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The Christmas season is fast approaching, and there’s plenty of accessible festive fun taking place across the country. From relaxed train rides with Santa to audio described pantomimes, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the run up to Christmas.
Relaxed Santa Safari Sessions at West Midland Safari Park
West Midland Safari Park is introducing Relaxed Santa Safari Sessions this November for visitors who may prefer a quieter, calmer festive experience.
Dates:
Wed 26 Nov: 10:00am–12:00pm
Sat 29 Nov: 9:00am–10:00am
These sessions offer all the Christmas magic of the regular Santa Safari, with a few thoughtful adjustments to create a sensory-friendly environment.
What to Expect:
No animatronics or loud music
Static lighting with minimal twinkling
Soft background sounds and a gentle Santa visit
Optional elevator experience
Quieter park atmosphere
To book, email groups@wmsp.co.uk with your chosen date and number of guests, or find out more here.
Winter at Sizergh | National Trust
There’s winter wonder for the whole family at the gateway to the Lake District this year. From 21 November - 24 December, make memories with loved ones at Sizergh.
The light trail around the woodland knoll will be accessible for wheelchairs, Trampers and pushchairs.
Wheelchairs are available from reception and in the house upon arrival.
We have a range of items to use or borrow to help make your visit more comfortable — from fidget spinners to wellies. These are free to use and do not require booking.
Click here to find out more.
Accessible performances at Buxton Opera House
Aladdin
Relaxed performance | Wed 10 Dec 5.30pm
Audio Described performance (including touch tour) | Sun 21 Dec, 2:30pm
Captioned performance | Sat 27 Dec, 2:30pm
BSL interpreted performance | Sun 28 Dec, 5:30pm
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Relaxed performance | Sun 14 Dec, 10am
BSL interpreted performance | Sun 21 Dec, 10am
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Pickering to Whitby Winter Excursions
Running daily from Saturday 27 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026, these special steam-hauled excursions from Pickering to Whitby are the perfect post-Christmas outing.
Enjoy a scenic journey across the North York Moors National Park before spending a couple of hours exploring Whitby’s seaside charm — ideal for a winter walk or some fresh air after the festivities.
Timetable:
Depart Pickering: 9:35am (arrive Whitby 11:15am)
Return from Whitby: 2:10pm
Journey time: approx. 1h 50m each way
Tickets:
Adult £49.50 | Child £12.15 | Dog £3
Member: Adult £24.75 | Child £6.08 | Dog free
Premiere Life Member: Free
The Station Tea Room at Pickering will be open for snacks and hot drinks, and each train includes an on-board Buffet Carriage (cards and cash accepted).
Santa Express at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
On 29–30 November, 6–7, 13–14, and 20–24 December, families can climb aboard the Santa Express at Pickering Station for a brand-new interactive Christmas adventure.
This festive steam train ride is filled with songs, jokes, and plenty of fun from Santa’s cheerful elves — with a special visit from Father Christmas himself on board. Children will also receive a keepsake gift to take home.
Meet the Elves:
Elton Elf – musical and full of energy
Joey Marshmallow – the cheeky trickster
Chef Custard – Santa’s culinary companion
Chris Mouse – the station’s mischievous helper
Tickets start from £29.50 per person, with 10% off if booked online before 31 August 2025.
Registered carers are eligible for a reduced fare, and wheelchair users can book accessible spaces in the Fuss Free carriage online.
A joyful, family-friendly way to celebrate Christmas on the rails!
Theatre By The Lake
The Wizard of Oz
Join Dorothy and her faithful companion Toto on an adventure down the yellow brick road, facing witches and flying monkeys and making new friends. Along the way she learns that there’s no place she’d rather be than home with Aunty Em.
Accessible shows:
Relaxed Performance - Thursday 27 November 11am
Audio Described - Saturday 6 December 2pm
BSL/Captioned - Saturday 13 December 2pm
PLUS…
Theatre by the Lake has upgraded to the new Auracast audio system using the latest Bluetooth tech (standard on all devices from 2025 onwards).
This means better assisted listening and audio description options for everyone!
Don’t have compatible hearing aids or headphones? No worries—just pop to the box office to grab a receiver. They’ll sort you out with headphones or a loop system depending on your needs.
And if you’ve got one of the brand-new Auracast-ready devices, you can connect straight away—no extra kit needed!
