That time between Christmas and New Year (also known as Twixmas!) can be a bag of mixed emotions – the excitement of the festive season is over and you may feel like you’ve had one too many mince pies.
But, don’t fret, here are some of our top places to visit with the kids during the school holidays between Christmas and New Year, in and around Leicestershire and the East Midlands.
Please note, with the current changing restrictions, please keep an eye on the individual websites of the attractions for the latest visiting information and updates.
Tamworth SnowDome
Tamworth SnowDome has always been a firm favourite of ours, all year round. We visited their amazing Winter Wonderland, which is adapted post-Christmas to make their festive show appropriate to after Santa has been.
Not only does their Winter Wonderland involve the Christmas show, but you’re also able to enjoy sledging in the snow, snow tubing, and Santa’s village afterwards too.
What’s more, there’s also the climbing wall and snow fun park if you’re looking for something a bit less festive, the swimming pool with flumes, ice rink and even ski and snowboard lessons for all ages.
Find out more here
Boost Trampoline Park, Leicester & Northampton
Anyone who knows us will know how much we love Boost Trampoline Park, and it is definitely a great place to take the family all year round.
From birthday parties, to the after-school club and family jump sessions, we always have great fun at Boost – and it’s a great way to burn off some of that energy from Christmas!
Find out more here
Ninja Warrior UK, Leicester
A recent discovery of ours, but Ninja Warrior is definitely one of our favourite spots to visit in Leicester – and they’re dotted around the country too!
Sessions are an hour long and include the giant air park (similar to an absolutely giant bouncy castle, the length of the building), complete with obstacles and more, as well as obstacles to climb, jump and slide along too, we really do recommend a trip to Ninja Warrior UK.
Find out more here.
Twin Lakes Theme Park
Twin Lakes theme park is open throughout the Christmas period, including 10am-5pm on New Year’s Eve.
Twin Lakes is a fantastic family theme park, with indoor and outdoor rides, animals, play areas and more.
The park itself is made up of different Zones, each with their own rides, play areas and things to do. Most areas had something for all ages, so were great to visit with mixed ages too. I liked how the rides were clear on their height restrictions, with colour codes for different rides and whether the children needed to be accompanied by an adult.
Even in one day we can’t cover it all, but Lily particularly loved the Labyrinth Zone, both indoors and out, with its child-friendly roller coaster, jumping pillows, and huge indoor play area.
Find out more here
Warwick Castle – Christmas at the Castle
Christmas and the Castle runs until 3rd January 2022, with so much to do for all ages.
With the fantastic ice rink, Christmas lights trail, bird of prey and castle to explore, there really is so much going on over the holidays.
Find out more here
Gloworm Festival Christmas Trail, Thoresby Park
Gloworm Festival is officially Lily’s highlight of the festive season, so we love to get involved with as many of their fantastic events as we can.
This year, they’ve launched the Gloworm Festive Christmas Trail at Thoresby Park, where you can solve the clues and even submit your sheet to be in with the chance of winning tickets to the festival.
We had so much fun at their summer trail last year, and we know this one will be great fun too – plus you can enjoy all the stunning grounds of Thoresby Park to get some fresh air after the festivities.
Find out more here or check out our full review of Gloworm Festival here – see you in 2022 🙂
National Forest Adventure Farm
The National Forest Adventure Farm is open between Christmas and New Year for farm visit, indoor soft play, outdoor play areas, go karts, tractor rides and more!
We always love a day out at the National Forest Adventure Farm and it’s a great place to let off some steam after Christmas.
Find out more here
Hatton Adventure World Winter Festival
Hatton Adventure World is running their Winter Festival from the 27th December til 3rd January.
With animal handling, falconry show, reptile handling and more, there really is plenty to do at Hatton Adventure World.
Our first visit was in January 2020 and we loved all the activities, especially the reptiles and seeing the animals, as well as the funfair 🙂
Find out more here
Magic Alley Stratford
From 27th December until 8th January, you can visit the Ice Kingdom at Magic Alley Stratford, without seeing Father Christmas – an experience that I’ve seen fantastic reviews for on social media.
Enter The Ice Kingdom and make your way through their magical 10 rooms completing the Christmas quest culminating in a visit to the snow covered Enchanted Forest where you can play in the snow and have a snowball fight!
The experience lasts around 45mins and sessions are 15 minutes apart so there is also a greater opportunity to play in the snow and have a snowball fight!
Tickets are £8 each and adult and child tickets are the same price.
The quest is more involved as there are no performers in the sessions so therefore is aimed at older children and adults. There will be a certificate and prize on completion of the quest.
Find out more here
Swadlincote Snowsports Centre
If you’re looking for a day out for kids over the age of 4, that’s great for younger and older kids as well as adults too Swadlincote Snowsports Centre is your answers. With snow tubing, a toboggan run, drop slide, ski lessons and holiday clubs, it is a great place to visit in the school holidays.
