There are lots of magical Christmas events happening across Berkshire from Newbury to Reading and Maidenhead to Bracknell.  Find great family friendly events in our  festive guide to what’s on for kids over the Christmas holidays. Click on any of the links in red for more details.  Venture a little further afield and find all the best Christmas activities for 2024 in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire too.

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Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and their reindeer will be special guests are Ascot Racecourse for the Howden Christmas Family Raceday on Saturday 21st Dec and children go free! There will be a a nutcracker theme which includes roaming performances from Clockwork Ballerinas and Gliding Toy Soldiers. Meet the Wish Fairies, Belle Stilt Walkers and the much-loved Bubble Bike Man.

Enjoy fairground fun including Train Rides, Swing Boats and Hook-a-Duck. The super popular face painters, and balloon modelling elves will also be in attendance. Come tell Father Christmas your wishlist, join Mrs Claus for storytelling, or meet the reindeer – it’s sure to be a day filled with festive magic.

I’ve got some great round ups if you’re looking for a specific type of event and scroll on down for events by day.

What’s On For Kids Christmas Event Guides 2024

Santa’s Grottos in Berkshire

Berkshire Pantos & Festive Family Theatre Shows

Christmas Light Trail Experiences

Christmas Ice Skating

Lots of Christmas events coming up in Berkshire but also winter celebrations too from lantern processions to musical concerts.

Family Friendly Christmas Events in Berkshire 2024

Reading Winter Wonderland (Reading)

Reading Winter Wonderland is one of Berkshire’s big Christmas destinations. Opening its doors for the festive season for the ninth year, it offers a wide range of attractions, activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Pinnocchio Children’s Theatre Show at Nordern Farm (Maidenhead)

Norden Farm in Maidenhead always have the most wonderful show at Christmas which I’ve always enjoyed taking my son to.  This year’s show Pinocchio combines classic elements of the story – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – with their hallmark hilarity, skilled puppetry, original music, fantastic staging, outstanding performers and extraordinary physical tricks.

Dick Whittington Panto at the Corn Exchange (Newbury) until 5th Jan

The award-winning Plested Brown and Wilsher are back at the Corn Exchange with another Newbury Panto extravaganza, with the enchanting and dazzling Dick Whittington.

You can expect all of the usual Newbury pantomime fun, with toe-tapping tunes from across the decades, plenty of magic and sparkle, and, of course, lots of laughter – purrfect for the whole family.

Snow White at Kenton Theatre in Henley-on-Thames

Henley’s must see panto at The Kenton is a fun-filled festive extravaganza is bursting at the seams with all the ingredients audiences have come to expect: dazzling costumes, spectacular dance routines, a hilarious script, bags of audience interaction, and maybe even the odd water gun or two!

Reindeer Trail (Bracknell) 16th Nov – 5th Jan 2025

Join the magical Reindeer Trail by exploring Bracknell town centre and searching for The Lexicon reindeers.

Christmas at Basildon Park (Lower Basildon)

Starting from 16 November, immerse yourself in a wonderland of beautifully adorned trees, garlands, and twinkling fairy lights, all inspired by classic Christmas films.

Henry Street Garden Centre Winter Light Walk FREE until 18th Dec

How good does this look! Henry Street Garden Centre have a free winter light walk through their plant area and Christmas displays. Half is undercover too so you don’t need to worry about the weather. Every Tues-Fri 4:30pm – 6pm until 18th Dec

The Magical Christmas Experience at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park (near Newbury)

The immersive Christmas experience is one of the largest indoor interactive Christmas experiences in the UK.  The Multi award winning Christmas Experience is in its 12th Year.

Lantern Making Workshops at Norden Farm (Maidenhead) 2md + 30th Nov, 6th + 7th Dec

Across 2 hours weave an intricate animal-inspired willow frame before covering and decorating your creation

Legoland at Christmas (Windsor)

The festive event transforms the Park into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, snow dusted trees, and of course…a sprinkling of LEGO® magic!

Christmas Spectacular at Odds Farm Park (Wooburn Common)

The Farm Park has been sprinkled with yuletide wonder and festive frivolities, and guests will be joined by a very special guest!

Festive Family Fun at Windsor Castle (Windsor)

Step into the shoes of a Victorian child this Christmas as you enjoy the beautifully decorated Castle.  Drop by the Castle’s Learning Centre to hear all about a Victorian Christmas and make a memento to take home, such as a tree decoration, a wreath or an angel, just as Victorian children may have made. You can also devise your own Christmas menu for Queen Victoria and her family to enjoy on Christmas Day or dress up as an elegant Victorian stepping out on Christmas morning.

Christmas at Chobham Adventure Farm

This year the animal barn at Chobham Adventure Farm will be magically transformed into The Reindeer Lodge, where all of Santa’s real reindeer will be staying while they get ready for the big day!  This is all part of your normal entry ticket.  Optional add ons to go ice staking and meet Father Christmas too.

Berkshire Christmas Events by Day 2024

• Wokingham Winter Carnival (Wokingham) 24th Nov
• Christmas Fair with childrens entertainment at Holme Grange Craft Village (Wokingham) 30th Nov

The Carnival of Animals – Lantern Parade (Maidenhead) 7th Dec FREE

Featuring live music and entertainment, the lantern parade returns to light up Maidenhead.  Make your own lantern in advance with workshops at Norden Farmon select days

• Jingle & Joy Family Day (Windsor) 7th Dec
• Hungerford Christmas Victorian Extravaganza (Hungerford) 13th Dec
• Newbury Festival of Lights (Newbury) 15th Dec FREE

Pinocchio Chill Out Space at Nordewn Farm (Maidenhead) select dates from 17th – 28th Dec

Norden Farm’s Pinocchio Chill Out space is a wonderful place to relax and play this festive season. Norden Farm are working with artist Amelia Pimlott, The Autism Group, Achieving for Children, Care for Calais and local schools; Wessex Primary School, Furze Platt and Cookham Dean Primary School, to create a magical Gallery space at Norden Farm which will bring the story of Pinocchio to life with shadow puppets and animations.

Maidenhead Concert Band at Norden Farm (Maidenhead) 18th Dec

A great night out for all the family with a wide variety of music; including songs from the shows, big band sounds, classics and Christmas music.

• Bach to Baby Festive Family Concert (Reading) 20th Dec
• Messy Museum Morning at West Berkshire Museum (Newbury) 20th Dec
• Christmas craft workshop at the Dinton Pastures Cafe 21st – 22nd Dec

Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse (Ascot) 21st Dec

There’s an abundance of seasonal fun for all with a range of festive entertainment set to delight racegoers of all ages. There will be a a nutcracker theme which includes roaming performances, Father & Mother Christmas, fairground rides and more.

Master Builders Club festive lego workshop (Woodcote) 21st Dec

Make your children’s Christmas a creative one with Master Builders Club. Engaging story led experience for LEGO fans.  Also taking place on various dates in Sonning Common and Caversham.

• Christmas Carol movie at Shaw House (Newbury) 23rd Dec
• Master Builders Club festive lego workshop (Sonning Common + Caversham) 23rd Dec
• Coral Hallow Hurdle Day at Newbury Racecourse (Newbury) 28th Dec
• Pokemania at Bracknell Leisure Centre (Bracknell) 28th Dec