Best West Midlands Christmas days out 2026
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Christmas days out in the West Midlands 2026 are already booking up, so if you’re looking for festive things to do with the family, it’s worth planning ahead. I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best Christmas days out across Birmingham and the West Midlands, including Santa experiences, light trails, Christmas markets, festive trains, pantomimes and other family Christmas events.
I’ve included Christmas experiences for different ages and budgets, from big-ticket attractions to free festive events. Where 2026 information has been released, I’ve included dates and booking details, and I’ll continue updating this guide as more Christmas events are announced.
You can jump straight to each event using the links in the table below. Advance booking is essential at many attractions unless otherwise stated.
Whilst Christmas days out do always tend to be quite expensive, you can sometimes get them for a reduced price. Check out my discount deals on attractions and days out information post. I update it every week, so keep a look out for reductions relating to Christmas events.
This post covers the West Midlands County area only. If you are looking for Christmas days out in nearby counties, please see below:
You can also check out my post about all the Pantomimes taking place across the West Midlands Region.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens – Luminate Live Winter Light Trail 2026
Luminate Live is back at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for Christmas 2026 with an illuminated trail that will delight and enthral your senses. The trail is almost a mile long and features gorgeous lighting elements and amazing light play set to ambient music. It will take around 60 to 90 minutes to walk round.
Tickets need to be booked online in advance, but they appreciate that plans can change so you can alter the date and time of your booking up to 48 hours before you visit subject to availability.
A small amount of free parking is available at the University and a nearby school. The Gardens themselves offers very limited blue badge parking on a first come, first served basis.
Dates: 28th November 2026 to 2nd January 2027.
Website: Luminate
Review: Worcester News.
Birmingham city centre West Midlands – Frankfurt Christmas Market and Ice Skate Birmingham
Starting early in the festive calendar, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market is widely accepted in the area as one of the first signs of Christmas! It was one of my favourite things about working in Birmingham, I always felt so festive walking through the market after work. This is the biggest German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria. With food, drinks and gifts galore, you’ll be revelling in the fragrance and spirit of the festive season. Look out for live music on Victoria Square and don’t forget to pre-book your slot to go ice skating on Centenary Square.
Worth knowing: I absolutely love the Christmas market but if you’re visiting with children, I strongly advise going at a quieter time such as daytime on a weekday. It can get really busy at weekends and in the evening.
Frankfurt Christmas Market dates: 5th November to 24th December 2026
Birmingham Ice Skating Dates: Not yet announced.
Frankfurt Christmas Market Website: German Market
Birmingham Ice Skating Website: Ice Skate Birmingham
Independent review: I am a polar bear
Birmingham Hippodrome – Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker
Two festive shows take place at Birmingham Hippodrome for Christmas 2026. Choose between an upbeat panto or a classic seasonal ballet.
Sleeping Beauty
Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime for the 2026-27 season is Sleeping Beauty, with Matt Slack returning to bring the comedy. It’s Princess Aurora’s birthday and her wicked Aunt Carabosse has a present for her. When the spinning wheel puts her under a curse, can the prince break the spell? Look out for fabulous costumes, exciting sets and still to be announced stars joining Matt Slack.
Dates: 19th December 2026 to 31st January 2027.
The Nutcracker
Sir Peter Wright’s ballet the Nutcracker is returning to Birmingham for Christmas 2026. Clara is on an adventure to a magical winter wonderland on Christmas eve. Dancing snowflakes, enchanted Christmas trees and of course, the sugar plum fairy will be on stage. This classic production is an ideal festive treat for ballet fans.
Dates: 20th November to 12th December 2026.
Website: Birmingham Hippodrome.
Independent review: Reviews of previous years’ performances: What’s On Stage / Muddy Stilettos.
Birmingham Moor Street Station – Vintage Trains Polar Express Train Ride
Enjoy a theatrical recreation of the Polar Express movie on board a steam train. If you and your family believe in Father Christmas, now is the time to immerse yourselves in the magic. Take in the sights, sounds and smells as you watch actors portraying the dancing chefs, conductor and other characters from the Classic festive film. Leave Birmingham Moor Street station and travel to the North Pole, where Santa will board the train to give out the first gift of Christmas.
Dates: 22nd, 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 18th to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Vintage trains.
Review: Tripadvisor.
Birmingham Rep – Peter Pan
Fly away to Neverland this festive season with a magical stage adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s beloved tale. When Peter Pan whisks Wendy and her brothers from their Victorian Birmingham home, they embark on an unforgettable adventure filled with mermaids, mischief, and make-believe feasts alongside the Lost Boys. But danger lurks in the form of Captain Hook and the ticking crocodile, and Wendy must find the courage to protect her friends while discovering what it truly means to grow up. Bursting with imagination, this enchanting production features original music and brings a fresh sparkle to a timeless story.
Age guidance: 7+
Dates: 18th November 2026 to 17th January 2027.
Website: Birmingham Rep.
Review: Not yet available.
Black Country Living Museum West Midlands Christmas 2026
Christmas
The BCLM will be transformed for the festive season. Period houses and shops are brimming with festive cheer and historic characters are on hand to tell visitors how they’re getting ready for the big day.
Glad Tidings
Spend an evening at BCLM with friends and family. Open fires, traditional carollers and fifties hits encourage everyone to sing along. Traditional treats are on offer to add to the Christmassy feeling. Characters on costume will be chatting to visitors and street entertainers will be on hand to keep everyone amused.
