Best Christmas days out in Staffordshire 2026
Post contains some affiliate links from trusted partners.
There are loads of things to do in Staffordshire this Christmas! This is a comprehensive list of the best Christmas days out in Staffordshire 2026. 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.
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 Staffordshire area only. If you are looking for Christmas days out in nearby counties, please see below:
Alton Towers Staffordshire Christmas 2026
The Alton Towers resort is open for Santa Sleepovers this Christmas but they don’t appear to have anything on for people who don’t want to stay in the resort overnight. The Santa Sleepover includes a visit to Santa’s grotto and a gift. Family rides and attractions including CBeebies Land are open in the theme park and the Water park is open too. This year, there’s an Alton Towers Panto as well as an evening meal and festive entertainment.
Dates: 27th November to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Alton Towers
Review: Mini Travellers
Amerton Railway – Santa Specials 2026
It’s all aboard the steam train from Amerton Station to Toyland, where you’ll meet Santa who has a gift for all the children. They will also be given a goody bag to enjoy as you travel through the Staffordshire countryside. Guests book the whole compartment, rather than individual seats. Money raised goes to the heritage trains charity that maintains the engines. Passengers are on the train for around 25 minutes. Remember to wrap up warm for this one, some carriages are open on one side.
*Bookings open on 1st September 2026*
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Amerton Railway.
Review: Tripadvisor
Biddulph Grange National Trust Staffordshire
Not yet announced for 2026 – the below information is about last year’s experience for information only.
Biddulph Grange Garden will be festively lit for after-hours exploration this Christmas. Soak up the seasonal atmosphere as you stroll around looking at the beautiful lights. Tickets include a voucher for a hot drink in the tea room.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Biddulph Grange
Review: Tripadvisor
Churnet Valley Railway – Polar Express
Now open for bookings!
Churnet Valley Railway will be hosting the Polar Express train ride again in 2026. 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.
Dates: 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 20th to 22nd and 27th to 29th November and 4th to 6th and 11th to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Churnet Valley Railway
Review: Tripadvisor.
Dobbies Staffordshire – Breakfast with Santa
As always, 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
Drayton Manor Staffordshire – Christmas Wonderland 2026
Falling snow, beautiful decorations and a 35 foot tall Christmas tree bring the festive spirit to Drayton Manor. This year, there are some brand new festive themed shows and attractions. Thomas Land rides are open and visitors can see more than 500 animals in the Drayton Manor zoo. Look out for daily snowfall too! Some attractions incur an additional cost, you can book and pay for the attractions you want to visit online.
Attractions include:
- Festive light train
- Enchanted Christmas grotto: Includes children’s entertainment, a Santa meet & greet and a small gift
- Accessible grotto: With more time and a calmer atmosphere for those who need it
- Rusty & Dusty’s hot chocolate factory: Make your own perfect cup of ohot chocolate with marshmallows and treats.
- Aladdin: A new pantomime for 2026.
- Christmas stay and play: An overnight stay in the Drayton Manor Hotel including a bedtime story with Frosty the Elf and breakfast with Sir Topham Hatt and friends.
Magical Christmas dates: 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 18th to 24th December 2026.
Website: Drayton Manor
Review: Plutonium Sox
Georgie’s Canal Cruises
There are various Festive canal cruises here and they all look lovely. However, I do struggle a little bit to find information about them on their website. I’ve linked to the canal trip guides page, and from here you can browse all the cruises they have available and click through to each one. It doesn’t really give loads of information about them or say what you get to eat or whether Father Christmas will be on board, but you can see the dates and prices and book. The options are listed below:
- Festive afternoon tea cruise: 2 hours long. Dates: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 19th December 2026.
- Grinch afternoon tea cruise: 2 hours long. Dates: 5th and 19th December 2026.
- Festive 2-course special cruise: 2 hours long. Dates: 11th, 12th and 17th to 19th December 2026.
- Breakfast with Santa cruise: 2 hours long. Dates: 13th and 20th to 22nd December 2026.
- Mini afternoon tea with Santa: 2 hours long. Dates: 20th to 22nd December 2026.
Website: Georgie’s Canal Cruises
Review: Tripadvisor
Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Not yet announced for Christmas 2026 – I’m not sure if a Christmas event happened last year so I’ve removed event information from the previous year, but will check the website and update here if they do announce something festive.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
Review: Plutonium Sox (this is a review of a family visit to Kinver Edge, not the Christmas event).
