.95, family (2+2) £45
As well as collecting you Christmas tree, you can visit Santa at Gower Fresh. Explore the different scenes inside, with plenty of photo opportunities. Sit in the magical sleigh, feed the reindeers, and more.
Plus new for 2024: Light Trail. See website for details.
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Gwili Railway, Carmarthen
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22, and Monday 23 December, 10am-6pm
First Class Compartment up to 6 £225, traditional compartment up to 6 £175, up to 8 £225, open seat ticket £30, one infant up to 24 months (one per booking) £15
Santa is back for a scenic steam ride through the beautiful South Wales countryside on-board 1950s carriages steam, with trains departing and returning to Abergwili Junction station in Carmarthen. All children under 12 will receive a gift.
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Santa’s Grotto in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity
Ikea, Cardiff
Saturday 23rd November-Monday 23rd December, no need to book
£12 per child for visit and gift, £14 for visit, gift and photo; adults free
The award-winning Santa’s Grotto is back at Ikea Cardiff, raising money for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity. No need to book; check the website for opening times and just turn up. Welsh language visits to Sion Corn on Sunday 24 November and Sunday 8 December (with more dates to come) and quiet sessions for children with sensory needs on Wednesdays 11 and 18 December, 10am-12pm November and Tuesday 6 December, 10am-12pm.
John Lewis, Cardiff
Thursday 19-Monday 23 December
£17.50 children, £6 adult (including hot drink and cake) plus 60p booking fee
Join Santa for a special Christmas story, complete with snacks, cocoa and a gift. Limited availability.
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Santa’s Grotto and Festive Feast
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December
Llandegfed Lake, Pontypool
Children £18.95, adults £14.95, under 2s free
Choose from breakfast with Santa at 9am or 10.40am and lunch at 12.30pm or 2.10pm as Father Christmas tradies the North Pole for South Wales as he sets up his grotto at Llandegfedd Lake. Little ones can enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch in the Lakeside Café before meeting the big man himself. Santa will warmly welcome children to his grotto, listen to their Christmas wishes, and present them with a thoughtful gift.
Relaxed experience available, Sunday 8 December at 2.10pm.
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Llanerch Vinyard, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan
Thursday 19-Monday 23 December, 4pm-8pm
£35 per person
Experience the magic of the holiday season with A Magical Christmas Afternoon Tea, with a visit to Santa and entertainment. Guests will be greeted with a glass of mulled wine or orange juice on arrival, before being served a festive afternoon tea, accompanied by music and entertainment. They will then have the chance to meet Santa in his grotto, plus there will be party games and a children’s disco.
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Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts
Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 7-8 and 14-15, plus Wednesday 18-Sunday 22 December; breakfast 10.15am-11.30am, lunch 12.15pm-1.45pm and 2.30pm-4pm
Children £18.95, adults £14.95, under 2s free
Speedboat Santa is back! With his reindeers building up their strength for Christmas Eve, Santa will arrive in his own speedboat! He will then join his very special guests in the café for festive food, over breakfast or lunch. After the meal, he will chat, sit with them for photos and present a gift.
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Family Brunch With Father Christmas
Lo Lounge Cardiff Bay
Sundays 1, 8, 15 and 22 December, 12-1.30pm or 2-3.30pm
From £20 per person
Festive entertainment, tasty food and a visit from Father Christmas as he joins you at your table for a chat and to give your little ones a special gift. An afternoon of festive cheer, with a gift for every child from Santa, a Christmas actvity pack including letter writing, a Santa certificate, plenty of photo opportunities, table games and a bar for the grown ups, mulled wine and minced pieces and a Christmas movie on the big screen. Includes a donation to Boomerang Cardiff Charity to help them in the battle to ensure all children have a gift this Christmas and food on the table.
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Margam Country Park
Saturdays and Sundays 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 December
£19.84 per car
Not a traditional Santa visit but a chance to see him feed his wild deer in the grounds of Margam Park.
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FREE Storytime with Santa
McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Bridgend
Saturdays 7, 14, 21 December, 11am-3pm
Join Santa and his trusty elves every Saturday in December for Storytime at his sleigh. Stories will be BSL interpreted by Santa’s elf. Free with no need to book.
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The Meadows Farm Village Retreat, Groeswen, Cardiff
Weekends from November 30-December 22, plus Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December
£8.50-£25
Meet Santa and his reindeer. Say hello to Santa in his cottage in the woods and his reindeer will be ready to meet you from their home at the meadows. Includes a gift. Price £25 per child.
Other festive activities include write and post your letter to Santa, Christmas hint adventure, park illumination after dark.
Morgan Quarter, Cardiff city centre
Saturdays 23 and 30 November, 7, 14 and 21 December
£5 per child, accompanying adults free; age guidance 2+ (walking involved)
Five of Santa’s most mischievous elves have escaped from Santa’s Grotto, and rumour has it they’ve been causing chaos around the Morgan Quarter. Embark on an interactive trail to locate the missing elves and report back to Santa himself and receive a small prize for your hard work. The trail will finish at Santa’s Grotto, located at 18 Morgan Arcade. The £5 ticket fee will be fully donated to Noah’s Ark children’s charity.#
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Pyle Garden Centre, Bridgend
Mondays to Fridays 2-6, 9-13 and 16-20 December, 5pm-7pm
Adults £13.50, children £18.50
A magical Christmas evening of Christmas crafts, songs, an individual photo opportunity and a present from Santa.
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Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Friday 13-Friday 20 December
Adults from £12, under 16s from £15 including a gift from Santa; family (2+2) £40
A fun filled visit to the stadium for children which ends with a visit to see Santa Claus in his secret grotto deep in the heart of the stadium. Step into a magical wonderland at the home of Welsh rugby as Santa and his team make the stadium their home this festive season. Welsh language visits and group trips available.