Find out more here or check out our review here
Drayton Manor Theme Park
Drayton Manor theme park is open until the 31st December with their Magical Christmas experience at Thomas Land, with off-peak prices available 27th-31st December.
Not all of these may be available on the off-peak dates, so please check the website, but they advertise:
🚂 Over 25 family rides & attractions – including Europe’s only Thomas Land. Full list of rides open for this event can be found here
🐒 Our 15-acre zoo
🎭 Live entertainment throughout the day in Thomas Land – led by the top trio Rusty, Dusty & the Fat Controller. Full entertainment schedule here
🎁 ‘A Christmas Wish’ – 20 minute live show featuring Father Christmas and Elf Tinsel
🦁 Meet & greets throughout the day with Rory the Lion and Rosie the Reindeer
❄️ Guaranteed snowfall in Thomas Land
🎄 Enchanting decorations including a dazzling 35ft symphony tree
Find out more here
Conkers
There is so much to do for all the family at Conkers, from barefoot walk and outdoor adventure ropes, to enjoying their play areas, crafts, sensory trail, discovery centre and more.
The Conkerchoo trail has always been a favourite with Lily, and we’ve always found they’re a great place to visit all year round with a mix of age-groups too.
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for their latest activities, visit their website here, or check out our review here.
Mini Meadows Farm
Nestled in 12 acres of rolling countryside in the village of Welford, Mini Meadows Farm provides a fun, educational and great value family day out for adults and children alike, whatever the weather.
With animals to meet and feed as well as some incredible indoor and outdoor play areas, we love our visits to Mini Meadows Farm.
Find out more here or check out our review here.
Lap of Lights,Silverstone
This Christmas, you can enjoy the incredible Lap of Lights event at Silverstone, where you drive your family in your car around the Silverstone track under lights and laser displays, promising 3.5 miles of lights and lasers.
New for 2021 is an immersive skating experience, ICE TRAK, where the world-famous pit lane and garages will be transformed into a frozen wonderland. 45-minute skating sessions can be pre-booked when purchasing your LAP of LIGHTS ticket. Get your skates on – this is going to be popular!
There will also be The Lodge, which will house festive food and drink as well as exciting winter-themed activities, in a cosy indoor environment. Your Lap of Light ticket allows all members of your party access to the lodge where you can eat, drink, and play through the evening.
For more information and booking, click here.
Gulliver’s Theme Parks
Gulliver’s Theme Parks have some fantastic Christmas experiences and overnight stays for all the family. Santa Sleepovers are available at Milton Keynes and Warrington or you can book a themed stay at their resorts. We love staying at Gulliver’s Theme Parks, so these sound so magical – find out more here.
Milton Keynes, Warrington and Gulliver’s Valley Rotherham are all operating their Christmas festive days out – you can enjoy different levels of packages including Winter Wonderland, gifts and appearances from Santa.
Find out more here.
Check out our review of Gulliver’s Valley, South Yorkshire, here, or our review of Gulliver’s Land, Milton Keynes, here
CBeebies Land, Alton Towers
This December get ready to enjoy a magical festive day out at Alton Towers Resort, with specially selected rides ideal for families, including CBeebies Land and Gangsta Granny: The Ride!
Plus get ready to visit the brand-new mega-magical Towers Street Christmas Market and discover over 60 fantabulous and wonderous market stalls! But the festive delights don’t end there: new for 2021 experience Alton Tower Resort’s & Lightopia ‘Sense of Seasons’ a magical, immersive journey through the 4 seasons that will transport you to a whim-tastical land where you can control time.
Plus enjoy a host of seasonal entertainment, meet cheery characters and eat delicious food! Endless fun and delights!
What’s more, they also have Santa Sleepovers to make Christmas extra special.
Check out our review of CBeebies Land here or find out more about the various events at Alton Towers this Christmas here.
Leicester City Centre
From mid-November to 6th January 2022, Leicester City Centre is bringing back Christmas!
The Jubilee Square Ice Rink is around until Monday 3 January 2022, including skate aids for younger children – Lily absolutely loved it!
Christmas in Leicester promises the most magical of experiences this year with an exciting Festive Adventure trail, celebrating the best the city has to offer!
From ice skating on a real ice rink and taking a ride on the Wheel of Light to delving into a large-scale light installation and entering a winter wonderland in the interactive adventure.
We are particularly excited to see the Rhizome Light Display and the interactive exhibition but it is always a beautiful time of year in the city. Find out more here.
Check out our Christmas in Leicester review here
Christmas at Wollaton Hall
Christmas at Wollaton Hall is looking beautiful this year with their Light Up Christmas experience from November 26th to January 22nd. Enjoy a fairy forest, light up sculptures and stunning light displays across the park to really give you all the feels of festive magic.
Find out more about the Christmas at Wollaton event here
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