Twixmas in Somerset: Things to do between Christmas and New Year 2025-26
The ‘Twixmas’ period – a peculiar twilight zone when things to do between Christmas and New Year take on a surreal quality, as nobody has any idea what day it is, none of the normal rules apply and everybody is living off leftovers and chocolate money.
The combination of children in your household consuming more sugar than usual, plus frenzied levels of post-Christmas excitement, often requires some entertainment strategies from grown-ups, and/or some serious energy-burning activities.
Luckily lots of places in Somerset are open for wintry family entertainment for the week before school starts again, offering everything from ice skating to tobogganing and festive trails. Check out my Twixmas guide for things to do in Somerset between Christmas and New Year 2025-2026.
Please check full details with organisers and venues as some may not be open on bank holidays or have reduced opening hours.
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Cheap and FREE things to do between Christmas and New Year
If you’re feeling the pinch after Christmas, there are plenty of budget-friendly and free things to do in Somerset (check out my guide here).
Here are some more ideas for free ways to entertain the kids while working off some of that excess Christmas chocolate:
- Climb Glastonbury Tor and explore the town – there’s a mural trail featuring 48 artworks dotted around the town – download the map for free here.
- Walk up to Bruton Dovecote for views across the town
- Visit world-class gallery Hauser & Wirth Somerset
- See stupendous Somerset views from Ham Hill
- Discover the ruins of Nunney Castle
- Visit the free Museum of Somerset, Taunton
- Walk around Frogmary Farm gardens, South Petherton
- Take a stroll in Dillington Estate, Ilminster
- Gaze at the sensational Bath Skyline
- Stroll along the Somerset Space Walk, Maunsel Lock, Bridgwater and Taunton Canal
- Explore Ninesprings Nature Reserve, Yeovil
- Get back to nature at Chard Reservoir
- Look for wildlife at Shapwick Heath, Ham Wall and Westhay Moor Nature Reserve
- Take a hike around Otterhead Lakes, Blackdown Hills
Pantomimes: what’s on between Christmas and New Year
Westlands, Yeovil
- Beauty & The Beast: 12 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
The Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare
- Cinderella starring Gareth Gates: 6-31 December 2025
Theatre Royal Bath
- The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: 11 December 2025-11 January 2026
The Egg, Bath
- Snow Mice: 20 November 2025-11 January 2026
The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater
- Cinderella: 12-30 December 2025
Jack and the Beanstalk, Bristol Hippodrome
- 6 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Jack and the Beanstalk comes to the Bristol Hippodrome this Christmas. Pop star Will Young makes his pantomime debut as the Spirit of the Beans. Joining him are Charlie Brooks as Mrs Blunderbore, Richard Cadell and Sooty as Silly Billy, comedian Andy Ford as Farmer Trot. Book tickets now for this festive treat!
Events happening between Christmas and New Year in Somerset
Icescape Tropicana, Weston-super-Mare
2025 dates: TBC
The UK’S largest undercover winter ice rink returns to the Tropicana! The rink features real ice and each skating session is 45 minutes long and the ice rink is (manual) wheelchair accessible. Enjoy the thrill of the rides (including a Christmas rollercoaster and bungee trampolines), indulge in festive treats, and meet beloved mascot, Pippen the Penguin. More info and booking.
Bishop’s Palace Christmas Garden Illuminations
The stunning gardens at Wells are beautifully-lit (selected dates 29 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026), perfect for a festive stroll. Bishop’s Palace website.
The Festival of Light at Longleat Safari Park
8 November 2025-11 January 2026
The 2025 Festival of Light at Longleat presents British Icons with Wallace & Gromit and friends! Explore iconic sights and meet fan-favourite characters from Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit and more while you journey to some of the UK’s most famous landmarks, marvel at native wildlife and sights, all spectacularly reimagined in lantern form. More info and booking.
Bath on Ice, Royal Victoria Park
- 14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Find Twixmas euphoria on the Bath’s Royal Victoria Park ice rink, where gliding glee comes in the form of seasonal tunes and treats from Moguls Alpine Bar. Look out for themed skates – Wicked (23/11), Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter (30/11) and Frozen (7/12)!
Glow in the Dark, Mini Golf, Bath
- 14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
After showing your best skating shapes at Bath on Ice, try nighttime Glow Golf next door on the twinkling mini-golf course, where glowing balls and festive lights create an enchanting atmosphere for keen putters.
