Two children and Father Christmas smiling and looking at a Christmas Tree decorated with red baubles and fairy lights in Tredegar House, Newport, Wales — Enjoy festive days out in Wales this Christmas | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Christmas in Wales

From sparkling decorations and scenic winter walks to fun family activities and vibrant Christmas markets, there’s plenty to enjoy in Wales this winter. Plan your festive day out and discover exciting events and experiences for the whole family.

Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham

Step into the festive spirit at Chirk Castle where grand decorations and twinkling lights fill every room and playful shadow puppet theatres bring the castle’s 700 years of history to life. Outside enjoy a winter walk or follow the woodland spotter trail to see if your little ones can find all the creatures that call the estate home.

Family admiring the Christmas trees at Chirk Castle

Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham

Explore Nutcracker inspired decorations and wander through realms of snow, candy, flowers and forests, finishing at a glittering ball. Outside, lights and decorations create a magical winter scene, and little ones can tackle the ballet-themed garden trail. Visit after dark for a truly festive experience with glowing lights and family crafts (15-18 December).

The Music Room at Erddig Hall, Wrexham, with an ornately decorated Christmas tree with baubles and fairy lights, surrounded by gifts. Stockings hand on the fireplace and Father Christmas' coat hangs over a chair.

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor

Celebrate a traditional Victorian Christmas at Penrhyn Castle, where festive splendour and timeless tradition bring the grand rooms to life with ornate decorations and twinkling trees. There’s plenty to light up the faces of younger visitors too with a selfie station, crafts, a wooden animal spotter trail, storytelling (12 December) and a magician (13-14 December).

Christmas decorations at Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales

Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey

Swap your reindeer antlers for headphones and jingle all the way to the dance floor at Plas Newydd’s Silent Disco this Christmas. Head to the Music Room, once used for parties by the ‘Dancing Marquess’, and dance the day away beneath a rainbow of lights. Afterwards, unwind with a winter walk in the grounds and capture a family selfie inside the 7-foot wreath.

Three children enjoing the silent disco at Plas Newydd, Anglesey. They're wearing lit up headphones and are clustered around a lit up disco ball.

Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Breathe in the crisp pine-scented air, listen to birdsong, spot bright holly berries, and enjoy views of the snow-dusted Carneddau mountains – Bodnant Garden provides the best reminder that slowing down can be the best gift of the season. Don’t miss the family winter nature trail to discover more about the garden’s seasonal highlights.

Visitors exploring Bodnant Garden, Wales

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool

Step into a Narnia-inspired wonderland in the upper rooms at Powis Castle where twinkling lights, ornate decorations, and towering trees bring this fairytale to life. Little ones will love spotting the tiny mice hidden amongst the decorations. After dark, from 12–22 December, see sparkling projections illuminate the castle’s medieval walls, creating a memorable festive spectacle.

A family enjoying the Christmas illuminations at Powis Castle and Garden

Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion

Don’t miss Llanerchaeron’s annual Christmas Fair from 5–7 December, when the historic estate becomes a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, joyful music, and seasonal scents. Explore over 70 stalls before heading inside the elegant Georgian Villa to enjoy a traditional Christmas with dressed trees, natural garlands, and fairy lights – it’s sure to leave you full of festive spirit.

Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire

Experience the Christmas Fair at Dinefwr, where local talent, flavours, and entertainment are sure to get you feeling festive. Newton House has been decked out for the season too – don’t miss the beloved Creatures of Dinefwr tree. After Christmas, banish the blues with Wales’ cherished Mari Lwyd tradition - expect lively music, laughter and plenty of mischief.

Mari Lwyd festive performance at Newton House, Dinefwr, Wales

Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff

Escape the chaos of Christmas with a peaceful stroll at Dyffryn Gardens. Wander frosty paths, breathe in the crisp air, and enjoy the quiet beauty of the season. If you’re visiting with little ones, see if you can help Father Christmas find his lost reindeer and complete their fun challenges. This is the perfect place for everyone to slow down this December.

Tredegar House, Newport

Step back in time at Tredegar House, where twinkling lights and festive magic bring history to life. Discover how Christmas has been celebrated here for over 500 years and really get in the festive spirit by visiting during ‘Late Nights’ (12-23 December). See over 80 Christmas trees, hundreds of sparkling lights, glowing lanterns, and a 250-year-old Cedar shining bright.

Tudor Merchant's House, Tenby

Step into a 16th-century Christmas and explore two floors filled with fresh greenery, fragrant oranges, and warming spices – don’t miss the grand table set for a lavish feast. Little ones can meet the mischievous ‘Lord of Misrule’, master of the Feast of Fools, who will gift them a free Tudor toy (while stocks last).

Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire

Dinefwr welcomes the Christmas season with its annual Christmas Fair, taking place from 21-23 November. The front of Newton House will be transformed into a festive marketplace featuring an array of delightful stalls offering everything from exquisite handmade jewellery to delicious preserves. This is a highlight of the season you won’t want to miss.

A man, a woman and a child browsing a stall at a Christmas market

Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion

Join us for the enchanting annual Christmas Fair at Llanerchaeron from 5-7 December, where over 70 talented stallholders will showcase their finest offerings. Explore a delightful selection of artisan treats, local foods, and hand-crafted goods. Sip on mulled wine and savour a mince pie as you soak up the festive spirit and joyful atmosphere.

A woman carrying a little boy as they look at a market stall

Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham

Create magical memories as you join Father Christmas for breakfast or supper at Erddig on weekends from 6-23 December (booking essential). With delightful activities, heart-warming songs, and festive surprises, this memorable experience is sure to fill the whole family with holiday cheer.

A young, smiling girl meeting Father Christmas at Erddig, Wales

Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire

Visiting Father Christmas is a cherished family tradition that adds a touch of magic to the festive season. Come and meet him in his grotto at Dinefwr on 7, 14 and 21 December as he takes a moment from his bustling schedule to hear your Christmas wishes (booking essential).

A young boy meeting Father Christmas in his grotto at Ickworth, Suffolk

Tredegar House, Newport

Celebrate the festive weekends from 13-23 December at Tredegar House, when a wandering Father Christmas will be bringing joy to everyone. You’ll also encounter the famously grumpy Scrooge, who will be observing the holiday cheer with his usual disapproval.

Father Christmas strolls down an avenue of autumnal trees

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool

Join Father Christmas for a magical breakfast in the Bodley Stables Bookshop (booking essential). See little faces light up as he makes his grand entrance, then gather by the Christmas tree to collect a small gift and hear a heartwarming story.

Father Christmas in his red suit, is giving a gift to a child. There is a Christmas tree in the background and other children waiting.

Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham

Enjoy the gift of giving by donating to the Wrexham foodbank in Erddig’s reverse grotto where Father Christmas will be waiting to thank you every weekend from 29 November to 21 December, 11am-3pm. Food donations are welcome on weekdays too, but Father Christmas won’t be there to thank you.

Father Christmas in his grotto at Erddig, surrounded by visitor’s donations to the local foodbank.

Chirk Castle, Wrexham

‘Tis the season for giving so give back to the community by making a donation to the Oswestry and Borders Foodbank. Food donations are welcome on weekdays, but Father Christmas will be there to thank you at weekends from 29 November to 21 December, 10.30am-3.30pm.