Best Christmas days out in Warwickshire 2026
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There are some fantastic Christmas events in Warwickshire for families in 2026, from Santa experiences and festive train rides to Christmas markets, light trails and traditional days out. This guide brings together the best Christmas days out in Warwickshire, including Christmas at Warwick Castle, Santa trains on the Battlefield Line, Hatton Adventure World’s Enchanted Christmas Kingdom and Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market. There are festive activities both with and without Father Christmas, so you can jump straight to each event using the contents below. Advance booking is recommended for most attractions, particularly the most popular Santa experiences.
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 Warwickshire 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, which includes Warwickshire.
Battlefield Line – Santa Trains
Book a table or compartment for a train ride with a difference onboard the Battlefield Line this Christmas. Santa will be joining you on board! This sold out last year so they advise booking early. Choose between the following options:
Bronze
Sit at a table for four in an open plan coach. Adults will receive a mince pie and children receive a packet of sweets. Santa visits each table with small gifts for the children.
Silver
Sit in a private compartment in a group of up to eight people. Adults receive wine and a mince pie on board, while children are given a drink of juice and some sweets. Santa will visit each compartment during the journey with a great present for all the children.
Gold
The flagship Battlefield Line experience sees passengers arriving in their private compartment to find a festive hamper from the elves. Wine, festive goodies, soft drinks, mince pies, biscuits, crisps, satsumas and chocolates are all available, along with alternatives to suit dietary requirements as long as you let them know when booking. Santa visits each compartment, chats to the children and gives them a lovely present.
Dates: 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 23rd and 24th December 2026.
Website: The Battlefield Line
Review: Tripadvisor
Children’s Play Village Warwickshire Christmas 2026
The Children’s Play Village in Warwick is transformed for Christmas, with its immersive role-play village decorated for the festive season. The main Christmas with Santa experience lasts 2.5 hours and combines imaginative play with Christmas games, music, activities and entertainment, as well as a special appearance from Father Christmas and a gift for every child. There are other festive options too: Mid-Week Christmas sessions are aimed particularly at younger children, with festive play, games, music and activities led by the Village Elf but no Father Christmas visit or gift. Between Christmas and New Year, The Singing Princess sessions keep the celebrations going with imaginative play, live singing, dancing and interactive entertainment. All Christmas visits need to be booked in advance.
Dates: 4th to 6th, 11th to 13th and 18th to 24th December 2026.
Website: Children’s Play Village
Review: Tripadvisor
Coombe Abbey – Luminate Live Christmas 2026
Luminate Live is a festive light trail that takes place in various different venues. The breath-taking, illuminated trail through Coombe Abbey Park will be back to delight and enthral visitors for Christmas 2026. It features gorgeous lighting elements and amazing light play set to ambient music. A magical experience for all ages. The light trail has been updated for 2026 with fresh artistic designs. If you’d love to take your dog, check the booking page for dog-friendly nights.
Dates: 28th November 2026 to 1st January 2027.
Website: Luminate Live
Review: Coventry Live
Enchanted Tea Room – Grinchmas 2026
The original Grinch film was released 25 years ago this year and the Enchanted Tea Rooms are celebrating! Journey to Whoville for songs, dances, mischievous magic and a unique Grinchmas afternoon tea. The themed menu features savoury and sweet treats, drinks and plenty of festive green treats to celebrate everyone’s favourite Christmas movie. While you eat, you can enjoy a Christmas show with the Grinch and his friends. There’s also a Christmas grotto with a difference – visitors will be able to step into the Grinch’s grotto to receive either a naughty or nice gift. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available. They highly recommend booking early because their events sell out quickly every year.
Dates: 11th to 24th December 2026
Website: Enchanted Tea Room
Review: Tripadvisor
Hatton Adventure World Warwickshire – Enchanted Christmas Kingdom 2026
Tickets are now on sale for Hatton’s Enchanted Christmas Kingdom 2026. There are lots of activities and seasonal treats to make sure everyone enjoys the festive magic. Including:
- Meet Father Christmas in his grotto via the land of the elves
- Animal handling
- Falconry displays
- Farmyard favourites
- Outdoor paddocks
- 3D glowing forest
- Create-a-bear and Father Christmas’ toy shop
- Mr Holly’s Magic Key Show
- Wishing Tree
- Make Reindeer Food
- North Pole Post Office
- Gingerbread Factory
- Funfair
- Superslide Mania
- Festive food and drink
Dates: 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 19th to 24th December 2026.
Website: Hatton Adventure World
Review: Stratford Blog
Kenilworth Castle Warwickshire Festive Fun and Father Christmas 2026
Kenilworth Castle gets into the Christmas spirit with Festive Fun, giving families the chance to explore the historic castle and Elizabethan Garden with a seasonal twist. Visitors can enjoy festive activities as part of a Christmas day out at the castle, making this a good option for families who want something a little different from a traditional grotto experience.
For an extra-special visit, children can also book to meet Father Christmas. He’ll share some of his favourite festive stories in a group storytelling session before children get the chance to meet him, take photographs and receive a traditional Christmas present. Father Christmas sessions need to be booked in advance and are separate from general castle admission for non-members.
Dates: Weekends from 5th to 20th December 2026.
Website: Kenilworth Castle
Review: I can’t find a review of the Christmas experience but you can read our review of a dog friendly family day out at Kenilworth Castle.
Stratford Upon Avon – Victorian Christmas Market 2026
There are no details about the format this year’s Christmas Market will take, but the website does confirm that it will be taking place again and the dates are listed below. However, the website tends to update closer to the time with useful details for people planning to attend. In previous years, there have been around 200 stalls set up in the town, along with entertainment in the form of street performers.
Dates: 28th and 29th November and 5th and 6th December 2026.
Website: Stratford Christmas Markets
Review: Coventry Live
Warwick Castle, Warwickshire – Christmas at the Castle and Illuminated Light Trail 2026
Choose to visit Warwick Castle during the day or the evening this Christmas. Christmas at the Castle is the daytime experience with extra attractions that can be added to your day. Alternatively, visit the illuminated light trail after dark to see the castle from a different perspective.
Christmas at the Castle
Enjoy dazzling decorations, twinkly trees and festive flourishes throughout the castle. When attending Christmas at the Castle, visitors can also book stories with Santa and Mrs Claus. Listen to them telling you beautiful stories of joy and home that will inspire you for the festive season ahead. To complete your experience, book your slot to glide around the open-air ice rink in the castle grounds.
Light Trail
Visit the Castle after dark to stroll around the grounds looking at the illuminated light trail. The experience takes around 45 minutes and is a stand-alone visit. You can book tickets for both Christmas at the Castle and the illuminated light trail consecutively to combine the two.
Dates: 21st November 2026 to 3rd January 2027.
Website: Warwick Castle
Review: Plutonium Sox
Dog Friendly Christmas Events In And Around Warwickshire
Want to take your dog with you to a Christmassy event? Have a look at my guide to dog-friendly Christmas events in the West Midlands region, which includes Warwickshire and lists festive events where dogs are welcome. Luminate Live is the only one in this guide that specifies dog friendly event dates. However, I’ve been to Kenilworth Castle with my dogs before and it’s definitely dog friendly in general terms. The website doesn’t specify whether the Christmas events are dog friendly or not, so I would assume that their usual rules in relation to dogs apply. The usual rule is that dogs on leads are allowed.
