Plan your perfect holiday in Wilmslow with our guide. Discover all the best festive events and activities. Whether you're a Wilmslow regular or a once-in-a-lifetime guest, this guide makes your holidays magical.
Popular events this Christmas season include the Chester Christmas Market, where you can peruse charming stalls filled with festive gifts and delicious treats. Christmas at Gulliver’s World offers an enchanting lineup of festive rides and attractions, perfect for family fun. And the Chester Zoo Lanterns is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a stunning display of illuminated sculptures across the zoo. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Wilmslow
- Chester Christmas Market (Chester)
- Christmas at Gulliver’s World (Warrington)
- Christmas at Bolesworth (Tattenhall)
- Chester Zoo Lanterns (Chester)
- Dunham Massey Winter Trail (Altrincham)
- Tatton Park Gardens Christmas (Knutsford)
- Journey to Oz at Tatton Park (Knutsford)
- Castaway Play Christmas Alpine Retreat (Congleton)
- The Ice Cream Farm Christmas Events (Chester)
- BeWILDerwood presents Christmas
See these and even more events listed below!
Wilmslow Holiday Light Displays
Chester Zoo Lanterns
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with interactive animal puppets.
Description:
Chester Zoo Lanterns features an illuminated trail with spectacular scenes, vibrant lands, and breathtaking displays. Journey through areas where orangutans, elephants, and lions roam, and enjoy festive treats at the Christmas food markets. The event includes giant candy canes, fairy lights, ribbon tunnels, neon walkways, and oversized festive baubles. Interactive animal puppets like energetic meerkats, colourful peacocks, and playful snow leopards add to the excitement. The trail is synchronized with music, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of light and sound.
Where: Chester | More Info: Chester Zoo Lanterns
Christmas at Bolesworth
What to Expect:
Iconic festive lights trail and real ice skating rink.
Description:
Bolesworth Castle transforms into a vibrant Christmas celebration with an iconic festive lights trail, a 240sqm real ice skating rink, Santa's Grotto, and a huge fairground featuring rides for all ages. The event also includes festive food and drink options, an Alpine Lodge with a bar, and Rudolph's Rest where visitors can meet Santa's reindeer.
Where: Tattenhall | More Info: Christmas at Bolesworth
Dunham Massey Winter Trail
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail with unique light installations and seasonal music.
Description:
Dunham Massey Winter Trail features a one-mile illuminated trail with stunning light installations, seasonal music, and beautiful garden settings. Visitors can explore ancient trees, marvel at dancing lights on the moat, and discover captivating displays along winding paths. The event includes food, drink, and fairground rides, making it a memorable experience for all.
Where: Altrincham | More Info: Dunham Massey Winter Trail
Wilmslow Holiday Markets and Shopping
Chester Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional wooden chalets with local produce and crafts.
Description:
Chester Christmas Market offers a traditional holiday shopping experience with over 70 wooden chalets filled with unique gifts, handmade crafts, and local food produce. Visitors can enjoy the iconic sparkling Christmas tree, browse local vendors, and sample regional delicacies.
Where: Chester | More Info: Chester Christmas Market
Knutsford Christmas Weekend
What to Expect:
Santa’s Grotto and festive street market.
Description:
Knutsford Christmas Weekend is a two-day street market featuring local artisan food, drinks, art, jewellery, crafts, and special gifts. Enjoy Santa’s Grotto, live entertainment, a funfair, and street food stalls.
Where: Knutsford | More Info: Knutsford Christmas Weekend
Light Up Bramhall
What to Expect:
Interactive festive activities with local artisans and a stunning light show.
Description:
Light Up Bramhall is a vibrant Christmas event in Bramhall Village Square, featuring market stalls, Santa's Grotto, a fantastic light show, and a Lantern parade. Artisans will be warm and dry inside the old Sainsbury's unit, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Bramhall | More Info: Light Up Bramhall
Holmes Chapel Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Community-driven market with local vendors and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Holmes Chapel Christmas Fair is an annual event held on the first Sunday in December, featuring almost 50 charity and commercial stalls selling gifts, novelties, food, and drink. Local musicians and singers provide entertainment, and Father Christmas makes a special visit.
