LET the festive fun begin, with this year’s Christmas attractions bigger and brighter than ever.
Dazzling light and music trails, marvellous markets, winter wonderlands, super Santa steam trains, pantos and ice rinks have popped up all over the UK.
Trisha Harbord picks out a selection of events to make Christmas go with a ho, ho, ho.
LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE
ASHRIDGE HOUSE
SEE a stunning light trail from the air.
A 115ft observation wheel is at the heart of 20 spectacular displays at Ashridge House Illuminated this winter.
The sparkling one-mile trail winds through the estate’s beautiful gardens in Berkhamsted, Herts, with a super-festive food village.
The big bonus is if the weather is bad, you can swap tickets for another day.
GO: November 27-January 1. Adult £23.50, child £14.40.
See ashridgehouse.org.uk.
LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK
WALLACE & Gromit are getting in on the fun at Longleat’s Festival of Light.
The characters will be shining bright along with Shaun the Sheep in his Mossy Bottom Farm.
Follow the lantern trail at the Wiltshire safari park to walk under a 50ft Tower Bridge, travel through Stonehenge and visit Blackpool seaside resort.
GO: Until January 11. Adult from £39.95, child from £20.95. Under-threes go free.
See longleat.co.uk.
GULLIVER’S WORLD RESORT
WANDER through a mile-long Land of Lights trail at Gulliver’s World resorts.
The theme parks, in Warrington, Cheshire, Milton Keynes and Rotherham, Yorks, have been transformed into 12 dream worlds, including a Jurassic zone, filled with glowing lanterns and installations.
Santa’s enchanted elevator will take you on a virtual flight to the North Pole.
GO: Until January 31. Adult from £39, and from £9 for child.
See gulliversworldresort.co.uk.
TWYCROSS ZOO
MARVEL at the Gruffalo lanterns experience.
The beloved book character is included in spectacular displays, featuring ten wild habitats from eight continents at Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire.
Lanterns Of The Wild has more than 2,000 lanterns in rainforests and oceans depicting thousands of animals and plants including elephants, monkeys and penguins.
GO: Until February 22. Adult from £19, child £13.95.
See twycrosszoo.org.
KENWOOD HOUSE
TINKERBELL will be scattering her fairy dust along a Peter Pan-themed trail this Christmas.
Dazzling lighting and atmospheric sound recreate the favourite children’s story at London’s Kenwood House.
You’ll be transported through the Lost Boys’ secret hideout, Captain Hook’s ship and the Darling family home with a feast of treats along the way.
GO: Until January 3. Adult from £20, child £12.
SILVERSTONE
F1 fans will be racing to get to Silverstone for the return of its Lap Of Lights experience.
After a four-year hiatus, the festive display is back, with 7,000 LED panels and 35 lasers, transforming the British racetrack into a glittering wonderland.
Visitors can drive their own car around the track, before heading to the ice rink or chomping on some mince pies at the food and drink garage.
GO: From December 12 until January 3, £50 per car.
See silverstone.co.uk.
ICE AND EASY
PRESTON
PRESTON On Ice, a huge new rink has opened in the Lancashire town.
It sits under the 105-year-old market canopy with space for confident skaters and beginners.
There’s a ski chalet-style bar and live music at weekends.
GO: Until January 4. Adult from £12, child £10.
See prestononice.co.uk.
TORQUAY
THE English Riviera has a new ice rink among the Bay Of Lights celebrations.
Under a sparkling canopy in the heart of Torquay, there are hour-long sessions including parent and toddler slots.
Enjoy food and drinks and the Christmas market and illumination trail.
GO: November 28 until January 2. Adult £12.58, child £9.43, family £37.73.
See englishriviera.co.uk.
LONDON
SKATE in the shadow of one of London’s most iconic buildings, Somerset House, with Virgin Atlantic Holidays.
A massive rink with lights and DJs spinning the decks has taken over the gallery’s courtyard.
There’s a 40ft tree, food, drink and a pop-up boutique with proceeds going to charity.
GO: Until January 11. Adult from £15, children £10.
See somersethouse.org.uk.
BRIGHTON
GO green at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.
The ice rink, in front of the 1787 palace, is powered by renewable energy.
