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Ho Ho Ho! Christmas is just around the corner — only one month to go!
Welcome to the Mum’s Guide to Luton Big Festive Guide 2025, your ultimate round-up of Santa’s Grottos, Festive Events, Christmas Markets, Pantomimes, and this year I'll be adding in all the magical illuminated light trails* happening across the local area (*coming soon). From enchanting train rides to sparkling winter wonderlands, you’ll find everything you need to plan a truly festive season.
Although the Luton Lights Up for Christmas event has already brightened up our weekend, the celebrations are far from over — now the real countdown begins! Many events fill up fast, so don’t delay… get browsing and booking to secure your festive favourites.
We’ll continue updating this page as new events are released and more details become available. We aim to keep everything accurate, but plans can occasionally change, so please do check official websites and book in advance to avoid disappointment.
And don’t forget: entries highlighted in green mark sessions specially designed for children with additional needs.
Last updated 25th November 2025.
Where to See Santa?
Smiley Sam & Santa Visits (Keech Hospice Care)
Mon 1st December - Wed 24th December
Smiley Sam, Santa and their elves are ready to visit a street near you this Christmas! So make sure you listen out for the festive tunes, Christmas cheer and look out for our friendly volunteers.
More details
Santa's Sleigh Visit (Market Hill)
Sat 29th November
Santa's Sleigh is stopping off at Market Hill! Stand underneath the magic snowfall from our snow machine and grab the perfect festive photo with all the family.
More details
Santa & Characters Meet & Greets (Luton Point)
Sat 29th & Sun 30th November
Head to Luton Point for two very special Meet & Greets! Not only will Father Christmas be handing out free festive gifts to children until 5pm each day but he'll be joined by Peppa Pig & SpongeBob SquarePants!
More details (29th) and here (30th)
Father Christmas at Luton Hoo Walled Garden (Limited Spaces)
Sun 7th December
Father Christmas is taking some time out from his busy schedule to have a chat and a mince pie at Luton Hoo Estate. Places are limited - book early to avoid disappointment.
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Santa at Stockwood
From 12th - 24th December
Santa is coming to Stockwood for 2025 with a 45 minute festive experience; create your own festive keepsake with Santa's elves, mix up some special reindeer food, visit Santa and get a special Christmas gift.
More details
The Olde Watermill Christmas Grotto (Barton-Le-Clay)
From 29th November
It's the most wonderful time of the year and The Santa Express is heading to The North Pole Train Station at the Olde Watermill Winter Wonderland with Santa, Mrs Claus, Elves and Rudolph on board, ready to see you all for a 50 minute visit full of magical Christmas fun.
More details
The Olde Watermill Christmas Grotto SEN Sessions (Barton-Le-Clay)
Wed 3rd December
These exclusive family sessions will make sure that there is minimal queuing, minimal crowds and the noise level will be reduced to ensure that you and your family will enjoy your visit to Santa's Sitting Room and the magical surroundings outside the grotto.
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Willows Farm Santa Spectacular (St Albans)
28th - 30th November & 6th - 7th, 13th - 14th, 19th - 24th December
There’s no better place to bring your children to meet Santa and enjoy a fabulous festive family day out. Take a trip through our magical winter wonderland where you’ll find Santa in his amazing Grotto. Santa will give children a key to his Toy Shop where they can choose any gift from the hundreds stacked from floor to ceiling. Visit our Create-a-Cuddle Workshop where children can choose from a range of soft toys to make, name and take home along with a certificate. Get crafty and decorate tasty gingerbread. Write a letter to Santa (don’t forget to add your address so he can reply!), sing along with our new festive shows and more!
More details
Christmas at Whipsnade Zoo / Meet Santa (Dunstable)
Sat 22nd November - Tue 24th December (Meet Santa 15th - 18th Dec)
Adventures don’t get bigger than this! Explore over 11,000 animals and over 600 acres at Whipsnade Zoo for a big family day out this Christmas: enjoy letter writing to Santa, learn how Santa trains his reindeer and join our festive animal talks for the chance to win some Christmas prizes! Santa will once again be making a special stop at Whipsnade Zoo this year. You can look forward to a magical experience as little ones meet Santa in his new enchanting grotto and receive a special early Christmas gift.
