Your guide to the festive fun in Coventry
Embrace the holiday season and make memories with an unforgettable visit to Coventry this Christmas! Gather your loved ones and immerse yourselves in the captivating charm of our historic city, where an array of festive delights awaits.
From the enchanting Coventry Christmas market to the mesmerising light displays across the city’s iconic landmarks. Create lasting memories as you explore the rich cultural heritage and partake in the various festive events and activities that showcase the city’s vibrant Christmas spirit.
But with so much going on in the city and surrounding area, you might not know where to start! Have no fear, we have put together the most unforgettable events you will not want to miss this Christmas.
Not to be missed!
Prepare to be enchanted once again as the breathtaking Luminate trail makes its much-anticipated return in 2023, promising to bring light to your Christmas celebrations. As the sun sets, Luminate will light up the picturesque Coombe Abbey Park. Lose yourself in the captivating mile-long spectacle, adorned with dazzling lighting installations and enchanting visual displays, all choreographed to an evocative soundtrack, creating a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
Coventry Cathedral Christmas events are an embodiment of the city’s rich cultural heritage and the joyful spirit of the holiday season. Offering an array of captivating experiences from festive movie screenings to carol services. Coventry Cathedral offers something for people of all ages.
Celebrate the festive season and explore the lavishly decorated St Mary’s Guildhall. Marvel at the beautifully bedecked medieval building, enjoy storytelling with Father Christmas and even be transported back in time with their special Victorian Christmas experience complete with Dickensian yuletide cheer.
Treat your family to a magical Christmas adventure at Hatton Adventure World and be amazed as their park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Join them for an unforgettable Christmas experience full of activities and festive entertainment.
Fancy making your own Christmas Crafts this year? Join the Charterhouse head gardener who will be lending his creative skills to help you create a beautiful foraged wreath. You get to take your creation home and also enjoy festive mince pie and refreshments.
Broadgate’s Big Wheel
We’re unwrapping the ultimate gift this festive season – a massive, sparkling big wheel, right in the heart of the city. But that’s not all, we’re sprinkling a dash of enchantment with a festive market that promises to be a treasure trove of delicious eats, delightful drinks, and one-of-a-kind gifts.
Open from Saturday 18 November and running to Sunday 7 January, which is 52 days of merriment! The big wheel and the market will be working their festive magic from 11 am to 10 pm every day, except for Christmas Day.
Tickets start from £6. SAVE up to 15% when you buy online in advance!*
See Santa
Coventry’s festive sleigh rides are on offer at the West Orchards shopping centre, Coventry Transport Museum and The Heart of England Conference and Events Centre. At the Transport Museum, wander through a magical winter wonderland of festive activities and snowy scenes before taking a ride on an enchanting vintage sleigh, pulled by two trusty reindeer. Younger passengers on the Transport Museum sleigh ride will even be able to meet Santa, tell him their Christmas wishes and collect a special gift.
For a sleigh ride with a difference, visit West Orchards shopping centre for a Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride. Coventry’s Santa Sleigh Lodge is found on Level 3 of the shopping centre. There, families will meet the man himself before using HD VR headsets to leave Coventry for a sleigh ride across the world. The perfect festive family activity, the trip will see you tilt forwards, backwards and side to side, getting the full real-life experience of being on board Santa’s sleigh.
Hop on aboard as and experience the magical train ride tour to the Heart of England’s Lapland. You’ll pass under glittery and very sparkly lights staying on the train through the woods to see Santa and his most naughty Elf in their workshop who are working hard to get all the presents ready for delivery to all the boys and girls on Christmas Eve.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Christmas magic with The Barn at Berryfield’s captivating experience! Step into a world of wonder as your journey begins with a delightful Elf Show, followed by channelling your inner artist at our gingerbread decorating station! But the excitement doesn’t end there. Venture to Father Christmas’ enchanting grotto, where you’ll have the chance to meet his beloved reindeer and treat them to their favourite delicacy.
Christmas Market
The Coventry Christmas Market in bustling Broadgate is an absolute must-visit for those seeking an authentic and enchanting festive experience. Transforming the heart of the city into a bustling hub of festive cheer, the market is the perfect place to enjoy mouth-watering food and drink while hunting for unique Christmas gifts.
Join FarGo village this winter for your one-stop shop for fiercely independent Christmas Makers Market. Spread out over two weekends, the market offers lovingly handcrafted gifts, amazing local designers, and some fabulously festive vibes. While you are at FarGo Village, why not stop by THE PHIL SILVERS ARCHIVAL MUSEUM? The Museum boasts a generous display of personal effects, posters, photographs, letters, books and memorabilia kindly donated by Phil Silvers’s family.
Stoneleigh Abbey Christmas fair will be held in their former Riding School Hall on Sunday 26 November. Discover lots of amazing stalls, perfect for Christmas present shopping!
Show-stopping Theatre
Coventry is set to be dazzled by an array of show-stopping theatrical performances this Christmas, promising an unforgettable experience for all. Take part in a British Christmas Transition by seeing our famous pantomime at the Belgrade Theatre. This year the theatre will be showing a production of Cinderella, written and directed by Iain Lauchlan, this year’s panto will feature the spectacular sets, lavish costumes and sing-along-songs that make a trip to the Belgrade a truly unmissable Christmas treat for thousands of families every year.
Looking to see an English classic? The Albany Theatre is pulling out all the stops with their production of Oliver Twist. Be transported to Dicken’s Christmas Eve and witness fate throw an unlikely group of rogues together in this break-taking performance like never before.
Take a stroll through the deep dark woods with The Warwick Art Centre’s production of The Gruffalo! Join Mouse for songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged three years and up and their grown-ups, in the much-loved show that’s toured Britain and the world!
With so much to see and do in Coventry this Christmas, you will be spoilt for choice. Above is only a snippet of what’s on offer during the festive season. Keep an eye out on our digital channels for more great content.
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