Lower Drayton Farm
Jingle Ville is a magical Christmas extravaganza set in the Lower Drayton Winter Wonder Farm, a place of seasonal joy where families can make memories. Give children’s names when booking the experience for some extra festive magic. A Jingle Ville ticket includes play admission.
Dates: Not yet announced for the general public, but member booking is now available.
Website: Lower Drayton Farm
Review: Amazing Adventures Blog
National Forest Adventure Farm
Tickets now on sale.
This year at the National Forest Adventure Farm, they’ve made some changes to their Christmas experience to enhance the magic. Each family will be welcomed into an intimate festive adventure, with smaller groups making the whole experience feel personal and unhurried. The journey begins with the much-loved personalised talking polar bear, and this year there’s double the wonder. Every child will also share a special one-to-one moment with Father Christmas himself, making memories that will last long after the tinsel is packed away.
Wander through a Victorian Village that’s been given an enchanting makeover, then take your time exploring the rest of the farm at your own pace. Catch a brand-new interactive Christmas show on the main stage, and let little ones get hands-on with festive crafts in the courtyard, hosted by Santa’s elves. It’s a full day of Christmas spirit, designed to feel magical, relaxed, and completely unforgettable.
Dates: 28th and 29th November and 5th, 6th, 11th to 13th, 19th to 24th December 2026.
Website: National Forest Adventure Farm
Review: The Ladybirds’ adventures
National Memorial Arboretum – Illuminated Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum will come to light after dark this December, with festive lights, colour and sound along the 1.5 mile woodland trail. Explore the beautiful display and enjoy a takeaway and a hot drink from the restaurant.
Dates: 4th to 6th, 8th to 13th, 15th to 22nd December 2026.
Website: National Memorial Arboretum
Review: Tripadvisor
Regent Theatre – Snow White
Look out for fabulous sets, stunning special effects, impressive costumes and plenty of humour at Regent Theatre in Stoke-On-Trent. It’s panto time, so join Snow White and the magic mirror on the wall. Muddles, played by Jonathan Wilkes, helps Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to outwit the wicked queen so love can prevail.
Dates: 11th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027.
Website: ATG
Review: Stoke on Trent Live – a review of a previous production as this year’s has not yet started.
Snowdome, Tamworth – Santa’s Winter Wonderland 2026
Expect real animals, real snow and a delightful theatre show. Visitors can explore the real snow trail with slides, an enchanted forest and snow tubes for sledging down ramps. Animals are waiting to meet you beside Santa’s House in the Christmas village. Look out for the traditional carousel and don’t forget to post your letter to Santa in his talking post box.
Winter Wonderland dates: 21st and 22nd and 27th to 30th November, 1st to 24th and 26th to 31st December 2026 and 1st to 3rd January 2027.
Website: SnowDome
Review: Plutonium Sox
Statfold Railway – Magical Santa Express
Now open for bookings
Board the Magical Santa Express at Statfold this Christmas and enjoy a festive family day out. Start out at the North Pole Post Office for children to write a letter to Santa. His elves are on hand to help little ones with their writing. Then, put the letter into a magical post box before boarding the festively lit train and heading off to see Father Christmas himself. Help Mrs Claus decorate sweet treats, make a batch of reindeer food and visit Santa’s toyshop to choose a gift. Festive food is available to buy and Santa’s singing reindeer is at the Oak Tree Halt platform. Earlybird tickets are on sale now.
Dates: 27th November to 23rd 2026.
Website: Statfold
Review: Tripadvisor – you can also read our review of a family day out at Statfold at a different time of year.
Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire
A variety of events take place on individual dates at Trentham Gardens at Christmas. Only one has been announced so far, but it’s worth checking their website to see what else is happening.
Trentham Christmas Street Party
There’s a street party at the Shopping village and Christmas has arrived! There will be plenty of discounts and festive treats on offer. There’s live music for the whole family, along with other Christmas surprises.
Dates: 12th November 2026.
Website: Trentham.
Meet Father Christmas
Father Christmas and his elf will be at the Trentham North Pole grotto this year. Children can have a photo on the sleigh and explore an igloo while they wait. After the meet and greet, children will receive a soft toy and some reindeer food.
Website: Trentham Gardens
Winter Light trail
With over a mile of displays, soundscapes and interactive installations, this is a lovely evening out for families. At the end of the trail is a bar and local food vendors in mini chalets. There’s also a funfair and amusements.
Dates: 20th November to 3rd January 2027
Website: Trentham Gardens
Review: Birmingham Mail
Thank you for sharing this! Churnet Valley and Trentham gardens are on our Christmas visit list for 2025.