Penguin skate aids are available and there’s a bar and cafe.
The city also has a light trail and drone show.
GO: Until January 4. Adult from £15, child £12.
See royalpavilionicerink.co.uk.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS
STEAM along on a new Santa Express interactive adventure.
The ride on North Yorkshire Moors Railway, from Pickering, will be packed with games, songs and, of course, elves and the man himself handing out treats.
GO: Various dates until December 24, £29.50pp.
See nymr.co.uk/santa.
VICTORIA STATION
RIDE through the heart of London with Santa and his merry elves.
They’ll sing carols and tell stories in decorated 1950s or ’60s-themed carriages, with a snack and drink for kids and mince pies for grown-ups.
The steam train departs on a 90-minute round trip from Victoria Station.
GO: Four departures available on December 20 and 22, from £55pp.
See steamdreams.co.uk.
BURY BOLTON STREET
A MAGICAL talking tree, brass band and a carol-singing choir of polar bears.
That’s the scene at Bury Bolton Street station before hopping on East Lancashire Railway’s Santa Specials.
The 80-minute round trip includes mince pies and chocolate, kids’ activity books and gifts from Santa.
GO: Various dates until December 24, from £23pp.
KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY
ENJOY a showstopping performance of a Christmas Carol at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway stations.
Families will find themselves in Scrooge’s candlelit office, in the grip of Marley’s ghost and watching the drama unfold on a five-mile steam train ride from Oxenhope or Haworth, West Yorks.
GO: Various dates and times until December 18. Adult £35, child £30.
See kwvr.co.uk.
SACKFUL OF TREATS
BLENHEIM PALACE
FOLLOW the Yellow Brick Road on a magical adventure inspired by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The story — the highlight of Christmas at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire — is played out in the state rooms.
In the gardens, browse market stalls and walk the amazing light trail with huge sculptures and fountains.
Also, tuck into afternoon tea, go skating or on fairground rides.
GO: Until January 3. Prices vary, but for Palace of Oz, adult from £41, child £24. Under-twos go free.
For more information, see blenheimpalace.com.
SOUTHAMPTON MARKETS
SOUTHAMPTON is going Christmas crazy.
The main market in Above Bar Street has more than 20 wooden chalets packed with gifts, festive food, hot chocolate and mulled wine.
There’s a Ferris wheel and a new 200ft Star Flyer ride, fairground, light show, shops’ snow window trail, ice rink, Santa visits and shows including a panto.
GO: Market until January 4, free.
See visitsouthampton.co.uk/christmas.
KIELDER FOREST
ROAM around England’s largest forest to find Father Christmas and Mrs Claus in their twinkling hideout.
Kielder Winter Wonderland in Northumberland has fun for all the family.
Sing and dance with Mr and Mrs Beaver, meet the reindeer, birds of prey and snowy owl, enjoy a theatre show, help elves in their workshop or take a break in the bar and kitchen.
GO: Until December 23, £38.50pp, under-twos £5.
For more information, check out kielderwinterwonderland.com.
NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES
YOU can always rely on National Trust properties to provide all the wonder at Christmas.
There are markets, winter fairs, craft workshops, choir concerts, illuminations and Santa visits.
Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester, Blickling Hall, Norfolk, and Standen House in West Sussex, are among those holding fun events.
Go to the NT site for full details.
GO: Until early January, various prices.
See nationaltrust.org.uk.
CHESTER MARKETS
THERE’S a pressie for everyone at Chester Christmas Market.
Local producers, craftsfolk and artisans are among 80 stallholders in the Town Hall square selling gin, jewellery, candles, pottery, clothing and cosmetics.
The city also has a grotto and panto and the cathedral is aglow with nearly a hundred decorated trees.
GO: Market until December 22, free. See visitcheshire.com.
EDINBURGH MARKET & FUNFAIR
IT’S the most wonderful time of the year in Edinburgh.
The market, with Scottish and European crafts, fills East Princes Street Gardens.
There’s a funfair, undercover ice rink and light displays on the castle walls.
And a torchlight procession through the old town on December 29 kicks off Hogmanay.
GO: Until January 4, market free.
See visitscotland.com.