Last updated: 11 November 2024
Discover the festive season in Maidenhead at a glance. Our guide has all the essential holiday events and activities. From Maidenhead natives to seasonal migrants, our guide illuminates the path to holiday joy.
One exciting attraction during this festive period is Windsor on Ice, where families can enjoy outdoor ice skating amidst beautiful winter scenery. Combining twinkling lights and the charm of the season, Legoland at Christmas offers a delightful experience with themed decorations and seasonal shows for all ages. And the Christmas at Basildon House is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring enchanting decorations and a warm atmosphere that captures the essence of Christmas. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Maidenhead Holiday Light Displays
Illuminated at Windsor Great Park
- What to Expect
- Dazzling light displays and reimagined projections in a natural woodland setting.
- Description
- Windsor Great Park Illuminated brings the woodland to life with dazzling lights, spectacular displays of colour, and breathtaking reimagined projections. The event features a new forest trail full of music and light where woodland creatures come to life, and festive moments await visitors. Enjoy delicious dishes, mulled wine, and hot chocolate at cosy rest stops.
- Where
- Englefield Green | More Info : Illuminated at Windsor Great Park
Christmas Light Switch-on, Windsor
- What to Expect
- Live entertainment with the Theatre Royal Windsor’s panto cast.
- Description
- The Windsor Christmas Light Switch-on features live entertainment, including carol singing and community stalls, culminating in the switching on of the Christmas lights with the cast from Theatre Royal Windsor’s panto Jack and the Beanstalk.
- Where
- Windsor | More Info : Christmas Light Switch-on, Windsor
Maidenhead Holiday Markets and Shopping
Moss End Garden Village Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional Christmas market with local artisans and seasonal delights.
- Description
- Join us at Moss End Garden Village for a delightful Christmas Market, featuring a variety of local vendors selling handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and soak up the holiday spirit.
- Where
- Warfield | More Info : Moss End Garden Village Christmas Market
The Christmas Fair, Ascot Racecourse
- What to Expect
- Traditional British market with local artisans and seasonal delights.
- Description
- The Christmas Fair at Ascot Racecourse offers a delightful array of festive stalls, artisanal gifts, and seasonal treats, creating a vibrant atmosphere perfect for holiday shopping and socialising.
- Where
- Ascot | More Info : The Christmas Fair, Ascot Racecourse
Yattendon Winter Market
- What to Expect
- Unique handmade crafts and local talent.
- Description
- The Yattendon Winter Market is a celebration of slow craftsmanship featuring 24 exceptional artists, designers, and craftspeople showcasing handmade treasures including jewellery, ceramics, textiles, and more.
- Where
- Yattendon | More Info : Yattendon Winter Market
Maidenhead Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Miki at Norden Farm Arts Centre
- What to Expect
- Immersive puppet show with underwater creatures and enchanting music.
- Description
- Miki is an inspiring story about friendship, courage, and adventure, featuring amazing underwater creatures and enchanting music through extraordinary puppetry.
- Where
- Maidenhead | More Info : Miki at Norden Farm Arts Centre
Windsor & Eton Living Advent Calendar
- What to Expect
- Surprise performances at different locations each evening.
- Description
- The Windsor & Eton Living Advent Calendar is a family-friendly event featuring 15-minute Christmas-themed performances at various locations in the town centre. Performances include songs, carols, music, poetry, and workshops, with a surprise each evening. Customary Christmas nibbles are also provided.
- Where
- Windsor | More Info : Windsor & Eton Living Advent Calendar
Carols on Castle Hill
- What to Expect
- Traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony with historical significance.
- Description
- A public gathering around the Christmas tree on Castle Hill, dating back to 1949 when King George VI first had a tree installed as a gift to the town.
- Where
- Windsor | More Info : Carols on Castle Hill
Maidenhead Other Holiday Activities
Windsor on Ice
- What to Expect
- Fully covered ice skating rink with festive food and attractions.
- Description
- Windsor on Ice offers a fully covered ice skating rink in historic Alexandra Gardens, perfect for families and groups. Enjoy festive food, drink, and attractions while skating or relaxing in the viewing area. The event also features a fun fair with unlimited ride wristbands available.
