17 sparkly Christmas events in Berkshire for families 2022

Are you looking for some sparkly activities to get you in the festive mood?  Or wondering where to find the best Christmas events in Berkshire for families in 2022?  Well, you’ve come to the right place.

There’s an abundance of fun things to do with kids this Christmas in Berkshire.  Whether you’re looking for Santa’s grottos, glittering illuminations, fair attractions, or Yuletide skating, we’ve got something for you.

Here’s our guide to 17 sparkly Christmas events for families in Berkshire in 2022.  Plus, we’ve added some fun festive activities that are happening further afield.

Windsor Great Park, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, TW20 0UJ

• Dates:   17^th November 2022 – 2^nd January 2023 (4.30-10pm)
• Tickets:  Illuminated at Great Windsor Park
• Cost:       £57.00 (family of four) + car park

One of the newest Christmas events in Berkshire is Illuminated at Windsor Great Park. 

Join family and friends for a magical evening as the woodland and water of Windsor Great Park come alive with dazzling lights, dancing stars and breath-taking projections. 

Opening on Thursday 17 November, this very special light trail returns to light up the festive season bigger, better and more dazzling than ever with a brand new trail design and spectacularly re-imagined installations.

Peach Place, Wokingham

• Dates:             Sunday 27^th November 2022 (11am – 5pm)
• Programme:  Wokingham Winter Carnival
• Cost:               Free

Wokingham Winter Carnival is a fun day out for the whole family.

There’s a whole host of street entertainers, music, singing, dancing and the fun of the fair with loads of different rides, whether you’re young or old.  Plus, Santa will be in his grotto at the library and for lunch there are stalls offering an amazing choice of food and drink.

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4PF

• Dates:    Tuesday 29^th – Friday 30^th December 2022
• Tickets:  One Snowy Night at Norden Farm
• Cost:        £56 (family of four)

Now, this warm-hearted Christmas show is perfect for children and their families. 

A Tale from Percy’s Park by Nick Butterworth.

Percy the Park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. But one cold winter’s night Percy finds his little friends shivering on the doorstep – they need more than food and he must find a way to help them…

A snuggly, fun and heart-warming story, with songs to sing along to and furry friends to meet.

Wellington Country Park, Riseley, Berkshire, RG7 1SP

• Dates:   17^th November – 23^rd December 2022
• Tickets:  Neverland Illuminova
• Cost:        £72 (family of four)   You can get discounts with an annual pass.

For the first time, Wellington Country Park’s gates, will open at dusk to reveal a kingdom of illumination.  Colour and sound will awaken your senses and turn the great outdoors into a symphony of light.

Windsor on Ice, Alexander Gardens, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 3HY

• Dates:  26^th November 2022 – 2^nd January 2023
• Tickets:  Windsor on Ice
• Cost:     £46 (family of four)

One of the best Christmas events in Berkshire for families is ice-skating in Windsor. Just minutes from the royal castle, this is surely one of the best venues for a festive ice-rink? 

South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA

• Dates:     Friday 25^th November – Saturday 31^st December 2022
• Tickets:  South Hill Park
• Cost:       £22 pp (for family of four)

Enjoy some fabulous fun, colourful characters, slapstick comedy, enchantment and all the creative sparkle you’ve come to love in this great British pantomime favourite.

Basildon House, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 9NR

• Dates:    19^th November 2022 – 6^th January 2023
• Tickets:  Light and Liminality at Basildon House
• Cost:       free for National Trust members

This year you are invited to attend a dazzling ball in the heart of the mansion. As you step inside, you will be transported through time and space. Glimmering lights will adorn the mansion and the excited chatter of the ballroom will beckon you in. Have a go at dancing along in the ballroom, and get creative by making your own mask for the masquerade ball.  Please note that this is an ongoing display.

Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX

• Dates:  16^th and 17^th December 2022
• Tickets:  Ascot Christmas Race Weekend
• Cost:  From £20 per adult (children are free)

As well as racing, there’s an abundance of seasonal fun with a range of festive entertainment.  Little children can enjoy festive arts and crafts, cookie decorating, face painting and Christmas story-telling.  They can also meet Father Christmas and his reindeer.

The event also includes traditional fairground rides and candle-lit carol singing.

Daniel Dept Store, 120-124 Peascod Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1DP

• Dates:     weekends in November and December
• Tickets:  Advanced booking is not available
• Cost:        £9 per child (includes gift)

Father Christmas is visiting Daniel’s again this year. So, come along and meet him in his cosy festive sitting room in the Christmas Department, have a quick chat and receive a small present. 

Newbury Methodist Church, Northbrook Street, Newbury

• Dates:   Sunday 11^th November 2022
• Tickets:  n/a
• Cost:        free

Newbury residents and visitors of all ages are invited to light up the streets of Newbury as they walk the winter streets of the town together, candlelit lanterns in hand.

Starting on Northbrook Street, the twinkling wonderland will travel through to the Market Place, where live music and a festive atmosphere will be waiting under the illuminated sky.

Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Winkfield Row, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD

• Dates: tbc
• Tickets: Lapland UK
• Cost:  tbc (includes gift)

One of the most spectacular Christmas events in Berkshire is at Lapland UK.

Firstly, this Christmas-themed interactive experience will take you to the Enchanted Forest, Santa’s toy factory, Mother Christmas’ kitchen and the Elven Village.  Here, kids will love building toys, ice-skating and meeting huskies, before a private audience with Father Christmas himself.

Eton High Street, Eton, near Windsor, Berkshire

• Dates: tbc
• Map:  available from Eton information centre
• Cost:  free

Find the Eton teddy bears hidden in the town’s shop windows and you could win a prize!

Dressed in Eton uniform and sporting a festive Christmas hat, look for the teddy bears in Eton High Street. Each bear has a letter which together will spell a Christmas-related word! Ideal for all and especially families!

Entry form in advance via info@visiteton.info or call into Eton Information Centre.

Legoland, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY

• Dates:    26^th November 2022 – 3^rd January 2023
• Tickets:  Legoland at Christmas
• Cost:     From £32 pp (+ additional ticket to see Santa)

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

Join us as we celebrate the most special time of the year with ‘LEGOLAND at Christmas.  We have over 25 Rides, LIVE shows and attractions for you to enjoy with the whole family!

Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1NJ

• Dates:  24^th November – 2^nd January 2023
• Tickets:  Christmas at Windsor Castle
• Cost:      £73.20 per family (includes re-admission for a year)

Experience a fairy tale Christmas at Windsor Castle.  See the decorations in the State Apartments and the magnificent tree in St George’s Hall.  Furthermore, families can enjoy festive events such as story-telling sessions and weekend arts and crafts activities.

Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD

• Dates:  Friday 25^th November – Saturday 31^st December 2022
• Tickets:  Corn Exchange, Newbury
• Cost:   From £16.50 pp

Jack & the Beanstalk is full of traditional Corn Exchange pantomime fun with plenty of jokes, songs from across the decades, and more magic in GIGANTIC proportions.

Winter Wonderland, Hills Meadow, Reading, RG4 8DH

• Dates:  12^th November 2022 – 2^nd January 2023  (10am – 10 pm)
• Tickets:  Reading Winter Wonderland
• Cost:       Free entry, (£40 for family ice-skating)

Discover a wide range of attractions, activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages including a Bavarian slide, an undercover ice skating rink, Santa’s grotto and a wide variety of festive food and drinks.

What are your favourite things to do in Berkshire at Christmas?  We’d love to hear your comments below.

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