Christmas in Staffordshire

With so much to see and do this festive season, you are guaranteed a memorable Christmas in Staffordshire this year.

The county will be full of festive sparkle, with Christmas events at our biggest attractions, bargains for the whole family, and a whole host of traditional events and Christmas lights switch-ons to get you into the spirit.

Christmas Family Days Out 2018

Father Christmas will be spending lots of time at Alton Towers Resort this year! Why not join him for Santa’s Sleepover (November 25^th, December 2^nd, 9^th, and 14^th-23^rd)?

As well as meeting Santa, you can enjoy selected rides in the theme park, take a trip to the Splash Landings water park, meet and greet your favourite CBeebies characters, and watch the fabulous panto Alice in Wonderland.

For a truly Magical Christmas, Drayton Manor Park welcomes you to Thomas Land, where there will be guaranteed snowfall every day, plus spectacular fireworks, live shows featuring Thomas & Friends, and over 25 rides and attractions to enjoy (selected dates from November 17^th-December 31^st).

The Castle of Dreams, home to Santa and his helpers, offers free gifts to all children as well as quality time with St Nick (additional charges apply).

There’s guaranteed snow at the SnowDome too, at Winter Wonderland (November 16^th-December 31^st). Explore the Enchanted Forest, zoom down the snow slides, meet the reindeer and sing-along with Santa in the brand new live show.

Waterworld are also bringing some magic from the Arctic Circle to Staffordshire, with ice caves, polar bears, woodland fairies and imps, and Santa in his grotto for their Winter Wonderland (December 1^st-23^rd).

Santa will be paying a visit to the National Forest Adventure Farm too, for the North Pole Adventure, which takes you through a magical portal to a land of talking polar bears, parcel-sorting elves and more (selected dates from November 17^th-December 24^th).

Meet some real reindeer at Blithbury Reindeer Lodge, with sleigh rides, reindeer feeding and special gifts from Father Christmas at the Christmas Lapland Experience (selected dates from November 17^th-December 23^rd).

Christmas Pantos in Staffordshire

Join Robin Hood and his Merry Men as they try to outwit the Sheriff of Nottingham at the Regent Theatre (December 14^th-January 6^th).

Go on an epic journey with Dick Whittington and his cat at the Lichfield Garrick (November 30^th-December 31^st), and at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, where there will be the usual merriment plus sing-alongs to some rock ‘n’ roll classics.

And at the New Vic Theatre, the enchanting story of The Wind in the Willows offers a not-to-be-missed adventure with Ratty, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad (November 17^th-January 26^th).

Switch-ons in Staffordshire

Experience the big Christmas lights switch-ons in Staffordshire this November, with unique backdrops and a host of special guests.

At The Trentham Estate, you can meet Santa and Mrs Claus, as well as your favourite Disney characters, at the big switch-on (November 28th).

And Winter Wonderland in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre will feature real reindeer, live music and some famous faces, before the ice rink, fairground rides, street food and Santa’s Grotto swing into action.

The Cathedral Illuminated offers an unforgettable evening, with a spectacular show projecting images onto the majestic backdrop of Lichfield Cathedral, while Illuminated Arboretum will make you see the stunning memorials at the National Memorial Arboretum in a whole new light.

Christmas will be full of sparkle at Weston Park too, with a new illuminated trail through Temple Wood for the Enchanted Weston celebrations.

Christmas Shopping and Markets in Staffordshire

There are plenty of places to bag a festive bargain or unique gift in Staffordshire.

Create a special present at World of Wedgwood, where the Magical Wedgwood Christmas includes pottery throwing and painting, alongside beautiful displays and gift inspiration in the flagship Wedgwood store, not to mention the bargains in the Wedgwood Factory Outlet (November 10th-January 6th).

And the World of Wedgwood Christmas Market (December 8th-9th) will bring together over 50 stalls, packed with gifts and treats from local producers and artisans, as well as live entertainment from local bands, and festive fayre in the Wedgwood Tea Room and The Dining Hall.

If you still have Christmas shopping to do, get it all done under one roof at Uttoxeter Racecourse, where the main grandstand will be full of stalls to browse for their very first Staffordshire Christmas Fair (December 1st-2nd).