Blenheim Palace - The Great Skate
This Christmas, make memories that last a lifetime with The Great Skate at Blenheim Palace, a brand-new experience for 2024. For the first time ever, come to skate with family and friends in the Palace's stunning Great Court on a spectacular, covered ice rink!
Amid one of the UK’s most iconic settings, The Great Skate promises an extra festive treat for all ages. Surrounded by breath-taking beauty and festive décor, enjoy a luxurious hot chocolate or tasty treats at rink-side seats and capture that perfect festive family photo in this glorious setting.
Blenheim Palace Neverland® in the Palace
Friday 15 November - Tuesday 24 December & Thursday 26 December - Wednesday 1 January
Join Blenheim for a swashbuckling adventure in Neverland, a place bursting with magic and make believe. Follow Tinkerbell through the State rooms as she sprinkles fairy dust over baubles and Christmas trees, wander through a moonlit London skyline and onto the Mermaid Lagoon.
JM Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1929 and we are pleased to be supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity this Christmas.
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Cotswolds Distillery Christmas Shopping Event
Kick off the holiday season with Cotswolds Distillery’s Festive Shopping Evening on Saturday, 7th December, from 5–9 pm in Stourton! This free event promises holiday cheer and exclusive Christmas gift offers on our award-winning spirits. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary drink, plus there are delicious options at the Still House Café, live music by Wired, and tastings of English whisky, gin, liqueurs, and more. Warm up with hot chocolates or hot toddies and enjoy festive add-ons like a cocktail masterclass. It’s the perfect way to shop for loved ones while embracing the holiday spirit!
Evening Christmas Tours at Chastleton
Thursdays 5 and 12 December, 5.30-7pm and 6.30-8pm.
A rare chance to see Chastleton after dark, decorated for a perfectly cosy 1960s Christmas. Enjoy a mulled apple juice and a warm mince pie on arrival. Led by your private tour guide, you'll then explore rooms decorated to represent the Clutton-Brocks' chaotic but cosy style, with paper chains, tinsel, trees and piles of wrapped presents. Soak up the atmosphere of the sights, sounds and smells of a 1960s Christmas and listen to amusing tales of the family who lived here as you explore the house. £20 per person.
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Chastleton House – A 1960s Christmas at Chastleton
Wednesdays to Sundays 27 November - 15 December, 10am-3pm (last entry 2.15pm)
Enjoy the nostalgia of a 1960s-style country Christmas, reminiscent of the parties hosted by last owners Barbara and Alan Clutton-Brock. Explore rooms decorated to represent the Clutton-Brocks' chaotic but cosy style, with paper chains, tinsel, trees and piles of wrapped presents. Head to the Great Chamber to have a go at a classic board game and watch some festive television. Younger visitors can look out for Christmas mice hidden throughout the house. Normal property admission price applies (free for National Trust members and under-fives).
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Christmas at Dyrham Park
21 November to 5 January (closed 24 and 25 Dec), 10am – 4pm
Step back in time this season at Dyrham Park as we take you on a journey exploring Christmas through the ages. The house will be dressed in the style of different eras, from Tudor times right up until the 20th century. Outside, there will be a Christmas trees decorated with golden pears, echoing the pear theme running across the site to tie in with the orchards. We'll also have a giant wreath, perfect for Christmas selfies. Families can follow a reindeer discovery trail dotted around the 270-acre site.
Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
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Christmas choirs at Dyrham Park
Every Saturday and Sunday 23 November to 22 December 1-2pm
Let the music of Christmas help you get into the festive spirit in the run up to Christmas. Local choirs will be performing on weekends in the run up to Christmas in the village church of St Peter which adjoins the estate. The church is a 15-20 minute walk from the car park.
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Jack and the Beanstalk at The Theatre Chipping Norton
13 November – 12 January 2025
By Stephen Mitchell with original music by Sarah Travis. Chipping Norton Theatre’s famous Christmas panto reaches for the clouds with the most gigantic panto of them all. Join them on their giant adventures to the Viking kingdom of Smorgasbord with young Jack, a talking cow and a band of musical horned helmets in search of true love and world peace!
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Batsford Arboretum Elf Hunt
Daily from 30 November to 5 January 2025 (except Christmas Day)
This Christmas Batsford Arboretum is running its annual Elf Hunt– ‘The Big Batsford Elf Hunt’. Take a magical wintery walk through the arboretum in search of Santa’s naughty elves – a fun way to explore the arboretum with a prize for all participants at the end! The Elf Hunt is running daily throughout December and costs £3 per participant, plus standard admission fees
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The FlyBoys: Swing Into Christmas
Thursday 19 & Friday 20 December
Described as the "best vocal swing act currently on the scene", The FlyBoys are always ready to blow you away with their unique take on big band swing tunes.
This holiday season, these four masters of mashup are headed your way to give you the best of Christmas music, delivered in their own uniquely delicious four-part harmony.
From timeless Golden-Age fireside classics such as 'White Christmas' and 'Winter Wonderland', through to heart-meltingly luscious melodies like 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas', all the way to raucous swing hits like 'Cool Yule' and 'Fairy Tale of New York'. The FlyBoys will have you clapping your hands, stamping your feet and singing along!
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Panto-Crime: Comedy Murder Mystery Show
Saturday 21 December
Sinister forces are at work in Panto land: Peter Pan has gone missing and Captain Hook would give his right hand to know where he is.
Miss Muffett was caught blowing Little Boy Blue's Horn and Snow White has been brutally murdered, but who did it? Did Widow Twanky prove there's nothing like a dame by committing the crime?
Did the Big Bad Wolf huff and puff until Snow White was no more? Where was Dick Wittingless and his errant pussy at the time of the murder? Will Goldilocks end up doing porridge?
Help the Fairy Godmother to unmask the fairy tale fiend before the clock strikes midnight, all whilst enjoying a delicious three-course meal prepared by our in-house chefs at Téatro.
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Christmas Movie Nights in the Cinema with dinner in Grey’s at Whatley Manor
Various nights from 29 November to 22 December
Events | Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa
Enjoy a two-course dinner in Whately Manor’s restaurant, Grey’s followed by ice-cream of your choice, popcorn and a festive movie: Love Actually (29 Nov & 22 Dec); The Holiday (30 Nov & 20 Dec); White Christmas (4 Dec); Miracle on 34th Street (8 Dec); Home Alone (11 Dec); Friday the 13th (13 Dec); Last Christmas (14 Dec); The Grinch (21 Dec); and Elf (22 Dec) .
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Christmas at Dyrham Park
21 November to 5 January (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
Go on a journey back in time this festive season at Dyrham Park exploring Christmas through the ages from Tudor times right up to the 1980s. Rooms in the house will be decorated to reflect different eras. There will also be an outdoor reindeer trail, beautifully lit trees and a giant selfie wreath. Choirs will be in the church every weekend in the run up to Christmas and there will be wreath making workshops. Pop in the National Trust shop to stock up on decorations, cards and gifts or grab a mince pie in the tea-room or café at Old Lodge in the parkland.
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Visit our What’s On page for more events in the Cotswolds