Where: Holmes Chapel | More Info: Holmes Chapel Christmas Fair
Wilmslow Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Journey to Oz at Tatton Park
What to Expect:
Iconic Wizard of Oz scenes in a historic mansion setting.
Description:
Journey to Oz at Tatton Park is an immersive experience where iconic scenes from The Wizard of Oz are brought to life within the grandeur of Tatton Park's historic mansion. Wander through beautifully decorated staterooms, following the Yellow Brick Road to the sparkling Emerald City, all adorned in festive decorations.
Where: Knutsford | More Info: Journey to Oz at Tatton Park
BeWILDerwood presents Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas event with Father Christmas meet and greet and a mini pantomime.
Description:
BeWILDerwood presents Christmas is a family-friendly event featuring a Sparkly Light Trail, a mini BeWILDerwood pantomime, and a Father Christmas Meet & Greet. Children can spot festive favourites like Silly Snowmen and candy canes while interacting with beloved characters.
Where: Wilmslow | More Info: BeWILDerwood presents Christmas
Step Into Christmas
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and festive activities under the town's Christmas lights.
Description:
Step into Christmas in Macclesfield features stilt-walkers, jugglers, face-painting, crafting, live music, and more, all under the beautiful Macclesfield Christmas lights.
Where: Macclesfield | More Info: Step Into Christmas
Wilmslow Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at Gulliver’s World
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa visits with personalized gift choices.
Description:
At Gulliver’s World, Christmas celebrations include visits to Santa's Grotto, where children can choose their own gifts, and rides on the North Pole Express. The event also features festive entertainments and themed accommodations.
Where: Warrington | More Info: Christmas at Gulliver’s World
Tatton Park Gardens Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive festive experience with themed decorations and activities.
Description:
Tatton Park Gardens transform into a vibrant celebration with festive decorations, interactive trails, and special events like the Wizard of Oz-themed mansion and a glittering winter garden adventure.
Where: Knutsford | More Info: Tatton Park Gardens Christmas
Castaway Play Christmas Alpine Retreat
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas activities with beloved characters and snowfall.
Description:
Castaway Play's Christmas Alpine Retreat offers a festive journey with activities like meeting Santa, exchanging gifts, and enjoying snowfall in themed play areas.
Where: Congleton | More Info: Castaway Play Christmas Alpine Retreat
The Ice Cream Farm Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas activities with Santa and festive treats.
Description:
The Ice Cream Farm offers a variety of Christmas events, including Santa's Grotto and Elves' Workshop, where children can meet Santa, choose their own gifts, and participate in festive activities. Additionally, there are SEN Santa's Grotto sessions and festive breakfasts with Santa at Sticky Paws restaurant.
Where: Chester | More Info: The Ice Cream Farm Christmas Events
Magical Malpas Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Personalized Father Christmas visits with no queuing.
Description:
Join Magical Malpas for a personal and intimate Christmas experience featuring a festive tractor ride, gingerbread decorating, hot chocolate, games, role play areas, and animal meets.
Where: Malpas | More Info: Magical Malpas Christmas Experience
Festive Boat Trips and Santa’s Grotto
What to Expect:
Interactive boat trip with Santa's elves.
Description:
Meet Father Christmas at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, where you can visit his grotto and enjoy a festive boat trip along the canal with his elves. Singing, games, and stories are part of the treasure trail experience.
Where: Ellesmere Port | More Info: Festive Boat Trips and Santa’s Grotto
Christmas at Quarry Bank
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments and festive decorations in a historic industrial setting.
Description:
At Quarry Bank, immerse yourself in the rich history of the Industrial Revolution while enjoying picturesque gardens and festive decorations. Explore the beautifully decorated Quarry Bank House, witness the evolution of textile manufacturing, and experience the daily routines of child apprentices.
