Last updated: 11 November 2024
Find everything you need for the holidays in Preston with our comprehensive guide. Discover all the top events and activities. Whether Preston is your permanent address or your temporary haven, this guide ensures a jolly holiday season.
One delightful option this Christmas is the East Lancashire Railway Santa Specials, where families can enjoy festive train rides complete with a visit from Santa himself. Another notable attraction is the Christmas Grotto Wonderland, featuring magical decorations and opportunities for children to meet Santa in an enchanting setting. And the Christmas at Mrs Dowson’s is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing festive farm activities and a chance to indulge in seasonal treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Preston Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Tree Switch On at Haigh Woodland Park
- What to Expect
- Festive lighting and decorations in a picturesque woodland setting.
- Description
- Join us at Haigh Woodland Park for the Christmas Tree Switch On, where the park's beautiful landscape is illuminated with festive lights and decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.
- Where
- Wigan | More Info : Christmas Tree Switch On at Haigh Woodland Park
Preston Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Grotto Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas experience with Santa and festive activities.
- Description
- At Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Christmas Grotto, children are guided by festive elves through an interactive walkway where they write Christmas wish lists, collect reindeer food, and receive a magic key. The experience includes a ride on Alice in Wonderland and a hot chocolate with marshmallows. Each child meets Santa Claus and receives a free gift.
- Where
- Blackpool | More Info : Christmas Grotto Wonderland
Christmas Carols and Festive Favourites
- What to Expect
- Star-studded concert featuring West End and Broadway classics.
- Description
- Four incredible singers from the global hit show "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" come together to perform a hand-picked selection of everyone's favorite West End and Broadway classics, including beloved yuletide songs and carols, showcasing phenomenal vocal arrangements and mesmerizing four-part harmonies.
- Where
- Preston | More Info : Christmas Carols and Festive Favourites
Heskin Hall Christmas Party Night
- What to Expect
- 1920s-themed Christmas party in an exclusive setting.
- Description
- Heskin Hall transforms into a 1920s speakeasy for a Prohibition-themed Christmas party, complete with a delicious festive menu and exclusive setting.
- Where
- Chorley | More Info : Heskin Hall Christmas Party Night
The Rat Pack – Swingin' at the Sands Christmas Party
- What to Expect
- Authentic tribute to the Rat Pack with classic songs and comedy.
- Description
- The Rat Pack – Swingin' at the Sands Christmas Party features a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., with a repertoire of classic songs and comedic performances.
- Where
- Blackpool | More Info : The Rat Pack – Swingin' at the Sands Christmas Party
Count Arthur Strong: A Christmas Carol
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of Charles Dickens' classic tale with Count Arthur Strong's comedic adaptation.
- Description
- Count Arthur Strong delivers a one-man interpretation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, A Christmas Carol, blending the original story with his own comedic adaptation.
- Where
- Southport | More Info : Count Arthur Strong: A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol Theatre Show
- What to Expect
- Traditional production with period costumes and original musical score.
- Description
- Charles Dickens' classic ghost story, A Christmas Carol, is brought to life by Chapterhouse Theatre Company with beautiful period costumes, song, dance, and a magnificent original musical score. Ebenezer Scrooge embarks on a terrifying journey through his past and future, accompanied by three fearsome ghosts, to realize the true meaning of Christmas.
- Where
- Southport | More Info : A Christmas Carol Theatre Show
Preston Other Holiday Activities
Farmer Christmas walking adventure
- What to Expect
- Interactive farm with Shaun the Sheep attraction.
- Description
- Farmer Teds Adventure Farm offers a fun-filled day for families with activities like meeting Shaun the Sheep, animal demonstrations, and various play areas. Enjoy indoor and outdoor fun, including tractor rides, pony grooming, and ferret racing. The farm also features delicious homemade food and drink options.
- Where
- Ormskirk | More Info : Farmer Christmas walking adventure
Christmas at Mrs Dowson’s
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas activities with Father Christmas and his elves.
- Description
- At Mrs Dowson’s, immerse yourself in a festive adventure featuring Father Christmas’s secret headquarters, Mrs. Christmas’s kitchen, singing reindeer, and a make-a-bear experience. Explore the farm, enjoy indoor play areas, and meet Santa in a group grotto.
- Where
- Burscough | More Info : Christmas at Mrs Dowson’s
East Lancashire Railway Santa specials
- What to Expect
- Personalized gifts from Santa Claus.
- Description
- Embark on a family-friendly journey through the Irwell Valley aboard the East Lancashire Railway's Santa Specials. Enjoy beautifully decorated stations, meet festive characters, and receive a personalized gift from Santa. The event includes a winter wonderland walkthrough, carol singing polar bears, and a traditional brass band.
- Where
- Bury | More Info : East Lancashire Railway Santa specials
Santa by the lake at Brockholes
- What to Expect
- Interactive Santa grotto with cookie decorating station.
- Description
- Meet Santa at Brockholes Nature Reserve, where children can chat with Santa and pick out a special gift in a beautifully decorated grotto. Enjoy festive photos and cookie decorating while surrounded by Christmas trees and stunning decorations.
- Where
- Preston | More Info : Santa by the lake at Brockholes
Christmas Calligraphy Workshop
- What to Expect
- Comprehensive calligraphy workshop with expert tutors and luxurious stationery materials.
- Description
- Learn the fundamentals of modern calligraphy with expert tutors Beverley Mellor and Lucy Mellor. Discover how to hold a dip pen, create contrasting strokes, and link letters. You'll also learn to draw decorative illustrations and design festive stationery pieces, including Christmas cards and gift tags.
- Where
- Preston | More Info : Christmas Calligraphy Workshop
East Lancashire Railway Christmas Meal
- What to Expect
- Traditional Christmas meal on a historic steam train.
- Description
- Savor a traditional Christmas meal aboard beautifully restored Pullman-style carriages while being steam hauled through the picturesque Irwell Valley. Enjoy a sparkling welcome drink, a sumptuous four-course meal, and coffee with mince pies, all served with impeccable standards.
- Where
- Bury | More Info : East Lancashire Railway Christmas Meal
Christmas Wreath Making at Stirk House
- What to Expect
- Hands-on wreath-making with professional guidance.
- Description
- Create your own beautiful wreath with local florist Hannah Maybury, no experience necessary. All foliage and tools provided.
- Where
- Clitheroe | More Info : Christmas Wreath Making at Stirk House
Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel Christmas Party
- What to Expect
- Three-course meal and DJ entertainment.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season with a delightful evening at Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel, featuring an arrival drink, a three-course meal, and dancing to your favorite music by the resident DJ.
- Where
- Preston | More Info : Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel Christmas Party