Fill your twixmas break in Lancashire

After the turkey has been eaten and the presents have been opened, there is still so much time for festive fun. Enjoy special moments and make magical memories in Lancashire this twixmas with family activities and attractions, gourmet dining, theatre and more.

Get out in nature

Burn off those extra mince pies and get out in nature during twixmas! We have a huge range of brilliant walking routes to enjoy in Lancashire, including some great walks under 5 miles, and walks that are perfect for a festive amble.  

The Wildlife Trust have also launched a 12 Days Wild challenge, for those who love to get outdoors. This challenge begins on Christmas Day and runs until 5^th January to coincide with many of the school holidays in the area. The challenges will involve fun activities like recycling your Christmas tree or feeding the birds, and spotting wildlife, so why not take to a Lancashire nature reserve like Brockholes or Mere Sands Wood to increase your chances of spotting something exciting.

Events
Christmas By the Sea (Running 17^th November to 1^st January)
Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire

Twixmas Opening Times: Daily from 12pm til 8pm, closed Christmas Day.

Cost: Ice Skating free, fairground rides from £3

What better way to spend the Christmas break than by getting in the festive spirit by the seaside. You'll find ice skating, fairground rides, Christmas Chalets, simulated snowfalls, entertainment, light shows and a 100ft-long snow slide to enjoy, all against the backdrop of Blackpool Illuminations. On New Year’s Eve you can also join in with the free family celebrations with a party on the festival headland between 3pm and 6pm to ring in the new year.

Chorley Winter Wonderland (Running 9^th December til 7^th January)
Town Centre, Chorley, Lancashire

Twixmas Opening Times: Boxing Day; 12 noon-5pm, 27^th & 28^th December; 10am-7pm, 29^th & 30^th December; 10am-8pm, New Years Eve; 10am-6pm, New Years; Day 11am-6pm

Cost: £6 per person for skating

Enjoy great food and drink and an ice rink in Chorley town centre this festive season. You will also find Betty’s Tipi, a Ferris wheel and children’s rides at the event. The ideal way to enjoy a day out in Chorley this festive season. 

Lancaster on Ice (25^th November to 7^th January)
Dalton Square, Lancaster, Lancashire

Twixmas Opening Times: Daily from 9am-10pm, except for: Boxing Day; 12 noon – 8pm, New Years Eve; 9am-7pm and New Years Day; 12pm-7pm

Cost: from £15

Ice skating in a beautiful historic square with Christmas tunes playing and a fantastic bar nearby, what more could you want for your Christmas break festivities? In addition to the ice rink, Lancaster on Ice offers fairground rides including a Big Wheel and vintage carousel, festive market stalls and tipi bar for you to enjoy. Located close to the city centre, it is the perfect place to do some boxing day sales shopping too and finish with a trip to one of the theatres for a show. 

High Jinx Magic Show
Blackpool, Lancashire

Twixmas Opening Times: Daily 2.30pm (excluding Christmas Day)

Cost: from £15

Join award-winning illusionist and magician Michael Jordan as High Jinx for a 90-minute display of wonders. Including sensational tricks, illusions, juggling, escapology, and festive surprises in the Blackpool Tower Circus this Christmas. The High Jink Christmas Show offers fun for young and old and is a perfect way to spend an afternoon in Blackpool this festive season.

Hit the Panto!

There are so many fantastic shows that run throughout the festive period, with many of Lancashire Christmas shows and pantos running until around the New Year. Check out A Christmas Carol at The Dukes in Lancaster, Aladdin at Blackpool Grand Theatre, Jack & The Beanstalk at Lowther Pavilion in Lytham St Annes, Peter Pan the Panto at Ribby Hall Holiday Village, Aladdin at King George’s Hall in Blackburn, Jack & the Beanstalk at The Atkinson in Southport, or if you want a break from the traditional pantos and Christmas plays watch Shrek the Musical at Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Days Out

Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse
Blackpool, Lancashire

Cost: Child £12, Adults £4.50

Blackpool’s latest attraction; the Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse provides an immersive experience for children who love Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s stories and illustrations. The kids can run wild inside the world of their favourite stories; include the Deep, Dark Wood from the Gruffalo, the caves of The Gruffalo’s Child, the ocean from the Snail and The Whale and more. There’s also a woodland café and children get to meet one of the characters too! This Christmas the character meet and greet will be with the festive favourite Stick Man!

The Flower Bowl
Garstang, Lancashire

Cost: Costs are per activity; bowling from £9, golf from £11, curling from £11.

The Flower Bowl has a little something of everything, from crazy golf and pool to bowling and even the north of England’s only curling rink. What’s more, you can enjoy great food and catch a showing of the latest film blockbuster, all under one roof.

WWT Martin Mere
Burscough, Lancashire

Cost: Entrance from £15

Whatever the weather there is so much fun to be had at Martin Mere Wetland Centre! With pink footed geese taking up home in the reserve during the winter and a cast of pretty pink flamingos and a cheeky family of otters throughout the year, not to mention all the other species that you can find, there is loads of wildlife for the family to see. This year the centre has been home to the Quentin Blake artwork trail, which changes seasonally. Winter’s artwork trail launched on the 11^th December and if you haven’t seen it yet - the festive break is the perfect time to take a look.

Holmes Mill
Clitheroe, Lancashire

Cost: Price varies per activity 

For indoor entertainment and fun, head to Holmes Mill this twixmas! Challenge your friends and family to a game of duck pin bowling at Boiler House Bowling or Catch Wonka, this Chrismas’ blockbuster hit at the Everyman Cinema (open from 27^th to 29^th December). Bowland Food Hall, part of Holmes Mill, is perfect for picking up some local produce for a quick and easy evening meal, or a last minute present for a relative you may be popping by to see, the beer hall is great for a catch up with friends and the Gelateria, with 18 different flavours of gelato and mouthwatering milkshakes, is the ideal pit stop for the kids. 

Don’t forget there are also some great opportunities to win a treat for you and your loved ones in our Advent Calendar Prize Draw which is running until 8^th January – there are 24 prizes to be won!

Keep in touch on Visit Lancashire Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts for more inspiration, and remember to tag @VisitLancashire in the photos from your time #InLancashire, we’d love to see them.