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Zurich Street food festival

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Cardiff Christmas Market 2023 | Events in Cardiff

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Cardiff Christmas Market 2023, with its talented crafters, runs from Thu 9 Nov - Sat 23 Dec and the opening times are 10:00-18:00.

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Drive-in Christmas pantomime will tour the UK this festive period. Picture: Getty

Panto season is going ahead this year, but you'll have to sing along from the comfort of your car...

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made the status of this year's pantomime season uncertain. Will a season of entertaining festive shows be able to go ahead, or won't it?

Well, thanks to this special drive-in show - oh yes it will!

Birmingham Stage Company will put on a production of Horrible Christmas, a pantomime inspired by Terry Deary's Horrible Histories book series, across the UK this festive season, inviting car-bound audiences to pull up to 'drive-ins' to watch.

The pantomime tells the story of a young boy trying to save Christmas, and explores some of the history behind the festive time.
Read more: Government 'considering Seat Out to Help Out scheme' to help concert halls and theatres >

🎅🏻 Christmas cancelled? Oh no it isn't... 🎅🏻 The World's FIRST Drive-In Christmas Show is Coming to the UK this Winter...
Posted by Car Park Panto on Thursday, 17 September 2020

Panto-lovers will be able to watch the show from the comfort of their cars, which will be spaced more than two metres apart. The pantomime's sound will be picked up through car radios.

"We can't wait to be back on stage in cities and towns that will be crying out for a Christmas show to entertain their families," Horrible Histories manager Neal Foster said.
Read more: Will pantomimes and ballets be cancelled this Christmas? >
Tickets for the event cost £45 per car. Venues and dates for the pantomime are yet to be released.

Pantomime fans will be able to watch the festive show from the comfort of their cars. Picture: Getty

The Car Park Panto will visit Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff.

It will also entertain families in Nottingham, Plymouth, Sheffield, Leeds, Leicester, Southampton, Exeter, Northampton and Chelmsford.

Food and drink services will be available, and toilet facilities, but all with strict social distancing measures in place.

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Drive-in Christmas pantomimes announced for socially-distanced festive season

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Panto season is going ahead this year, but you'll have to sing along from the comfort of your car... The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made the status of this year's pantomime season uncertain. Will a season of entertaining festive shows be able to go ahead, or won't it?

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Drive in Car show , Run by Chris Evans

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Socially distanced halloween event at a nightclub in Bristol

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penguin parade in australia

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A 400-strong ensemble of freelance musicians has played outside Parliament to highlight the plight of the music industry during the current pandemic.

Conductor David Hill led the performers in a short segment of Mars, from Holst's The Planets, before the attendees held a two-minute silence.

A concurrent protest took place outside Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

The events were designed to put pressure on the government to give more support to self-employed artists.

Violinists Nicola Benedetti and Tamsin Little, and Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis also attended to support to the performers, and uploaded footage to social media.

The events were organised by the Let Music Live campaign, and supported by the Musicians Union, which represents more than 32,000 performers in the UK.

It says 70% of its members have lost more than three-quarters of their regular work during the lockdown, leaving many in financial hardship.

Freelance musicians, who make up 72% of the sector, are particularly affected. Almost half of them are not eligible for grants under the government's current self-employed income support scheme, the union says.

Meanwhile, concert work is looking scarce "over Christmas and probably through 'til March," said spokesman Keith Ames. For many, "that would mean a complete year with no work."

Standing in Parliament Square, the protestors played just 90 seconds, or 20%, of Holst's Mars - reflecting the fact that eligible freelancers can only claim a maximum of 20% of their income from the government.

Benedetti called the performance "unimaginably moving".

"Many musicians are facing retraining, many are talking about leaving the country," the award-winning musician told the BBC. "That's not just fabrication, that's a real-life situation that we don't want to see happen.

"This is not just about saying we want hand-outs, it's about everybody talking and finding a way out of this that is safe, but that looks to preserve music [and] performance long-term."

'Adapt to a new reality'

The protest came as chancellor Rishi Sunak was asked about the plight of musicians, and suggested they might have to find alternative employment.

"I can't pretend that everyone can do exactly the same job that they were doing at the beginning of this crisis," he told ITV News. "Everyone is having to adapt.

"Theatre companies are adapting and putting on different types of performances. Plenty of music lessons are still carrying on.

"So, can things happen in exactly the way they did? No. But everyone is having to find ways to adapt and adjust to the new reality."

Mr Sunak also highlighted the government's £1.57bn rescue package for the arts - although that money is principally being distributed to museums, galleries and venues, rather than individuals.

In August, £3.36m of the fund was distributed to grassroots venues in England and Wales, to save them from immediate closure.

