Top 8 Best Christmas Breaks to take in the UK in 2024

1. Book a Theatre Break in London with Hotel Stay

London is magical at Christmas time; with twinkling Christmas lights to festive food, the city is blanketed with holiday cheer and is an exciting destination for a christmas city break. Let Santa's helpers take the hassle out of the holidays for you and suggest you head to the glittery West End to see a dazzling theatrical performance. With over 263 theatres, why not take in a show and experience the perfect theatre break with Holiday Extras.

Parcel your theatre tickets with a stay at a one of our many hand-picked London hotels in the heart of the city, including luxurious 4-star hotels like the Leonardo Royal Hotel St Paul's overlooking the breath-taking St Paul's Cathedral or the Crowne Plaza, Albert Embankment with it's idyllic rooftop bar boasting wintry views across the River Thames. Ideal for a romantic Christmas getaway, enjoy a luxurious treat and see one of the following magical performances this year:

London Theatre Shows

If parking in London at Christmas is a concern, please visit Holiday Extras guide to Parking in London.

2. Experience Hogwarts™ in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Experience Christmas in the Wizarding World. London's annual Hogwarts™ in the snow feature is likely to return to delight the whole family this year. Explore the Forbidden Forest's wintry transformation as the trees and woodland are dusted in layers of filmmaking snow, so that the sets from your favourite Harry Potter films are adorned with Christmas magic. The seasonal changes are likely also to be seen over the cobbled stones and wintry shop fronts of Diagon Alley™ and Hagrid's Hut™.

Visit the Great Hall in full seasonal splendour as it's sprinkled with a little Hogwarts magic and decorated with wreaths and garlands. The celebrated festive feast from the first film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, complete with a flaming Christmas pudding and mouth-watering prop versions of roasted turkeys and hams, may also be on display. Enjoy the best Christmas getaway with your children to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter this Christmas with a convenient hotel stay nearby and delicious breakfast included.

Alternatively, make this season extra jolly by booking tickets to view behind-the-scenes photos of your favourite characters, sets and locations with Warner Bros. On Location London presents the Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition.

3. Experience Christmas at the Tower of London

Book a festive trip to this iconic London landmark in 2024! Last year you could relax like royalty as you discovered mighty elephants and majestic polar bears through a winter wonderland scene at the Tower, and experienced Christmas through the animals that once roamed there. With outstanding themed areas to explore throughout the fortress, we anticipate that this festive season a visit to the Tower of London will fill you with just as much awe and wonder. It's a perfect Christmas treat for all the family.

If you bundle your entry tickets with a stay in a London hotel nearby, then you can kick your feet up like a King as you tuck into a festive evening meal afterwards.

4. Merry Christmas at Windsor Castle, Berkshire

Marvel at this magical Castle during the season to be jolly. Book a getaway this Noel to Windsor Castle and Christmas wrap your entry tickets with an overnight's stay at a hotel nearby. Take respite from the world with royalty as you encounter the majestic Christmas displays, including the traditional Nordmann Fir tree in St George's Hall, taken from Windsor Great Park, that is decorated with hundreds of stunning iridescent glass and mirrored ornaments. During the month of December we can anticipate there will also be a stocking filled bundle of festively fun activities for the kids, including magical storytelling and craft activities that the children will love.

5. Christmas at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World, Hampshire

Don't worry we have everything they want for Christmas! Whether your children will love seeing their favourite characters like Peppa and George don their seasonal outfits to spread festive cheer, or prefer seeing mesmerising lights at the Marvellous Musical Christmas Tree or would simply enjoy festive fun riding a roller coaster in Tornado Springs on Route 83, there's bundles of fun the whole family will love with a trip to Paultons Park this Christmas.

Meet Frosty the Snowman and a Snow Princess during the day, before you kick off your snow boots and cosy up to a comforting evening meal before your overnight stay. Experience Christmas at Paultons on selected dates throughout December. Booking a break at Paultons Park ensures Christmas is a claus for celebration!

6. Winter at Hampton Court Palace, London

Make this Yuletide a season to remember and book a getaway this December to Hampton Court Palace and create spectacular memories in the world of the Tudor court. Make it a December to remember by starting off with a visit to Hampton Court's Festive Fayre which usually takes place early in December. The Hampton Court Palace courtyards will have magically changed into a Christmas wonderland of delights and treats for all food-lovers. Then indulge in delicious street food and festive drinks accompanied by an array of classic Christmas songs. Along with mouth-watering treats there will also be great gifts available to purchase from one of many unique stalls.

It's likely that during December visitors will also be able to skate around the open-air ice rink located in front of the breathtaking palace. Perfect for skating beginners to experts alike, you can skate during the day or enjoy an evening session when the historic palace is dazzling with Yuletide multi-coloured lights. Indulge in a sweet or savoury treat after your family have taken off their skating shoes from the Ice Rink Café and Bar. One of the best locations for a Christmas break make sure you wander through the impressive corridors and discover where the Tudor festivities would have originally taken place and immerse yourself in the palace dressed in all its festive glory.

7. Kew Gardens in Winter, London

Get into the spirit of the season whilst it's in full swing and experience Christmas a Kew Gardens during the most beautiful time of year. Celebrate annual after-dark festivities which may include Kew's magical winter trail that lights up the evening skies. Family and friends will love discovering glittering tunnels of light, along with dancing waterside reflections and trees coated in colour along the way. Have yourself a happy Christmas, filled with light and wonder as it's likely you'll get the chance to spot larger-than-life illuminations and a spectacular display of flickering flames in the Fire Garden depending on what festive treats are planned for 2024.

You could visit Father Christmas along the route and grab a scrumptious bite to eat from one of the independent street food vendors offering tasty festive hot food, indulgent sweets and dreamy hot chocolate. Make the most of this holiday season and book at trip to Kew Gardens on one of the festive dates, traditionally throughout December.

8. Experience a Wonderful Wintery View from the Shard, London

It's time for mistletoe and a spot of romance in the capital! Save yourself a spot on Santa's nice list by treating your partner to a romantic Christmas city getaway in London. Experience the greatest views across the city from the top of London's tallest building with our Shard with hotel stay package. Experience 360° cityscape views across London and gaze at a city lit up with Yuletide magic.

Along with taking in the iconic landmarks and enjoying the sparkling sights, treat yourself to one of five sparkling signature Moët & Chandon Champagne cocktails created just for the festive season. After a sumptuous evening of celebration and fine-dining relax in a choice of hand-picked luxury 4* star hotels nearby, enabling you to enjoy a second day in London with an appetising breakfast included. Don't forget as you leave the Shard to look back and view the top of the Shard spire lit up in a dazzling multi-coloured light display after dark, usually throughout the month of December.