What’s on this Christmas in Somerset?

One minute you’re clinging on to the last throes of summer, the next, the hours of daylight are shrinking and Christmas is right around the corner! If you’re keen to maximise the festive feels this year, planning ahead early for family visits to Santa and Christmas Lights Trails is essential to avoid disappointment.

Venues get booked up really quickly, so I’ve put together a hand-picked selection of enchanting Christmas lights trails, Christmas markets, Father Christmas meet-and-greets and the best of what’s on in Somerset this Christmas, so you can be prepared for when December comes around.

Use the table of contents to skip ahead, or browse through the post for inspiration. There’s so much on, you’re bound to find something you fancy near you. Be sure to check back regularly as I’ll continue to update the post with this to do in Somerset this Christmas.

If you know of any wonderful festive Somerset event that isn’t listed here, please click here to submit a listing.

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This post on Christmas things to do in Somerset contains affiliate links, should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, although I receive a small commission which goes towards the upkeep of this blog.

Ice rinks and winter skating in Somerset

Clarks Village ice rink

2025 dates: TBC

Get your skates on! Returning for a second year is Clarks Village outdoor, under-cover ice rink, featuring real ice. Look out for quiet sessions as well as parent and toddler sessions for wobbly starters. Penguin and seal skating aids will be available for little ones, as well as bob skates to help guests stay steady.

When you show your ice skating tickets (and/or receipt), you’ll get access to some exclusive brand discounts at Clarks outlet shopping. Book tickets now!

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.

Somerset Christmas events 2025

Christmas lights trails in Somerset

Make the most of the nights drawing in with the most joyful of winter events – twinkly Christmas lights trails!

A number of attractions in Somerset will be bringing a little bit of festive magic into our lives over the Yuletide season with their outdoor Christmas events – expect neon illuminations, dazzling foliage and glittering light displays! Here’s my round-up of Somerset’s best Christmas lights 2025.

Family Holiday Activities: Wells Cathedral Christmas Sing-a-Long

• When? 20 December 2025, 10-11am

Wells Cathedral hosts a free Christmas Family Sing-Along for children aged 4-11. Families can enjoy festive songs and a short choir performance by the Cathedral’s Song Squad. Tickets required.

Taunton’s WinterFest

10am-8pm, 23 November 2025

Taunton’s WinterFest is a jam-packed day of festive fun with live music acts and performances, funfair rides, a Christmas market, charming Yuletide characters and the big Christmas light switch-on happening at 6pm. Santa will be enjoying the festivities too! More info.

Quedam Shopping Centre, Yeovil

Watch this space. More info

Reindeer World Tour at Montacute House

2025 dates: TBC

Montacute House welcomes Father Christmas’s reindeer back to the garden and they need your help. Four sacks of presents have slipped off the sleigh, so Father Christmas has sent the reindeer out to find them. Can you discover where in the world the sacks have landed?

Afterwards, have a peek inside the house – the ground floor will look beautifully festive with its 15-foot Christmas tree decorating the Great Hall. More info about festive Montacute

Christmas at Tyntesfield

2025 Family Reindeer making dates: 14, 20, 21 December 2025

Construct a festive wooden reindeer from parts provided by the Somerset Bodgers. Each day has three two-hour sessions – 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Christmas is particularly festive at Tyntesfield. Soak up a Victorian Christmas atmosphere inside the mansion house as the Gibbs family and servants set about their festive preparations.

Look out for a roaming Father Christmas, Christmas horse and carriage rides (£4 per person per ride, book on the day at front of the house), local choirs crooning Christmas classics in the chapel, a festive audio trail, plus seasonal Sunday markets for a spot of festive shopping.

Nutcracker Trail, Dunster Castle

2025 dates: selected dates 6 December-4 January 2026

Experience a traditional country Christmas inspired by the Luttrell family’s Christmas traditions at Dunster Castle. Tuck into seasonal treats at the Watermill Tearoom, explore the gardens, and explore in the Nutcracker Trail from 26 December to 4 January.

The stalls in the stables will be decorated to welcome Father Christmas’ reindeer, expect presents piled high, a map marked with their route and their favourite treat: seasonal muesli from Dunster’s working watermill. Stop by on 6 and 7 December to see live reindeer as they prepare for their journey around the world. 

Father Christmas will also be visiting Dunster during select dates in December – book your slot here.

Mendip Activity Centre Twilight Tobogganing

2025 dates: 6 November- 4 January 2026

Mendip Activity Centre are running their popular Twilight Toboggan sessions this winter. Pop on your free santa hat and shimmy to festive music in between swooshing down slopes dusted with snow (from a machine) and glittering fairy lights.

