Christmas

Christmas 2021 along the River Thames

If you are looking for something to do this Christmas take inspiration from below.

Why not enjoy a festive afternoon tea or lunch with your family or take part in a Christmas activity?

The destinations and their businesses have provided festivities in line with the Covid-19 guidelines. We encourage everyone to celebrate safely.  We recommend the use of face coverings in crowded areas where you are likely to come into contact with people you don’t usually meet.  Please don’t let your guard down.  If you feel unwell or experience COVID-19 symptoms please do not attend  events.

Christmas Events in and around Windsor

The Royal Borough's streets will be glittering with beautiful Christmas. 

Many of the traditional Christmas festivities we enjoy today were introduced by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert  While enjoying the festive season at the Castle, they were often seen ice skating and enjoying winter sleigh rides in the Castle grounds. So head to Windsor this Christmas and follow in royal traditions with a festive ice rink, winter horse-drawn carriages rides and a show-stopping 20-foot-high Christmas tree in Windsor Castle’s State Apartments!

Meet up with friends and discover some great festive eating and drinking special offers at Windsor hotels and restaurants including private dining pods at Stirrups Hotel, Afternoon Tea and Breakfast with Santa at Castle Hotel Windsor and Christmas parties afloat with French Brothers.

Take a look at Windsor's Christmas Brochure and plan your Christmas treats!

• The Runnymede on Thames Hotel & Spa, Egham, Surrey Celebrate this Christmas at The Runnymede on Thames with a Christmas Getaway or Festive Family Break. Or enjoy festive dining from a Champagne Afternoon Tea to a sparkling Christmas lunch! 

Christmas Cruises on the Thames in London

What better way to start the festive season and see the sights of London than a festive cruise with City Cruises

• Christmas Lunch Party Cruises offer the perfect daytime festive party for friends, colleagues, and family. Come on board with a welcome glass of fizz and take in unrivalled views of London’s iconic riverside landmarks. Then enjoy a scrumptious traditional festive menu and get in the party spirit with our live entertainment. And if the mood takes you, there’s a dance floor ready and waiting… Special Offer: 20% discount on adult tickets with the code christmas20. Book online from now until the end of November for travel on all dates in December. Offer can be withdrawn at any time and doesn't include Table of 10 tickets.
• Christmas Dinner Party Cruises include: 4 hour river cruise,Welcome glass of sparkling wine, 3-course Traditional Festive Dinner menu followed by tea or coffee, Half bottle of wine per person, DJ and dancing, Licensed Bar on board
• Christmas Day Lunch Cruise - Take your place on a Traditional Lunch cruise for the finest festive dining experience you'll find on the Thames. Sip a welcome drink then dig into a luxurious 4-course menu with a delightful, seasonal atmosphere. Includes: 3 hour and 15 minutes river cruise, Welcome glass of sparkling wine, 4-course Traditional Christmas Lunch with festive trimmings followed by tea or coffee, Festive music and carols, Licensed bar on board

Christmas and New Year Events in and around Henley & Marlow

Explore the lovely riverside market towns of Henley and Marlow this Christmas and include a boat trip or Christmas shopping experience.

• Henley Christmas Festival 26 November 2021 - the annual Christmas Festival will take over the centre of the town and include the switching on of this years lights. There will be numerous stalls offering gifts, food and drink,  Father Christmas, carols around the tree, rides and much much more! 
• Hobbs of Henley - Christmas Lunch Cruises, Christmas Party Nights, Festive Afternoon Tea Cruises and Santa Cruises. Take a look at What's on When
• Stonor - Henley Christmas Fair 25-28 November 2021. Enjoy a unique day out Christmas shopping experience at the Henley Christmas Fair.
• Marlow Christmas Lights Switch-On 25 November 2021 - Marlow’s renowned Christmas lights Switch-On is back in force this year with Virgin Radio Breakfast Show Presenter Chris Evans, and even more festive entertainment than before. Street entertainers on stilts, including Jack Frost, the Snow Queen and the Ice Witch will roam the High Street alongside a trio of Enchanted Ballerinas.
• Macdonald Compleat Angler, Marlow - With its beautiful riverside setting and stunning views, the Compleat Angler is the perfect festive destination whether you're looking for a Christmas break, Festive Afternoon Tea or a Christmas Eve Murder Mystery.
• Christmas Opera at Danesfield House Hotel, Marlow 11-12 December 2021 - The evening will include delightful arias, duets and ensembles from famous operas such as Carmen, Marriage of Figaro, Magic Flute, Mikado and many more. Performance 5-6.30pm (with a 20 minute interval) followed by a festive two-course supper. Or enjoy a Festive Afternoon Tea. Take a look at What's On.
• Crowne Plaza Marlow - Enjoy festive dining in the award-winning AA Rosette Glaze Restaurant or stunning Conservatory with views overlooking the lake. Choose from festive lunche, afternoon tea or dinner. Or spoil yourself and book Christmas Day or Boxing Day Lunch.

