Best Christmas days out in Shropshire 2026
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If you’re looking for things to do in Shropshire this Christmas, there are plenty of festive days out and events to choose from. I’ve rounded up the best Christmas days out in Shropshire for 2026, including places to see Father Christmas, festive train rides, pantomimes, Christmas shows and other seasonal family activities.
You can jump straight to each event using the links in the contents below. I’ll keep this guide updated as more Shropshire Christmas events are announced, so do check back for the latest information. Advance booking is recommended for many of the events, particularly popular Santa experiences.
Christmas days out can be expensive, but there are sometimes discounts available. Check out my discount deals on attractions and days out information post. I update it regularly, so keep a look out for reductions relating to Christmas events.
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
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: 27th November to 24th December 2026.
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
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: 6th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd December 2026.
Santa’s Breakfast
The whole family can enjoy a tasty breakfast at the Dobbies café 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: 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 19th to 24th December 2026.
Santa’s Grotto
Embark on a magical journey to meet Santa. Walk through the magical North Pole Village, make a wish on the enchanted well and enter the magic door to the North Pole. Lots of children’s activities are available in the grotto shops and families will enjoy some time with Santa before the children receive a collectable penguin soft toy. Photos can be purchased in advance online at a lower price than on the day.
Dates: 22nd November and 5th, 6th, 11th to 15th and 18th to 24th December 2026.
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: 4th and 8th December 2026.
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
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: 27th to 29th November and 3rd to 6th and 9th to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Hawkstone Park Follies
Review: Tripadvisor.
Ludlow Assembly Rooms Pantomime 2026
Ludwig Theatre Arts are back at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms with their production of Sleeping Beauty. This classic panto will be brought to life with upbeat music, hilarious comedy, audience participation and glittering costumes. Princess Aurora has been cursed by wicked Carabosse, and it’s time to see if true love’s kiss can break the spell.
Dates: 8th December 2026 to 2nd January 2027.
Tickets: Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Review: Plutonium Sox review of Snow White and the Severn Dwarfs at Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Park Hall Farm – The Santa Experience
The Santa Experience at Park Hall Farm near Oswestry combines a traditional visit to Father Christmas with a full day at the farm. Children can meet Santa and his elves and receive a gift, as well as enjoying a festive Christmas show, Tree Trimming Training, featuring songs, silliness and plenty of audience participation. Tickets also include access to the rest of Park Hall Farm, including the animals, tractor rides, indoor and outdoor play areas, soft play, role-play village and science illusion zone, making this a full Christmas day out rather than just a Santa visit.
Dates: 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 19th to 24th December 2026.
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. We went multiple times when my girls were little and if I’m honest I’d quite like to take them again now they’re teenagers. They’d probably still be up for it as well, even now we have to watch the film every year. 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 2026
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
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 a one-off after dark event for one night only.
An evening in Winter Wonderland
Experience Wonderland after dark with a personal visit to Santa in the Winter Village and a wrapped gift for every child. Visit Mrs Claus to make a Christmas wish, enjoy five rides and the Christmas maze and pose for a photo with Elsa and Anna. There are festive activities and gingerbread icing, as well as a Christmas light walk through Wonderland’s 11-acre woodland. Look out for the Grinch and enjoy live music from a Christmas band before the evening ends with a festive firework display.
Date: 18 December 2026.
Daytime event
The daytime Winter Wonderland experience includes a personal visit to Santa in the Winter Village, with a wrapped gift for every child. Visit Mrs Claus, enjoy five rides and the Christmas maze and pose for a photo with Elsa and Anna. There’s real snow, Christmas biscuit icing and other festive activities, as well as Grinch shows and a Grinch tea party. Families can also explore 11 acres of Christmas-themed woodland, take part in a scavenger hunt and meet the Grinch. Your booked time slot is for Santa rather than entry to the park, so Wonderland recommends arriving early to make the most of everything else included.
Dates: 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 19th to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Wonderland.
Review: Tripadvisor.
Dog Friendly Christmas Events in Shropshire
There aren’t many Christmas events in Shropshire that specifically welcome dogs, but there are a couple of options if you want your four-legged family member to join in with the festivities:
- Dobbies Shrewsbury: Runs Santa Paws sessions where dogs can meet Father Christmas and receive their own gift, and children can book to meet Santa at the same time too.
- Blists Hill Victorian Town: Normally dog friendly, although its Christmas 2026 events haven’t yet been announced. I’ll update this section when more information becomes available.
For more festive days out with your dog across the wider region, take a look at my guide to dog friendly Christmas events in the West Midlands which includes both Shropshire and the surrounding areas.
More things to do in Shropshire
There’s plenty to do in Shropshire at any time of year, from historic attractions and museums to beautiful outdoor spaces. Take a look at my guides to:
- Family days out in the West Midlands: Includes more Shropshire attractions as well as other places in the wider area
- Dog friendly days out in the West Midlands: Find places where four-legged family members can come along.