Where: Styal | More Info: Christmas at Quarry Bank
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Bramhall (3 miles)
- Cheadle Hulme (4 miles)
- Altrincham (6 miles)
- Macclesfield (6 miles)
- Stockport (6 miles)
- Sale (8 miles)
- Stretford (9 miles)
- Urmston (10 miles)
- Denton (10 miles)
- Manchester (11 miles)
- Hyde (11 miles)
- Droylsden (11 miles)
- Salford (11 miles)
- Congleton (11 miles)
- Eccles (12 miles)
- Ashton-under-Lyne (12 miles)
- Failsworth (13 miles)
- Northwich (13 miles)
- Stalybridge (13 miles)
- Glossop (14 miles)
- Buxton (14 miles)
- Prestwich (14 miles)
- Walkden (15 miles)
- Warrington (15 miles)
- Winsford (15 miles)
- Middleton (15 miles)
- Oldham (15 miles)
- Whitefield (16 miles)
- Tyldesley (16 miles)
- High Peak (16 miles)
- Radcliffe (17 miles)
- Leigh (17 miles)
- Kidsgrove (17 miles)
- Farnworth (17 miles)
- Royton (17 miles)
- Atherton (17 miles)
- Newton-le-Willows (17 miles)
- Great Sankey (17 miles)
- Crewe (18 miles)
- Golborne (18 miles)
- Heywood (18 miles)
- Bury (19 miles)
- Westhoughton (19 miles)
- Bolton (19 miles)
- Rochdale (20 miles)
- Hindley (20 miles)
- Ashton in Makerfield (20 miles)
- Runcorn (21 miles)
- Widnes (21 miles)
- St Helens (22 miles)
- Wigan (22 miles)
- Stoke-on-Trent (22 miles)
- Newcastle under Lyme (23 miles)
- Prescot (24 miles)
- Rossendale (25 miles)
- Huyton (26 miles)
- Rawtenstall (26 miles)
- Skelmersdale (27 miles)
- Darwen (27 miles)
- Chorley (27 miles)
- Ellesmere Port Town (28 miles)
- Huddersfield (29 miles)
- Chester (29 miles)
- Kirkby (29 miles)
- Accrington (30 miles)
- Blackburn (31 miles)
- Halifax (31 miles)
- Dronfield (31 miles)
- Liverpool (31 miles)
- Ormskirk (31 miles)
- Leyland (32 miles)
- Brighouse (32 miles)
- Sheffield (32 miles)
- Maghull (32 miles)
- Burngreave (32 miles)
- Burnley (33 miles)
- Birkenhead (33 miles)
- Chapeltown (33 miles)
- Litherland (33 miles)
- Bootle (34 miles)
- Chesterfield (34 miles)
- Hawarden (34 miles)
- Barnsley (34 miles)
- Deeside (34 miles)
- Crosby (35 miles)
- Cleckheaton (35 miles)
- Nelson (35 miles)
- Wallasey (35 miles)
- Dewsbury (35 miles)
- Batley (36 miles)
- Heswall (36 miles)
- Preston (36 miles)
- Ossett (36 miles)
- Stafford (36 miles)
- Staveley (37 miles)
- Colne (37 miles)
- Rotherham (37 miles)
- Buckley (37 miles)
- Wrexham (37 miles)
- Belper (38 miles)
- Flint (38 miles)
- Bradford (38 miles)
- Formby (38 miles)
- Alfreton (39 miles)
- Morley (39 miles)
- Southport (39 miles)
- Wakefield (39 miles)
- Bingley (39 miles)
- Keighley (40 miles)
- Shipley (40 miles)
- Pudsey (40 miles)
- Ripley (40 miles)
- Rhosllannerchrugog (41 miles)
- Lofthouse (41 miles)
- Rugeley (41 miles)
- Derby (42 miles)
- Heanor (42 miles)
- Sutton in Ashfield (42 miles)
- Lytham St Annes (43 miles)
- Leeds (43 miles)
- Yeadon (43 miles)
- Guiseley (43 miles)
- Burton upon Trent (43 miles)
- Kirkby in Ashfield (44 miles)
- Mansfield (45 miles)
- Fylde (45 miles)
- Cannock (45 miles)
- Wellington (45 miles)