Christmas Activities for Families in Milton Keynes 2023 (including where to see Santa)
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This Christmas there are literally tons of activities and events in Milton Keynes for you to visit with your family.
From visiting Santa’s Grotto, having breakfast with the man himself, Christmas lights being turned on, kids parties - the list goes on! Lots of these sell out really quickly but there are always options if you’ve missed out on the popular events!
Santa Visits
There are SO many places to see Santa around MK. The most popular ones sell out far in advance so don’t hang around!
Centre MK - Santa’s Grotto with The Snowman.
Price - Child £16.50 Adults & Babies £5.50.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join us on a magical journey to the North Pole this festive season as we welcome ‘The SnowmanTM’ Christmas experience to the centre!
This nostalgic adventure begins with an exciting and heart-warming, live interpretation of ‘The SnowmanTM’, brought to life by actors portraying the well-loved characters from the original story!
Dobbies Garden Centre - Belvedere Lane.
Price - £11.99
’Take in the atmosphere as you walk through our enchanting forest. An elf will guide you to find our Little Seedlings characters along the way before arriving in our wildlife forest clearing where the little ones will make a special item to take home. Your experience will then continue with a chance to meet Santa Claus - children are encouraged to share their excitement, wishes and stories before receiving their gift’
Cherry Tree Garden Centre - Roman Way.
Price - £9.99.
Wander through a Christmas world to arrive at Santa’s Grotto! Meet Father Christmas for a charming chat and receive a special gift. A magical experience for the whole family to enjoy, sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands.
Prices - 1 Child & 1 Adult = £30, 2 Children & 2 Adults = £53.50, 3 Children & 2 Adults = £72, 4 Children & 2 Adults = £90.50.
A VERY popular Santa experience in MK so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment! They also have three exclusive SEN sessions on the 19th & 26th November and 3rd December.
Gulliver’s
Price - From £22pp
Selected Christmas rides and attractions 10:30am - 4.30pm. Explore the winter wonderland and see Santa in his Grotto! Children choose their own gift from the Elf Workshop! Enjoy Gully's Christmas show. More Gulliver’s events below in Breakfast with Santa.
Mead Open Farm - The Magic Of Christmas.
Prices start from £36 per child (cheaper for adult)
This is more than just a Santa visit! Make it through the Naughty and Nice detector, tree trimming show, decorate gingerbread, explore the magical Christmas tree forest and much more!
Milton Keynes Museum
Price - £12 per child (plus a museum ticket from £10)
Father Christmas has specifically asked to set up his grotto at the Museum so that he can meet as many of Milton Keynes’ good boys and girls as possible! He will meet families in his temporary workshop for three weekends in December (1- 17 December).
Help Mrs Christmas make some special reindeer snacks for your little ones to leave out on Christmas Eve and participate in some Christmas craft activities with the elves before meeting the big man himself and receiving a special gift.
Please note: The cost of the Santa visit covers entry to the grotto and a gift from Father Christmas. You must also purchase Museum tickets in advance or present your re-entry ticket on the day. All tickets to the Museum are converted to annual passes so you pay once and can visit for free all year!
Bletchley Park
Price - £11 per child (plus price of admission)
To celebrate the festive season here at Bletchley Park, we welcome children and their families to visit our unique Vintage Christmas Grotto to meet Father Christmas! Children will have a magical meeting with Father Christmas in our beautifully decorated Mansion, where they’ll receive a lovely Christmas gift to take home.
The Relaxed Vintage Christmas Grotto, for families with additional needs, will be open between 10:00 and 15:30 on 2nd December.
Thrift Farm
Price - from £24.50 per child. £16.50 per adult. Includes access to the farm park.
With a sprinkle of festive magic, discover Thrift Farm's BIGGEST family Christmas experience ever! Your visit includes a story with Father Christmas, a cuddly bear, tree decoration making, writing a letter to Father Christmas and reindeer hoopla, woodland walkthrough and magical reindeer food mixing.
Age Uk Craft Fayre & Grotto
There is not currently any information about the 2023 Craft and Grotto at the time of writing this.
I will update it when I know more. Please keep an eye on their Facebook Page for more info.
Christmas at Curly Tails
Price - £15pp
See Santa in his Grotto and everyone (including adults) receive a gift. Visit the pigs, feed and pet them over the fences.
Breakfast With Santa
KiKis Cafe - Breakfast with Santa & His Elf. Wednesday 20th December - 8:30am
Price - £19.95 for 1x adult and 1x Child.
Dobbies Garden Centre - Belvedere Lane.
Prices (start from) Children - £13.99 Adults- £8.60
You'll start with a delicious breakfast before your little ones take part in fun festive games and activities, decorate their own elf mask to take home, and then, of course, they'll sit down with Santa before receiving a special gift.
