As we enter December, many of us will be looking for ways to fill our evenings and weekends with festive activities. If you live in the capital city, there is an abundance of events and experiences that you can attend, and you can find out about them here.
But, if you are looking to go a bit further and try something different, we have collated all the experiences within an hour's drive of Cardiff for you to take your pick from. From the Luminate lights at Margam Park, to Brecon Mountain Railway's Santa trains, there are activities taking place that are suitable for a range of ages.
This is the first year many of these events are happening since before the coronavirus pandemic, so we urge you to act fast with booking your place. While we have done our best to check if these experiences still have availability, we have included some that are sold out, some events have reserve lists that you can join in case a cancelled slot becomes available.
READ MORE: Cardiff Christmas Market 2022: All the food and drink stalls at the festive attraction
Luminate Wales at Margam Country Park
Luminate Wales at Margam Country Park is a feast for the senses. A mile long, the light trail weaves through the stunning, historic gardens of Margam Country Park and Castle.
Luminate Wales is now open and runs to Monday, January 2, and tickets must be booked online and in advance. Tickets start at £11 for children and £15 for adults and you can book them here.
Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake
Arriving on his own personal speedboat, you can enjoy brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake, near Newport. After brunch, children will be invited to the café balcony to witness Santa’s speedy arrival. He will then join them in the café to chat to them individually and give them all a gift.
Tickets cost £16.95 for children and £12.95 for adults and the brunch is running every weekend from Saturday, December 3 to Sunday, December 18. You can book your tickets here.
The Nutcracker Brecon Festival Ballet
Brecon Festival Ballet will be performing The Nutcracker at the newly refurbished Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon. Welsh and British dancers will be performing alongside the Welsh Chamber Orchestra.
The performance will be running from Friday, December 16 to Sunday, December 18 and tickets start at £21.50. You can book your tickets here.
Christmas experience at Forage Farm
Forage Farm near Cowbridge will be running its Christmas experience on selected dates in December. There will be a Christmas show with a cheeky Christmas elf and the chance to meet Father Christmas.
Tickets cost £10.50 for adults, £12.50 for children, and £2 for children aged under three. You can book your tickets here.
Festive events at The Angel Hotel
The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny is putting on some great Christmas activities this year. There will be afternoon festive tea, visits from Father Christmas with sleigh rides, fondu nights and an Apres Ski Bar.
Located in the courtyard, the Apres Ski pop-up bar has become an essential part of Christmas at The Angel, bringing the ambience of an alpine ski lodge to the heart of Abergavenny. Vin Brulé, wheat beer, sloe gin and authentic Bavarian snacks enhance the Après Ski experience. The bar will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout December.
Father Christmas himself will visit The Angel in his horse-drawn sleigh. You can even take a ride on the sleigh. The sleigh rides are taking place on Sunday, December 4, 11 and 18 from 1.30pm to 4pm. The sleigh ride costs £20 per ride for up to six guests.
The Royal Mint Christmas Experience
The Royal Mint in Llantrisant is hosting its own Christmas experience. At The Royal Mint Christmas Experience, visitors will take a tour of the festive coin factory and all children will meet Santa and have the opportunity to have their photo taken, before leaving with a special gift to take home.
Running now until Christmas Eve, tickets cost £10 for adults and £15 for children. You can book here.
Santa Specials at The Brecon Mountain Railway
Another train you can meet Santa on is the Brecon Mountain Railway. Trains will be running in late November and throughout December and there will be mulled wine and mince pies for the parents and gifts for the children.
Tickets cost £20.75 for adults and £17.75 for children. You can book your tickets here.
Christmas at Fonmon Castle
Fonmon Castle in Barry is hosting many activities this Christmas. There will be Santa Shows every 30 minutes, meet Mrs Claus, meet The Crazy Elf, Festive Story Trail, live music, 32 acres of festive lights and illuminated gardens, up-close Owl experience, Christmas magicians, and even more.
Tickets start at £10 and those under three go free. The events are running at Fonmon Castle from now to Christmas Eve. You can book here.
Christmas at Tredegar House
There are many events to enjoy at Tredegar House in Newport this Christmas. Activities include a Winter Wander with Percy the Park Keeper, self-led Christmas crafts, a food, and craft market, a magical musical weekend, a production of Scrooge Returns, and Yuletide evening tours.
These events are running through December and you can book your tickets here.
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