Festive attractions at West Midlands Safari Park, Birmingham NEC, Drayton Manor, Warwick Castle, Polar Express and Black Country Living Museum
There are lots of brilliant things to do in and around Birmingham this Christmas(Image: Getty)
There are some brilliant festive events planned in and around Birmingham for 2026.
You can ride the Polar Express, play at the UK’s largest indoor fairground and go on a Santa Safari.
There’s also an Enchanted Christmas Grotto and a light trail with over half a million twinkling lights.
Read more: Birmingham’s Polar Express is back for Christmas 2026 and tickets are on sale now
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Key dates for many Christmas attractions tend to sell out fast so it’s best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Winter Funland Birmingham
The UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair is back at Birmingham NEC.
Families can enjoy unlimited funfair rides, a gigantic ice rink, a festival circus and an extreme motorbike show.
Santa will be visiting to chat to families and have pictures– all included in your ticket price.
Running from December 5 to January 2 2027, this event offers families a chance to don their Christmas jumpers and get into the festive spirit without worrying about the weather.
Tickets cost £35 for adults and children and under threes go free. Find out more and book via the Winter Funland website.
Winter Funland coming to Birmingham NEC(Image: Winter Funland)
Birmingham’s Polar Express™train
The much-loved Polar Express train will be rolling into Birmingham Moor Street for a festive treat.
Families are invited to wear their pyjamas for this joyful event, which features the famous conductor with his golden-ticket punch, dancing chefs and mugs of hot chocolate.
The event runs each weekend from November 22 to December 20 and then every day until December 23.
Passengers are taken on a journey to the ‘North Pole’ in lantern-lit carriages to receive a gift from Father Christmas – a sleigh bell that rings for all those who believe.
Tickets start from £56 for a classic seat and £71 for a first class seat. Find out more and book here
The Polar Express is back at Birmingham Moor Street Station for 2026
Santa Safari at West Midlands Safari Park
The Santa Safari offers a traditional festive day out.
The Discovery Trail becomes super Christmassy with snow and reindeer. Elves greet guests at a pre-booked time slot to guide you to the workshop and meet characters on the way to see Santa.
There’s a panto and a storytime with Mrs Claus. Selected rides are open and there are relaxed sessions too.
The event runs on selected dates from November 21 to December 24, and tickets start from £23.95 for adults and children, including a grotto visit, photo to take home, choice of present and a cookie. Under threes cost £15.50
Find out more and book via the West Midlands Safari Park website.
Santa and his elf getting ready for Christmas at West Midland Safari Park
Drayton Manor’s Magical Christmas
An Enchanted Christmas Grotto and an Aladdin pantomime are happening at Drayton Manor this Christmas.
Families can also enjoy festive shows and Thomas Land rides
There’s also a dedicated SEND Christmas grotto.
Running from November 28 to December 24, the Tamworth attraction promises a range of ‘seasonal surprises’ too.
Tickets start from £22.50 per person when booked before the end of September.
Find out more via the Drayton Manor website here
Drayton Manor’s Magical Christmas event is back for 2026
Christmas at Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle has a light trail with over half a million twinkling lights, illuminated tree tunnels, colour-projected archways and installations projected on the castle walls.
There’s also an open-air ice rink playing Christmas tunes, cosy indoor storytelling with Father Christmas and his elves inside the castle state rooms and a festive food and drink market.
Tickets start from £8 per person depending on which activities you want to do.
Runs from November 21 to January 3, find out more and book tickets here
Christmas at Warwick Castle
Sleeping Beauty at Birmingham Hippodrome
This year’s Christmas panto is Sleeping Beauty, starring TV presenter and radio DJ Rylan as the Diva of Dreams, and the return of Birmingham panto legend Matt Slack as Lester the Jester.
West End star Zoe Birkett will be Carabosse, and back for a tenth season is Birmingham’s favourite dame, Andrew Ryan, as The Queen.
Running from December 19 to January 31, tickets start from £20.
Find out more and book tickets via the Birmingham Hippodrome website.
Rylan Clark, Zoe Birkett and Andrew Ryan are joining Matt Slack in Birmingham Hippodrome’s Sleeping Beauty (Image: Birmingham Hippodrome)
Alton Towers Christmas
Towers Street gets a festive overhaul at Christmas so you can soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying the rides in CBeebies Land.
There’s Big Fun Show Time where you can catch Hey Duggee and the Christmas Singalong Badge show, featuring an all-singing, all dancing cast to put you in the festive spirit.
Runs from December 16, there are Santa Sleepovers too.
Find out more and book tickets via the Alton Towers website here.
Santa Hunts at Black Country Living Museum
Embark on a journey through the Black Country Living Museum’s historic town and help the Christmassy characters uncover the secret location of Santa’s Black Country grotto.
Little ones can write heartfelt letters to Santa, sing songs and discover clues to find Father Christmas himself and help him get ready for Christmas Eve.
Join Santa’s helpers on an interactive adventure where the whole family works together to help find the pages of Santa’s magic nap time book and decipher the clues to find his grotto.
Running from November 28 to December 24, tickets are available from the BCLM website.
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