Afterwards, head off along an illuminated path to a canopied woodland clearing for marshmallows, hot chocolate, s’mores and sparklers around the campfire. The Mendip Elves have reimagined this festive grotto with hand-built shelters, rustic hazel fences, and dry stone walls.

This year, adults will also receive a mince pie and glass of non-alcoholic mulled wine. More info and booking.

Coates English Willow Christmas Sculpture Trail

2025 dates: TBC

Coates English Willow has been weaving festive Christmas sculptures for you to find. Choose a wordsearch or picture quiz with a prize at the end.

Supper with Santa at Puxton Park 2025

2025 dates: TBC

Enjoy a magical feast and dance the night away at a disco with Santa with a gift for all children, plus access to the soft play barn. £20 per child (includes buffet, ice-cream, soft-play, disco, and a present from Santa). £15 per adult (includes buffet).

Magical Christmas Experience, Puxton Park

2025 dates: TBC

The Magical Christmas Experience at Puxton Park offers festive activities on select dates including a Santa visit with a gift, a walk through the Snowy Christmas Tree Village with a Wish Granting Tree, and crafts with Mrs. Claus.

Families can decorate gingerbread and make festive baubles in the Elves’ Workshop. Tickets are £10 (plus entry for non-members), and pre-booking is required. Arrive early to enjoy all activities, which begin at 10 a.m.

Christmas Concert under Concorde, Fleet Air Arm Museum

2025 dates: 7-10pm, 11 December

Visitors can join the HMS Heron Royal Navy Volunteer Band for Carols under Concorde 002 in Hall Four of the Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm museum. The concert features several classics and festive numbers for the occasion. Tickets include a mince pie and mulled wine on arrival, and tea/coffee during the interval.

Vee Dub Christmas Cruz, Weston-super-Mare

2025 dates: TBC

See over VW vans, all lit up for Christmas, raising money for The Grand Appeal – the official charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital. The procession starts at the Queensway Retail Park around 5.15pm, and heads out around Worle, along the Boulevard and up to the seafront, down past the pier and on to Marine Parade.

Somerset Rural Life Museum

Visit Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury this December to: TBC

Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, Bridgwater

Workshop: Clay Highland Cow – 16 December 2025

Clay crafting, coffee sipping, and Highland cow sculpting at Somerset Brick and Tile Museum.

Avon Valley Christmas experience

2025 Dates: 29-30 November; 6-7, 13-14, 19-24 December

The Grinch would have a tough time stealing all the festive joy from Avon Valley. With a Santa Show, slapstick elves, chance to meet Santa in his wooden cabin, toy factory, ‘The Grinch’ show, gingerbread cookie-decorating, magical forest, Santa’s post room, and ‘Elf Express’ miniature railway rides, Avon Valley is once again hosting one of the biggest Christmas experiences in Somerset.

Somerset Christmas lights switch-on 2025

Yeovil Christmas lights switch-on, King George Street

4-7pm, 22 November 2025. Activities to be confirmed.

Join together to switch on the town centre Christmas lights and illuminate the Christmas tree in the Quedam. With acts starting from 4.30pm there will be live music and dance from local and professional groups, family-friendly creative activities in Yeovil Art Space, seasonal delights at EPS Yeovil and a craft market.

After the Yeovil Xmas Light switch-on at 6.30pm on King George Street, there’ll be stilt walkers and balloon twisters from 3 – 6pm at Quedam Shopping Centre.

Christmas lights switch-on and lantern parade, Frome

When? TBC

Ignite your Christmas spirit at Frome’s Christmas Light the Night lights switch-on. The lantern procession parades through the town centre, carols, festive food stalls and Father Christmas in his grotto. Be sure to check Frome Lanterns website for workshop details and more information closer to the night.

South Petherton Christmas lights switch-on

30 November 2025

An afternoon of Christmas fun with music from Stoke-sub-Hamdon Brass Band in the village square, crafts and games in Blake Hall, decoration-making in St Peter and St Paul church, a craft fair at The Brewers Arms and businesses open late. Lights are switched on at 4.30pm.

Crewkerne Christmas Lights Switch-on

28 November 2025, 5pm

Dress as an Elf and join the fun in Crewkerne! Shops, cafés, pubs and businesses will be hosting festive events and special offers, including seasonal treats and refreshments, fun activities, a craft fair and charity stalls, live entertainment, Santa’s parade, Santa’s grotto and Christmas lights switch-on.