We’re all about making theatre accessible to everyone. See you soon!
Click here to plan your visit or find out more about the show.
Theatr Clwyd
Upcoming accessible shows:
BSL Signed | Arwyddion BSL
The Red Rogue Of Bala - 13 & 15 Nov/Tach @ 2.45pm
Cinderella - 13 Dec/Rhag @ 2pm, 9 Jan/Ion @ 7pm
Under Milk Wood - All performances integrated BSL
Captioned | Capsiwn
The Red Rogue Of Bala - 18 Nov/Tach @ 7.45pm, 22 Nov/Tach @ 2.45pm
Cinderella - 3 Jan/Ion @ 2pm, 15 Jan/Ion @ 7pm
Under Milk Wood - All performances integrated captioning
Atlantis - 17 Jun/Meh @ 2.45pm, 26 Jun/Meh @ 7.45pm
Audio Described | Sain Ddisgrifiedig
The Red Rogue Of Bala - 12 Nov/Tach @ 7.45pm, 20 Nov/Tach @ 2.45pm
Cinderella - 6 Dec/Rhag @ 7pm, 14 Dec/Rhag @ 1pm, 10 Jan/Ion @ 2pm
Under Milk Wood - All performances integrated audio description
Relaxed | Hamddenol
Cinderella - 14 Jan/Ion @ 6:30pm
A Christmas Enchantment at Petworth House
29 November – 4 January (closed 24 and 25 December)
A Christmas Enchantment at Petworth House is a dreamlike midwinter journey, inspired by the beauty of nature. With towering trees, celestial skies, roaming woodland creatures, and a special appearance from the mice of Brambly Hedge, each room glows with wonder.
On Saturday 29 November and Saturday 20 December, visitors can experience the festive atmosphere of Petworth House after dark when the house will be open until 6.30pm, with sparkling lights and a courtyard choir.
On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November there will be a Christmas makers market selling festive gifts.
Accessibility: The decorated rooms in the house are on the ground floor with level access. A mobility buggy is available from the main car park to the house. Accessible toilets are in the main car park and Servants' Quarters. More accessibility details can be found on our website.
Normal admission applies, no booking required. Free entry for National Trust members.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth
Silk, Stitches and Status at Calke Abbey | National Trust
Join us for an exclusive tour revealing rarely seen garments. From elegant gowns to servants' uniforms, each one is stitched with history and the stories of those who wore them. The tour will take you across all three floors of the House, exploring the lives of the family, staff and the world around Calke through the clothing worn and collected - much of which has never been on display before.
Click here to book BSL tours.
Christmas at Westonbirt
This year’s event embraces the beauty of the natural world with a host of new installations inspired by wildlife, woodland and the changing seasons.
The new Mycelium Network invites visitors to step into a glowing world of colour changing mushrooms, and a fibre optic network symbolising the hidden connections of the forest floor.
Ten giant wicker woodland animals including a badger, fox, hare, pheasant, barn owl, red squirrel, hedgehog, stag and weasel will be nestled amongst the arboretum’s plants, offering delightful encounters along the route.
From Australia comes the UK premiere of 10 Neon Bird Boxes, each casting a colourful glow among the branches, while Italian artist Cristina Ottonello’s Robins Trail (Il sentiero dei pettirossi) makes its Westonbirt debut.
Eight dancing figures made from bark will bring a sense of movement and play to the trail, echoing the shapes and textures of the trees themselves.
Other highlights include five heart-shaped arches standing 4.7 metres tall, a spectacular 30 metre long Christmas Cathedral, a fire garden created using 154 candles and 150 electric flame bulbs, and the popular dazzling firework trees.
The Owl Who Came for Christmas | Midlands Art Centre
| Mon 1 - Sun 28 Dec | Tickets from £14.95 | Ages 3+ | 55 mins
Fly into a heart-warming tale this Christmas and join Rosie the Owl on her festive feathered adventures!
Join Rosie the Owl as she wakes up one day to find herself nestled in a family's new Christmas tree. Experience the joy and wonder as Lily, Ethan, Mum and Dad discover their unexpected visitor and try to help Rosie find her way home.
With toe-tapping songs, captivating puppetry, and plenty of opportunities for audience participation, this delightful show promises to captivate audiences of all ages.
