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.

FEATURED

Gather family, friends and colleagues to enjoy Ascot Howden Christmas Family Raceday on 23rd December 2023.  Off the track, there’s an abundance of seasonal fun for all with a range of festive entertainment set to delight racegoers of all ages. The candle-lit carol singing with the Ascot Brass Band remain firmly part of the entertainment, and Father Christmas will be in attendance.

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.

SPOTLIGHT CHRISTMAS EVENT

Howden Christmas Family Raceday – Ascot Racecourse

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.

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.

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.

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!

Christmas at Windsor Castle (Windsor)

This winter experience the State Apartments decorated for Christmas. The festive display includes a magnificent centrepiece, the 6-metre (20-foot) high tree taken from Windsor Great Park and dressed with hundreds of twinkling lights and ornaments.  Learn more about Victorian Christmas traditions with craft activities and workshops for the kids.

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.

Christmas Twinkle Trail at The Lexicon (Bracknell)

Local Bracknell primary school children have been colouring and decorating Christmas baubles, twelve of which are now hidden around the town centre to create the Twinkle Trail.

Berkshire Christmas Events by Day 2024

• Newbury Christmas Festival with lights switch on (Newbury) 18th Nov FREE
• Christmas Fair with childrens entertainment at Holme Grange Craft Village (Wokingham)
• Christmas Opening Event at Henry Street Garden Centre (Reading) 22nd Nov
• An afternoon of entertainment at The Lexicon before the Christmas lights switch on (Bracknell) FREE
• Lantern Making Workshops at the Corn Exhange (Newbury) 25th/26th Nov and 2nd/3rd Dec
• Wokingham Winter Carnival (Wokingham) 26th Nov
• Newbury Santa Fun Run (Newbury) 26th Nov
• Bach to Baby Concert (Reading) 1st + 22nd Dec
• Families Go Wild at Black Park Country Park (near Slough) 1st + 8th Dec
• Childrens Christmas Printmaking Workshop at the Corn Exchange (Newbury) 2nd Dec
• Gingerbread Trail at Shaw House (Newbury) 2nd Dec
• Childrens Magic Show at Shaw House (Newbury) 3rd Dec
• Little Muddy Boots festive fun workshop at Cup of Rosie (Windsor) 5th Dec
• St Luke’s Christmas Tree Festival (Maidenhead) 8th – 10th Dec
• Hungerford Christmas Victorian Extravaganza (Hungerford) 8th Dec

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

• Newbury Festival of Light (Newbury) 10th Dec FREE
• Dinton Santa Dash at Dinton Pastures Country Park 16th Dec
• Make your own Christmas baubles family workshop (Caversham) 16th Dec
• Once Upon A Bus Magical Yuletide Experience (Cookham) 16th – 17th Dec
• Christmas crafts at Dinton Pastures Country Park 16th – 22nd Dec
• Woodley Concert Band Children’s Christmas Concert (Woodley) 17th Dec

Paint Your Own Christmas Stock at Norden Farm (Maidenhead) 16th Dec

In this fun workshop you will print and decorate your own design using bright seasonal and metallic inks to bling the stocking ready to be hung up on the BIG day! Get to grips with a squeegee and create paper stencils to learn a new art technique.

• Children’s Christmas Concert (Woodley) 17th Dec
• Master Builders Club lego workshop (Sonning Common) 21st Dec
• Messy Museum Morning at West Berkshire Museum (Newbury) 21st Dec
• Master Builders Club lego workshop (Woodcote) 22nd Dec

Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse (Ascot) 23rd Dec

There’s an abundance of seasonal fun for all with a range of festive entertainment set to delight racegoers of all ages. The candle-lit carol singing with the Ascot Brass Band remain firmly part of the entertainment, and Father Christmas will be in attendance.

Coral Hallow Hurdle Day at Newbury Racecourse (Newbury) 30th Dec

Head to Newbury Racecourse for a festive day out on Coral Challow Hurdle Day.  Off the track there’s lots of family fun and activites from arts & crafts to meeting a retired racehorse.  Keep a look out for some special guest appearances.  Under 18s go free.