Bruton’s Christmas Evening, High Street

TBC

Enjoy early Christmas magic in Bruton High Street – see the Christmas Tree switched on at Crown Green at 5.30pm, browse food, drink and craft stalls and watch Father Christmas and his Elves arrive, abseiling down from the top of the Chapel! Santa will then take up temporary residence in his Grotto. More info

Weston-super-Mare Christmas Lights switch-on

When? 29 November 2025

The eat:Weston Christmas food festival will take place in the Italian Gardens on the same day as the festive lights switch-on.

Light-up the Lake, Clevedon

6 December 2025, 4.20pm

The annual light-up of Clevedon’s Marine Lake is back again in 2025! Starting from Clevedon Pier at around 4pm, join the procession of Samba band music (4.20pm), fire poy dancers to the lake to see illuminated boats and a performance by the Rock Choir. Dress warmly and bring your lanterns!

Christmas Theatre and pantos in Somerset

Looking for ways to keep the family entertained this festive season? I’ve turned my pumpkin into a coach and galloped around the county to reveal the the best pantomimes in Somerset. Ohhhh yes I have! From laugh-out-loud comedy to toe-tapping tunes, click here for a full round-up of the best pantos in Somerset.

Tacchi Morris Arts Centre, Taunton

• Jack & The Beanstalk pantomime: 5-21 December 2025

Taunton Brewhouse

• The Nutcracker* (not the ballet), 2-28 December 2025
• Christmas Quest: 5-23 December 2025
• Storytime with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Father Christmas: 11-18 December 2025

Westlands, Yeovil

•  Beauty & The Beast: 12 December 2025 – 4 January 2026

The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare

• TBC

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
• A Christmas Carol: 15-19 December 2025

The Egg Theatre, Bath

• Snow Mice: 20 November 2025-11 January 2026
• Aurora: 28 November-4 January 2026

The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater

• Christmas Spectacular: 29 November 2025
• Cinderella: 12-30 December 2025

The Regal Theatre, Minehead

• Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood: 13-20 December 2025

Strode Theatre, Street

Wellesley Theatre, Wellington

• Sleeping Beauty: 21-25 January 2026

Where to see Santa in Somerset

Visit Father Christmas, Taunton Brewhouse

2025 dates: TBC

Father Christmas is setting up a residency at Taunton Brewhouse for the second year in a row! Make your way through an enchanted forest inspired by the whimsical world of Pinocchio, all crafted from recycled materials.

Visitors can join a jolly forest elf to create a tree decoration and hear the latest news from the North Pole, followed by a meeting with Father Christmas as he prepares for the big day in his Somerset workshop. Before you leave, you’ll receive a make-at-home gift to cherish and enjoy with your family.

Christmas Wonderland, Little Town Adventures

This year, Little Town will be transformed into a Christmas Wonderland, featuring a beautifully decorated festive town and an enchanting grotto. Visitors can expect:

• A Personalised Letter from Santa: The magic starts before your visit with a custom letter from the North Pole.
• An immersive storytime adventure with Santa and his elves, filled with snow, songs and dancing.
• Magical Christmas town with fun festive role-play, games, and surprises.
• A visit to Santa’s magical grotto and a special gift to treasure.
• Snowy Finale

Christmas on the farm with Santa, Palette & Pasture

2025 dates: 6-7, 13-14, 20-23 December

Meet Santa in his grotto, pick a special gift from the Toy Shop, and snap a festive photo on a real Nordic sleigh at Palette & Pasture. Stroll around the farm, where animals await, including ice cream cows, ponies, sheep and more.

Kids can make reindeer food and build a Santa bell to jingle on Christmas Eve. All activities and an elf hat are included with your ticket.

• Adult Ticket £6, Child Ticket (2 years and older) £19.50, Child Ticket (under 2 years) £10.50, Dog Ticket £6.

Santa’s grotto at Museum of Somerset

Dates: TBC

On arrival, Santa’s elves will guide you to the magical grotto to meet with Santa, and each kiddo will receive a special gift. After seeing Santa, pop over to the museum for more Christmassy fun following the Reindeer Trail (£1). The café will be open serving hot drinks and seasonal treats. More info and booking

Father Christmas, Palmers, Yeovil

Dates: TBC

See Father Christmas arrive in style at Palmers Garden Centre, in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Owl Obsession will be bringing their beautiful Owls. More info.

