Magical Christmas markets and light shows in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Newcastle and across the UK

WE’RE successful the last frantic sprint towards Christmas and we’re each feeling the festive spirit. 

You’re not? Right, what you request is simply a sprinkle of magic fairy dust, a locomotion successful a wintertime wonderland. 

There are Christmas, Nordic and Alpine-themed events each implicit the country, truthful drawback your champion woolly chapeau and mittens and caput for a tinsel municipality adjacent you. 

Here’s a enactment of the best.

Christmas Lights

Cardiff – christmasatbutepark.com
Now – December 31

Make for the picturesque Bute Park and arboretum, successful the shadiness of the city’s historical castle, and weave your mode done an enchanted way of illumination crafted by world-leading lighting designers.

Then overdo it astatine the nutrient and portion stalls. (Adults from £23.50)

Edinburgh’s Christmas

Edinburgh – edwinterfest.com
Now – January 4

Edinburgh’s metropolis centre is transformed into a satellite of festive amusive with accepted Christmas markets, fairground rides, unrecorded outdoor events and a feast of nutrient and drink. 

Take a rotation connected the skating rink, get mislaid successful the illuminated Christmas histrion maze oregon conscionable chill successful the Polar Ice Bar.

Alternatively, caput up the stone aft acheronian for the Castle of Light’s awesome displays, interactive installations and music. (Prices vary)

Winter Lights, The Alnwick Garden 

Alnwick, Northumberland – alnwickgarden.com
Now – January 5

Be of bully cheer successful this immersive acquisition of airy and sound, acceptable successful the modern gardens of Alnwick Castle and the Lilidorei elf village.

All accompanied by a peculiar Christmas soundtrack. (Adults from £15.50)

Northern Lights Newcastle

Leazes Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne – northernlightsnewcastle.com
Now – December 31

Take a sensational sensory stroll done an enchanted satellite of illumination, implicit with lasers, successful Newcastle’s oldest metropolis park. 

Grab a mulled vino oregon a blistery chocolate, snack connected superior thoroughfare nutrient and outcry “Ho ho ho!” astatine each other. (Adults from £21.50)

Christmas astatine Dunham Massey

Altrincham, Cheshire – nationaltrust.org.uk

Now – January 1

Christmas comes to the National Trust’s Dunham Massey gardens, moat and park. 

Beams of airy play among past trees and creation connected the moat, portion determination are twinkly installations each on the winding paths. 

Grab immoderate spiced snacks from the nutrient stalls and consciousness a lukewarm glow. (Adults from £24)

Winter Funland

Birmingham NEC/Trafford Park, Manchester – winterfunland.com/birmingham and winterfunland.com/manchester

Birmingham: December 7 – January 1; Manchester: December 14-26

Two fabulous extravaganzas, some packed afloat of festive amusive and location to the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair (Birmingham).

As good arsenic enjoying unlimited rides, you tin skate astir a immense crystal rink, cheer connected a spectacular amusement successful the 1,200-seater circus structure and feast astatine dozens of nutrient stalls. (Adults from £25)

Christmas astatine Kew

Kew Gardens, London – kew.org

Now – January 5

London’s celebrated botanic gardens person been transformed into a small country of Lapland. 

A mile-long satellite of discovery, it features implicit 20 dazzling installations including glittering tunnels, vibrant lakeside reflections, and trees festooned with glitzy lights.

Be impressed by the occurrence garden’s lukewarm glow and stunning illuminations. 

And there’s much than capable blistery choccy and toasted marshmallows to spell circular astatine the nutrient stalls. (Adults from £25.50)