There are hundreds of magical and festive events and activities families can take part in this winter to get into the seasonal spirit.
Up and down the country mince pie ovens are on full blast, ice skates are being sharpened and stollens receiving a final dusting of icing.
Now that the temperature has sunk dramatically and the prospect of snow is real, there's no denying the Christmas season is upon us.
If you've struggled to get into the swing of things so far or feel like you need your Christmas spirit levels topped up a little, then a big family friendly festive day out may be in order.
We've picked some of the best events and activities running through December in villages, towns and cities across the UK.
Christmas markets
Christmas markets are a lovely place to wile away a few hours , buy some presents and indulge in a seasonal treat.
The UK's scene has expanded massively in recent years, and there are now festive stallholders selling their wares across the country.
The biggest ones include Manchester Christmas Markets, Winter Wonderland and Birmingham's famous German themed market.
There are many smaller ones with delicious festive treats, gifts and stocking fillers in towns and villages.
We've compiled a complete list of the UK's Christmas markets to help you find your nearest one.
Santa Claus meet and greets
What's more festive than getting to me the man at the centre of the magic himself?
The National Trust is hosting FC a t some of its properties this festive period, meaning you can visit an impressive old pile and drop off your list.
At National Trust property Quarry Bank in Cheshire there will be a special baby and toddler storytelling and play session with Father Christmas.
Santa will then move to his grotto at Stourhead in Wiltshire to lead a storytelling session without music and with smaller group sizes.
Festive theme parks
In the run up to Christmas Day a lot of the UK's theme parks are hosting special seasonal events.
At Alton Towers a Christmas market is currently running, as well as Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland - Europe’s largest light and lantern festival.
Visitors can drop in on Santa's grotto at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and enjoy a delicious warming hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Father Christmas is also visiting Chessington World of Adventures, where there is also a pantomime, Magical Christmas Kitchen and Elmer's Christmas Story Time.
The DUPLO Puppet Pantomime and Holiday Harbour Lights Show are just two of the attractions being laid on at Legoland Windsor this Christmas.
It's worth noting that the theme parks themselves are usually closed - Theme Parks UK has compiled a full list of the Christmas events at theme parks this year.
Christmas events and fairs
As well as the Christmas markets which have taken over the UK's town and city centres, there are plenty of smaller, more locally run fairs taking place.
National Trust properties are hosting a lot of them, including at Petworth in Sussex where you can find a range of handmade items including jewellery, homewares, textiles and art, while Ormesby Hall in Yorkshire is hosting a festive fair in the marquee.
Equally as wholesome are wreath making workshops hosted by English Heritage at venues including Brodsworth Hall and Gardens and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens.
If you prefer to do things at home then the charity has an online workshop which teaches you how to make Victorian crafts.
Real-life Polar Express
The beautiful Yorkshire Dales are best seen in winter, when their famously bleak vistas are at their most mysterious.
The Polar Express which runs across it from Wensleydale Station invites families to don their pyjamas and immerse themselves in a theatrical festive experience on rolling stock.
Many heritage railways put on similar shows, so much sure to check the one local to you.
Christmas light shows
We've done the leg work for you and searched out the 10 best Christmas light trails in the UK this festive season, with some truly amazing festive illuminations on offer for families.
After all, they're a great way to get into the festive spirit and banish some of the mid-winter darkness, so long as you wrap up warm enough to keep the chills out.
One of the most eye-catching shows is currently twinkling away among the sequoias at Kew in London, where the famous botanical gardens are being lit up by unique designs from a host of different studios.
Sandringham in Norfolk is also back this year, with a mile-long Winter Light Trail through the Royal Parkland set to ambient Christmas music.
In the North West Durham Massey is bringing a similar level of festive cheer, with the Cheshire light trail boasting two large sparkling reindeer and a particularly shiny Father Christmas.
Ice skating
Ice skating is a festive classic, especially if your local Christmas market has an ice rink so you can skate around surrounded by festive cheer and twinkling lights. For those with younger ones, it may be worth checking if there are any skating aids to help them stay upright, or book earlier in the day when there are dedicated family-friendly sessions.
There are big rinks at major towns and cities across the UK, including in Edinburgh's Princes Gardens, Cardiff's Winter Wonderland, and Ice Cube Leeds.
Plenty of towns have smaller ones in their centres, whether they be real ice or more environmentally but equally slippery alternatives.
Pantomimes
There is probably no more enjoyable or family friendlier evening out than the pantomime.
Each year a list of about ten shows, including the knee slapping Dick Whittington, Aladdin and Puss in Boots, are rotated through theatres across the country.
Not only are they upbeat, cheap compared to most theatre and involve lots of crowd participation, they're a core part of keeping local theatres afloat.
The Big Panto Guide has a great list of shows on near you this Christmas.
If you're looking for a bit more star power, then pantos at bigger theatres can be great places to spot stars of the small screen.
This year Joe McElderry (Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Newcastle Theatre Royal), Anne Hegerty (Fairy Flutterby in Beauty and the Beast at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre) and Bobby Davro (Buttons in Cinderella at the Trafalgar Theatre Dartford) are all getting into the swing of things.
Lapland UK
In recent years Lapland experiences have been popping up across the UK and delighting families.
One of the first to open more than a decade ago was Lapland UK in Kent, where a patch of woodland by a reservoir was turned into a snow caked winter wonderland in which skipping elves would take happy families to see Father Christmas in his cabin.
The people who set up that particular experience wanted to offer a slice of Lapland itself, without encouraging people to fly to the Nordics on emissions heavy planes.
There are now many similar winter wonderland experiences across the country which allow you to get up close and personal with elves, Mother Christmas and the man himself.
Our Lapland UK guide is packed with tips on what to expect and when to get tickets!
Disney on Ice: Dream Big
Disney fans can watch Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and heaps of friends take to the ice in a dazzling new show this winter.
Dream Big brings to life iconic Disney stories through incredible figure skating, with appearances from heaps of beloved characters like Olaf, as well as princesses including Moana, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle and Cinderella. Oh, and Frozen's Anna and Elsa of course.
The show will be touring the UK with dates for Manchester, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield and London, with dates until the 31st December 2022.
Tickets start from £39.30 - head to disneyonice.com to find out more.
