The countdown to Christmas is on with plenty of family fun to be had in the lead-up to the big day.
And while there’s much to love about this time of year it can get a bit hectic with so much to do, plan, and remember. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with a list nearly as important as Father Christmas’ naughty and nice ones.
Here’s some inspiration for festive fun in south east Wales…
SUPERB SKATING
There’s plenty of places to enjoy some ice skating, including in the Welsh capital. Vindico Arena (formerly Ice Arena Wales) is based at the Cardiff International Sports Village. While it’s Wales’ premier destination for ice sports it also offers public skating sessions and lessons for all skill levels (with skates available for hire). Check out times and prices online at
vindicoarena.com/publicskating
Or, for a truly magical Christmas experience, Cardiff Castle ice rink is a popular part of Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland. There are special offers including a 15% discount on skating sessions (bar Christmas Eve) for those with a Blue Light Card. Plus, accessible sessions will run on certain dates; these will be quieter, less bright, with limited capacity (meaning more space) and a relaxed atmosphere. Other attractions at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland include The Ice Bar, Sur La Piste Alpine Bar, plus the Giant Wheel and funfair. Discover more at
cardiffswinterwonderland.com
ICC Wales, in Newport, is also getting into the Christmas spirit with their indoor synthetic Glice rink (similar to ice but kinder to the environment). Glide across the smooth synthetic ice and take in the sights and sounds of Christmas, as you journey through magical illuminated light tunnels and falling ‘snow’. Along with Wales’ first Glice rink, the venue will have an abundance of food, drink, and gift stalls to browse and buy from.
Find out more and book tickets: iccwales.com/whats-on/skate-at-icc-wales/
THRILLING THEATRE
Pantomimes are back (oh yes, they are!) and offer an opportunity for youngsters to enjoy colourful, exciting theatre. While some of the pantos are already behind us, there’s plenty of local shows for people of all ages to enjoy. Check out what’s on below – and visit the relevant venue website for tickets.
Cinderella The Fairy Godmother of all Pantos will be at Cardiff’s New Theatre from December 7 to January 5.
Dick Whittington will be at Riverfront Theatre in Newport up until January 4.Cinderella (by Dolman Theatreworks) be at Dolman Theatre in Newport from December 11 to December 14.
Beauty and the Beast will be at Blackwood Miners Institute from December 6 to December 30.
Rapunzel: A Hair-Larious Panto will be at Blackwood Little Theatre from December 13 to December 15.
Aladdin (produced by Owen Money) will be at Cwmbran’s Congress Theatre from December 13 to December 30.
Sleeping Beauty and the Kingdom of Dreams will be at The Paget Rooms in Penarth from December 5 to December 8.
Aladdin (RCT Theatres) will be at Coliseum Theatre in Aberdare until December 9 before performances at Park & Dare in Treorchy from December 14 to December 24.
CHEERY CASTLES
Christmas starts at Raglan Castle on November 30 and December 1 with the festive fun between 11am and 3pm on both days. Put on your Christmas jumper, bring your list, and meet Father and Mother Christmas. There will be a free trail for kids, a treat from Mother Christmas, carol singing, and Juggling Jim will be entertaining. Normal admission applies, while there’s an optional visit to Santa’s Grotto for £5 (which includes a present from the big man!)
cadw.gov.wales/christmas-starts-here
Chepstow Castle has plenty of festive fun in store for 2024 – with normal admission fees applying. On November 30 and December 1, Mother Christmas will be there telling festive tales (and offering a small gift to children on the nice list!) Sessions will be at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm each day with booking essential. Find the full details and book at
cadw.gov.wales/storytelling-mother-christmas
But that’s not all that’s on at Chepstow Castle for Christmas 2024. On December 7 and December 8, people can drop-in and learn about Christmas in medieval times, the role of scents, and make their own scented decorations. The following weekend (December 14 and December 15) visitors can decorate a wooden Christmas tree decoration to take home (adult supervision is required). Finally, from December 21, Chepstow Castle will host a fun family trail; find light-up reindeer hidden in the castle and search for clues to what they’ve been up to during the summer. Bring a pencil or purchase one for 75p for this activity. Find the full details – visit cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/chepstow-castle and scroll down to ‘what’s on’ for all upcoming events at Chepstow Castle.