Santa grotto, Taunton, Premier Princess Parties

• When? TBC
• Where? 51 station road, Taunton, TAl INZ

Step into a fairytale world with Jingles the head elf! Kids can make reindeer dust, enjoy festive treats, and join Santa to find their names on the nice list. Each child will receive a personalised, signed certificate and a special gift under the Christmas tree. Sessions, capped at five children, include time for photos and last 25 minutes. Suitable for ages 1 and up, priced at £15.95 per child. More info and book tickets here.

Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury

TBC

Friendly elves will guide you to Santa, who will be waiting in the Farmhouse Kitchen. After a chat, and a gift from the man in red, you can explore the museum and have a go at the special Christmas Trail. The Grain Store Café will be open serving festive treats. At the end of your visit, make a Christmas decoration to take home with you! More info

Visit Santa at Glastonbury’s Abbey House

29-30 November 2025

Visit Santa at Abbey House during Glastonbury’s Frost Fayre. Enjoy crafts, letter-writing, carol singing, and a festive trail before meeting Santa, who will give each child a gift. The experience lasts about one hour, with photos emailed afterwards.

Storytime with Father Christmas, Stourhead

6, 7, 13, 14, 2-23 December 2025

Enjoy festive crafts, hobby reindeer riding, and a cosy story time with Father Christmas. Ticket price – £18 per child. More info and booking.

Father Christmas at Bishops Palace, Wells

Saturday 6, Sunday 7, Saturday 20, Sunday 21 and Monday December 22 2025, between 9.30am-5pm

Make your way through the decorated rooms of The Bishop’s Palace to find Father Christmas’ grotto. Each family will have exclusive time with Father Christmas and receive a special Christmas gift. More info and booking.

Father Christmas at Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland

2025 dates: Weekends from 22 November, daily from 20-24 December

Wookey Hole decorate their famous caves with thousands of fairy lights for their festive season, turning it into a magical twinkling grotto. Guided tours take you through the spectacular caverns and then you’re free to explore above ground, where you’ll find a giant gorilla, fairy garden, animatronic dinosaurs, festive 4D cinema, festive circus shows, soft play, Victorian-style arcade and as part of the Christmas festivities, a chance to meet Santa and his elves.

Book to see Santa at Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland

Christmas fun day at The Helicopter Museum

2025 dates: 14 December

Got a young vehicle enthusiast in the family? Delight their little minds with a visit to Santa’s helicopter grotto at Weston-super-Mare’s Helicopter Museum. Children will have the unique opportunity to meet Santa and his elf pilots, receive a special gift, and climb aboard several aircraft from the museum’s collection.

The festive activities extend beyond the grotto with charity stalls, face painting, and a seasonal fayre. It’s a perfect day out for any aviation lover, mixing festive fun with hands-on exploration of some incredible flying machines. 

Father Christmas at Cheddar Gorge and Caves

Selected dates from November until Christmas Eve 2025

Did you know that it’s not just cheese stored in Gough’s Cave, but lots of toys too! Father Christmas will be stopping off to ensure his operations are up to scratch and has decided that while the final tweaks are made, he will invite you behind the scenes to marvel at the magic that is Christmas at Cheddar. You’ll see elves checking destinations, busy sorting letters and making toys.

Visit Father Christmas at Sheppy’s House of Cider

2025 dates: 6 December, (10am-4pm)

Father Christmas is getting into the Somerset spirit and greeting families in his Sheppy’s Oak Vat grotto! Children will receive a gift and activity pack and afterwards, can visit the donkeys in the Old Barn, take a winter stroll around the orchards or pop by the Christmas Craft Fair (2-3 December). More info on Sheppy’s Santa Grotto

Cadbury Garden Centre Santa Grotto

Santa’s coming to Cadbury Garden Centre, The Elves are eagerly awaiting your arrival and busy making a gift for you to collect on the way out. Meet Santa in his grotto, go for Christmas afternoon tea or try the breakfast with Santa experience!

Weston Pier Santa Grotto 2025, Weston-super-Mare

2025 dates: 6-24 December. Grinch 6-21 December.

Meet the jolly man himself a quarter of a mile out to sea (depending on tide times of course) and receive a special Christmas gift.

For a Santa visit with a different festive flavour for your little mischief maker, book a Mr Grinch takeover! This green grump will be posing as the magical man himself in an attempt to steal your Christmas spirit! Book traditional Weston Pier Santa here

Christmas grotto at Space Adventurers, Taunton

Selected dates throughout December 2025

Enjoy a magical 2.25 hour experience hosted by one of Santa’s elves, teaching kids the secrets of being a good elf through craft and play!
Create your own reindeer food, make your own themed hot chocolate and a Christmas decoration to take home. Santa Claus will give each child a personalised meet and greet (thanks to a special form), there’ll be an elf hat workshop, elf hunt round the soft play, Christmas tree origami plus access to a festive-decorated soft play. More info and booking.

