Best Christmas days out in Shropshire 2026
There are loads of things to do in Shropshire this Christmas! This is a comprehensive list of the best Christmas days out in Shropshire.
They include places to see Santa and other festive activities both with and without Santa visits. You can jump straight to each event using the links in the table below.
Please do let me know if I’ve missed any brilliant days out off the list, I’d be happy to add them in. Advance booking is essential at all attractions unless otherwise stated.
This post covers the Shropshire area only. If you are looking for Christmas days out in nearby counties, please see below:
Alderford Lake Santa Experience
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only.
Embark on a magical adventure across the lake to learn the story of Santa and the elves. Set sail on an enchanted boat journey to Santa’s island. On arrival, elves will welcome you with a yummy smore to enjoy while you listen to the story of the beginning of their adventure.
Next, follow the wishing elf across her bridge to make a special Christmas wish that can only be heard by the enchanted stream beneath you. Then, it’s time to hurry to the elves’ toy workshop and help them to make millions of toys for the good boys and girls across the world this Christmas.
When the work is done, the elves will lead you to Santa’s grotto so you can tell him your Christmas wish as well. Don’t forget to make time for a visit to the Alderford Lake undercover ice rink while you’re there.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Alderford Lake
Review: Birmingham Mail
Blists Hill Victorian Town Shropshire
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only. However, Blists Hill is now owned by the National Trust, so the events for Christmas 2026 are likely to be different to previous years.
Victorian Christmas Weekends
The popular Victorian Christmas Weekends are back at Blists Hill for Christmas. The usual exhibits in the town will be decked with seasonal decorations and children can enjoy a Punch and Judy show. Head to Father Christmas’s grotto to meet the man himself and book your place at Elf School to learn from the best about being an elf. Visitors can also do candle dipping, make Victorian Christmas cards and shop for unique gifts in the town’s shops. Look out for reindeer and snow to give that extra touch of Christmas spirit. The town’s food outlets will be serving festive fare if you get hungry.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Ironbridge Gorge Museums.
Review: Birmingham Mail
Dobbies Shrewsbury – Santa Visits
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only.
Dobbies have a range of Santa visits that cater for everyone. You can choose between visiting Santa in his grotto or having breakfast with him, and even pick whether to invite your child or your dog – or both!
Santa Paws
It’s not fair that children get all the fun at Christmas when there are lots of good boys and girls waiting at home. If your dog has been good this year, treat them to a visit to Santa Paws. They’ll even receive a special gift. If your child and your pup want to meet Santa together, book a children’s ticket too and they can meet him together.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Santa’s Breakfast
The whole family can enjoy a tasty breakfast at the Dobbies cafe before children join in with Christmas activities, storytelling and stuffing their own festive cuddly toy to take home. Children will be able to sit down with Santa for a chat before receiving their gift from him. There’s an adults and a children’s menu for breakfast including a vegetarian option for each.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Santa’s Grotto
Embark on a magical journey to meet Santa. Walk through the enchanting forest with an elf as your guide. Look out for Little Seedlings characters as you go. When you arrive in the wildlife forest clearing, children can make something special to take home. Then, it’s time to meet Santa for a chat and he has a gift for the children too. Photos can be purchased in advance online at a lower price than on the day.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Santa’s Quiet Grotto
On a selected date, Dobbies offer Santa’s grotto visits for children with additional needs. These must be pre-booked in advance so there will be no queue on the day. A reduced number of families are able to attend in each time slot and there will be no music or twinkly lights. Parents can choose whether or not the child’s gift will be wrapped and Dobbies will email you a photo of the grotto in advance to help children to prepare for the experience.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Dobbies.
Review: Tripadvisor.
Exotic Zoo Telford
Full details of the Exotic Zoo Telford Christmas 2026 event haven’t yet been released, but there’s a poster on their website and it looks to be the same as last year, so I’ve left in last year’s event details. Dates HAVE been confirmed, as listed below.
This festive season, Exotic Zoo Telford invites visitors to step into a brand-new magical Christmas Village and Santa’s Grotto. Perfect for families looking to embrace the festive spirit. Plus, they’re now accepting bookings for the charming Breakfast with Santa, offering a heart-warming festive feast.
Dates: 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th December 2026.
Website: Exotic Zoo
Review: Tripadvisor
Hawkstone Park Follies
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only.
Embark on a magical journey in a 4 x 4 vehicle to visit Santa in his hillside grotto. Check in at Hawkstone Park Hotel and enjoy a warm festive drink. Then, it’s time to head off across the park in a Land Rover, go under the wishing arch and climb the steep hill to Santa’s cave network. Stroll around fairy-lit tunnels and caverns until you arrive at the grotto itself. All children will be greeted by Father Christmas and he has a gift for each of them.
