What’s on Christmas 2019 –

We are so lucky in Stratford, Leamington Spa, Southam and Warwick that most of our attractions not only remain open, they go that little bit further to make it extra special for the festive time of year.

What’s on –

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December– Anne and her brother Bartholomew return to the cottage to discuss who will host the family Christmas in the country, or fancy festivities at Anne and William’s grand abode at New Place – possibility to taste some tasty traditional Tudor Fayre

Blenheim Palace – November 15^th to 15^th December – The palace will be transformed both inside and out with a new Alice in the Palace experience in the State Rooms, a immersive Christmas market and a Christmas light trail

British Motor Museum 7^th to 23^rd December – Just 2 miles away from us, Help Martin the Mechanic get Santa’s Sleigh back on the road so Santa can deliver all your presents. Santa’s Sleigh is broken and the parts are scattered across the Museum. When you have found the entire jigsaw your trail will end with a treat,

British Motor Museum – Every weekend in December Activities – 10-3pm come and make a robin, snowman or father Christmas, pull them back and watch them go, join in the Elf tour at 1.30 to have a festive tour of the museum

Burton Dassett Carols by candle light 18^th December 3.30 for 1 hour. Traditional 9 lessons and carols by candlelight in this magnificent Mediaeval Church, wrap up warm it is not a heated church. Very popular event.

Charlecote Park NT – join them this Christmas and help them solve the mystery real Agatha Christie Style. 30^th November  – 5^th January – Enjoy a different Christmas theme throughout the ground floor rooms of the house, decorated for a 1920s party where a jewel theft has taken place entry to the house must be booked 24 hours in advance. There is also a Christmas mystery in the gardens and outbuildings, there are 2 trails one for grownups and one for families, with a prize at the end for super sleuths you do need to book both these trails via the national trust.org.uk Christmas lights – Some of the most spectacular

Christmas lights the best are to be seen in Stratford on Avon and also in Leamington Spa, both always worth a trip.

Compton Verney , Festive trail 1^st, 8^th and 15^th December, Make a wish 1^st, 8^th and 15^th December – pick up a decoration when you arrive and hang it on the willow tree, Meet Santa and his reindeer 1^st and 8^th December, Shadow puppet theatre 15^th December 12.30 – 1.30 and 2.30 -3.30, Big bands and Brass Bands 15^th December – hear the Royal Spa Brass band perform Christmas classics in the chapel and then join afterwards outside for a celebration firework display

Halls Croft – Meet Father Christmas and Mrs Christmas. Each child will receive a charming gift with their name on it. In the café the children can decorate their very own Christmas biscuits to home or enjoy there.

Hatton Adventure World – Enchanted Christmas Kingdom – A magical Christmas Experience for the whole family Every weekend from 30^th November to 22^nd December plus 19^th, 20^th , 23^rd and 24^th – meet the Reindeer and Father Christmas, ginger bread decorating with elves, may need to book in advance www.hatton.com

Leamington Lantern Parade and Christmas Carols afterward, 1^st December meet at 4.15 til 7 pm meet by the bandstand. Live reindeer, Very popular event.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace Come A-Wassailing- Wassailing was a crucial part of Christmas, New Year and Twelfth night celebrations in the 16^th Century. Come to the birthplace to learn smell and taste what it was like to go wassailing in Tudor England.

Upton House and Gardens NT Christmas Craft and Fair 30^th November and 1^st December 11am – 4 pm. Upton House and Gardens  The house will be elaborately decorated from 29^th November to reflect Christmas in the 1930’s as it would have been by the lord and Lady Bearsted.

Warwick Castle– Open every day (except 25^th December) from 11am, Enchanted winter wonderland, magical stories with Santa, a beautiful birds of prey show and new for 2019 a festive outdoor ice rink, with festive treats, drinks to feast on and winter markets

Christmas Markets,

Leamington Spa – every Sunday up to Christmas- over 100 stalls selling local food , drink, street food, arts, crafts, decorations and antiques, and Christmas Music

Southam Christmas lights switch on from 12 – 7 pm. Christmas market in the town centre, lantern parade, Santa switching the lights on at 5.30 pm

Stratford – upon- Christmas Market Festival 6^th 11am to 8pm , 7^th 11am to 8pm and 8^th December 10am – 5pm – This year the festival is a Victorian Christmas Event with a Dickensian theme – gift and craft makers, street food, vintage fun fair rides, with a plethora of street and staged entertainment

Warwick Victorian Evening Thursday 28^th November 5pm – 9 pm

Pantomimes and theatre

Birmingham The Hippodrome – Snow white and the seven dwarfs 21^st December – 2^nd February 2020 with Lesley Joseph and Joe McElderry

Coventry – The Belgrade – 11^th – 31^st December Puss in boots

Leamington Spa Spa centre – 7^th December – 5^th January – Snow White

Rsc – Boy in the dress –David Walliam’s book adapted by Mark Ravehill with music by Robbie William and Guy Chambers. Dennis is a 12 year old boy , who is his football team’s striker and wants to wear a dress to school. Now until the 8^th March. 5 star reviews ‘the most joyous 21/2 hours I have ever spent’ ‘ the new matilda’’smash hit’

Southam Christmas Comedy night Thursday 12^th 8-11pm in the Grange Hall.