Lantern magic at Chester Zoo - 4-23 Dec 2014

This Christmas sees the return of Chester Zoo's popular Lantern Magic experience between 4th-23rd December 2014.

Write your letter to Santa and get creative in the lantern workshop before experiencing the nocturnal sounds of the zoo after dark. Journey through an enchanted illuminated trail leading to a spectacular display of animal lanterns.

You can also make a Christmas wish and hang it on the giant wishing tree and say 'hello' to  Santa. The Fruit Bat Forest and the Elephant House will also be open.

There will be plenty of deliciously tasty treats plus enjoy a free winter warming drink.

Book your tickets at www.chesterzoo.org/christmas

Christmas Special Entry at Welsh Mountain Zoo 14th Dec - 5th Jan

According to the North Wales Tourism Website The Welsh Mountain Zoo is continuing its Christmas tradition of providing a special offer for everyone who is looking to escape the Christmas preparations - tickets to the zoo will be half price!

From Saturday 14th December until Sunday 5th January admission to the Zoo is half price. This means that entry is only £5.48 for adults, £4.13 for children and £4.85 for seniors. A family ticket for two adults and two children is just £17.28!

http://www.gonorthwales.co.uk/Colwyn-Bay-Christmas-Special-Entry/details/?dms=13&venue=0812702&feature=2

Visit: http://www.welshmountainzoo.org/ for more information on the zoo

Festive films at the flicks!

Here are the festive films for kids that have just been released:

Free Birds

An animated comedy about time travelling turkeys!

Frozen
is the latest magical and hilarious Disney extravaganza.

 

The fearless and adventurous Anna sets off on an epic journey - teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven - to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

 

• View Cineworld in Shrewsbury

Cineworld in Shrewsbury also has some special screening for juniors of:

• Despicable Me 2 on Sat 14th Dec
• Planes on Sat 14th Dec
• Muppets Christmas Carol on Sat 14th Dec

• View Odeon Wrexham Eagles Meadow

The Odeon in Wrexham Eagles Meadow also has some special screenings for kids of:

• Despicable Me 2 on Sat 14th and Sun 15th Dec am
• Nativity 2 on Sat 21st-Tue 24th Dec
• Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2 Fri 27th Dec-Thurs 2nd Jan

Wrexham Christmas Market and Santa's Grotto

Wrexham Christmas Market
will take place on Church Street and St Giles' Church on Thursday 12th December, 12 noon - 8pm.

70 stalls selling toys, candles, jewellery, books, cards, crafts, Christmas decorations, plants, pottery, local produce, freshly cooked welshcakes, mulled wine, hot chestnuts and more!


Santa's Grotto
Visit Father Christmas in the People's Market, Chester Street, Wrexham on

• Saturday 7th December, 12-4.30
• Monday - Friday, 11-4
• Saturday 10.30-4.30
• Christmas Eve 10.30-12 noon

The Plassey Festive Food and Gift Fair - 7-8th Dec, 10.30-4.30

The Plassey is holding a Festive Food and Gift Fair on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December 2013, 10.30am-4.30pm

• Meet Mr and Mrs Claus
• Festive Food Stalls
• Christmas Trees and Wreaths
• Kids Festive Crafts and Activities
• Horse and Carriage Rides
• Meet award winning masterchef of Great Britain Brian Mellor and owner of the Harthill Cookery School along with other local chefs who will be demonstrating and offering advice and tips during the weekend.
• Free parking and free entry

For more information visit; www.plassey.com

Christmas at Chirk Castle 7-22 December

Chirk Castle (National Trust) begins its Christmas at the castle, including Santa's grotto from 7th - 22nd December 2013.

This magnificent castle will have its halls well and truly decked and the kids will  visit Father Christmas's grotto and receive a special gift.  There's also a chance to take a look behind the scenes of Christmas with a visit to the elves' workshop. You can also visit the tearoom for to sample some delicious festive fare!