However, a further announcement on how the emergency funding would be allocated - which was due on Monday (5 October) - has been delayed by a week for "additional due diligence".

'Red alert'

Shortly after Tuesday's protest ended, a debate on the fate of the live events industry took place in the House of Commons.

MPs used the session to outline the perilous state of the music industry as well as the threat of closure hanging over theatres and venues.

The debate was secured by Conservative MP Nickie Aiken, whose Cities of London and Westminster constituency includes a number of music venues.

She said it was "vital to consider the impact that theatres, music venues and other cultural attractions have on their communities", not just financially, but in terms of "community benefit and wellbeing".

The MP called on the the government to "continue funding jobs" in the entertainment industry, and stressed that venues "need clear signposting as to when they will be able to open".

Aiken also asked for a three-year extension on the reduced VAT rate on tickets; while actor-turned-Conservative MP Giles Watling proposed a government-backed voucher scheme to encourage audiences to return to the theatre.

Labour MP Kim Johnson, whose Liverpool Riverside constituency houses the Everyman and Playhouse theatres, said the government's cultural recovery grant was a "sticking plaster on a gaping wound", that failed to address "the looming funding crisis" for many venues, and called for additional intervention.

On Monday, actress and comic Jennifer Saunders led a two-minute silence outside the West End's Gielgud Theatre to draw attention to the "devastating" effect of continued closures within the sector.

Responding to the debate, Caroline Dinenage MP, minister of state for digital and culture, said she recognised the "devastating impact" coronavirus had had on the arts and insisted the government was "doing everything we can".

'Red alert'

She said the government was looking into an insurance scheme that would enable theatres to resume performances, adding: "We want to see fuller audiences returning as soon as possible".

The debate won the support of music industry body UK Music, which says coronavirus has "wiped out at least £900m of the £1.1bn that live music was expected to contribute to the UK economy in 2020".

While some venues, including London's O2 Arena and The Sage in Gateshead have announced plans to open at reduced capacity, smaller grassroots venues are said to be on "red alert".

"We've been dangling our feet off the edge of the cliff for the last six months," said Mark Davyd, chief of the Music Venue Trust last week.

"We can't leave communities and artists permanently locked out from live music after this temporary lockdown is over. We need a Plan B. We need to reopen every venue safely."

Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

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Hundreds of musicians protest outside Parliament

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A 400-strong ensemble of freelance musicians has played outside Parliament to highlight the plight of the music industry during the current pandemic. Conductor David Hill led the performers in a short segment of Mars, from Holst's The Planets, before the attendees held a two-minute silence. A concurrent protest took place outside Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

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Coronavirus has impacted the way we live our lives, the things we can do - and the things we can't.

And it has also made a dent in the 2020 Christmas calendar, with a selection of popular events being called off this year.

Seven of the county's main attractions, including festive markets at Rochester and Leeds Castle, are unable to go ahead due to government restrictions.

With organisers predicting big crowds turning up, they say it would not be possible to maintain social distancing.

This has also been made more impossible with the new rule-of-six, which is now in place for the foreseeable future.

But it's not all bad news, and Christmas certainly hasn't been cancelled just yet.

Many festive arrangements are still being made across the county.
Here's all the events you can start pencilling into your diaries.
When does it open? Selected dates between November 20 and December 31.

Where? Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ

Following last year's sell-out success, Christmas at Bedgebury returns to the award-winning National Pinetum with its dazzling illuminations.

Inspired by the landscape itself, visitors to the attractions near Tunbridge Wells can explore a winterland of trees from around the world, dramatically sparkling with stunning lights.

This family-friendly one-mile magical festive trail in the heart of the High Weald AONB countryside will once again be awash with colour.

Tickets

Tickets sold out in 2019, therefore early booking is advised.
Prices are as follows:

Adult £19.50

Child £13

Family £60 (two adults and two children)

Free entry for carers and children aged two and under

Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum members receive £1.50 per person discount (max six people).

Parking is £7 per car.

COVID safety
Organisers are doing the following to keep guests safe: For full pricing and ticket information visit christmasatbedgebury.co.uk.
When does it open? November 20 to Christmas Eve.

Where? Bluewater Shopping Centre, DA9 9ST.

The brand new festive experience called Believe will allow guests to embark on a unique journey "illuminated by Christmas spirit and glowing magical moments of wonder".

There is also the opportunity to see Santa himself, where young guests must wish hard enough to make Santa's Spirit O'Meter glow.

It will definitely be an experience to make children who are looking forward to the Christmas season all the more excited.

It might even spark some Christmas spirit in the biggest of Grinches.

The experience is outside the Bluewater Shopping Centre's Village, near the Zizzi restaurant, and is completely COVID-safe.

Tickets

For children it's £12.50, plus an online booking fee and for adults it's a fiver with a 50p booking fee.