- Where
- Windsor | More Info : Windsor on Ice
Christmas at Basildon House
- What to Expect
- Opulent mansion decorations and festive activities.
- Description
- Basildon Park transforms into a winter spectacle with opulent decorations, a masquerade ball theme, and festive activities. The 18th-century Palladian-style mansion is adorned with peacock feather decorations, hanging bird cages, and extravagant floral arrangements. Visitors can decorate their own masquerade masks and dance around the champagne glass tower. The house exudes classic glamour with huge Christmas trees and rich decorations, while the park offers four waymarked walks and a children's trail to beat the clock before midnight.
- Where
- Reading | More Info : Christmas at Basildon House
Legoland at Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive LEGO-themed holiday celebration with rides and attractions.
- Description
- LEGOLAND at Christmas transforms into a wintery setting with twinkly lights, a giant DUPLO Christmas tree, and festive activities. Enjoy LEGO building fun, festive shows, and your favorite rides and attractions. Build memories that will last a lifetime with your family.
- Where
- Windsor | More Info : Legoland at Christmas
Santa's Chocolate Grotto
- What to Expect
- Create and decorate festive chocolate bars with Mrs. Claus.
- Description
- At Santa's Chocolate Grotto, guests receive a magical Christmas passport and make their own festive chocolate bars with Mrs. Claus. They then join the elves for games and a dance at the North Pole Disco before having a private meeting with Father Christmas and receiving a gift.
- Where
- Hurst | More Info : Santa's Chocolate Grotto
Ice Skating and Father Christmas, Chobham
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas activities with real reindeer and ice skating.
- Description
- At Chobham Adventure Farm, enjoy ice skating and meet Father Christmas. Join Father Christmas's head flying instructors for sleigh driving lessons and earn your official sleigh licence. Visit the Reindeer Lodge to learn about reindeer and make magical reindeer food. Meet Father Christmas in a private visit and choose a present from his toyshop.
- Where
- Chobham | More Info : Ice Skating and Father Christmas, Chobham
Jakes Play Farm Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas activities with Santa and reindeer.
- Description
- At Jakes Play Farm, families can enjoy a variety of activities including visiting Santa in his grotto, making chocolate lollies, and participating in interactive games and crafts. The event also features a ride around the lake with reindeer and a special gift for each child.
- Where
- Yateley | More Info : Jakes Play Farm Christmas
Dobbies Garden Centre Hare Hatch – Santa’s Grotto
- What to Expect
- Train-themed journey with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa.
- Description
- At Dobbies Garden Centre Hare Hatch, Santa's Grotto offers a train-themed journey for children and families, complete with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa. Children will experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, and find hidden nutcrackers before receiving their gift. The event includes fun activities, photo opportunities, and a wrapped gift from Santa.
- Where
- Hare Hatch | More Info : Dobbies Garden Centre Hare Hatch – Santa’s Grotto
Cantley House Hotel Christmas
- What to Expect
- Elegant Christmas party with live music and candle-lit forest setting.
- Description
- At Cantley House Hotel, immerse yourself in a sophisticated Christmas celebration with a three-course festive dinner, live saxophonist, and DJ disco, set amidst a candle-lit forest clearing.
- Where
- Wokingham | More Info : Cantley House Hotel Christmas
Howden Christmas Racing Weekend
- What to Expect
- Thrilling horse racing with festive entertainment.
- Description
- Celebrate the festive season at Ascot's final race meeting of the year, featuring thrilling racing and great festive food and drink. Enjoy a quality Jumps card with Grade 2 and Grade 1 races, including the Howden Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle and the Howden Long Walk Hurdle. Off the track, experience traditional fairground rides, candle-lit carol singing, and visits from Father Christmas and his reindeer.
- Where
- Ascot | More Info : Howden Christmas Racing Weekend
Wokingham Winter Carnival
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly event with a wide range of activities and attractions.
- Description
- The Wokingham Winter Carnival is a fun-filled day out for the whole family, featuring over 125 stalls, funfair rides, and a variety of street entertainers, music, and food. Santa's grotto and gift stalls make it an ideal place to start your Christmas shopping.
- Where
- Wokingham | More Info : Wokingham Winter Carnival