With the festive season already in full-swing, parents up and down the country are continually having to rack their brains for activities that will entertain all the family. Whilst Christmas time is a magical time to be part of a big family, it does have its fair share of frustrations as well – particularly for Mum and Dad. All parents, who have a brood compromising of members in different stages of childhood, will know how difficult it can be to find an activity or event that manages to please everyone. And that is before parents even have a chance to consider what they themselves want to do. So, to help those families struggling to find anything that truly offers all-around entertainment, and perhaps have both a hyperactive youngster and a sulky teenager to deal with, here are some festive days out that are actually fun for all the family.
1. Christmas Party (Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham)
With anticipation for the 2015 Cheltenham Festival already building, with young mare Annie Power being the favourite to gallop her way to victory, the Cheltenham Racecourse Christmas Party is the perfect event to whet the appetite for this monumental date on the sporting calendar. Organisers have selected ‘To Russia with Love’ as the theme for this year’s Christmas party, and boy have they done the name justice. The event will take place in an authentically-styled Cossack encampment which is surrounded by snow-dusted pine trees. Within this cosy enclosure there will be performances by death-defying sword dancers, thumping bond dancers and elegant aerialists. Besides these enchanting and exhilarating performances, guests will also be served an exquisite four-course meal that means you won’t be worrying about what to cook for the kids on the car-journey home. After your stomachs have been filled, there is a state-of-the-art Disco with ‘intelligent lighting’ that will have both you and your brood dancing the night away. Moreover, if you tire of the dance-floor, why not put your feet-up whilst you whiz around the dodgems arena.
2. Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park, London)
Every year the regal and stately Hyde Park is transformed, literally and figuratively, into a Winter Wonderland. This classic day-out has been a London tradition for decades, with millions of families each year being enticed by its promises of traditional Christmas cuisine, range of hand-made products and variety of fair-rides. Winter Wonderland is a bustling and vibrant location filled with mouth-watering smells, dazzling lights and infinite laughter. Whilst young children will love participating in a range of fairground stalls, in the hope of scoring a prize of the fluffy variety, the teens will be kept busy going on the various gravity defying contraptions that tower above them. Meanwhile, Mum and Dad can relax, and sit-back with a mulled wine or two, whilst watching the children enjoy themselves. Moreover, the centrepiece of Winter Wonderland is a huge ice rink that boasts a traditional Victorian bandstand at its heart, and is illuminated by over 100,000 lights.
3. The Snowman (Peacock Theatre, London)
This classy ballet adaptation of Raymond Brigg’s enchanting Christmas cartoon is presently enjoying its 17th year at the Peacock Theatre. This spellbinding show is filled with elegant dance sequences and emotionally gripping set-pieces. It is easy to see why this show has enjoyed such a long residency at the Peacock Theatre as every part of it drips with professionalism and polish. The beauty of this ballet is both the timelessness of its story and the simplicity of its execution. Those concerned that young children may become bored need not worry themselves, the emotive and fantastical premise combined with the visual spectacle creates a truly universal experience. Moreover, even moody teenagers will find it difficult not to be entranced by the expansive sets, technical splendour and skilled performances of this frosty tale.
Author contribution: Adam Davies
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