We’ve finally made it to the most wonderful time of the year - December’s here and the festivities are in full swing!
Tis the season for celebrating with family and friends and our guide to What's on in December offers you plenty of ideas for fun and frolics - from markets and shopping to pantomimes and Christmas Wonderlands.
Why not head out to see Santa on a steam train, a great Christmas activity for kids, or embrace the spiritual with a visit to Stonehenge for the Winter Solstice? Our guide to what’s on across our network is bound to help you create an unforgettable month...
Black Friday theatre tickets
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
Until 1 December
Take advantage of our Black Friday theatre tickets. Get into the festive spirit by watching The Nutcracker, Frozen the Musical, or A Christmas Carol for less. Hurry though as tickets will sell out quickly and don’t forget you get an extra 10% off when you book direct through SWR Rewards.
Experience ‘A Christmas Carol’
Until 12 January 2025
Be transported back to Christmas Eve 1843 and join Dickens in a retelling of the festive classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ at an immersive 19th Century restaurant in London’s West Kensington. While the ghostly tale plays out across the evening, guests can enjoy a three-course menu of yuletide dishes along with creative Victorian cocktails.
See Trafalgar Square's Christmas tree lighting
5 December
Each year the festive calendar in the Capital kicks off with the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Since 1947 the people of Norway have given London a Christmas tree to thank the nation for its support in the Second World War. The ceremony is usually on a Thursday so this year it’s 5 December between 5.30-6.30 pm.
The tree gets handpicked in the forests surrounding Oslo, and the Norwegian foresters who look after it call it ‘the queen of the forest’. Don't miss this magnificent beauty lighting up the Capital.
Trafalgar Square’s just a 20-minute walk or short tube ride on the Bakerloo line from London Waterloo.Make the most of your visit and take in a theatre show in the West End - and save on some great shows with SWR Rewards.
Shop at Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre
Photo credit: Historic Royal Palaces
6-8 & 13-15 December
Hampton Court Palace Fayre returns on two weekends in December when the Hampton Court’s stunning courtyards transform into a festive feast for the eyes. You’ll find delicious craft food and drink, activities, entertainment, and a dazzling market to do some shopping. The closest station to Hampton Court Palace is Hampton Court Station.
Fancy a spin on the ice when you're there? Then don't miss out by booking tickets in advance for the Hampton Court Palace ice rink, one of the best places for ice skating in the South West
Catch the Santa Specials on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
7-8, 13, 14, 15 and 20 - 24 December
Make your weekend magical with a visit to see Santa on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Enjoy the 10-mile round trip through the scenic Isle of Wight countryside which includes stopping at Havenstreet so you can explore the Christmas market, entertainment and magic shows.
It's easy to get to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway by using the Island Line and getting off at Smallbrook Junction for a convenient cross-platform connection to the Steam Railway. If you're coming from the mainland, you could save time and money by booking a combined ferry and train ticket.
Have an illuminating time on the Watercress Line
Photo credit: Steve Morley
Until 28 December
Steam Illuminations is an sound and light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns. This makes the steam train look magical both inside and out! New for 2024: is the ‘Snowlight Cascade’, an enchanting display of falling lights at the summit of your train journey.
Join the festive action on board until the 28 December when the journey will be filled with big Christmas hits that will get you jigging about in the festive spirit; or visit from 29 December onwards for a musical journey from the 1960s to the present day with dance floor singalong anthems. Sing, dance and cheer on the magical, musical journey!
Go to the Races
Our network is home to some of the UKs best racecourses - Sandown Park and Ascot Racecourse. The pair truly embrace the holiday season - here are 2 jump racing events well worth a look in.
6-7 December
Sandown Park comes alive with festive cheer during The Betfair Tingle Creek Festival with gift giving, carol singing, decorations and world-class Grade 1 Jump racing.
20-21 December
Ascot's final race meeting of the year features great festive food and drink off the track. family activities are available on the Saturday only.
If you don’t fancy facing the busyness of the city, there are an abundance of shopping centres you can visit across the South West including Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton and much more. See our guide.
Watch the Winter solstice at Stonehenge
Photo credit: www.visitwiltshire.co.uk
22 December
Stonehenge - a landmark that’s gone down in the history books for its iconic mythology - welcomes visitors from around the world to see the sun rise above the stones at the winter solstice - this year, on 22 of December at 8.04am.
Winter solstice at Stonehenge is a bucket-list experience for many. It’s suggested that the solstice is linked to rebirth, renewal, giving thanks, and signifying that light conquers darkness.
According to English Heritage an “unprecedented” number of people turned up in recent years, making up a record crowd. Make sure you leave plenty of time to get there by catching an early SWR train to Salisbury, and from there, a Stonehenge Tour bus.
Plan some family festive fun
December-January
Keeping the kids entertained over the holidays is easy when you’ve got so many fun things to do in London and the South West. Check out our guide of things to do with the kids this festive season. Below are some highlights.
Head to Hobblesdown
Hobbledown Heath promises plenty of fun for little ones year-round, with four themed villages, indoor and outdoor play areas and an animal park. But things get even more exciting over the festive season! Their Christmas experiences include visits to Santa’s Grotto, toddler storytime, festive trails around the park, and breakfast with Santa himself. Plus our customers can get 10% off Christmas experience bookings at Hobbledown Heath with SWR Rewards and enjoy 10% off standard entry tickets until 31st December 2024.
Wonder at Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland should be at the top of your festive itinerary. There are fun-filled things for the whole family to enjoy, including fairground rides, Christmas markets, German beer tents, and delicious treats.
Seasonal indoor and outdoor ice skating rink pop-ups are all over London and the South West right now. These include some of London’s best - Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace and Battersea Power Station among others.
Kew Gardens is home to the largest and most diverse collection of plants in the world. During the festive season, it transforms into a festive holiday wonderland - Christmas at Kew with light shows, dancing lakeside reflections, flickering flames and more.
Pantos are one of the most-loved festive traditions. There are plenty to choose from over the festive period,. Check out our guide to the best Christmas pantos in London and the South West and make the most of our Rewards deals on Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith.
Even if you only ever do it once, you need to try the London New Years’ Eve experience. It’s a world-renowned hub for new years’ celebrations, which includes the New Year's Eve fireworks event near the London Eye, where Big Ben will chime at midnight to welcome us into 2024.
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in London, whether you’re looking for a free event, or want to splash some cash at a concert or show. See our guide to how to celebrate New Years’ Eve in London to learn more.
We’d suggest staying in the capital for a couple of days if you can. London’s one of the top-spots for a winter getaway, as it comes alive with bright lights, decorations and joyful people soaking up its vibrant festive atmosphere. For most central London New Year’s Eve events, London Waterloo will be your closest station but you’ll also find services to Vauxhall station and Clapham Junction.
Please note a limited public transport service runs on New Year’s Eve, with trains following a revised timetable. To help you get home safely, South Western Railway will schedule additional services departing from London Waterloo after midnight.
Plan your travel with South Western Railway
With many great Christmas spots to visit over the festive period, be sure to plan your journey ahead. Book your train tickets in advance to secure the best prices, and explore a range of ticket types to suit your needs.
