Christmas preparation seems to be underway with some of us starting to buy gifts, indulging in festive food or choosing advent calendars. 

As the excitement for the big day builds, you might be wondering how you can show your children the magic of Christmas and top UK attractions are here to help.

Local attractions Alton Towers, West Midland Safari Park, Drayton Manor and Cadbury World all have festive events organised this winter and we’ve compiled a list making it easier to see what they’re offering.

Alton Towers Christmas events

Alton Towers Resort is hosting its very own Christmas Market this year. You’ll also be able to walk the trail that is the Lightopia Seasonal Wonderland and you can also visit for a Festive Day Out where you’ll be able to enjoy family rides and attractions on selected dates if you buy tickets for it.

To book tickets to Alton Towers’ three Christmas events, you can visit the website. 

Or if you're a regular at the theme park, why not invest in a Merlin Annual Pass which gets you access to more than 25 attractions across the country, including Alton Towers.

Passholders can also take advantage of other benefits from Merlin, unlocking further savings with each visit, including up to 20 per cent discount on food, drinks and retail, up to 20 per cent off short breaks at Resort hotels with Merlin Holiday Club.

A Merlin Monthly Membership gives families the opportunity to split the cost throughout the year with payments starting from £14.99 for the Gold Membership option plus a one-off sign-up fee of £49.99 for Gold Pass and £59.99 for Platinum Pass.

You can buy a Merlin Annual Pass on the website.

The Merlin Annual Passes are currently discounted in Merlin Entertainment's Black Friday sale. 

West Midland Safari Park Christmas events

West Midland Safari Park invites you to enjoy its Santa Safari from Friday November 26 to Friday December 24.

This experience will allow you to visit Santa’s Grotto where you can meet Santa and have your photo taken.

Children then choose a present in the Elves’ workshop and “complimentary refreshments” will be waiting for you in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, the website says.

Guests will not be able to use the Adventure Theme Park rides as they are closed during the winter.

If you’d like to buy tickets, you can find them on the Groupon website.

Drayton Manor Park Christmas events

Magical Christmas at Drayton Manor Park runs on selected dates from Saturday November 13 to Friday December 31 and it will bring you live entertainment and elves being cheeky around the park.

More than 25 rides and attractions that are suitable for children will be open, including the zoo and Thomas Land.

A 20-minute show will also be there for you to enjoy with appearances from Santa and Elf Tinsel.

You can end your day with watching the firework display that will take place by the lake as well as a singalong with Santa, Mrs Claus and elves.

You can book tickets for Magical Christmas on the Drayton Manor website. This doesn’t include tickets to the Grotto Experience, they have to be bought separately.

If you buy tickets to Magical Christmas and the Grotto experience together, you’ll have park entry plus access to a walk around the Castle with elves, a story with Mrs Claus, the chance to make reindeer food with elves and meet Santa.

You can buy entry tickets and Grotto experience tickets on the Drayton Manor website.

Cadbury World Christmas events

Christmas Celebration Weekends

If you visit Cadbury World for a Christmas Celebration Weekend, you can expect to see Santa perform in his show and your ticket will also include entry to the pantomime of Sleeping Beauty.

The pantomime will also be showing between Monday December 27 and Thursday December 30.

The weekends available are Saturday November 20 to Sunday December 19 and you can also visit from Monday December 20 to Thursday December 23.

Storytime with Santa

Toddlers can also enjoy Storytime with Santa and each child will be given a small gift.

There will be 5 shows on both Thursday December 9 and Thursday December 16.

If you’d like to book tickets, you can get yours via the Groupon website.