Dates: 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th and 21st to 23rd December 2026.
Santa Hunts
Spend around an hour on a quest around the town to find Santa. Help festive characters to find his secret Black Country grotto. Write letters to Santa, sing songs and follow the clues en route. When you arrive, Santa will welcome you into his grotto for a chat, keepsake gift and a photo with him.
Dates: 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 19th to 24th December 2026.
Website: BCLM
Review: You can read my review of a family day out at the Black Country Living Museum.
Cadbury World, Birmingham West Midlands
Christmas at Cadbury World combines plenty of chocolatey fun with festive entertainment. Visitors can book a Festive Afternoon Tea alongside entry to Cadbury World, with seasonal sweet and savoury treats including chocolate brownies, scones, mini mince pies, muffins and rocky road. At weekends and during the school holidays, the Festive Character Afternoon Tea adds the chance to meet favourite Cadbury characters including Freddo, Caramel Bunny and Mr Cadbury’s Parrot. Visitors can also add to the Christmas experience by pre-booking tickets to see Santa in his live stage show. Both afternoon tea options include entry to Cadbury World and access to attractions including the 4D Chocolate Adventure, Bournville Experience and African Adventure play area.
Dates: 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th to 24th and 27th to 31st December 2026.
Website: Cadbury World
Review: Mama Geek
The Christmas Makers Guild at Dudley Canal & Caverns
The Christmas Makers Guild at Dudley Canal & Caverns is an immersive family Christmas adventure taking place in the atmospheric limestone caverns beneath Dudley. Families board a narrowboat and journey along the underground waterways to discover Santa’s secret Christmas workshops, meeting colourful elves and helping them prepare everything for Santa’s annual inspection. The 90-minute experience includes a 45-minute underground boat trip through tunnels decorated with festive lights, music and Christmas displays, interactive activities in six Christmas Making Departments and a chance for children to meet Santa and receive a gift. Adult tickets also include a festive hot drink and mince pie. Quieter Christmas Boat sessions with reduced sound, gentler lighting and smaller groups are available for visitors who prefer a calmer experience.
Dates: 4th to 6th, 11th to 13th and 18th to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust
Review: Trip Advisor
Echills Wood Railway – Santa Trains
Climb aboard Santa’s Express to his grotto, where children can pay him a visit. Santa will select a special gift for each child based on their age and adults will receive a mince pie and hot, seasonal drink. Then, it’s back on board to ride the train all the way around the railway. Ticket holders for this event will be able to use their ticket on other trains during their visit.
Early booking is advised due to limited availability. Tickets must be booked in advance – this is extremely popular and likely to sell out early as there are only a few dates available.
Website: Echills Wood Railway.
Dates: 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th December 2026.
Review: Tripadvisor.
National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham – Meet Santa 2026
Add a festive twist to an underwater adventure with a visit to Santa at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham. Families can explore the aquarium and see more than 2,000 marine animals, including sea otters, tropical fish and sea turtles, before heading into a sparkling Christmas grotto. Santa and his elves will be waiting to meet children, hear what’s on their Christmas lists and add a little festive magic to the day. Every child who books the Santa experience receives a Christmas gift to take home. The grotto is an optional add-on to a standard SEA LIFE visit and advance booking is essential as spaces are limited.
Dates: 28th November to 24th December 2026.
Website: National Sea Life Centre
National Sea Life Centre Christmas event Review: Plutonium Sox
Dog-Friendly Christmas Events in the West Midlands
Want to enjoy a Christmas day out without leaving your dog at home? There are a growing number of Christmas events across the West Midlands where dogs are welcome, including selected dog-friendly sessions at Christmas light trails and dedicated Santa Paws experiences.
I’ve put together a separate guide to dog-friendly Christmas events in the West Midlands region, where you’ll find the latest dog-friendly dates, restrictions and details of what your dog can actually take part in. Examples include:
- Santa Paws
- Santa runs
- Light trails
- Christmas Markets
I’ve visited a few dog friendly events myself and it’s really lovely being able to bring the dogs along to celebrate the season.
West Midlands Christmas Days Out FAQs
There are lots of family Christmas days out in the West Midlands, ranging from traditional Santa visits to Christmas light trails, festive shows and unusual experiences. Popular options include Christmas at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Santa experiences at local attractions, festive events at Dudley Canal & Caverns and Christmas activities at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham. The best choice will depend on the ages and interests of your children, so the guide above includes a variety of different Christmas experiences.
Families can see Santa at several attractions across the West Midlands in 2026. Options include traditional grottos as well as more unusual experiences, such as meeting Santa as part of a festive underground boat adventure at Dudley Canal & Caverns or combining a Santa visit with a trip to the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham. Check individual listings above for dates, booking information and details of what’s included.
Yes, there are usually several free Christmas events in the West Midlands, particularly Christmas markets, festive trails, town and city-centre celebrations and Christmas light switch-ons. Birmingham’s Christmas market is a popular option for a festive day out without paying an admission fee, although you’ll need to budget for food, drinks, rides and shopping. If you’re willing to travel a little bit further, I love Worcester Cathedral where there’s a gorgeous Christmas Tree Festival that is completely free to visit and really quite magical.
Where to stay nearby
If you’re thinking of combining a few of these fabulous days out this Christmas, you might want to stay nearby. Fortunately, the West Midlands has great public transport links, so wherever you decide to stay, it’s nice and easy to get around. Here are a few ideas.
