The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and it’s the perfect time for cheerful days out with friends and family. Christmas markets, cosy pub lunches, pantos and frolics for festive foodies all await, as the festive season is drawing near. To capture the Christmas magic without the rush, plan little moments that bring a glow to grey winter days. A trip out to see the Christmas lights, racing around an ice rink, taking in a show or simply enjoying a spot of afternoon tea, there are plenty of ways to ramp up the festive feels. Getting into the Christmas spirit doesn’t have to cost a sleighful. Budget-friendly tickets, two-for-one deals and online specials can help savvy shoppers wrap up savings on activities across the UK. Whether it's ticking off the Christmas gift list or just looking for festive fun, there are many ways to turn the countdown to Christmas into a series of memorable moments. Travel expert and festive fan, Laura McKenna, has shared some of her top picks as we step towards Christmas. One of the simplest ways to feel a little festive is by wandering through dazzling Christmas light displays. London lights up at Covent Garden, Oxford Street, and Regent Street, and one of the best ways to see them all is from the top of a bus. Wowcher offers a 75 minute London Christmas Lights Bus Tour from as little as £9 per person. Light lovers can spend more time taking in the sights and less time worrying about aching feet or crowds on the ground. Other cities like Manchester and Edinburgh also glow with twinkling displays, turning streets and parks into winter wonderlands. Evening strolls through these sparkling scenes are the perfect way to soak up the season’s magic. It's never too early to start stocking up on gifts, and with only nine weeks until the big day, there aren't many paydays left. A city break with some shopping thrown in is even more enjoyable with the thrill of the festive season in the air. Some of the UK's best loved shopping spots include Edinburgh with its historic retailers on Princes Street, the beautiful Guildhall Market in Bath or the modern shopping oasis of Liverpool One . Other popular choices are the Shambles in York , the Bull Ring in Birmingham and the Lanes in Brighton , offering a seaside experience with a vibrant atmosphere. Ice skating is a quintessential Christmas activity. Whether it's a wobble on the first attempt, or an experienced skater spinning on the ice, it's an activity that is synonymous with festive fun. There are plenty of ice rinks to choose from throughout the UK and it's an inexpensive day out. Prices for a 45-minute session cost from £9 per person at selected indoor rinks when booking via Wowcher. Theatre shows and live music often get a Christmas twist this time of year. From heart-warming pantos to carol concerts, there are also lots of performances that are dedicated to the season. To make the experience even more special, there are good deals to be found on experiences that include a pre-theatre dinner and tickets to see the show. Some of the best include gold tickets to see Wicked the musical via buyagift.co.uk for £140, a three course meal and tickets to see Harry Potter and The Cursed Child with Virgin Experience Days for £350. Alternatively, Ticketmaster has a selection of celebrity-packed pantos with ticket options. A treat at any time of year, a festive spread makes it feel more majestic. A festive afternoon tea typically includes a selection of sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam and a variety of sweet pastries, served alongside a pot of tea, or glass or two of fizz. Tea tastes even better when there is something to see, and visitors can enjoy both at the Port Lympne Reserve with Redletterdays. For £115, enjoy tea for two and entry to the after-dark illuminations trail. The man in red is very busy at this time of year and can be spotted and hundreds of venues throughout the UK. Some of the best places to find him include the unforgettable magic of a Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers from £91 per person or the excitement of meeting Santa in his grotto at LEGOLAND for £27.50 on top of park entry, which starts at £34. While Gulliver's Land is offering a family-sized overnight stay with Santa from £179, with a character breakfast, theme park entry and Land of Lights tickets via Wowcher. Perhaps one of the most exciting things about the Christmas season is the chance to feel super festive at a traditional seasonal market. This pop-up events offer more than just traders, combining festive stalls selling gifts, decorations, food and drinks, with lights, music and entertainment. Some of the brightest and the best Christmas markets in the UK can be found in locations such as London, Edinburgh and Manchester, but for something even more magical head on over the Europe. There is festive fun to be found in some of the most ancient cities in the world , including Prague, Berlin, Vienna and Bruges.
