Get into the festive spirit
Christmas Markets and Shopping
From traditional crafts to seasonal treats, these charming markets offer a perfect winter escape—without the hassle of driving. Whatever you're looking for, we have you covered with some of the best shopping destinations and markets along our route.
Festive Experiences
From ice skating in Winter Wonderland in Hyde park, to enjoying a wholesome evening of listening to Christmas carols, we've found some truly magical experiences to enjoy this festive period.
Christmas Lights
Theres nothing quite like wandering through tunnels of lights and seeing incredible illuminations on a cold winter night. Take a look at our top Christmas light events along the East Coast mainline.
Festive Family Fun
Whether you want to visit Father Christmas himself, or want to watch a classic Christmas tale on the stage, experience a childlike wonder with these events that are fun for all the family.
Group Christmas Events
Christmas isn't just for children. Take a look at our top picks for groups along our route. Create the perfect Christmas day out for you and your friends.
Theater & Panto
Christmas is the best time of year to go watch a classic panto in the theater. From retellings of a classic fairytale, to a rock and roll musical extravaganza, we've got you covered with the best shows along our route this winter.
Christmas Markets and Shopping
Opens in a new windowEdinburgh Christmas Market
Location: Edinburgh
Dates: 18 Nov 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Price: Free
Edinburgh’s Christmas transforms the beautiful city centre with festive fun for all the family, including traditional Christmas Markets, funfair rides, spectacular live outdoor events, delicious food and drink, plus so much more.
Opens in a new windowYork Christmas Market
Location: York
Dates: 14 Nov 2024 - 22 Dec 2024
Price: Free
York's Christmas Market is back, with 75 alpine chalets lining Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, the market offers a magical array of local crafts, artisan products and delicious seasonal treats.
Opens in a new windowChristmas Town at Bishop Auckland
Location: Bishop Auckland
Dates: 29 Nov 2024 - 10 Dec 2024
Price: Free
Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town is back for 2024, and this year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before. Santa’s grotto will be returning to the Market Place, along with the popular ice rink and Ferris wheel.
Opens in a new windowGlasgow Christmas Market
Location: Glasgow
Dates: 25 Nov 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Price: Free
Discover a winter wonderland set against the backdrop of the City Chambers at Glasgow's George Square Christmas markets. Expect festive foods, delicious drinks, exciting sellers and Christmas-themed entertainment.
Opens in a new windowLeeds Christmas Market
Location: Leeds
Dates: TBC
Price: Free
From festive trails and choir performances to live music and even a visit from Santa himself, there’s sure to be lots of festivities to enjoy at the Leeds Christmas Market this year.
Opens in a new windowLeicester Square Christmas Market
Location: London
Dates: 8 Nov 2024 - 7 Jan 2025
Price: Free
Located in the hear of London's West End, you'll find a marvellous array of hand-crafted goods, delicious street food, and, of course, mulled wine. Plus, head to the Spiegeltent tent to catch a show from La Clique, an award-winning performance filled with cabaret and circus skills.
Opens in a new windowSkipton Christmas Market
Location: Skipton
Dates: 1 & 8 Dec 2024
Price: Free
Get lost in the festive atmosphere of Skipton's Christmas markets. Discover dozens of local independent makers, bakers and crafters selling unique goods that make the perfect Christmas gifts. With only two dates to pick from, make sure you don't miss out on Skipton's Chrismas Market.
Festive Experiences
Opens in a new windowChristmas carols at the Royal Albert Hall
Location: London
Dates: 14, 15, 21, 22, 23 and 24 Dec 2024
Price: From £21.00
Kid friendly? Yes
These concerts have become a festive favourite over the years, so join the Royal Albert Hall in an exeptional show that brings these wonderful Christmas carols to life.
Opens in a new window Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland
Location: York
Dates: 15 Nov 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Price: Ice Skating from £14.50
Kid friendly? Yes
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, offers a magical winter experience for all ages, with a glistening outdoor ice rink, thrilling funfair, magical Santa’s Grotto and cosy alpine café The Chalet – now with a rinkside terrace!
Opens in a new windowWinter Wonderland, Hyde Park
Location: London
Dates: 21 Nov 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Price: Free for off-peak, from £7.50 for peak
Kid friendly? Yes
Located in London's Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is a must-see destination for the festive period. Offering a variety of festive attractions, magical entertainment, and delicious food, what better way to immerse yourself in the festive spirit this wintertime?
Opens in a new windowChristmas at the Palace
Location: Bishop Auckland
Dates: 15 Nov 2024 and 29 Dec 2024
Price: From £12.50 for children, from £20 for adults
Kid friendly? Yes
Wander through 12 rooms sumptuously decorated, including the State Rooms, St Peter’s Chapel and the Bishop’s Apartment. Christmas at the Palace enables visitors to enjoy the remarkable interiors, complete with stunning artworks and furnishings, transformed with a touch of Christmas magic.
Christmas Lights
Opens in a new windowChristmas at the Botanics
Location: Edinburgh
Dates: Select dates 21 Nov 2024 - 30 Dec 2024
Price: From £13.50 for children, from £19.00 for adults
Kid friendly? Yes
Witness Inverleith House come to life at Christmas at the Botanics. Situated in Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden, watch in wonder as plant themed projections light the way through this 18th century building. Once you've finished exploring the cosmic light trails, why not settle in front of the big log fire at the bar with a hot chocolate?
