Things to do between Christmas and new year Cheshire 2025
Here you’ll find ideas for things to do between Christmas and new year Cheshire 2025. There are pantos to attend, free Christmas trails and more. This post is part of a series on Christmas Events North West.
I’ve done my best to add the details of all these events accurately and keep them up to date but I strongly advise you to click through and check on the organiser’s website to ensure the dates and times have not changed. Many of these events require pre-booking so I’d recommend you do that as soon as you decide you want to in order to avoid disappointment.
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Go to a Christmas light trail
Lanterns and light at Chester Zoo – tickets for 2025 on sale now
When: open 27th – 31st December 2025 (and 1st – 3rd January 2026)
Where: Chester Zoo, Chester
Cost: Adults £19–26, Children £12–19
Summary: A spectacular light trail through themed lands with animal lanterns, glowing tunnels, festive food markets, and Father Christmas.
Find out more and book your tickets here – Lanterns and Light | Chester zoo
Land of lights presents Wonderwild, Gulliver’s world Warrington – book now for 2025
When: open 28th – 30th November and then 1st – 31st Jan 2026 (selected dates)
Where: Gulliver’s World, Warrington
Cost: From £10,
Summary: Discover new lantern displays, glowing trails, and magical scenes lighting up the night this winter.
Find out more and book here – Land of Lights Lantern Festival – Warrington
Alice in the hidden garden, a winter light adventure at Bents – book now for 2025
When: open 27th – 30th December 2025 and 2nd & 3rd January 2026
Where: Bents, Warrington Road, Glazebury, WA3 5NT
Cost: Adult: From £18.95 to £23.95, Child: From £12.95 to £17.95, Child Under 2: free
Summary: Immersive light trail experience inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Journey through the Hidden Garden, transformed into a spellbinding landscape of glowing lights, theatrical installations, enchanting soundscapes and magical storytelling touches.
Book here – Alice in the Hidden Garden – A Winter Light Adventure
Take a trip to the theatre for a panto or other family show
Beauty and the Beast, Storyhouse Chester – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 28th, 30th & 31st December 2025 (2nd-4th January 2026)
Expect a magical adventure bursting with pop favourites, laughter, and unforgettable moments, all wrapped up in a heartwarming story for the whole family. With enchanting characters, spectacular surprises, and plenty of chances to cheer, sing, and dance along, this Christmas show is sure to leave you spellbound. Prepare for a roaring good time!
Book here – Beauty and The Beast | Storyhouse
Jack and the bean stalk, Crewe Lyceum – book now for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025 (and 3rd & 4th January 2026)
Come and see if Jack can defeat the giant, win the heart of the girl he loves and turn the Trotts’ fortunes around. Once again the Lyceum will have all the ingredients for a perfect family panto with a dastardly villain, a hapless comic and a hilarious panto dame, as well as fabulous musical numbers and bags of slapstick fun!
Book here – Book Jack and the Beanstalk tickets | Lyceum Theatre Crewe
Alice in winter Wonderland, The Grange Theatre, Northwich – book now for 2025
When: 26 – 31st December 2025 (2nd & 3rd January 2026)
With audience seating all around the stage, you’ll be closer than ever to the magic, whether you’re meeting the White Rabbit, dancing at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, or braving the Queen of Hearts!
Book here – Alice in Winter Wonderland | The Grange Theatre
Cinderella, The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn – book now for 2025
When – 11th December 2025 – 11th January 2026
It’s sure to have the usual spectacular scenery, dazzling costumes, hilarious jokes, singalong songs and fun for all the family. Starring Simon Grant from CBBC, Eurovision’s Nicki French and Brindley Panto Fave Matt Dallen. More great cast to be announced.
Book here – Cinderella
Other events running at Twixmas in Cheshire
The Christmas Mansion, Tatton Park, Book now for 2025
When: 27th, 28th, 30th & 31st December 2025
Where: Tatton Park, Knutsford
Cost: Adults £15, children £11 (under 2s free), vehicle entry also applies.
Summary: A magical journey through the Mansion’s lavish state rooms and servants quarters, decorated for Christmas. Seasonal music, twinkling lights, and beautiful decorations. Entertaining costumed characters. Theme has not been announced yet.
Book here – The Christmas Mansion
Jingle Birds, Grovesnor Museum – details for 2025
Where: Grovesnor museum, 27 Grosvenor Street, Chester, Cheshire
When: 30th December 2025
Cost: Free, drop in. Donations welcome.
Inspired by the song, ‘The 12 x days of Christmas’ – join us and make your own festive ‘Jingle Bird’
Full details here – 30th – Jingle Birds
Christmas tree festivals, Chester Cathedral – Details for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025 ( 1st – 3rd January 2026)
Where: Chester Cathedral, St Werburgh St
Cost: TBC, free on Sundays
Summary: Enjoy over 80 trees decorated in the theme of Christmas Around the World.