Sister soft play,  Ocean Adventurers, will also be hosting a similar Magical Mystical Christmas experience in Cheddar. For both venues, S.E.N.D. tickets are available with reduced capacity, no music and lowered lighting. Book here to see Santa at Ocean Adventurers this year

Meet Father Christmas at No. 1 Royal Crescent

6-21 December 2025

Father Christmas will be at No. 1 Royal Crescent in Bath, where he’ll read a Christmas story to children in the beautifully-decorated Servant’s Hall. Each child will receive a gift and a Georgian Christmas Cookie recipe card. Tickets available online.

Magical Christmas Experience, Somerset Reindeer Ranch, Yeovil

2025 dates: TBC

Head off on a magical, elf-led guided tour to see real-life reindeer and have story time with Santa. This one-hour experience involves a (Narnia-esque) journey through a magical wardrobe, luxury hot chocolate, reindeer feeding (£2 per portion) and a gift for youngsters under 16. Click here to buy tickets and check availability

Christmas Santa trains in Somerset

Santa Express West Somerset Railway

2025 dates: selected dates 6-24 December

Step aboard the Santa Express and take an unforgettable journey through West Somerset’s winter woodlands on a round trip from Bishop’s Lydeard to Williton.

Inside festively-decorated heritage carriages, Santa’s presents (made from 100% recycled materials) and refreshments will be waiting at your table and he’ll be along for the ride to make sure you’ve found them! West Somerset Railway info and Santa Express ticket availability.

*Don’t miss the Minehead Station Christmas Market and Train: 29-30 November 2025.

Santa Specials, Yeovil Railway Centre

2025 dates: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, and 23 December

The Santa Specials at Yeovil Railway Centre run with diesel used on 6 December and steam on other dates. Travel in a decorated heritage carriage on a steam locomotive (about 1/3rd mile long), before making your way to the ex GWR Transfer Shed, to meet Santa and receive a gift.

To add to the festive spirit there’s the chance to dance and play in falling ‘snow’. Adult tickets include a mince pie and hot drink.

Tickets cost £15 (£12 on 6 Dec). Pre-booking at least 24 hours in advance is essential; a 10% Early Bird discount applies until 30 September. More info and booking.

Santa Specials at Avon Valley Railway

Select dates from 23 Nov-24 Dec 2025

Hop aboard for a 50-minute festive train ride at Avon Valley Railway! Enjoy mince pies or biscuits while Santa visits the train, then, back at Bitton Station, meet Santa again for a photo and receive a special reindeer-themed plush toy. Don’t miss the returning festive Christmas donkeys on the station lawn!

New for 2025, upgrade to the Premium Santa Experience for extra time with Father Christmas in a first-class carriage, complete with elves and hot chocolate.

Christmas markets and shopping in Somerset

Old Rowlands All Year Christmas Shop, Cheddar Gorge

“Oh I wish it could be Christmas every daaayy”… Well, it is at Old Rowlands! Immerse yourself in the festive surroundings and pick up Christmas decorations of all shapes and sizes. More info

Christmas Markets

During the festive period, there are lots of Christmas markets in Somerset to potter around, from famous, long-standing annual events, o smaller village hall affairs. All promise unique, local, handmade crafts, festive treats and oodles of Yuletide cheer. I’ve put together a list of Christmas markets in Somerset taking place this festive season in order of when they’ll be happening.

Farm shops in Somerset

There’s something so lovely about pondering with an expert over a cheese or hunk of meat for a special occasion. At Christmas, Somerset’s glorious farm shops are brimming with festive goodies, tasty gifts, stocking fillers and scrummy delights for your Christmas feasting. Here are the best farm shops you’ll find in the county.

Carol concerts in Somerset

Carols by Candlelight Concerts, Wells Cathedral

2025 dates: 19, 20, 21 December

Share in this treasured tradition for an unforgettable celebration of Christmas within the awe-inspiring walls of Wells Cathedral. More info

Carols around the bandstand, Vivary Park Taunton

2025 dates: TBC

Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir and The New Horizon Singers will be belting out some festive numbers accompanied by Taunton Concert Band. Bring a torch or even better, a lantern! More info