Christmas weekends are coming to Caerphilly Castle from December 7 – with festive fun on the Saturdays and Sundays in the lead up to Christmas Day. Visit the largest castle in Wales where there will be a weekend trail (with prizes to be won) along with crafts and card decorating. The festivities at Caerphilly Castle will be from 11am to 3pm and normal admission charges will apply.
cadw.gov.wales/caerphilly-christmas-weekends
Make unique memories in a Victorian grotto at Blaenavon Ironworks this festive season. The iconic Ironworks will be open exclusively for Santa Grotto visitors on the two weekends (Saturday and Sunday) leading up to Christmas Day. Soak up the magical atmosphere and meet the big man himself! Tickets must be booked in advance (£10 per child, free for accompanying adults). Call 01495 792615 (Friday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm) or e-mail BlaenavonIronworks@gov.wales
cadw.gov.wales/victorian-santas-grotto
Step back in time at Caerleon Roman Baths with ‘Saturnalia’ – a Roman Festival which was held in December and involved feasts and gift giving. The festivities will kick off from December 14 and continue into the new year (2025). Romans would celebrate Saturn (the Roman God of agriculture) during Saturnalia and would decorate their homes with wreaths and candles. Follow the free trail at Caerleon Roman Baths to learn more about this fascinating festival! Standard admission applies.
cadw.gov.wales/saturnalia-a-roman-festival
AMAZING ANIMALS
Visit Cefn Mably Farm Park in Cardiff for a magical Christmas experience where you can climb aboard Santa Express! There will be Christmas cheer among all the cabins – with up to five people per cabin (and a minimum of one child and one adult in each) and four carriages available. Children’s tickets include a train ride, a meet and greet with Santa, and a special gift. For full details – and to buy tickets – visit cefnmablyfarmpark.com/blog/view/12
The Meadows Wildlife Park in Caerphilly invites you to step into their winter wonderland where you can meet Santa and his reindeer! Step inside the reindeer lodge for a warm welcome from the big man himself; every child can pick an adorable Christmas soft toy as a keepsake of the special day. Other festive fun includes writing and posting your letter to Santa, creating reindeer food, a treasure hunt, and more. Enjoy some cosy Christmas cuddles with animals and visit the coffee shop for festive food and drinks (including Yorkshire pudding wraps!) Find out more or book a space under ‘A Magical Christmas’ at themeadowswildlifepark.co.uk/#special-events
HAPPY HERITAGE
The National Trust is getting into the Christmas spirit with festive fun across more than 100 of their UK-based venues and sites – including some in southeast Wales.
Unwrap 500 years of Christmas at Tredegar House in Newport – there will be twinkling lights and a magical atmosphere with more than 80 decorated trees. Explore how the Morgan famous celebrated Christmas and journey through the centuries from Tudor feasts to Victorian traditions up to the 1950s when St Joseph’s school was based there.
Tredegar House & Garden will be open from 11am to 4pm from December 6 to December 9, while late night opening (12pm – 8pm) will be between December 13 and 23. The parkland and tearoom will be open daily bar Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. There will also be family festive weekends at Tredegar House on the last two weekends (Saturday and Sunday) before Christmas.
There’s also plenty of fun to be had at Dyffryn Gardens in Cardiff with the festivities from December 6 (2024) to January 5 (2025). In the Snowman Zone families can decorate a ‘snow family’, play snowman hoopla and giant snowball kerplunk. Then there’s the Nutcracker Zone with puppet theatre, nutcracker skittles, a special sugarplum and lollipop game, and mini nutcracker marble run. Make memories for a lifetime with a photo in Santa’s sleigh or pose in front of the giant Christmas tree in front of Dyffryn House. The Gallery Café will host Christmas crafts with decorations including a ‘fireplace’ made entirely from second-hand books!
Check out National Trust and their Christmas activities across Wales at nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/christmas
MAGICAL MUSEUMS
There’s an abundance of museums in Wales getting into the Christmas spirit!
National Museum Wales will have Jingle Bells and Elves (November 30 and December 1) offering festive fun and crafts for all the family. There will be festive afternoon tea, screening of The Snowman on December 7 and December 8 – plus a silent disco on December 7!
St Fagan’s National History Museum is hosting plenty of events including music, letter writing, Christmas crafts, meeting Father Christmas, trails, afternoon teas, and more over the festive period.
Families visiting Big Pit National Coal Museum can decorate their own Christmas cookie, plus on December 14 and December 15 there will be storytime with Santa at Big Pit.National Roman Legion Museum will also celebrate Saturnalia on December 7 (11am to 4pm). Meet a Roman soldier and learn about the Roman winter festival. Make a ‘calennig’ and learn more about this festive tradition – then take it home to decorate!
Find the full details of Christmas activities across Welsh museums online at museum.wales/christmas