Christmas is a time for creating memories, spending time together and enjoying experiences that bring the whole family together. Whether you're planning festive days out with young children, organising a multi-generational family gathering or looking for magical Christmas traditions, there are plenty of ways to make Christmas 2026 unforgettable.

Here are 25 family Christmas activities to enjoy this festive season.

1. Visit a Christmas Pantomime

For many families, no Christmas is complete without a trip to the pantomime. With spectacular costumes, laugh-out-loud comedy, audience participation and timeless stories, pantomime remains one of the UK's most popular festive traditions.

Imagine Theatre's 2026 season includes productions of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Aladdin, Snow White, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Whittington across England, Scotland and Wales.

2. Visit a Christmas Market

Browse festive stalls, enjoy seasonal treats and soak up the Christmas atmosphere at your local Christmas market.

3. See Christmas Lights Switch-On Events

Many towns and cities host spectacular Christmas light displays and seasonal celebrations.

4. Create a Family Christmas Movie Night

Gather blankets, festive snacks and your favourite Christmas films for an evening together at home.

5. Bake Christmas Treats Together

From gingerbread houses to mince pies and festive biscuits, baking is a fun activity for all ages.

6. Visit Santa Claus

Nothing beats the excitement of meeting Father Christmas and sharing festive wishes.

7. Attend a Christmas Concert

Many venues host festive concerts featuring seasonal music and carols.

8. Go Ice Skating

A classic winter activity that the whole family can enjoy.

9. Take Part in a Christmas Treasure Hunt

Create clues around your home or neighbourhood and turn it into a festive adventure.

10. Read Christmas Stories Together

Classic tales remain a wonderful way to spend a winter evening.

11. Visit a Winter Wonderland

Enjoy fairground rides, festive attractions and seasonal entertainment.

12. Make Homemade Christmas Decorations

A great opportunity for creativity and family time.

13. Organise a Christmas Games Night

Bring everyone together with festive quizzes, board games and family challenges.

14. Visit a Christmas Theatre Show

Live theatre creates shared memories and offers something different from screen-based entertainment.

15. Write Letters to Santa

A timeless activity that younger children particularly enjoy.

16. Volunteer in Your Local Community

Christmas can be a wonderful time to support local charities and community organisations.

17. Build a Gingerbread House

A festive challenge that can be as competitive or creative as you choose.

18. Go on a Christmas Lights Walk

Explore your local area and enjoy the festive decorations.

19. Create a Christmas Eve Box

Fill it with treats, activities and festive surprises.

20. Host a Family Christmas Craft Session

Make cards, decorations and personalised gifts together.

21. Visit Family-Friendly Christmas Attractions

Many attractions offer seasonal events throughout December.

22. Create New Family Traditions

The best traditions are often the ones you create together.

23. Attend a Relaxed or Accessible Christmas Event

Many venues offer accessible festive experiences to ensure everyone can take part.

24. Make Time for Shared Experiences

The activities families remember most are usually the ones enjoyed together.

25. Start a Family Pantomime Tradition

If there is one Christmas activity that combines laughter, storytelling, music, audience participation and fun for all ages, it is pantomime.

Children love the colourful characters and interactive adventure. Parents enjoy the comedy and entertainment. Grandparents appreciate the tradition and opportunity to create new memories with younger generations.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people choose an Imagine Theatre pantomime as part of their Christmas celebrations, making it one of the UK's favourite festive family experiences.

Find Your Nearest Imagine Theatre Pantomime in 2026

Looking for the perfect family Christmas activity?

Imagine Theatre's 2026 season includes:

Beauty and the Beast – Cardiff, Coventry, Leicester and Kirkcaldy
Cinderella – Inverness, Leamington Spa and Dartford
Aladdin – Reading, Stafford and Halifax
Snow White – Swansea
Peter Pan – High Wycombe
Sleeping Beauty – Bromley, Crewe and Llandudno
Jack and the Beanstalk – Hertford, Fareham and Swindon
Dick Whittington – Carmarthen
Goldilocks and the Three Bonnie Bears – Glasgow Pavilion
Beauty and the Beastie – Kilmarnock

Whether you're introducing children to theatre for the first time or continuing a cherished Christmas tradition, there's an Imagine Theatre pantomime waiting for you this festive season.

Discover your nearest show and make magical memories this Christmas at www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomime2026

Sources and Further Reading

The following sources informed the article"Christmas Activities for Families: 25 Ideas for 2026" and provide additional information about family entertainment, Christmas traditions, live theatre, pantomime and cultural participation.

Imagine Theatre – official company website, family entertainment information, productions, venues and Christmas pantomimes.
https://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/
Imagine Theatre 2026 Pantomime Season – information on productions, venues, ticketing and family theatre experiences.
https://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomime2026
UK Pantomime Association – the UK's leading organisation dedicated to celebrating, researching and promoting pantomime as a significant British art form.
https://www.pantomimeassociation.co.uk/
Arts Council England – commentary on the cultural importance of pantomime, family attendance, community engagement and the role of theatre in inspiring children and young people. The organisation highlights that pantomime attracts millions of audience members and is often a child's first experience of live theatre.
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/creative-matters/news/revealing-real-magic-pantomime
Society of London Theatre – information on family theatre, audience development and the wider UK theatre sector.
https://solt.co.uk/
The Great British Pantomime Tradition (England Explore) – explores why pantomime remains a popular Christmas activity for families across the United Kingdom. 【6-c9315c】
https://englandexplore.com/pantomime/
The History of Pantomime (Historic UK) – background on pantomime traditions, audience participation and its role in British Christmas culture. 【7-7a831e】
https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Pantomime/

Article-Specific Information Sources

The following information is derived directly from Imagine Theatre's own published information and operational experience:

Family Christmas theatre experiences
2026 pantomime productions and venues
Audience engagement and participation
Multi-generational family entertainment
Community-focused theatre experiences
Accessibility initiatives and inclusive performances
More than 275 professional pantomimes produced across the UK
Christmas pantomime as a family tradition

Additional Reading

https://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/news
https://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/behind-the-scenes
https://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomime2026
https://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/the-panto-hire-shop
https://www.trafalgarentertainment.com/

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