The best Christmas theme park events this year from Legoland and Alton Towers

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and the UK’s biggest attractions are dusting off their baubles and hanging up the festive lights in preparation.

If you fancy treating the kids to some extra fun in the run up to Christmas, theme parks across the country are running some of their most popular rides alongside Christmas entertainment.

Legoland

Legoland will be celebrating Christmas from November 26 until January 3.

The park will be transformed by decorations made from Lego including a Christmas tree, baubles, candles and a Christmas star.

Guests can also enjoy Father Christmas’s Magical Sleigh as it travels from Heartlake City to Pirate Shores.

Ollie’s Christmas Chaos is a new show for 2022 where guests can send a letter to the north pole and build a Christmas tree decoration.

There’s also a winter wonderland with a selection of 24 rides, and the chance to visit Santa Claus.

Christmas tickets cost £32pp as well as an additional £20 per child to see Father Christmas.

Alton Towers Resort

On selected dates from November 25 until January 2, the Festive Day Out at Alton Towers will feature a Christmas market, live entertainment, festive drinks and dishes, and wooden igloos.

Entry to the Christmas market is free and guests can purchase a Festive Day Out ticket, which includes access to CBeebies Land, The World of David Walliams with Gangsta Granny: The Ride, Mutiny Bay, HEX and Spinball Whizzer.

The park is also hosting Lightopia, which will take guests on a journey through “Christmas Wonder”; with lanterns, light shows and a water show.

Overnight stays are also available and include accommodation in a themed hotel, a visit to Santa’s Grotto, entry to the theme park, Lightopia and the Christmas market.

Different tickets are needed for the Christmas market, Lightopia and the Festive Day Out, so head to the Alton Towers website to find out more.

Drayton Manor Park

Christmas at Drayton Manor will feature decorations, Santa’s grotto including an all-new gingerbread decorating workshop, and a festive live show.

From November 26 to December 24, guests will also have access to 25 family-friendly rides and attractions in Thomas Land too.

At this year’s Grotto Experience guests can craft a letter to Santa, read a story with Mrs Claus, meet her world-famous husband, and take part in a gingerbread decorating workshop led by a team of elves.

This year features a live show, Santa’s House Party – a performance full of magic, songs and jokes for the whole family.

Tickets for Magical Christmas are on sale now.

Chessington World of Adventure Resort

The Winter’s Tail is back for another year and, from November 26 to January 3, guests can visit Father Christmas and be given access to a top-secret toy workshop.

Children can also join the elves on an interactive adventure as they sneak into the Magical Christmas Kitchen to create delicious festive delights.

The Wild Christmas Panto is back for another year too along with Elmer’s Christmas Party.

Guests can also visit selected theme park rides, and a zoo with its very own reindeer.

Tickets start from £20pp.

Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World

See Peppa Pig World decorated for Christmas on selected dates from December 3 until December 23.

Guests can enjoy a light show with a giant musical Christmas tree coming to life every 15 minutes.

The park will also be filled with magical illuminations, and a selection of rides and attractions will be open for the festive period too.

Saint Nick will also take to the stage as part of the Santa’s Christmas Wish Show, and guests will have the chance to meet Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer and Billy and Belinda Elves

Christmas tickets cost £35 each for those over 1m tall or £135 for a family of four.

Meanwhile, there’s a new rival to Winter Wonderland opening this winter – and we worked out which is cheaper.

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