Christmas Events In Maidenhead
The festive season is not far away, and many of us look for activities and events to get into the Christmas mood. We have put together a roundup of lots of lovely things to do in Maidenhead. Some of the events need to be booked (and be quick, as some are selling out fast), and some do not require pre-booking. **Note this is a 2022 list, but do check back nearer the time for updates**
There’s something for everyone – and if you’re looking for Christmas markets – then head to the Christmas Markets in Maidenhead post for all the details.
We provide you with the information – but do check with the event organisers as well in case there are any changes or the events have sold out.
The Maidenhead Christmas Lights switch on will be on Saturday 26th November. It will take place in the town between 10am – 7:30pm – with a festive Christmas market, small fairground rides, live music from The Bottle Kids and a fireworks display on the roof of the town hall, following the countdown to the switch on. The live music starts from 4:30pm at the town hall and the lights will be switched on at 6pm.
Santa’s Grotto will be in the Nicholson shopping centre on Saturday 26th November, Saturday 3rd December, Saturday 10th December and Saturday 17th December. Santa and his elves will be there between 11am – 3pm each week, then 11am – 1pm on 17th. This is free of charge, but a donation would be welcomed to go to local charities.
There will be a Santa’s grotto at Dobbies at Hare Hatch from Thursday 24th November – Tuesday 20th December (some dates have sold out). Explore the snowy forest before meeting Santa and receiving a gift.
The Alzheimers Dementia Support charity Santa Dash takes place at Dorney Lake on Sunday 27th November from 10:30am. Register your place to take part in this 5K run, walk or wheel. You’ll get a free santa suit, or come in your own festive fancy dress and there are prizes, rewards and lots more fun.
Breakfast with Santa at The Pond House runs every Sunday from Sunday 27th November – Sunday 25th December between 9:30am – 11:30am. Families can enjoy a fun packed morning with breakfast with Santa, colouring a quiz and games.
One Snowy Night is a magical show for families, showing at Norden Farm between Tuesday 29th November – Friday 30th December. There will be perfomances at 11am and at 2pm with relaxed performances on Saturday 3rd December at 11am and Wednesday 28th December at 11am.
There will be a Santa’s grotto at Sheeplands garden centre at Hare Hatch, running from Saturday 3rd December – Saturday 24th December. Tickets are £8.99 per child, £24 for three children and £30 for four children. They are also doing Breakfast with Santa running from Sunday 4th December – Saturday 24th December. £9.99 for adults and £11.99 for children (includes breakfast and a gift from Santa). And on Saturday 3rd December Santa will be arriving in his vintage fire engine at 11am – free event, no booking required.
The Alexander Devine Hospice Christmas lights trail will be on all the way through December, from 1st – 31st December. You can download the trail map and enjoy the lights, and donate £3 online to support the charity.
Boyne Hill Cricket Club will be having a Christmas party on Saturday 3rd December from 7pm. There will be a DJ and Christmas raffle. All welcome. Free entry.
The Thames Valley Adventure Playground will be putting on a Christmas party. This is will on Sunday 4th December between 1pm – 3pm at TVAP, Bath Road, SL6 0PR. There will be a Santa’s grotto, gift stalls, festive food and drink, crafts and more. This is free to attend but booking is essential. Email names and numbers to Holly at standoutforautism@outlook.com
The St Lukes Christmas Tree Festival will be back at St Lukes Church between Friday 9th – Sunday 11th December. The church will be full of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, all decorated by local organisations in the community. You can go in and visit them between 10am – 7pm on the Friday and Saturday, and 12pm – 6pm on the Sunday. Vote for your favourite by donating, and there are refreshments and a raffle.
Book your tickets for the Random and Rocks Christmas show on Friday 9th December, between 5pm – 6:45pm at the Braywick leisure centre. The duo will be back on stage entertaining families with festive fun, competitions, dances, a snowball fight, silly string and more in this interactive live show. Tickets are £9 per person, under 3’s go free.
Breakfast with Santa at Stubbings can be booked for the 10th and 11th December and 17th – 24th December. Slots can only be booked online. Enjoy a breakfast in the cafe from 8am and meet Santa. He will also come round the tables with a gift, and afterwards he will read the children a story.
There will be a special fundraising Christmas family zoo day BCA Zoo on Saturday 10th December at 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm. The event is to raise money for the new Scottish Wildcat enclosure.
There are also Elves Workshops where children can make gifts for the animals, then have a guided tour and give the animals their presents. These workshops run from Saturday 3rd December – Saturday 24th December at 9:30am.
The Maidenhead Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk will be showing at the Braywick Leisure Centre between Saturday 17th December and Saturday 24th December. Performances will be at 1:30pm each day and 5pm each day (apart from Christmas eve).
The Maidenhead Drama Guild presents Beauty and the Beast at the Holyport War Memorial Hall between Wednesday 14th December – Sunday 18th December. Tickets are selling fast, so book now.
The Santa Show will be at the Braywick Leisure Centre on Monday 19th December at 11am – 12pm and 2pm – 3pm and Tuesday 20th December at 11am – 12pm and 2pm – 3pm.
Suitable for ages 2 years and over, this is an interactive show with songs, stories and a gift for every child.
The charity concert in aid of hearing Dogs for Deaf People will be at Norden Farm on Wednesday 14th December at 7:45pm. This family concert will have songs from shows, big bands and Christmas music.
The Albion Christmas Band will be at Norden Farm on Friday 16th December at 8pm. This festive show will be a mixture of Christmas carols, spoken word and humorous readings.
The Carnival of the Animals Lantern Parade will return to the Maidenhead town centre on Saturday 10th December from 4:30pm – 6:15pm. The parade is a celebration of the arts and the community and encourages local people to get together with their artwork and parade in the town.
Lantern making workshops will be held at Norden Farm on Saturday 19th November and Saturday 27th November between 10:30am – 12:30pm and 2pm- 4pm. And Saturday 3rd December between 10:30am – 4pm.
The fun and energetic Christmas Ceilidh will be at Norden Farm on Saturday 17th December at 7:30pm. This evening of dancing and music in the long barn will have you learning dances such as the Cumberland Square 8, Gay Gorden and The Willow Tree! No experience needed!
Head to The Little Bookshop Cookham website, for the letters to Santa secret booking form. Children will be invited to bring their letter to Santa into the shop and post it in the special post box. Make sure you fill out the online form first and pay £4.99. Then before the big day, your child will receive a letter back from the man himself which will be delivered to your door.
The last Santa post is 12pm on Saturday 17th December.
FREE arts and crafts at The Maidenhead Library St Ives Road between Monday 19th December – Friday 23rd December between 2:30pm – 4pm. No booking required.
Monday 19th – Angels, Tuesday 20th – penguins, Wednesday 21st – wreath, Thursday 22nd – Santa, Friday 23rd – Snowmen.
Follow the Maidenhead Round Table page for updates of when the Santa sleigh will be coming around and visiting residential roads in Maidenhead. Santa will be coming around Maidenhead between Monday 5th December – Saturday 24th December and he will be outside The Maiden’s Head on Saturday 26th November for the Maidenhead lights switch on.
When it is launched on the FB page, there will be a tracker where you can see exactly where Santa is along with a list of dates and locations.
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