Open 11am-4pm (gates open at 10am and last admission time is 3.30pm)

National Trust members free
Adults £5.25
Children £2.63
Grotto £3.00 per child including a gift.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirkcastle or call 01691 777701

Christmas Live in Oswestry - Fri 6th December

Plans are now well underway for the annual Oswestry Christmas Live event to be held on Friday 6th December.

Christmas Music Live has grown into one of the largest Christmas celebrations in Shropshire and includes an assortment of entertainment including enormous fairground rides positioned throughout the town centre. The award winning Porthywaen Silver Band will be playing carols supported by various local choirs and musical groups. Street entertainers will be strolling around the town and performing throughout the evening. The synthetic ice rink will return to Festival Square where local schools have been invited to have lots of skating fun.

As well as being open for late night bargains, the Indoor Market will also be the home of Santa's Grotto where children are invited to meet Santa in aid of the Hope House Charity. To complete the celebrations there will be a massive firework display at Cae Glas Park at 9.00 pm.

There is plenty for everyone to enjoy so come along and take part in this spectacular night and help make Oswestry a special place.

Victorian Christmas at Blists Hill, Ironbridge

Experience the atmosphere of a bygone era and be treated to an array of traditional celebrations from the 1800s you can listen to stories of life more than 100 years ago and a chance to do some Christmas present shopping.

Blists Hill Victorian Town Christmas Weekends

Saturday 7th - Sunday 8th December
Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th December

Come along and experience the atmosphere of a bygone era and be treated to an array of traditional celebrations from the 1800s, you can listen to stories of life more than 100 years ago and have a chance to do some Christmas present shopping and...

• Father Christmas’ Reindeer
• Mr Morton’s Christmas Party
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Punch & Judy
• Brass Bands
• Carol Singers
• Father Christmas

Ticket Prices
Adults £15.95
60 Plus £12.50
Child £10.50
Family (2 adults and 2 children) £46.50

Tickets are not available in advance of the event.

A visit to see Father Christmas in his Grotto is an additional £3.50 per child and includes a traditional gift.

See more at: http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/plan-your-visit/events-and-exhibitions-calendar/victorian-christmas-2/view/2013-12-07#sthash.Ftg8BUJd.dpuf

Christmas at Powis Castle 30 Nov - 22 Dec

At weekends between 30 November and 22nd December the lower state rooms will be decked out in all the splendour of an Edwardian Christmas, 12.30 - 3.30pm.

Santa will be in his magical grotto between 1-3pm, £3 per child including a gift.

For more information visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle

Winter Wonderland at Chester Racecourse 21st Nov - 31st Dec

Chester Racecourse will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with ice rink and a traditional Christmas market selling loads of fab goodies.  Other attractions include fairground rides, festive foods and the chance for children to meet Santa and one of his reindeer.

Visit: www.winterwonderlandchester.co.uk for more information

Christmas on the Cambrian 8th, 15th, 22nd December 2013

Santa will be returning to make his annual visit to Cambrian Heritage Railways, and you can pay him a visit as part of the railway's Santa specials!

With plenty of festive food on offer and of course a special gift for the children, it's the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!  Santa special trains will be running from the Oswestry and Llynclys stations during December.

Santa trains will depart from both Oswestry and Llynclys Station on Saturday 8th, 15th and 22nd December.

Visit www.cambrianrailways.com to find out more, book early to avoid disappointment on 07527 107592

Christmas books for children ideas

If you are looking for a festive themed book for your little one you may find the links below useful:

Christmas books from Usborne Children's Books

Love Reading 4 Kids Christmas Books - choose the age category using the tabs, the default it 'Baby and Toddlers'

Amazon.co.uk Christmas Books for children - choose the age category using the tabs or the by age range filter on the left


Or if you don't want to buy, there's always free borrowing from your local public library!

Reminder: only a few days left to order your 'My Child's Art' merchandise

Just a reminder that if you want to order gifts, including Christmas cards, featuring your child's festive artwork from http://www.mychildsart.co.uk/, the cut-off date is 17th November 2013 for reduced items and free post and packing (because they are manufactured and delivered in bulk to the nursery).