Relaxed and BSL performances available
Relaxed events at MAC are designed to improve the experience for people with Autistic Spectrum conditions, sensory, motor and communication disorders, learning disabilities and anyone who would benefit from a more adapted environment.
The main lights remain on, the volume is reduced, and we hope you will feel comfortable to remain inside should you need to make noises or move involuntarily. We sometimes offer a pre-show introduction to the venue and performers, signalling anything that may be big, loud, or unexpected.
If you need a break, MAC staff will direct you to a quiet area where you can relax.
 Annabelle Terry and Camille Burnett - Photography by Ellie Kurttz.jpg)
SEND Christmas Dates at Fairytale Farm
The SEND sessions include the full Christmas Fairytale experience - from the enchanted Fairytale Castle and dancing penguins to the Toymaker’s Cabin, Tom’s Toy Shop, and the glowing light displays. Children receive a special Christmas Passport to be stamped by Santa’s elves along the journey, culminating in a private, unhurried visit to Father Christmas himself.
Carers are admitted free of charge, and the farm’s facilities are fully accessible. Spaces are limited to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, so advance booking is essential.
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Friday 5 December – SEND Day (10am–5pm)
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Tuesday 9 & Wednesday 10 December – SEND Evenings (5pm–6pm)
Click here to book your tickets.
Wish Upon A Starfish With Bristol Aquarium.
20th December – 4th January
Open every day except Christmas Day, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm).
Christmas time has arrived again!
Shelter from the storm outside and dive into the wonders of the underwater world. Guests are encouraged to channel some Christmas magic for the future of our oceans this winter. ❄️
Did you know starfish have a magic trick of their own? They can regrow limbs! If a starfish is unlucky enough to have an arm chomped by a passing predator, these amazing echinoderms can regenerate the damaged limb back to full health.
Just like the starfish, the oceans are beautiful and resilient, but they cannot survive without our help. From the 20th December to the 4th January, the aquarium will be encouraging all visitors to make a Christmas wish for ocean conservation and think about how they can make a positive difference to the planet in their day-to-day lives.
🎁 Activities
🌟 Wish Upon A Starfish – make a Christmas wish for the future of the oceans and hang it on the Christmas tree. Discover how to turn your wishes into actions for the new year.
🎅 Meet Charlie the Christmas Clownfish! – Every day at 11am, Charlie will come out to greet visitors in the main foyer
🎄 Follow the Fishmas Trail! –grab an activity sheet and follow the Christmas trail around the aquarium. Match colourful Christmas baubles with patterns found on the aquarium’s animals. How many can you find?
All activities are included in the regular admission ticket, along with scheduled talks and feeds, with thousands of creatures to explore.
Experience a Magical, Accessible Christmas in Nature at WWT London
Join us on 6 & 7, 13 & 14, and 20 & 21 December for festive weekends filled with cheer, creativity, and heart-warming fun for the whole family. Our Christmas celebrations are designed for everyone to enjoy, with accessible pathways, step-free routes, and inclusive activities throughout.
Spend the day soaking up seasonal magic, including:
• Toasting gooey marshmallows around the fire
• Decorating your own gingerbread creations
• Magical storytelling sessions for all ages
• Festive face painting – become a reindeer, elf, or even Frosty the Snowman
• Creative arts and crafts to make your own festive keepsakes (with quieter spaces available for anyone who needs them)
Wrap up warm, bring your loved ones, and make lasting memories in the heart of nature this Christmas season. All ages and abilities are welcome.
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Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Winter Illuminations
Discover the magic of Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Winter Illuminations, the most MAGICAL winter lantern trail. Explore the park after dark and the 3km illuminated trail featuring bespoke lanterns, incredible light displays and seasonal selfie spots. Winter Illuminations is one of the UK's most magical Christmas light experiences and is perfect for all the family or a festive date idea!
21st - 23rd Nov 2025
27th - 30th Nov 2025
4th - 7th Dec 2025
11th - 24th Dec 2025
26th Dec 2025 - 3rd Jan 2026
10th Jan 2026
The park's usual accessible facilities will be in place. Please find further details on our accessibility here.
Click here to find out more and book your tickets!
National Portrait Gallery Accessible Events Calendar Over The Festive Period.
The Gallery has a programme of accessible public events, including free monthly Deaf-led British Sign Language (BSL) tours, Audio-described tours, and Relaxed and Quiet Mornings. Check our events calendar for our full events programme.
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