Christmas and New Year Events in and around Reading

Christmas in Reading this year has a host of amazing festive activities to suit all ages and all interests, from full scale theatre productions to the Santa Run. And Reading's restaurants and hotels have your Christmas parties covered as well! Don't forget the excellent Christmas Shopping experience:

• Christmas Light Switch-On 20 November - Over 400,000 Christmas lights will be switched with live music from 1pm, including Reading's own steel band, RASPO.  There will be Christmas food stalls in Broad Street as well as a licensed bar until early evening. 
• Twilight Trail:Biscuit Town 3-31 December -  Transforming the beautiful Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens into a festive Twilight Trail. 
• Santa's North Pole Post Office, Broad Street Mall, Weekends from 13 November (11am-4pm) until 12 December - Visit Santa’s little helpers at Broad Street Mall to write a letter to Mr Claus himself and post it in the centre’s magical post box.
• Enjoy a Christmas Production - Choose from A Christmas Carol (3-31 Dec), The Snow Queen (3-24 Dec) or Beauty & The Beast (4 Dec-3 Jan).
• Reading Santa Run 12 December 2021
• Winter Wonderland 13 Nov 2021 - 3 Jan 2022 - Berkshire's Number One Christmas destination includes a wide range of attractions, activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages including a Apres Ski Bar, a real ice skating rink undercover, Santa’s grotto and a wide variety of festive food and drinks to keep you full of festive joy. Located in Hills Meadow by Reading Bridge.

Take a look to find out more about all these events.

• Book a staycation Christmas break and experience the magic of Christmas at the stunning Crowne Plaza Reading East near Wokingham, Bracknell and Reading, with Residential Christmas and New Year's Eve packages including Dinner and pampering Spa Treatments. Or treat yourself to Christmas or Boxing Day lunch. Festive lunches, afternoon teas and dinners are also available.

Christmas and New Year Events around Abingdon-on-Thames, Faringdon and Wallingford.

• Amey Theatre, Abingdon on Thames - Choose from Christmas with Andre, ROH Live: The Nutcracker 2021.
• Xmas Family Crafts & Museum Trails, Abingdon County Museum 11 December 2021 - Join the Museum Crafting Crew for some jolly good fun with their craft session and make lots of festive objects for your home, or something to give as a gift! Wander around the museum galleries, follow our Christmas Light Trail and have a go at the Lucky Dip in our museum shop.
• The Sound Of Christmas, All Saints Church, Sutton Courtenay 18 December 2021 - International soprano and star of The Voice UK Nadia Eide presents The Sound Of Christmas. A spectacular Christmas concert featuring well loved Christmas songs full of warm, festive cheer for the whole family.
• Faringdon Christmas Light Switch On 27 November 2021 - Santa’s Grotto in The Place from 2:30pm, Children’s Craft sessions in the Corn Exchange, Music in the Market Place from 4pm, Light Switch-On at 5pm
• Faringdon Christmas Market, Market Place, 4 December 2021
• Christmas Gift and Craft Extravaganza at Wallingford Sports Park 26 November - Local Business Stalls, Charity Raffle, Mulled Wine / Cocktails, Indoor Venue, Bar Open, Free Parking. Take a look!
• Christmas Makers Market at Ayres House Studios 5 December 2021 - A small open-air craft market with stalls of high quality non imported products, hand made by studio, associate and local artist. Buy unique gifts in time for Christmas and support local makers.
• The Polar Express Train Ride (Cholsey and Wallingford Railway) 10-23 December 2021 - A dazzling theatre show on a train right here at the railway. Here we will use our Christmas magic to immerse your whole family in the 2004 classic Christmas film