Grinch

A wet Sunday evening turned into a joyous 90-minute stroll through stunning light displays, interactive installations and ethereal music at this beloved festive attraction

Embracing the Christmas spirit can be a bit of a challenge when you’re penning festive articles from September onwards. However, this past weekend, I decided to shelve my inner Grinch and head out into the chilly, drizzly Sunday in Cardiff to experience Christmas at Bute Park.

This event, now in its fifth year, is a light trail that has previously brought me joy. I must confess, my excitement for the installation, nestled in Cardiff’s beautiful city centre park beloved by locals and tourists alike, did start to fade after the first few years.

I found myself pondering, ‘How much can a light display in a park change year after year?’ While I still believe the most curmudgeonly of Grinches might agree with me, my visit to Christmas at Bute Park 2025 rekindled my yuletide cheer, reports Wales Online.

So last year, I opted out of the mile-long amble along the path that snakes through Cardiff’s verdant heart. I simply wasn’t feeling it. Fast forward to 2025, and the opportunity presented itself again. Let me tell you, I’m chuffed I seized it.

It was a delightful 90-minute journey that began in the rain, offered us a bit more precipitation, and an array of displays, interactive elements, and mesmerising light shows synchronised with hauntingly beautiful music that genuinely brightened my day.

The journey encompassed the twirling, sparkling fountains, Christmas Cascades, and Bubblicious – an interactive row of giant cylinders radiating neon colours that we all took turns tapping to select our preferred hue.

We encountered a neon grove and Dancing Dandelions – bursts of colour illuminating the gently swaying trees on a dark autumn evening.

Two installations by Welsh artists – Abercynon’s Ruby June Walker and Cardiff’s Patrick Richards – were truly stunning. Ruby’s Golau y Gaeaf (Winter’s Light) was a standout gothic window showcasing the traditions and symbols of a Welsh Christmas, including Mari Lwyd and Sion Corn.

It added a touch of folklore to the event, alongside one of my favourite two installations – the dragon, but more on that shortly.

Patrick’s Annwyl Siôn Corn (Dear Father Christmas) was a magical post box encircled by floating letters, inspired by children penning their wish lists to Father Christmas – a captivating sight amidst the natural surroundings.

The light installations that captivated me the most, made me marvel the most – allowed me to lose myself in the moment, were the Water Willows, lights cascading down the towering willow trees and dripping off their weeping branches. The sporadic specks of colourful lights transformed into a wave of colour, all synchronised with subtle, ethereal classical music.

As a die-hard Stranger Things fan, I was captivated by the enchanting lights and mystical aura of the willow stop. If I had a tree and some spare cash for the electricity bill, I’d love to recreate this spectacle in my own garden.

I’ve replayed the video of the Water Willows multiple times. Adding a dash of elegance were the chandeliers at Crystal Avenue – when viewed head-on, they resemble a massive snowflake. Simply stunning.

Walking through Delilah Ddraig’s lair, the ground was speckled with soft, glowing red-orange lights, casting a delightfully eerie glow on the final few stops before we ventured into the night.

It was an evening filled with festive cheer in the great outdoors. There’s something special about feeling raindrops on your face, tucking into a generous pot of cinnamon apple and pear crumble with custard, and witnessing the unbridled excitement of a thrilled six-year-old.

While not everyone may have a little one to accompany them, I believe those carrying a sense of wonder will thoroughly enjoy their visit to Christmas at Bute Park, regardless of their company.

Christmas at Bute Park is open until 31 December. For more details, including ticket purchases and information on inclusive evenings, visit www.christmasatbutepark.com.

Chessington’s Winter Trail offers a magical festive experience with interactive entertainment, patient Santas, and themed attractions that kept the whole family entertained

Waking up at the crack of dawn to icy temperatures and drizzle isn’t exactly the ideal beginning to a festive day out. Regrettably, it’s a gamble you take when attending any alfresco event in the UK, and when you’re en route to a theme park in late-November amidst a downpour, it’s easy for your Christmas cheer to feel somewhat quashed.

En route to Chessington’s Winter Trail, I confess that the combination of gridlocked traffic and biting cold had me feeling rather Scrooge or Grinch-ike. However, upon arrival at the park and catching sight of the (artificial) snow-dusted trees and oversized Christmas baubles, my festive spirit was instantly rekindled.

It’s hard not to be swept up in the Yuletide joy with hordes of the jolliest elves you’ve ever encountered welcoming you at every turn. Despite the rain and a thin crowd, we spotted some elves performing a pantomime on stage, seemingly unfazed by the frosty conditions.

The initial segment of the winter trail involved us penning letters to Father Christmas, with some delightful elves on hand to assist. They even distributed cookies baked by Mrs Claus, much to the delight of the children.

Next, we opted to join the lengthy queue for Santa, but fortunately, there was entertainment to keep us occupied. We were given headphones to partake in a silent disco during our wait, featuring stations playing festive tunes and another broadcasting an audiobook of a Christmas tale, reports the Express.

This proved to be an excellent distraction and made queuing with little ones significantly more manageable.

As a parent of two children, one in primary and the other in secondary school, I’ve encountered numerous Santas over time. Some have been grumpy, some haven’t really interacted with the kids, while others have been overly enthusiastic to the point of being frightening.

However, I must confess, the Santa we met at Chessington was one of the finest we’ve ever seen.

Upon reaching the front of the queue, an elf led us through a snowy forest to a snug log cabin where Santa awaited. I spotted several log cabins tucked away, presumably housing multiple Santas to keep the queues moving, but it was cleverly arranged so that the children wouldn’t notice.

Once inside, the children sat next to Santa in his beautifully adorned grotto, warmed by a crackling fireplace. Our Santa was remarkably patient with the children, and despite the bustle, we never felt hurried.

Even though my two are at an age where they’re not as captivated by Santa, they left feeling thrilled. We then strolled through Santa’s toy workshop, guided by more jovial elves, and the children were gifted a plush toy as a memento of their visit.

During the festive period, a selection of rides are also operational in the park. We had a blast on some child-friendly attractions like the vintage carousel and the Gruffalo River Ride, which surprisingly thrilled my eldest who had outgrown the Gruffalo phase years ago.

The tickets also grant access to the SEA LIFE centre and zoo, so even though we didn’t manage to visit them, one could easily while away an entire day at the park.

For our midday meal, we made a beeline for the barbecue Smokehouse, offering its standard barbecue fare alongside some Christmas specials. Regrettably, this was one part of the park that seemed less efficient, resulting in a 45-minute wait for our food, although the staff were apologetic about the delay.

However, once served, the adult meals were quite satisfying.

I indulged in festive loaded chips topped with turkey, stuffing, and other Christmas dinner trimmings, while my husband savoured tender, melt-in-the-mouth brisket. Unfortunately, the children’s meals didn’t hit the mark.

At £8 for two fish fingers and a small jacket potato, it felt steep, even by theme park standards, and no beverage was included. Nonetheless, I appreciated the chance to rest in a warm spot for a bit.

All in all, Chessington’s Christmas experience provided a delightful family day out, catering well to various age groups. It was refreshing to enjoy a day at a theme park without enduring lengthy queues for every activity, and the event ran smoothly thanks to Santa’s diligent team of elves.

Chessington’s Winter Trail is open on select dates until 31 December, with tickets for the Winter Trail and Christmas Village starting from £34 per person. You can find more information and book your tickets here.

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