Opens in a new windowChristmas at Kew
Location: London
Dates: 3 Nov 2024 - 5 Jan 2025
Price: From £16.00 for children, from £19.50 for adults
Kid friendly? Yes
One of the UK's most magical festive light trail returns to Kew Gardens this festive season, and this year, its bigger and better than ever. Discover brand new installations, including 3 metre high illuminated flowers, a new longer light tunnel and more. Plus you'll find plenty of seasonal treats to fuel your wonder.
Opens in a new windowNewcastle Northern Lights
Location: Newcastle
Dates: 22 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2025
Price: From £13.50 for children, from £19.00 for adults
Kid friendly? Yes
A mixture of twinkling illuminations, immersive visuals, original audio and dynamic choreography, this after-dark experience is the full festive package. Wander through stunning scenery before treating yourself to some festive treats in the Christmas Village.
Opens in a new windowLincoln Castle Illuminated
Location: Lincoln
Dates: 8 Dec - 23 Dec
Price: From £6 for children, from £11 for adults
Kid friendly? Yes
Enjoy Lincoln Castle's grounds bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features, take a trip down Candy Cane Lane and give your warmest seasons greetings to the resident castle dragons.
Opens in a new windowAGLOW Bishop Auckland
Location: Bishop Auckland
Dates: 22 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
Price: From £13.25 for children, from £19.75 for adults
Kid friendly? Yes
The dazzling light trail, AGLOW, will illuminate the skies of Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas. Begin your journey at Auckland Castle and embark on a glittering 1.5-mile trail through Auckland Palace’s gardens and grounds, with surprises around every corner. AGLOW is a must-see experience for all the family, with 20 incredible light installations, Santa’s Village, festive food and warming drinks, plus new illuminations for 2024.
Opens in a new windowYork Minster Tree Festival
Location: York
Dates:30 Nov 2024 - 05 Jan 2025
Price: Free
Kid friendly? Yes
Set amid the medieval backdrop of York Minster is the ever popular York Minster Christmas Tree Festival. Expect a stunning display of Christmas Trees decorated by local businesses, schools and charities. Plus you get to vote for your favourite in the 'best dressed tree' competition!
Festive Family Fun
Opens in a new window Santa Express
Location: Bishop Auckland
Dates: 16 Nov 2024 - 24 Dec 2024
Price: From £30
Kid friendly? Yes
Hop onboard The Santa Express for a truly magical Christmas adventure, with live onboard performances from the Christmas Cast and Crew including the Conductor, Santa and Mrs Claus and a team of cheeky Elves!
Opens in a new windowThe Snowman Tour
Location: Nationwide
Dates: 30 Nov 2024 - 23 Dec 2024
Price: From £15
Kid friendly? Yes
The triumphant return of The Snowman is here for its 27th year! Follow the family-favourtie tale of a boy and his snowman friend at select theatres across the country. With a spectacular blend of storytelling, live music and spell-binding performances, this production is the perfect day out for all this Christmas.
Opens in a new windowNewcastle Winter Fairy Trail
Location: Gateshead
Dates: 23 Nov 2024 - 6 Jan 2025
Prices: Free event (grounds admission applies)
Kid friendly? Yes
The gardeners at Gibside keep losing seeds and misplacing plant pots this Christmas, but they’re sure it’s the work of mischievous fairies. Follow the activity sheet and explore secret nooks to uncover their magical winter world.
Group Christmas Events
Opens in a new windowDisco Party Nights
Location: Glasgow
Dates: 5 - 21 Dec 2024
Price: From £35
Kid friendly? No
Want a groovy way to get into the Christmas spirit? Well, pop on your best disco gear and get yourself down to Disco Party Nights. Expect a vibrant party atmosphere full of good food, drinks, and a soundtrack of festive floor fillers to help you get your groove on.
Opens in a new windowThe Ski Lodge at The Montague on the Gardens
Location: London
Dates: 3 Nov 2024 - 30 Dec 2024
Price: Packages available (group of 10 minimum)
Kid friendly? No
Experience all the fun of apres ski without having to fly away this Christmas. The Montague Ski Lodge is London's original ski lodge, complete with pine trees, falling snow, ski racks and twinkling lights. Stay snug with hot drinks, spiced cider and delicious alpine treats as you take in the winter wonderland around you.
Opens in a new windowLaugh Out Loud Comedy Christmas Club
Loction: York
Date: Various
Price: £46.95
Kid Friendly? No (over 16s only)
Get ready to laugh your stockings off with a night filled with hilarious laughter and festive cheer at the LOL Comedy Club at the York Barbican this December.
Theatre & Panto
Opens in a new windowCinderella
Location: Edinburgh
Dates: 23 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
Price: From £20.75
Kid friendly? Yes
Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients Edinburgh audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
Opens in a new windowJack and the Beanstalk: The Rock 'n' Roll Panto
Location: Leeds
Dates: 29 Nov 2024 - 12 Jan 2025
Price: From £20
Kid friendly? Yes
A very different format to the traditional Christmas pantomime, Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantos mix traditional elements of audience participation and corny gags with a jukebox full of classic rock anthems and chart-toppers, all performed live on stage by an ultra-talented cast of actor-musicians.
Opens in a new windowThe Little Mermaid
Location: Newcastle
Dates: 26 Nov 2024 - 12 Jan 2025
Price: From £13
Kid friendly? Yes
Join Newcastle’s pantomime superstar Danny Adams and Theatre Royal favourites Clive Webb, Chris Hayward and Joe McElderry as they dive to the depths of the ocean in an exhilarating and enchanting theatrical extravaganza, the likes of which you’ve never seen before.
Top tips for travelling at Christmas 2024
We all know that Christmastime is one of the busiest times of year for train travel. Be sure to plan ahead with tickets on sale for the Christmas and New Years period now.