Twixmas in Somerset: Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year 2026-27

Looking for things to do in Somerset between Christmas and New Year? Twixmas is that peculiar twilight zone in the Christmas holidays when nobody knows what day it is, the children are bouncing off the walls and everybody is living off turkey 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. Luckily in Somerset, there are plenty of ways to get everyone out of the house, from winter walks and free family days out to pantomimes, ice skating and spectacular Christmas light trails.

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. The Visitor Centre is scheduled to open 10am-2pm on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and 8am-4pm from 27-31 December 2026.
• 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 starling murmurations at Shapwick Heath, Ham Wall and Westhay Moor Nature Reserve
• Take a hike around Otterhead Lakes, Blackdown Hills

Catch a Christmas pantomime

Oh yes you can! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to the panto, and Somerset’s theatres have plenty of festive favourites lined up. From fairy-tale adventures and traditional pantomimes to laugh-out-loud comedy, there’s something to entertain the whole family during the Twixmas lull.

Whether Aladdin, Dick Whittington, Snow White or Beauty and the Beast tickles your fancy, you’ll find a festive show for your family in my guide to the best pantomimes in Somerset, with full details of productions, venues and dates.

Twismas Ice Skating in Somerset

Clarks Village Ice Rink

Clarks Village’s real outdoor undercover ice rink returns to Street from 10 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Quiet and parent-and-toddler sessions, plus penguin and seal skating aids, make it ideal for beginners. There’s an extra treat for shoppers, too: skating tickets unlock exclusive discounts at the outlet shops.

Icescape Tropicana, Puxton Park

Head to Puxton Park for real ice skating, open from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The large undercover rink is perfect for a festive family outing, with seasonal food and warming drinks.

Bath on Ice

Bath on Ice returns from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, bringing festive lights, music and themed evenings, including Disney Night and Battle of the Pop Girls. Warm up afterwards with hot chocolate, mulled drinks and food at the Moguls Alpine Bar, or try the colourful, illuminated Glow Golf.

Bristol on Ice

Bristol’s NEW festive skating rink takes over the city’s Harbourside Amphitheatre from 28 November to 27 December 2026. Alongside ice skating, expect fairground rides, festive food, tipi bars and live music. Entry is free, so you can soak up the atmosphere without skating. Children must be at least five to go on the ice.

Planet Ice Bristol

Planet Ice Bristol offers public skating, quieter sessions for under-fives, lively Sub Zero discos and sensory-friendly sessions for disabled skaters.

Twixmas Lights Trails in Somerset

Head out to see Somerset sparkle. From dazzling illuminated gardens and magical woodland walks to spectacular light displays at historic houses, there are some magical of ways to continue getting your festive fix between Christmas and New Year.

Discover the best displays in my guide to Christmas light trails in Somerset, with details of locations, dates and tickets.

Attractions open this Twixmas in Somerset

Glow in the Dark, Mini Golf, Bath

After showing your best skating shapes at Bath on Ice, try nighttime Glow Golf from 20 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 next door to Bath on Ice on the twinkling mini-golf course, where glowing balls and festive lights create an enchanting atmosphere for keen putters.

New Years Day Steam Up 2027, Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum

1 January 2027, 11am-4pm

Celebrate New Year’s Day 2027 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. Free parking, quiz, and picnic area. Advance tickets available online.

Twilight Tobogganing, Mendip Activity Centre

6 November 2026-3 January 2027

One of my most favourite festive Somerset activities! 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.

Twixmas at Haynes Motor Museum

19 December-3 January 2026

One for the automobile lovers out there – Haynes Motor Museum’s festive programme includes a Christmas family trail, Scalextric and Little Tike cars to explore the museum.

Somerset family days out in December

Nutcracker Twixmas trail, Prior Park National Trust

Discover a magical Christmas trail at Prior Park Landscape Garden in Bath, where The Nutcracker comes to life throughout the lower garden. Running from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, this festive adventure brings the classic story to the beautiful historic landscape, offering families a seasonal stroll among enchanting scenes and garden views.

Montacute House

TBC

Twixmas at Tyntesfield

Follow the Festive Friends Christmas trail around Tyntesfield’s grounds from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Children can play hoopla with Rudolph, bowl with Frosty and make music with Rockin’ Robin before collecting a prize. The trail is free with normal admission, runs 10am-3pm.

Twixmas at Dunster Castle 

Make the most of Twixmas with a festive visit to Dunster Castle, open daily from 26 December to 3 January 2027. Explore festively-decorated rooms, spot knitted robins inside and reindeer around the gardens, and discover the Reindeer Service Station in the stables. The working watermill and tearoom offer seasonal treats, while the castle’s illuminated evening openings continue on selected dates.

Twixmas at Stourhead National Trust

• 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027

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

If you know of an event or activity not in this guide to things to do in Somerset between Christmas and New year, get in touch.