More details
Knebworth House Dine with Santa (Stevenage)
Sun 14th and Sun 21st December
Give your family an early Christmas treat with a fantastic meal at Knebworth Barns complete with a visit from Santa. Pre-booking essential. Booking now open.
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Christmas at Mead Open Farm (Leighton Buzzard)
Weekends from 30th November then 20th - 24th December
Experience a magical festive adventure on selected dates in December, as the yuletide cheer of the North Pole takes over the farm. Meet Father Christmas in his grotto for a group story then visit the Make a Bear Workshop to create your own cuddly bear. Don't forget to pick a toy from his Grotto. Decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas, wander through The Magical Forest, have a laugh at The Pudding Club Show and make some Reindeer food to take home ready for Christmas Eve. New for 2025: a brand-new immersive adventure at Christmas HQ!
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Frosts Garden Centre (Woburn Sands) (Limited Spaces)
From Mon 1st December
Gather 'round the fire with Mrs. Christmas as she brings the magic of Christmas to life with her heart-warming stories. Let your imagination run wild in our Toy Factory, where children can choose a Christmas-themed cuddly toy to build, adding a personal touch to their festive keepsake. Experience the joy of meeting Father Christmas himself! Step into a winter wonderland and join in the fun of making special reindeer food to sprinkle on Christmas Eve. Finally take a piece of the magic home with you by working with your family to plant a mini-Christmas tree, in a beautiful bamboo plant pot. Popular dates already selling out!
More details
Christmas Wonderland at Springtime Nurseries (Crews Hill, Enfield)
From 27th November
All aboard at our station platform, where you begin your magical ride through the reindeer forest! You may even be lucky enough to see Santa’s reindeer resting before they take flight on Christmas Eve.
More details
Odds Farm Park Christmas Cracker (High Wycombe)
From 28th November
Take a magical stroll to the North Pole and enjoy a personal visit to meet Father Christmas! Soak up the seasonal splendor with the return of our sell-out Christmas Spectacular Experience, where the Farm Park has been sprinkled with yuletide wonder and festive frivolities.
More details
Odds Farm Park SEN Christmas Cracker (High Wycombe)
Sat 29th - Sun 30th November & Sun 7th, Fri 12th, Sun 14th December
Dedicated SEN sessions are set aside for families with children with additional needs, where there will be a slower pace
More details
Festive Themed Events
The Three Bears (Hat Factory Arts Centre)
Sat 6th, Sat 13th, Sat 20th - Wed 24th December
Join Luton’s favourites Full House Theatre a hilarious fairy tale remix for the whole family! This is an unusual and quirky take on a well-known story, flipping the classic fairytale on its head. The show is packed full of surprises, slapstick chaos and heart-warming twists, following three bears and their encounter with ‘Goldie’, who changes their lives forever.
More details...
Hunt the Hamper at Market Hill
Sat 6th December
join us for a free, family-friendly trail around local stores in Luton Point! This event is in support of Small Business Saturday , celebrating our amazing local shops and town centre businesses.
More details...
Christmas Family Bingo (Luton Point)
Sat 6th - Sun 7th December
Get ready for a jolly good time at our FREE Christmas Family Bingo! Bring the whole family along for a weekend filled with festive fun, laughter, and the chance to win some fantastic prizes.
More details...
Reindeer on Market Hill
Sat 13th December
Bring the whole family for a truly magical Christmas experience! Meet Santa's real reindeer up close, snap a festive photo in Santa's sleigh, and even have the chance to feed these gentle holiday stars.
More details...
Christmas in Hat Gardens
Sat 13th December
Head to Hat Gardens for an afternoon full of Christmas cheer. Meet our giant walkabout performers and listen to a line-up of local artists playing all your festive favourites. There'll be plenty of crafting activities - kids can have their face painted, write their letter to Santa and send it away to the North Pole.
More details...
Community Christmas Concert & Christmas (Luton Point)
Sat 13th - Sun 14th December
On the Saturday, soak up the spirit of the season with live performances from talented local groups. And round of the weekend with a family-friendly Christmas Disco on the Sunday packed with music, dancing, and festive vibes.
More details...
Lindy Lou's Jingle Bell Bash Party!
Tue 16th & Fri 19th December
Mrs Claus and her magical friend,Icicle the Ice Fairy, have been in touch and are on their way to Lindy Lou's Luton! With classes for newborns up to 5yrs, these gorgeous party sessions are full of wonderland wiggles and top tinsel tunes!