New Years Day Steam Up 2026, Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum
1 January 2026, 11am-4pm
Celebrate New Year’s Day at Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum, with over 40 stationary steam engines and pumps in full operation. Enjoy the warmth of the Marshall boiler, ride the narrow gauge railway, and indulge in festive snacks at the café. Advance tickets available online. Free parking, quiz, and picnic area.
Attractions open this Twixmas in Somerset
Twilight Tobogganing, Mendip Activity Centre
6 November 2025-4 January 2026
Round up the troops and stave off the post-Christmas lull with a family twilight experience at Mendip Activity Centre’s toboggan run.
Buy individual spaces or book for a group of up to eight people with exclusive use of half of the toboggan slope, all set a-twinkle. After your 30-minute session, head off along an illuminated path to a canopied woodland clearing for marshmallows, hot chocolate, s’mores and sparklers around the campfire.
And if that’s got your adventurous ears pricked, there’s also a VAST array of outdoor activities to blow away the turkey-scented cobwebs – make a day of it with frisbee golf, orienteering, ski or snowboard lessons. More info and booking.
Clarks Village Ice Rink
11 November 2025-4 January 2026 including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
For a wholesome activity that’ll cut through all the rich festive food, head to Somerset shopping outlet, Clarks Village. The all-weather 500m2 ice-skating rink, set in the grounds of the Shoemakers Museum, features real ice, discos, quiet sessions and dedicated parent and toddler times.
Clip-on bob skates and skating aids are available to hire, so wobbly skaters can swish and glide to their heart’s content, and the ice rink is also (manual) wheelchair accessible. Combine with some serious sale shopping – you’ll get access to some exclusive brand discounts at Clarks Village when you show your ice skating tickets. More info and booking.
Witch’s Winter Wonderland, Wookey Hole Caves
- 27 December 2025-4 January 2026
Keep the festive spirit alive with The Witch’s Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole. Explore caves glowing with over 100,000 lights, marvel at the daily Winter Circus Show, and experience the 4D cinema, Dinosaur Valley, adventure golf and soft play.
With Santa gone, the Wookey Witch brings her magical touch to the whole site. Book in advance to save 20% at Twixmas Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland.
Somerset National Trust places to visit this Twixmas
12 days of Christmas trail, Prior Park National Trust
Selected dates 29 November – 4 January 2026.
Set in a sweeping valley, with winding paths and jaw-dropping views over Bath, Prior Park makes for a spectacular, wintry family walk. Christmas is particularly magical, as the Palladian Bridge (one of only four of this design in the world) is draped with a festive garland. Motivate little legs with the 12 Days of Christmas trail – more info.
Montacute House Sings
From 29 November 2025-1 January 2026 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
Enjoy festive cheer at Montacute House with Christmas carols recorded by five local Somerset choirs, each set to its own scenic backdrop. Wander the grounds, admire the 15-foot tree in the Great Hall, warm up by the braziers, leave a wish on the wishing tree and tuck into mince pies and mulled drinks. More info about festive Montacute.
Christmas at Tyntesfield
17 December to 31 December 2024 (excl. 24 & 25 December)
This Christmas, Tyntesfield transforms into a festive fairytale world with Once Upon a Christmas Time.
Explore magical decorations, a fairytale trail, and scenes inspired by Cinderella, the wild swans, and Jack’s beanstalk. Inside the house and across the grounds, enchanting stories come to life. Enjoy a charming chapel-courtyard street scene, festive concerts, Christmas trails, and craft workshops.
Winter family Trail at Fyne Court
TBC
Watch this space for More info.
Christmas at Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle and working mill are set to be transformed into a traditional ‘Country Christmas’ inspired by Luttrell family festivities.
The estate will be adorned with natural garlands, glowing trees and knitted robins, with the Servants’ Hall newly included on the route.
The stables will be decorated to welcome Father Christmas’ reindeer, and some real-life reindeer will be dropping by Green Court on 6-7 December. Want to see the Big Man in red? Father Christmas will be at Dunster (from £10 per child) – book in advance!
From 13-21 December, the castle opens late until 8pm for magical evening visits.
Throughout December, enjoy live music, late-night illuminated openings, seasonal treats in the tearoom, and festive workshops, from wreath making to needle felting.
The Nutcracker Trail runs daily from 26 December until 4 January.
Christmas at Stourhead National Trust
- 28 November to 31 December 2025
Discover gigantic luminescent sculptures rising high into the night sky, glittering trees dripping with festive colour, giant baubles and a fire garden aglow with flames, all enhanced by a soundtrack of festive tunes. Christmas at Stourhead is pure magic every year!
Discover more Christmas Lights Trails in Somerset
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