The Thursford Christmas Spectacular 2025!

The Thursford Christmas Spectacular is something which, even as a wordy nerdy that I am, I find hard to put into sensible, legible paragraphs each year when I write about it. If you haven’t been, you may think “hey, that’s a little strange from someone who writes for a living,” and yes, I agree… It is!

I don’t usually find it hard to write articles; I can waffle with great gusto both in person and on paper. I always think I’d be quite an asset to the likes of QVC for instance. Some of my jobs have covered, in the past, writing about things like specific types of bolts, used to create industrial machinery, and though you might find that a tough audience, I think I did the bolts proud (copywriting days are thankfully behind me). I can also write streams and streams of conversation in scripts without blinking or taking breath. I’m not good at lots of things, I’m not trying to toot my own horn too much here I promise, but I am a good writer. And yet, when it comes to finding a string of words that make sense of the Thursford Spectacular, in a meaningful, impactful way as a reviewer, I always feel stumped – This year more than ever!

This is a positive for the show in terms of how I feel about it, I assure you.

Just, perhaps, not quite what you’re after when seeking a review!

So, I shall do my best, but… Know this… Whatever I say, you will still be blown away, breath will be stolen from you, and, as your mouth gapes open while you stare on in awe, you will say to yourself “she was right you know, she couldn’t possibly have ever described this perfectly, because seeing really is the only way of believing”.

Nevertheless… I shall try!

Whatever you do at Thursford around the show (for it’s more than this even would you believe?), there’s The Enchanted Journey of Light, a trip to see father Christmas (or just taking a stroll on his pathway to the grotto – Santa’s Magical Journey) which will allow you access to the play area (currently closed for the season to everyone else), and each of these elements will have a similar impact on your thoughts, which will be muddled, overloaded, over stimulated (like you’ve been injected with caffeine and overdosed on tinsel) but you will love every second of it as you declare “I’m never going to be able to describe exactly what it’s like here!”

Everything is amazing, jaw dropping, wowing, and, as the kids would say, “EXTRA”, and all of the things, the “other” Thursford offerings if you will, are wonderful as stand alones (I mean, where do you get The Pink Panther and a Monkey in a Christmas hat dancing on a steam engine?!), or even better as part of a package to the “Spectacular.”

Then, there’s the main event itself, which will see you shaking your head slowly from side to side as you comprehend the enormity of this show, which is, just as it says on the tin, utterly SPECTACULAR!

A long stage spans the length of a room like an aeroplane hanger, with a working carousel at one end, spinning as dancers perform on it. There’s feathers and lighting everywhere, from ceiling balls that move up and down, to the stage choregraphed ones, as well as twinkling fairy lights everywhere you look. A cast of epic proportions both front and back of house, with dancers, musicians and singers at West End level gluing the tapestry of the performances together. It incorporates acts from around the world too, and with clever compere Lloyd Hollett back for another season (small fry compared to the 45th returning year of Phil Kelsall the Whirlitzer Organ player who had also completed 47 seasons at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom), the show is full of moments that will make you feel like you’ve just seen, perhaps, the greatest show in the world – forget Hugh Jackman, he knew nothing, there really is nothing else like Thursford!

Stand out (and it’s a tough call) moment for me this year is the choir singing Nessun Dorma, but really, there are so many stand out moments it almost feels a bit silly to be picking out one. The only reason I have is because I HAVE to say something and being stuck for words on this isn’t getting any better.

If you haven’t seen the show before then treat yourself to this festive plethora like no other festive jolly you will find. If you have seen it before, and you loved it (of course you did), then see it again. Because you will think you’ve seen the best and I can assure you that you are misguided. This year’s show is just… Well, it’s just… It’s just something. Something you simply have to see for yourselves!

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