Bramingham (Mrs Claus) & Streatley (Icicle the Ice Fairy)
Mrs Claus' Gingerbread Kitchen (Luton Point)
Wed 24th December
Step into a world of festive sweetness at Mrs Claus' Gingerbread Kitchen - a cosy, creative workshop where little ones (and grown-ups too!) can decorate their very own gingerbread treat to take home.
More details...
Kids Christmas Disco (Market Cross, Dunstable)
Sat 29th November & Sat 6th December
Our Kids’ Disco is back and we can’t wait to see all the little elves, reindeer and mini party legends on the dance floor! Join us for an afternoon of music, dancing and Christmas fun, hosted by Perfect Personalised Parties. Santa’s on the decks, and the kids can burn off all that festive energy while you sit back with a drink.
More details...
Pantomimes
Dick Whittington and his Wonderful Cat (Luton Library Theatre)
Sat 6th - Sun 7th, Friday 12th - Sun 14th December
Get ready for a magical adventure this holiday season with Dick Whittington and his Wonderful Cat! A family pantomime from the Griffin Players not to be missed!
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Dick Whittington and his Wonderful Cat (Luton Library Theatre) Relaxed Performance
Sat 13th December
A relaxed performance of the family pantomime from the Griffin Players.
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The All New Adventures of Peter Pan (Dunstable)
Fri 5th December – Sun 4th January
Don't miss our hilarious, fun-filled 2025 panto at Grove Theatre, The All New Adventures Of Peter Pan, starring Eastenders' Rita Simons as Captain Hook.
More details...
Jack and the Beanstalk (Harpenden)
Sat 6th - Tue 30th December
Pantomime at the Eric Morecambe Centre is always the highlight of the festive calendar and this year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever as we present a GIANT of a pantomime suitable for the whole family.
More details...
Panto Express (Buckinghamshire Railway Centre)
Sat 29th - Sun 30th November & Sat 6th - Sun 7th, Sat 13th - Sun 14th & Sat 20th - Mon 22nd December
See Father Christmas whilst enjoying a steam train ride AND watch a pantomime - all in one amazing Christmas experience! This year, it's bigger and better than ever!
More details...
Christmas Markets
Keech Christmas Market (Barnfield College)
Sat 29th - Sun 30th November
Our Christmas Market returns with a variety of stallholders offering handmade cakes, crafts, as well as our very own Keech Christmas retail goodies, raffle tickets, refreshments and much more.
More details...
Stopsley Christmas Market
Sat 29th November
This year they are back with 2 venues! Stopsley Baptist Church will have stalls, Santa's Grotto, the market cafe & mini photoshoots, and St Thomas' Parish Church will have a Christmas Tree Festival!
More details...
Mini Christmas Market at The Old Moat House
Mon 1st & Mon 8th December
New for 2025, browse a lovely selection of local stalls filled with unique Christmas gifts, decorations, jewellery, candles and more! Perfect for getting into the festive spirit.
More details...
The Christmas Market at Luton Hoo Estate
Sun 7th December
Stalls at the stunning conservatory will put you in the Christmas mood with gifts, edible treat and seasonal fayre galore. Plus a Christmas choir, woodland strolls and season snacks from the Woodyard Cafe & Brasserie
More details...
Redbourn Christmas Market
Sun 30th November
100+ stalls overflowing with delicious food, beautiful crafts and gift ideas. Seasonal music showcasing the best local talent playing your favourite festive tunes, and a yule raffle with lots of amazing prizes from local businesses.
More details...
Standalone Farm Christmas Market
Sat 29th - Sun 30th November & Sat 6th - Sun 7th December
Join us at Standalone this Christmas for a fun-filled Festive Market complete with music, food and shopping. Our animals will even make an appearance!
More details...
Bedford Christmas Markets
Sun 6th December
Dive into the festive spirit with the indoor Bedford Christmas Markets, taking place in the Harpur Suite where you can browse a wonderful selection of local artisan stalls, festive gifts, and delicious seasonal treats. Alongside this, the much-loved Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market will be hosting their outdoor Christmas Markets in Harpur Square throughout the same weekend – bringing even more festive charm, creativity, and community spirit to the town centre.
More details...