COVID safety
Current procedures in place include:
When does it open? Friday, November 13 to Sunday, January 3, 2021

Where? Calverley Grounds

The organisers have said the rink will have capacity to make sure people can socially distance themselves from others.

This simply means they will be reducing the amount of people on the ice at one time.

A statement on the website reads: "We have thought of everything, so you don't have to.

"Our team has dedicated a lot of time creating guidelines that will keep us and you safe throughout the entire experience - from ticket sales and entrance to skating to exit."

Tickets

Slots for the ice are hourly from 10am to 8pm, daily.

For adults - £12

Children - £8

Students - £10.50

Family of two adults and two children - £36
Seal hire is an extra £4.
COVID safety

A new layout for the ice rink and skate exchange with a one-way system

Reduced capacity by 50%

A thorough cleaning regime throughout the day

Skate staff will be provided with face coverings and gloves

Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the marquees

Face coverings required in off ice areas and optional on the ice

There will be extra toilet facilities

Press here to buy tickets - or they can be bought at the rink when it opens.
The Assembly Hall box office number: 01892 530613.

Christmas at Kent Life

When does it open? November 29 to December 24

Where? Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU

Children can meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto and take home a special gift.

There's also an opportunity to decorate some gingerbread and see the farmyard animals.

There's also a special Santa mail facility at the Post Office - and every child will receive a personalised letter in the post from the man himself.

Tickets

Tickets go on sale on Monday, September 28.
Press here for more information.
It's £8 for adults and £14 for children.

Covid safety

The rule of 6 applies. Kent Life asks people not book for groups of more than 6 (this includes children, infants and babies) - unless the household is over 6 people.

If a larger group is booked, it will be asked to split into smaller groups on arrival.

Please only book for a maximum of two adults per child space booked.

The Christmas Experience takes place inside a large event marquee.

While well ventilated, organisers ask all adults and children aged over 11 to wear a face covering (unless medically exempt).

When does it open? Sunday, December 5 to Thursday, December 24

Where? From Eridge Station, TN3 9LE

A magical Christmas experience awaits families travelling on the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells this year.

Passengers will have a festive and memorable family day out on the railway's Santa Special trains.

The impressive steam engine will return for 2020 and take everyone on a picturesque journey through the delightful Kent and Sussex countryside.

And of course there will be the opportunity to see Santa Claus himself from the comfort of your seat while on board the train.

The experience will last around two hours. Trains will start at Eridge and journey to Tunbridge Wells West where everyone can alight and spend time in the Victorian engine shed before returning to Eridge.

Trains depart from Eridge Station on December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm.

Tickets

Tickets are £18 for adults, £15 for children and £5 for babies.

Money raised from ticket sales is used to keep the heritage railway open for all to enjoy.

The railway and the Santa Specials are run by dedicated and hardworking volunteers.

To book your tickets on the Santa Special visit spavalleyrailway.co.uk

COVID safety

A statement on the website reads: "Following the UK Government's latest announcement on the rule of 6, we can confirm that we are still permitted to open and welcome passengers aboard all our services, including dining trains.

"Families and social bubbles are unaffected by this change, furthermore, as we are running at reduced capacity on our trains with seats being blocked off to ensure social distancing and have a COVID process in place to protect visitors, we are able to carry on with the new normal.

"Our seat allocations only permit groups of six or less within one compartment or are allocated as bays of 2 or 4 in open coaches where we have screens in place to separate groups sitting back to back.

"Face coverings are required on all our services. Dining customer may remove face coverings when not consuming food or drink."

Father Christmas at Hop Farm

When does it open? December 5 to 23

Where? Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Beltring, Tonbridge, TN12 6PY

Father Christmas is returning to the Hop Farm again this year.

Children will receive a gift, a free printed photograph per group, the opportunity to give him a personalised letter - or post it.

His jolly helpers will also be on hand.

Tickets

Ticket price includes free entry into the Family Park, animal farm and indoor soft play centre.

Child (includes up to 2 free adults per booking and gift) - £18

Extra adults - £2 per adult

Infant (under 1, includes two free adults per booking if an infant only booking and gift) - £15.
Press here to book tickets.
Tickets are non-refundable.

COVID safety

A message on the website reads: "There is a maximum group number of five visiting in the grotto, in any single booking time slot.
For a full list of events that are CANCELLED this year, press here.
"For larger groups we advise to book more than one slot to divide the group, at adjacent times."

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The biggest Kent Christmas events still happening with Covid safety rules

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Coronavirus has impacted the way we live our lives, the things we can do - and the things we can't. And it has also made a dent in the 2020 Christmas calendar, with a selection of popular events being called off this year.

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COVID picture