Book here – Christmas Tree Festival – Chester Cathedral
Pete Waterman’s Making Tracks For Christmas, Blakemere Village – 2025 details
When: 13th December 2025 – 4th January 2026
Where: Blakemere Village, Chester Rd, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2EB
Remember a magical childhood Christmas when you woke to find Santa had left you a toy train set? This festive season, revisit those happy memories of yesteryear with our 64ft-long model railway installation. Includes interactive elements for children and adults and a few hidden surprises! It’s fun, educational, and awe-inspiring.
Tickets from £5, under 4’s free
Full details here – Pete Waterman’s Making Tracks For Christmas
Quarry Bank forth floor festive play – 2025 details
When: 27th November – 31st December 2025
Where: Quarry Bank, Styal
Cost: Admission charges apply. Free entry for members.
Summary: The popular indoor summer attraction has had a Christmas glow up, and is ready to welcome our younger visitors along with their grown-ups.
Here, your little ones can enjoy hours of fun in the soft play area, transform into a character from the dressing-up wardrobe, and take to the stage. Plus, they can create puppet shows and challenge themselves to a giant board game.
With festive crafts and games surrounded by the sparkle of Christmas, you’ll want to visit over and over again!
Full details here – Fourth floor festive play space | National Trust
Go ice skating
On ice Cheshire Oaks – Temporary Christmas ice rink – book now for 2025
When – 26th – 31st December (1st – 4th January 2026)
Where – Cheshire Oaks, Kinsey Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9JJ
45 minute sessions
Price for a family of 4 – £31
Full details here – On Ice Cheshire Oaks
Go for a walk
Elmer’s art parade, Macclesfield – 2025 details
When: until 9th January 2026
Where: Macclesfield town centre
Using David McKee’s popular children’s character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, the Parade is Macclesfield’s first-ever public art sculpture trail. The beautifully decorated colourful elephants curated by North West firm Wild In Art, will magically appear across the town centre and form a parade of 12, all waiting for visitors to discover.
This is an exciting trail for visitors of all ages to enjoy in spots such as the Grosvenor Centre, Macclesfield Library, The Silk Museum, Mill Street and 8 other locations.
Full details – Elmer’s art parade
Brereton Heath Nature reserve elf Hunt – details for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025 (until 4th January 2026)
Where: Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, Davenport Lane, Brereton, Congleton, CW12 4SU
Cost: Free
Summary: Can you find them all the elves and collect their names? Pick up a map from near the visitor centre and get searching around the park for the signs.
Full details here – Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Elf Hunt
Tegg’s nose country park elf hunt – details for 2025
When: 26th – 31st December 2025 (until 4th January 2026)
Where: The Nose Coffee, Tegg’s Nose Visitor Centre, Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP
Cost: 50p. Once you’ve completed the trail come back to The Nose Coffee for 50p off your drink order.
Summary: Use the map to find all the elf posters across the site and collect their names.
Full details here – Tegg’s Nose Country Park Elf Hunt
Stick man’s winter adventure trail at Delamere forest
When: Throughout December 2025
This brand-new festive trail invites you to team up with Stick Man and Santa as they deliver the final present. Along the way, enjoy lots of fun wintry activities whilst keeping a lookout for hidden letters to discover who the special gift is for!
Before you set off, be sure to pick up a Christmas trail pack for just £4, which includes everything you need to complete the trail. Inside you’ll find a leaflet, ‘magic’ reveal lens, pencil, festive stickers, and a wooden Stick Man keyring – the perfect keepsake to treasure your adventure.
Full details here – Stick man’s winter adventure trail at Delamere forest
Advent trail, John Leigh Park, Altrincham – 2025 details
When: 6th December to the New year.
One again they’ve teamed up with Altrincham Baptist Church and friends of John Leigh Park to give you an Advent Trail full of wonder.
Perfect for all ages this trail is a festive journey to explore and enjoy!
Full details here – Advent trail
Nativity trail, Stamford park with St George’s church, Altrincham – 2025 details
When: 6th December through to the New Year!
Follow the clues on their Nativity Trail, discover the missing word, and return to the café for a small prize!
Full details here – Nativity trail
Great family walks in Cheshire
If you’re specifically looking for somewhere to walk with a pushchair then I have a guide to Pram friendly walks Cheshirethat you will find useful.
Other favourites include:
Delamere forest Gruffalo trail
Risley Moss Nature reserve family walks (Warrington)
Marbury park to Anderton boat lift walk
Lyme park circular walk to the lantern
New Years Eve family events Cheshire
There are lots of events for families on new years eve too. Find it here – New Years Eve family events Cheshire.
Nearby things to do between Christmas and new year
Find loads of Things to do between Christmas and new year Manchester here.
Find loads of Things to do between Christmas and new year Liverpool here.