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Queen Street, Cardiff
14 November-23 December, from 10.30am
Prices TBC
Visit Santa in his log cabin on Queen Street, outside Queen’s Arcade, and receive a gift.
No need to book.
Update: I’ve been told the Cardiff Queen Street grotto is not happening this year.
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Breakfast With Santa / Afternoon Tea With Santa
Raglan Garden Centre
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November and 1 December, 7-8, Saturday 14-Tuesday 24 December
Adults £13.50, children £15.50
Breakfast With Santa will include a cooked breakfast, table activities for the children and a very special meet and greet with Santa.
Festive Afternoon Tea with Santa…a magical family event a sweet and savoury teatime treat, table activities for the children and a meet and greet with Santa.
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Rhondda Heritage Park
Saturday 23 November-Tuesday 24 December
£12.50 adults and children 18 montha+; £5 children 0-18 months (Christmas Eve £13.50/£6)
Santa’s Toy Mine returns to Rhondda Heritage Park. Every toy mine ticket includes a guided tour through the toy mine to find Santa in his grotto. The toy miners will take visitors underground on a journey to find the man in red himself. Along the way there will be fabulously festive sights to see and lots of fun to be had as the elves are sure to have been up to snow good… Includes a gift from the gift shop.
Quiet tours: 4 and 11 December.
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Meet Santa at The Royal Mint Experience
The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant, Cardiff
Saturday 23 November to Monday 23 December
Adults £12.50 children £17.50, family of four £55, under 18 months free
Ultimate Christmas Bundle, including experience entry, strike your own coin for the children printed photo with Santa plus a meal each in the café, £110 family of 4, £135 family
See The Royal Mint Experience as never before, glistening with snow and ready for the busiest night of the year. Take a magical festive interactive tour around the factory with Santa’s Chief Helpers, e3xplore Santa’s workshop in a 360º immersive setting, meet Santa in his grotto and enjoy time with him as a family. Each child under 16 will receive a cuddly gift, plus strike your own festive coin (additional cost) as a memory of your visit. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, plus the café has a festive menu. Quiet tour available (update – sold out).
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St Donat’s Castle, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturday 30 and Sunday 1 December, 10am-4pm
£13 per car, £3 on foot, advanced booking recommended
Meet Santa, £8.50 per child including selection box
The 12th century castle will be joined by more than 70 local food, craft and drink traders to kick-start the festive season.
Plus you can meet Santa where he’ll listen to Christmas wishes and give each child a selection box. Must be pre-booked. There’s a complimentary magic show for little ones, from local magician Simon Sparkles, and songs from Atlantic College Choir.
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St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, various time slots
£10 per child, age guidance 3+
Father Christmas/Sion Corn will be visiting St Fagans once again this year. Visit his magical grotto in a private area within the main building where Father Christmas will read a story before meeting each child individually and giving them a gift.
Also at St Fagans: Christmas crafts, write a Christmas letter in the Victorian schoolhouse, Christmas trail – Runaway Reindeer, Carols in the Chapel and The Mari Lwyd & Hunting of the Wren Performances. See website for details to add to your Santa experience.
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Tiny Rebel Brewery Bar, Newport
Sunday 1, Saturday 14 and Wednesday 18 December, 3.30pm
£22.95
A sandwich lunch, picture with Santa and a gift.
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Roaming Santa as part of Festive Weekends
Tredegar House, Newport
Saturdays and Sundays 14-15 and 21-22 December, 12pm-8pm
Events are included in usual admission, adults £13.20, child £6.60, family £33
A weekend of Christmas cheer with choirs, festive singalongs and some very special guests. The ever-popular grumpy old Scrooge will make his return to cast his disapproving eye on the Christmas festivities, but there will be plenty of choir singing and singalongs to keep the festive spirit alive. Father Christmas will also be roaming the house and gardens, spreading joy to all. Scrooge and Father Christmas will be visiting between 12pm and 6pm.
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Tretower Court and Castle, Crickhowell
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 11am-3pm
£5 per child in addition to usual admission charges
Children will receive a gift while adults can soak in the festive spirit with some mulled wine and a mince pie. Grotto tickets must be booked in advance.
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Woodland Walk Garden Centre, Pontypridd
Saturdays and Sundays 23-24, 30 November, 1, 7-8 plus 14-24 December
£13 per child, £4 per adult, £4 per photo
Each child will receive a visit with Santa as well as getting to meet the reindeer and receiving a present from Santa’s toy shop.
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Zipworld Tower, Aberdare
Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1, Fridays 6-7-8, 13-Tuesday 24 December, 9am-6.30pm
Adults from £11, children from £16
The magical Tower Grotto returns to Zip World Tower. On arrival you will be greeted with a delicious complimentary mince pie and hot chocolate (plus a mulled wine for the adults) and a letter writing station to write your letter to Santa. You can then head to the magical mezzanine where the Grotto awaits. You’ll get to meet Santa, take plenty of selfies and let him know your Christmas wish, as well as receive your special gift and Welsh slate bauble – which you can then decorate at the bauble crafting station.
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Not local but worth travelling for – first time in Wales!
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Aberystwyth
Off-peak from £37.95, standard from £44.95, peak from £49.95
Saturday 30 November-Tuesday 24 December
Bringing the magic of the movie to life, this is an opportunity to meet the iconic characters from the movie and the big man himself Santa Claus. Immerse yourself in a theatrical performance with singing and dancing, featuring the movie’s beloved characters – performed on the platform before boarding the train and during the train ride.
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