7 of the best Christmas things to book today to help ease into the festive season
The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and it’s the perfect time for cheerful days out with friends and family. Christmas markets, cosy pub lunches, pantos and frolics for festive foodies all await, as the festive season is drawing near. To capture the Christmas magic without the rush, plan little moments that bring a glow to grey winter days. A trip out to see the Christmas lights, racing around an ice rink, taking in a show or simply enjoying a spot of afternoon tea, there are plenty of ways to ramp up the festive feels. Getting into the Christmas spirit doesn’t have to cost a sleighful. Budget-friendly tickets, two-for-one deals and online specials can help savvy shoppers wrap up savings on activities across the UK. Whether it's ticking off the Christmas gift list or just looking for festive fun, there are many ways to turn the countdown to Christmas into a series of memorable moments. Travel expert and festive fan, Laura McKenna, has shared some of her top picks as we step towards Christmas. One of the simplest ways to feel a little festive is by wandering through dazzling Christmas light displays. London lights up at Covent Garden, Oxford Street, and Regent Street, and one of the best ways to see them all is from the top of a bus. Wowcher offers a 75 minute London Christmas Lights Bus Tour from as little as £9 per person. Light lovers can spend more time taking in the sights and less time worrying about aching feet or crowds on the ground. Other cities like Manchester and Edinburgh also glow with twinkling displays, turning streets and parks into winter wonderlands. Evening strolls through these sparkling scenes are the perfect way to soak up the season’s magic. It's never too early to start stocking up on gifts, and with only nine weeks until the big day, there aren't many paydays left. A city break with some shopping thrown in is even more enjoyable with the thrill of the festive season in the air. Some of the UK's best loved shopping spots include Edinburgh with its historic retailers on Princes Street, the beautiful Guildhall Market in Bath or the modern shopping oasis of Liverpool One . Other popular choices are the Shambles in York , the Bull Ring in Birmingham and the Lanes in Brighton , offering a seaside experience with a vibrant atmosphere. Ice skating is a quintessential Christmas activity. Whether it's a wobble on the first attempt, or an experienced skater spinning on the ice, it's an activity that is synonymous with festive fun. There are plenty of ice rinks to choose from throughout the UK and it's an inexpensive day out. Prices for a 45-minute session cost from £9 per person at selected indoor rinks when booking via Wowcher. Theatre shows and live music often get a Christmas twist this time of year. From heart-warming pantos to carol concerts, there are also lots of performances that are dedicated to the season. To make the experience even more special, there are good deals to be found on experiences that include a pre-theatre dinner and tickets to see the show. Some of the best include gold tickets to see Wicked the musical via buyagift.co.uk for £140, a three course meal and tickets to see Harry Potter and The Cursed Child with Virgin Experience Days for £350. Alternatively, Ticketmaster has a selection of celebrity-packed pantos with ticket options. A treat at any time of year, a festive spread makes it feel more majestic. A festive afternoon tea typically includes a selection of sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam and a variety of sweet pastries, served alongside a pot of tea, or glass or two of fizz. Tea tastes even better when there is something to see, and visitors can enjoy both at the Port Lympne Reserve with Redletterdays. For £115, enjoy tea for two and entry to the after-dark illuminations trail. The man in red is very busy at this time of year and can be spotted and hundreds of venues throughout the UK. Some of the best places to find him include the unforgettable magic of a Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers from £91 per person or the excitement of meeting Santa in his grotto at LEGOLAND for £27.50 on top of park entry, which starts at £34. While Gulliver's Land is offering a family-sized overnight stay with Santa from £179, with a character breakfast, theme park entry and Land of Lights tickets via Wowcher. Perhaps one of the most exciting things about the Christmas season is the chance to feel super festive at a traditional seasonal market. This pop-up events offer more than just traders, combining festive stalls selling gifts, decorations, food and drinks, with lights, music and entertainment. Some of the brightest and the best Christmas markets in the UK can be found in locations such as London, Edinburgh and Manchester, but for something even more magical head on over the Europe. There is festive fun to be found in some of the most ancient cities in the world , including Prague, Berlin, Vienna and Bruges.
