Welcome to our guide to What’s on in Warwickshire, Christmas 2018
You’ll find everything you need to know from Christmas light switch-ons, pantomimes, an event guide AND places to visit during the festive period. If you’d like to discover where Father Christmas is going to be this year, click here.
If you’d like to add an event free of charge, just send us an email with details here
Free Christmas parking in Leamington Spa
From Saturday 17 November until Christmas Eve, shoppers will be able to park for free at the Warwick District Council offices on Milverton Hill between 8am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Late night shoppers can also park for free after 3pm in the Covent Garden Multi-Storey and surface car parks on Thursday 6, 13 and 20 December.
To support its late night opening the Royal Priors Shopping Centre is also offering free parking in its multi-storey car park from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday 6, 13 and 20 December.
Christmas events running throughout the festive period.
Pantomimes in Warwickshire!
If you’re heading out with the family to watch a panto.. here’s what’s on:
Dick Wittington – Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa – Saturday 1st December 2018 – 30th December 2018 Book your tickets here
Sleeping Beauty – The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry – Wednesday 21 November 2018 to Saturday 5 January 2019 Book your tickets here
Peter Pan – The Birmingham Hippodrome – Wed 19 Dec – Sun 27 Jan 2019 – Book your tickets here
Aladdin – The Attic Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon 13th December-5th January – Book your tickets here
Snow White – Stratford Picture House – 21st December – 31st December – Book your tickets here
Eathorpe Christmas Lights 2018
Eathorpe Village is one of the best villages in Warwickshire to visit if you would like to have a look at some pretty lights and show the children all the wonders of the village. The lights are usually switched on at the beginning of December and houses collect for charity, we will update as soon as we have a switch-on date for 2018
POSTCODE CV33 9DE For more info see the Facebook Page here
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market 2018
©️ thebcfm
A chance to eat, drink and be merry at Birmingham’s famous Christmas Market! Open daily from November 15th to December 23th inclusive 10am – 9pm at Victoria Square, New Street. Closed Christmas Day
All the info you could need is on this link, click here.
Magic Lantern Festival 2018 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens 2018
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens will be open from the 23rd November to 1st January, where visitors will get a chance to see the grounds like they never have before. Tickets are only available by pre-booking online.
Click here to see more information and opening times.
If you’re happy to travel even further afield, why not check out the
National Memorial Arboretum – Illuminated Arboretum
Entries at 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm & 8pm
November 2018
Luminate Leamington – Free Lantern Making Workshops
Make your own lantern to join in the parade on the 2nd December at Jepshon Gardens
Weekend Workshops
Workshops run from 10am – 4pm – Last entry is 2pm. Please allow 1-2 hours to make a Lantern.
Royal Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa CV32 4AA
10th November
18th November
25th November*
Temperance, 33 Bath Street, Leamington Spa CV31 3AF
1st December*
(Please note this is a frame making workshop ONLY – no glueing will be allowed , however you can take papers to finish off lanterns at home. Please also note there is restricted access at these premises – no lift)
For more info visit the Luminate Leamington website here or scroll down to see details of the lantern parade itself in December.
Support St Nicholas’ School PTA in Kenilworth this Christmas by buying a map for the Christmas Winter Walk
Sunday 18th November – Leamington Spa Christmas Light Switch on 5pm.
Image ©️RoyalLeamingtonSpa.co.uk
The Leamington Christmas lights switch on is taking place along the Leamington Parade, Regent Street and Warwick Street on Sunday 18th November 2018.
There will be a Yuletide market from 10.00am, fun fair rides, tree of lights (outside the Town Hall) and Touch FM stage show (bottom of parade) all leading up to the Christmas lights switch on at 5.00pm.
30th Anniversary Show – Always, Side by Side
Tuesday 20th November – 7.30pm & Wednesday 21st November – 2pm & 7.30pm
Side by Side Theatre brings together adults with and without learning disabilities from across Warwickshire to create an amazing annual show.
Celebrating our 30th Anniversary, this year reflects a path through the century encompassing events, music and drama from each decade. Ranging from the First World War, through to The Wizard of Oz, the Moon Landing and beyond; including the birth of Side by Side in 1988. Join Us in our celebration Tickets £11, Concessions (matinee only) £10. Groups: buy 10 get one free. Matinee includes free cup of tea or coffee. BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Friday 23rd November – Sunday 25th November. Ragley Hall, Christmas Frost Fair
Looking for a unique Christmas present or a festive treat? Look no further, as The Frost Fair opens at Ragley for it’s second year in 2018. The event contains a carefully selected array of crafts, gifts, unique and original presents and fine foods from an abundance of stallholders, making The Frost Fair a great opportunity to find special presents.