If you haven't logged onto the site yet, we can reassure you that it is very easy, you just have to enter the details on the slip you will have received.

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre, 23rd & 24th November 2013

Celebrate the start of the Christmas season in the stunning Medieval setting of Ludlow Castle.

Over the weekend, explore over 100 stalls selling seasonal wares, food and drink, crafts, historical goods and more; it’s the ideal chance to find the perfect, original gift or indulge in a unique treat.
With a wide range of food and drink stalls to tickle your taste buds, grab a mulled wine, a spiced cider or head over to the local Beer Tent to whet your appetite for the full programme of entertainment.

From the bone-crunching Plantagenet Society knights and music from Glastonbury 2013’s The Armagh Rhymers to the bed of nails and fire juggling, there’s entertainment throughout the castle all weekend. And keep an eye open for the 10’ giants, Brother Sid and Punch!

For more information and to book tickets (under 5s free) visit: http://www.ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk/

The Snow Queen at St Mary's, Chester 5th Dec - 11th Jan

Following a hugely successful production of A Christmas Carol at the Town Hall last year, Theatre in the Quarter is making an eagerly anticipated return to Chester with a magical production of The Snow Queen.

Adapted from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, the show features original music by Matt Baker, wonderful storytelling along with digital media. You'll meet wild robbers, penguins, reindeer, princes, princesses, ravens and even a polar bear along the way!

The show will be at Chester's 'Hidden gem' - St Mary's on the Hill from 5th December to 11th January.

Visit http://www.chestercathedral.com/the-snow-queen.html

Christmas weekends at Erddig starting 23rd November

Come and experience a traditional Victorian Christmas!

Enjoy live music and performances throughout the day, in the grounds be tempted with tasty wares and mulled wine from a variety of market stalls, explore the house decorated for the Christmas festivities and you may even discover the elves bedroom!

Don't miss Santa who will waves to the crowds in the Midden Yard at 12 noon each day.

Visit Santa's Grotto

 

Please note that due to the over-whelming popularity of the Erddig grotto, there is a new pre-booking system. Tickets are £5 per child (includes a gift) and can be booked online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig events or by calling 0844 246 1895.

Dates

• 23, 24 and 30 November
• 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 December

Open 10am to 4pm

All aboard the Santa Christmas Special!

A decorated steam train will transport you in style from Llangollen station to Carrog (renamed Lapland for the occasion).  Children will receive a special gift, while adults can enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie from Santa's little helpers.

Pre-booking is essential due to popularity.

Dates:

• 30th November
• 1st, 7-8th, 14-15th and 20-24th December

Visit www.llangollen-railway.co.uk for more information

Christmas Lantern Magic at Chester Zoo

We know Christmas is still a while away but tickets for this popular event are already selling fast!

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From the Chester Zoo Website:

Last Christmas many families the fell in love with Lantern Magic.

This year our unforgettable night time journey through the zoo will be even more magical, even more sparkly and even more fun.

You’ll try lantern making, meet our friendly festive characters, sample some of our deliciously tasty treats and can add your Christmas wish to our Giant Wishing Tree.

Then turn the corner and outside our magnificent manor house you’ll see our beautiful animal lanterns – with some ‘new arrivals’ made especially for this year’s event.

With the nocturnal sounds of the zoo, a little bit of festive cheer and a visit from Santa we’ll ensure that your family enjoy a Christmas treat that they won’t forget.

Availability is limited so hurry and book your tickets before it sells out.

Prices are from £9.99 for adults and £8.99 for children (3-15), under 3s free admission only.
Book for the preview evenings for a discount of up to 30%.

Dates available:

Thursday 12th December (Preview evening - up to 30% off)

Friday 13th December (Preview evening - up to 30% off)

Saturday 14th December

Sunday 15th December

Thursday 19th December

Friday 20th December

Saturday 21st December

Sunday 22nd December

Monday 23rd December

For more information or to book your tickets visit: http://www.chesterzoo.org/must-sees/christmas-lantern-magic?dm_i=Z5O,1UTQX,56YVSN,6NC82,1