This event is suited to families with children aged 3-10 years old. Children under 3 can still take part in some activities with the support of an adult. To relax and fully enjoy the experience, families will be seated and served at their own table.’
Cherry Tree Garden Centre - Roman Way.
Price - £13.99
’Join us for a freshly prepared breakfast, with Santa and his elves! Expect a fun-filled morning including balloon modeling and magic, a meeting with Santa, and a special present.’
Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands.
Price - £25.50 1x child & 1x adult
A Christmas Afternoon Tea with Princess Beauty. Book early as this will be popular!
Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands.
Price - £25 per child, £28 per adult
Join Beauty for a magical afternoon tea full of singing, dancing, and whimsical games. Your little ones will enjoy their very own delicious afternoon tea delights, whilst the grown ups indulge in an afternoon tea fit for royalty. All children will receive a special Christmas present from the princesses.
Gulliver’s
Price - From £30
Gulliver’s has two options - Cracker & Festive Breakfast. One is a breakfast and the other is a light festive meal. Both include rides, seeing Santa in his grotto, an elf workshop and a show.
The Three Trees - Bletchley - Saturday 2nd December, 10-11am
Price - £12.95pp
Make your little one’s Christmas... one to remember with our magical “Breakfast with Santa’ Experience.
This experience will be perfect for the whole family and will be held inside the main restaurant. Every child will receive a special festive breakfast, festive drink, a visit from Santa and even a little gift!
Christmas Lights Switch On
18th November 2023
MyMiltonKeynes Christmas Light Switch On - Central Milton Keynes
There will be lots of festive fun, dance and singing performances, a visit from Santa plus lasers, fireworks and more!
25th November 2023
Newport Pagnell - Stalls open at 10am with the lights turning on at 5pm.
2nd December 2023
Stony Stratford - A whole programme of events from 12:15pm to the lights turn on at 5pm. The lantern procession leaves York House Centre at 4:15.
Christmas/Winter Events & Family Parties
Panto
Cinderella - MK Theatre. 9th Dec - 14th Jan.
The Fairy Godmother or all Pantos!
Snow White - Stantonbury Theatre. 18th - 30th Dec
Will Snow White be freed from her unconscious state by the handsome Prince? Or will she be forever fated to her deep sleep?....
Jack and the Beanstalk - The Venue MK. 22nd Dec - 7th Jan
The award winning Dreams ‘n’ Wishes team return with the giant helping of Fee Fi Fo FUN!
Panto on Queensway - 2nd Dec.
Pantomime live on Queensway for the first time ever.
Planet Ice Show & Skate - Wizard of Oz! - An amateur performance from local skaters supported by their Professional on Tour cast. 6th - Skaters from Hemel Hempstead. 7th - Skaters from Milton Keynes.
"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
This show features amateur local skaters who have learnt their craft through Planet Ice's Learn To Skate programme, giving the skaters a real moment to remember under the spotlight.
Ho!Ho!Ho! - IKEA. I can’t see anything about an IKEA Panto this year but I will update this if anything is announced.
Christmas with your dog!
Doggy Christmas Market - Newton Longville.
I can’t find any information for 2023 yet but I will update if anything gets announced.
Cherry Tree Garden Centre - Roman Way. Santa Paws doggy Grotto experience! Wednesday 13th December - 10am - 3:30pm
Price - £7.99.
Come and enjoy our delightfully festive doggy grotto experience! Your pooch will receive some festive fuss from Father Christmas as well as a special Christmas present.
Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands. A Santa experience for your pup!
Price - £11.99 per one adult and owner. Extra Adults £2.50
Parties, Carols, Fayres and more!
Alpaca Evolution Christmas Fayre - November 18th & 19th. 10am - 4pm. Fair Winter Farm, MK17 0RB. A Christmas Fayre….but with Alpacas! Free entry!
Carols at the Cathedral - 10th December - Tree Cathedral MK.
Price - Free.
This free festive event will commence at 3.30pm with a procession starting at the Willen Lake car park, following a lantern lit trail led by Parks Trust elves, you’ll make your way along the redways to the main event at the Tree Cathedral. Beautifully lit and bursting with Christmas spirit, the open-air caroling service will be held between 3:45pm and 5:30pm and is suitable for all ages.
We went to this in 2022 and it snowed! It was very magical.
Taking your family to Christmas events is one of the best parts of the festive season. It’s where memories are made and there are always lots of photo opportunities for your family albums (yes you should be printing your phone pictures!).
If you think I’ve missed anything off this list, just drop me a message and I’ll add it in.
Hi, I’m Becki - a newborn & baby photographer based in Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes.
I specialise in photographing babies under 1 years old and create a relaxed, fun environment for you and your family to have a great photo shoot with images you’ll treasure forever.