Saturday 24th November 2018 – Guide Dogs Christmas Market
Guide Dogs, National Breeding Centre 11am – 4pm
Sunday 25th November 2018 – Warwick Gates Christmas Fayre 2- 5 pm
A Christmas Fair with something for everyone in the family. Located at Warwick Gates Community Centre.
We will have Christmas trees and wreaths for sale, gifts, cakes, glitter tattoos, a pop-up photography studio, ceramic keepsakes, books, candles, clothes, housewares, hair studio and many more! Refreshments available, Free entry, Free parking! Details here
In Bloom Wreath Making Workshops – 27th November – 9th December with daytimes, evenings and weekend options.
For a fun, friendly & festive event, please join “In Bloom Workshops” at our beautiful Farmhouse and make your very own luxury Christmas Wreath.
It costs £40 each. Which includes: all materials, tuition, mulled wine & mince pies.
Spaces are limited!
www.facebook.com/inbloomworkshops or you can email inbloomworkshops@gmail.com
Thursday 29th November 2018 – Warwick Victorian Evening 5 – 9pm
Stalls and rides in & in the Market Hall Museum you can browse art and craft stalls selling gifts, warm up with a mulled wine and mince pie from our outside stall and enjoy hot drinks, cakes and savouries in the museum cafe. Visit Father Christmas in our grotto (4.50 per child, turn up and get a timed ticket, includes gift and taking part in a make and create craft activity). £1 to just take part in the craft activity. 10% off all purchases in the museum shop.
FREE entry.
Friday 30th November – Kenilworth Christmas Light Switch On – 5pm – 8pm
The Kenilworth High Street Christmas event takes place in the traditional shopping high street of Kenilworth. This Christmas event consists of festive food and drink stalls, traditional Christmas activities and entertainment and an appearance from Father Christmas. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6.30pm for all to see and enjoy.
December 2018
Saturday 1st December
Chase Meadow Christmas Gift Market
Join us at the Chase Meadow Community Centre for opportunity to buy unique Christmas gifts and decorations that are not available on the High Street.
Well known brands as well as local businesses will be there to offer a wide range of gift ideas, including toys, beauty products, gadgets, jewellery and personalised gifts. Free entry. More details here
The Elf’s Workshop – Stratford Picture House – 13:30
Join the Playhouse Christmas elves, Bertie and Betty, and learn the beginnings of many Christmas traditions, make cards, decorations and presents, stage a mini-pantomime and have a very special party with all the fun of Christmas. Tickets cost £5 and are available here.
Christmas Wonderland at BPS Gardenforce on Tachbrook Park Drive, Warwick 10am to 4pm.
Free event to all. Free to meet Santa and receive a gift, Free to feed the reindeers, live entertainment across the day and lots more.
Sunday 2 December 2018
Warwick Arts Centre Family Fun Day – 10am – 5pm – Free Entry
Bring friends and family together and be creative with a range of free arts and craft workshops and get competitive in our programme of sports activities – all inspired by the festive season.
Enjoy tasty treats from our food market and cafés, or bring a packed lunch and explore our new Art and Nature Trail. Don’t forget your wellies!
Get cosy in our theatre, studio and concert hall and enjoy our family theatre show Wilde Creatures, Lord of Strut’s dance fantasy adventure, and a performance of Handel’s Messiah by our very own University of Warwick Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are on sale now for these shows.
Luminate Leamington – Lantern Parade, Sunday 2nd December 2018 Meet at 4.15pm at the Clock Tower in Jephson Gardens
Join us from 4.15pm at The Clock Tower in Jephson Gardens for some family entertainment before the Lantern Parade sets off at approximately 5.00pm. The parade will meander around the Gardens before setting off on a short route to the Town Hall accompanied by carol singers, music and stilt walkers. It will finish with traditional Christmas carols by the Christmas Tree at the Town Hall.
Whitnash Town Christmas Light Switch-On
Sunday 2nd December 3pm Onwards. The Plough & Harrow, Whitnash Road.
Arty Splats, Warwickshire – Christmas classes!
Thursday 6th & Friday 7th December 2018
Lots of festive messy play fun for your little ones (6 months – 5 years). Think tinsel, snow, sensory play, arts, crafts, bubbles, songs and much more!!! Arty Splats will be bringing tons of messy Christmas Fun for your little ones! We’ll have Christmas Playdough, trees to decorate, mix up some magical Reindeer Food (environmentally friendly) get stuck into our Snow Blizzards and much more!!!
Each little one receives a gorgeous gift. There may even be a visit from the big man himself… Toddlers 10:00am Babies 11:15am. For more information, email Arty Splats here.
Compton Verney – Family Christmas Concert – The Rocco Singers
Sunday 10th December 2018 – 2pm – 3pm
Join us in the chapel for a jolly sing-a-long of festive favourites with The Rocco Singers.
Click here to buy your tickets
