Christmas is a wonderful time and it's the perfect time of year for a family day out. Fun family days out create lasting memories but as we all know, there is so much choice! The most important things to remember with Christmas Days Out is to book ahead as everything gets so busy and also, make sure that what you are booking is suitable for the whole family, whether old or young. We have come up with some suggestions of our favourite Family Days Out for Christmas 2017.
The Nutcracker Ballet
The ballet is always a favourite at Christmas time in our family - rather than pantomime. An enduring favourite at this time of year is The Nutcracker Ballet as it is such a festive story and is enjoyed by both young and old. The Royal Ballet will once again be performing in the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and if you are in Birmingham, The Birmingham Royal Ballet will be performing The Nutcracker at the Birmingham Hippodrome. If Birmingham or London are too far for you to travel or your budget does not stretch to a trip to the theatre, there are going to be live cinema screenings of Royal Ballet's Nutcracker on December 5th. Check with your local cinema or on the Royal Ballet website for further details.
Christmas at the Natural History Museum
We love the Natural History Museum at any time of the year and being dinosaur mad, this is our perfect museum. The Natural History Museum's dinosaurs are world famous and we never tire of the roaring T Rex, wandering through the dinosaur gallery and seeing the fossils and skeletons. At Christmas the NHM has its iconic ice rink in the front gardens of the building every year, turning a fabulous day out at the museum into a festive treat. It's advisable to book ahead for the ice rink as it does get busy in the school holidays and at weekends. The perfect day our for your dinosaur toys!
The World's Biggest Panto - Peter Pan, Christmas in Neverland at The Arena, Birmingham
With a cast of 100 performers and Bradley Walsh and Martin Kemp taking the lead roles, Birmingham claims to be offering the world's biggest pantomime this year. Performances run from 20 - 24th December and with three stages and a 60ft wide LED screen, you should not be far from the action. With BMX riders, trapeze artists, stuntmen and a 7m long animatronic crocodile, this certainly sounds like it will be a pantomime to remember.
Llangollen Railway, Santa Specials
Llangollen Railway in North Wales is offering Santa Special train rides on selected dates until Christmas Day and some Mince Pie Specials from Christmas until New Year. The Santa Specials are a decorated steam train ride from Llangollen to Carrog (renamed Lapland for Santa's visit) with a visit from Santa himself on the train. Each good boy & good girl on the train will receive a special gift from Santa and adults will receive a mince pie and special tipple from Santa's helpers. Wrap up warm and make sure you buy your tickets in advance.
Christmas at Eden: Festival of Light & Sound
Cornwall's Eden Project always makes a special effort at Christmas and this year is no exception. With a stunning sound and light festival from dusk, live music, ice skating and visits from Santa and his Elves on selected dates, there is plenty to get you in the Festive spirit. You can also hear some festive storytelling, listen to choirs, eat festive delights in the cafe and enjoy festive craft activities. Take a look on their website for details of times and dates of activities and be sure to book your ice skating and to meet Father Christmas in advance.
The Christmasaurus Live On Stage, Starring Santa Claus & The Elves, Hammersmith Apollo
You may remember the preview of this show last year at The Royal Variety Performance. ''The Christmasaurus' is a children's novel by McFly star and bestselling novelist Tom Fletcher. He has written the songs and will be performing on stage and bringing his novel to life, with the help of Santa and his helpers who will be appearing live on stage. Watch the adventures of William Trundle and his Christmasaurus Dinosaur on stage. Dinosaurs & Christmas - the perfect combination!
'The Christmasaurus' is due to made into an animated feature film and the book was one of the bestselling children's books of 2016 so we anticipate the stage show will be a big hit.
York at Christmas
The city of York is a fantastic place to get in the Christmas spirit with a vast array of events to get you in the festive mood. The museum gardens will be illuminated every evening and there is a 'Made in Yorkshire' Yuletide market featuring the works of talented local artists in the city centre. The St Nicholas Fair returns - the perfect place to do all your Christmas shopping whilst indulging in some festive food and drinks. With five Festive Themed Weekends including an Ice Trail Weekend, various venues to visit Santa and a Winter Wonderland with an ice rink and a number of Christmas at the Castle events, you will be spoilt for choice in York this Christmas.