Prices are per vehicle and each one can hold either 6 or 8 people. Choose between a daylight or a twilight safari. Pre-booking is essential.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Hawkstone Park Follies
Review: Tripadvisor.
Ludlow Assembly Rooms Pantomime 2026
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only.
Ludwig Theatre Arts are back at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms with their production of Aladdin. This classic panto will be brought to life with upbeat music, hilarious comedy, audience participation and glittering costumes. Aladdin will be joined by Widow Twankey and Jasmine to take you on a Christmas outing on a magic carpet.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Tickets: Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Review: Plutonium Sox review of Snow White and the Severn Dwarfs at Ludlow Assembly Rooms
- New Year’s Eve: Tickets for the New Year’s Eve performance includes an after show party with a bar and disco.
- Relaxed performance: Date not yet announced.
- Chilled performance: The show remains the same but rules in the auditorium are relaxed. Date not yet announced.
- BSL interpreted performance: Date not yet announced.
- Adult only performances: Date not yet announced.
Park Hall Farm – The Santa Experience
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only.
Park Hall Farm’s Santa Experience includes a day entry ticket to the farm. Meet all the animals and make the most of play areas both indoors and outside. Enjoy a tractor ride, soft play, a music room and science illusion zone before making festive family memories with a visit to Santa and the elves. Children will all receive a lovely gift to take home. There’s a panto-style Christmas show and festive drinks and treats for the whole family too.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Park Hall Farm.
Review: Tripadvisor.
Telford Steam Railway – The Polar Express
Tickets are now on sale and this one sells out FAST so book early to avoid disappointment.
The Telford Steam Railway Polar Express is one of the most magical Christmas experiences around. Board the train in your pyjamas at Froghall Station for a magical journey to the North Pole. Sing along with favourite characters from the film as they tell the story. Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate and a cookie from a dancing chef as you make your way towards the Northern Lights.
When you reach Santa’s village, he will climb aboard to give every passenger the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell from his sleigh. Back at the station, extend the fun with a snowball fight and find out if you’re on the naughty or nice list. The journey lasts around an hour and they recommend setting aside 2 hours for the full experience. Pre-booking is essential, this one does sell out every year.
Polar Express dates: 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th November and 4th to 6th, 9th to 13th, 16th to 18th and 21st to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Telford Steam Railway
Review: Plutonium Sox
Telford Theatre – Jack and the Beanstalk
Telford Theatre has announced that Jack and the Beanstalk will be their pantomime for the 2026-27 season, but they haven’t given any details about it at the time of writing. Dates of performances and link to the website are below.
Dates: 17th December 2026 to 2nd January 2027.
Adult only performance: 27th December 2026.
Relaxed performance: 28th December 2026.
Website: Telford Theatre.
Review: The Reviews Hub. Review of a previous year’s pantomime as this year’s hasn’t yet started.
Theatre Severn – Aladdin Pantomime
Dick Whittington
Writer Paul Hendy has teamed up with Theatre Severn again, and in 2026 they’re performing Aladdin. Expect family fun, hilarity and lavish sets. Fan favourites Brad Fitt and Tommy J are back by popular demand.
Dates: 27th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027.
BSL signed performance: 13th December 2026.
Relaxed performance: 18th December 2026.
Stagetext performance: 3rd January 2027.
Wonderland Telford – Christmas Wonderland
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only.
Both little ones and grown-ups can experience the magic of Winter Wonderland in Shropshire this Christmas. Two events take place this year, with one during the day and one after dark.
An evening in Winter Wonderland
Experience Wonderland after dark including a visit to Santa in the Winter village and a wrapped gift for every child. Make a wish with Mrs Claus and enjoy fairground rides and a festive maze. Meet real reindeer and offer them a carrot, pose with Anna and Elsa and enjoy a walk through the woodland lit by Christmas lights. Look out for circus acts, meet the Grinch and enjoy a festive firework display at the end of the evening.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Daytime event
Book a personal visit to see Santa and receive a gift in the Winter village. Be sure to arrive early so you can enjoy the rest of the park while you’re there. Chat to Mrs Claus, meet real reindeer and offer them a carrot. Enjoy fairground rides and a festive maze, pose with Anna and Elsa and look out for real snow. Activities include icing Christmas biscuits with familiar characters, exploring the themed woodland and meeting the Grinch.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Wonderland.
Review: Tripadvisor.
