If you’re looking for a pre-Christmas vacation, there’s nowhere more magical than Great Britain at this time of year. Across the country, there are a lot of different festive activities that will enchant you. From carol services and illuminated garden trails, to Christmas markets brimming with handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats, ring in the Yuletide season and soak up the atmosphere at these markets, festivals and events across the destination.

Check out our quick guide to some of the best things to see and do in Britain this yuletide.

LONDON

Christmas at Kew

22 November 2017 – 1 January 2018

Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew transforms into a winter wonderland with Christmas at Kew. Follow the special garden trail – illuminated with over one million twinkling lights – and come across ‘singing trees’, giant baubles, a Fire Garden, and Santa and his elves performing panto. Then there’s the show-stopping Palm House finale, a dazzling display of criss-crossing laser beams, jets of light and multi-colored projections. Kids can have a go on the Victorian carousel and helter skelter rides at the fairground, and warm up with hot drinks, mince pies and other festive foods. Christmas at Kew is an evening event and takes place after the gardens close.

The Palm House at Kew Gardens (Source: Kew)

Southbank Centre Winter Festival

1 December 2017 – 2 January 2018

Head to the Southbank Centre Winter Festival for some River Thames-side festive fun, including a fairground and seasonal Christmas shows such as Slava’s Snowshow. Wander through the Wintertime Market, one of the best Christmas markets in London, where shoppers can sip mulled wine as they browse the riverside wooden chalets for handcrafted gifts, festive produce and yummy treats. Open daily from 10am to 10pm. 

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

17 November 2017  – 1 January 2018

Each year over the festive season, Hyde Park transforms into a magical Winter Wonderland of Christmas festivities. Entrance is free to wander around the large Christmas craft market, enjoy food stalls and bars, and soak up the festive atmosphere. Visitors pay for certain activities and attractions, such as ice-skating, the Cinderella on Ice show, the new Magical Ice Kingdom (an ice and snow sculpture experience), the giant observation wheel, and the Christmas Circus. Attraction tickets sell out quickly, especially at weekends and evenings, so booking in advance is recommended.

Westminster Abbey’s Advent & Christmas services

Check website for dates and times

Attending a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey or St Margaret’s Church is a special way to celebrate Christmas in Britain, surrounded by the sound of carols sung by the choir. Tickets are free and service details will be available soon on the website.

ENGLAND

Manchester Christmas Markets, north-west England

10 November – 20 December 2017

Come November, in the heart of this buzzing city you’ll find the award-winning Manchester Christmas Markets, a festive extravaganza of delicious global food, drinks and delicately-crafted festive gifts. Browse more than 300 decorated stalls and wooden chalets brimming with crafts, jewelery, clothes and toys. You’ll be sure to find something special to go under the Christmas tree.  

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, central England

16 November – 24 December 2017

Each winter, Birmingham welcomes the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria, as well as a neighboring Christmas Craft Market. Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market consists of more than 120 stalls and is a great place to pick up presents for family and friends while enjoying live music on Victoria Square. Browse stalls selling handcrafted wooden decorations, delicate glass baubles, crystal lamps, hand-crafted leatherwork, toys, jewellery and more.You won’t go hungry with all the tempting food options on offer, such as warm fresh pretzels, schnitzels and bratwurst sausages, and traditional drinks like gluhwein (mulled wine) and weissbeer (wheat beer).

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market (Source: Getty)

Darkness to Light services at Salisbury Cathedral, south-west England

1, 2 & 3 December 2017

Salisbury Cathedral kicks off the countdown to Christmas with its renowned Darkness to Light service. Starting in total darkness, this spectacular service ends with the cathedral lit by more than 1,300 candles, to mark the beginning of Advent. Check for times and details on the website.

Chester Christmas Market, north-west England

16 November – 20 December 2017

With a big sparkling Christmas tree and over 70 traditional wooden chalets to browse, shoppers are in for a magical time at Chester Christmas Market. Each year there are lots of festive treats and unique gifts on offer, including local and regional products, stocking fillers, crafts, clothing, and jewelery. Keep warm while enjoying the market with festive mulled wine and hot chocolate from the bar, or sample some local ales.

Bath Christmas Market, south-west England

23 November – 10 December 2017

The Bath Christmas Market transforms this historic city into a Christmas shopper’s paradise. More than 200 chalets line the streets, selling gorgeous gifts such as handmade wooden toys, tasty cheeses and funky jewellery. As you wander around the market, soak up the sights of the stalls, the smells of freshly baked mince pies, and the sounds of traditional carols. The majority of the stalls are businesses from the local area, and this year there will be more than 60 new chalets joining the market.

SCOTLAND

Edinburgh’s Christmas

17 November 2017 –6 January 2018
Scotland’s historic capital city celebrates the season with Edinburgh’s Christmas, a six-week festive extravaganza of live entertainment, culture, late-night shopping, Christmas markets and ice skating – all in the heart of the city. For adults, don’t miss La Clique Noël – a special edition of the extraordinary part-burlesque, part-circus variety show, La Clique, which was born at Edinburgh Fringe and has since toured the globe to international acclaim. Kids will love the walk-through ‘Ice Adventure: A Journey Through Frozen Scotland’ (until 24 December), which tells the story of Scotland’s rich history with lifelike ice and snow sculptures of mythical creatures and historical figures. The sculpture setting is kept at -10C though, so be sure to wrap up! 

Edinburgh’s Christmas, George Street, Edinburgh (Source: Visit Scotland)

Glasgow Loves Christmas

Mid November and all of December (exact dates TBC)
Soak up some festive Scottish cheer at Glasgow Loves Christmas. Join in with the city’s popular annual Yuletide events, including the big Christmas lights switch-on, the traditional Christmas Market, the Blessing of the Crib, and the Santa Dash – a 5km charity run in fancy dress which turns the streets of Glasgow into a sea of Santa suits! Also, on Sunday 26 November, the Style Mile Christmas Carnival will bring a magical procession of performance, dazzling costume and festive characters to the city center.

WALES

Cardiff Winter Wonderland

9 November 2017 – 7 January 2018

There’s lots going on during Christmas in Cardiff as part of its city-wide celebrations. As well as the Christmas Market, Winter Wonderland returns with its undercover Admiral ice rink, funfair, authentic bierkeller (a Bavarian drinking and dining experience), and an alpine village. Culture fans can check out fun Christmas shows for all ages staged at theatres across the city during the festive season.

Cardiff Market (Source: WRLFM)

Santa’s Grotto at Cardiff Castle

1, 8, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 & 22 December 2017

Santa’s Grotto is one of Cardiff’s most popular Christmas experiences for kids. Hidden away in the magical setting of the castle’s Black Tower, Santa can be found in his joyfully decorated grotto, waiting by the fireside to hear what his visitors are wishing for come Christmas Day. Tickets go on sale on 2 October.