9 Magical Christmas Activities for Kids Near Cardiff 2025
From spectacular cirque shows to enchanted light trails and visits with Santa, Cardiff and the surrounding area are brimming with festive magic this Christmas. Whether you've got toddlers or tweens, here are the nine best Christmas activities to create unforgettable memories this season.
1. Cirque Scrooge at ICC Wales
The ultimate Christmas spectacular that kids will remember forever
When: 12 December 2025 - 3 January 2026
Where: ICC Wales, Newport (20 minutes from Cardiff)
Age suitability: All ages - perfect for 4+
This isn't your average Christmas show. Cirque Scrooge reimagines Charles Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol through breathtaking cirque artistry that will have kids' jaws on the floor. Extraordinary aerial performers fly through the air, acrobats defy gravity, and dazzling musical numbers bring Victorian London to life in spectacular fashion.
Why kids love it:
- Mind-blowing acrobatics and aerial stunts that look like magic
- Colourful costumes and stunning visual effects
- The story of Scrooge's transformation told with humour and heart
- Tiny Tim's wish for a dazzling Christmas circus comes true on stage
- Two-hour runtime with interval - perfect for attention spans
- Safe, comfortable, family-friendly venue
Special features:
- Relaxed performance on 17 December (perfect for children with additional needs)
- Accessible seating and facilities
- Pre-bookable parking at £6 flat rate
- Package deals from £120 including hotel stay and breakfast
Top tip: Book early for the best seats - this show is expected to sell out. The combination of storytelling, circus skills, and Christmas magic makes it the standout family show of the season.
Tickets: https://www.iccwales.com/whats-on/cirque-scrooge
2. The Royal Mint Christmas Experience
Meet Santa in his magical workshop and strike your own festive coin
When: 22 November - 23 December 2025
Where: The Royal Mint, Llantrisant (30 minutes from Cardiff)
Age suitability: All ages
Information: Here
What happens:
- Journey through Santa's enchanting workshop
- Meet Chief Helpers who tell tales of Christmas traditions
- Private time with Santa in his cosy grotto
- Every child receives an age-appropriate gift
- Strike your own Christmas coin (additional cost £7.95)
- Live festive performance included
- Professional photos available
Special sessions:
- Autism-friendly experience (first tour daily, smaller groups, reduced sensory triggers)
- Carer tickets available at £5-£7.50
Prices: Peak tickets vary, Ultimate Bundle packages available for groups of 4+
3. Christmas at Bute Park Light Trail
A mesmerising mile-long journey through 15 magical light zones
When: 21 November - 31 December 2025
Where: Bute Park, Cardiff city centre
Information: Here
Age suitability: All ages - fully accessible for pushchairs
This award-winning light trail is Wales' largest and the UK's most popular outside London. Kids will be spellbound as they walk through enchanted illuminations, including the shimmering Water Willow and the icy Icefall spectacle.
Highlights:
- 15 different light zones with jaw-dropping installations
- Walk in the shadow of Cardiff Castle
- Christmas Village with local food and hot chocolate
- Bute Park Tavern for warming up
- Takes about 1-1.5 hours at a kid-friendly pace
- Fully accessible paths
Budget-friendly tip: Super off-peak tickets from just £5 for children, £15 adults - incredible value for a magical hour!
4. Cardiff's Winter Wonderland
Ice skating, fairground rides, and festive fun at Cardiff Castle
When: 13 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Where: Cardiff Castle grounds & City Hall Lawn
Age suitability: All ages
Information: Here
At Cardiff Castle:
- Undercover ice rink with magical Ice Walk around castle grounds
- Novice rink for beginners and wobbly first-timers
- Penguin skate-aids for little ones
- Christmas tree ride
- Arctic-themed lanterns
- Traditional Tafarn bar
- Hot chocolate, marshmallows, and festive food stalls
At City Hall Lawn:
- Family funfair with rides for all ages
- Big Wheel with spectacular city views
- Traditional games
- Sur La Piste Alpine bar (two-storey ski lodge)
- Free entertainment programme
Accessible sessions: Thursday afternoons for wheelchair users and additional needs
Top tip: Book ice skating sessions in advance - they fill quickly on weekends!
5. Find the Runaway Reindeer at St Fagans
A free festive treasure hunt at Wales' most-loved museum
When: 29 November - 23 December 2025 (weekends)
Where: St Fagans National Museum of History
Age suitability: 3-10 years
Cost: FREE (small parking fee)
Information: Here
Santa's mischievous elves left the stable door open, and now his reindeer have scattered across the museum grounds! Kids become Christmas heroes as they search the historic buildings and grounds to find all the reindeer before Christmas Eve.
Why it's brilliant:
- Completely free family fun
- Combines Christmas magic with exploring Welsh heritage
- Loads of space to run around
- Multiple historic buildings to discover
- Can easily spend 2-3 hours here
- Café for lunch and warming up
6. Cardiff Bay Reindeer Trail
Another FREE festive hunt around the Bay
When: 30 November 2025 - 5 January 2026
Where: Cardiff Bay (Mermaid Quay, Red Dragon Centre, Senedd)
Age suitability: All ages
Information: Here
Cost: FREE
Nine willow-crafted reindeer are hiding around Cardiff Bay! Pick up your trail map and help Father Christmas track down his sleigh-pulling squad. Collect special letters along the way for a chance to win prizes.
Perfect for:
- Combining with lunch at Bay restaurants
- Burning off energy before or after other activities
- Free entertainment on a budget
- Learning about Cardiff Bay landmarks
7. Cardiff Christmas Market
Over 200 artisan stalls with gifts, toys, and treats
When: 13 November - 23 December 2025
Where: St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street, The Hayes
Age suitability: All ages
Information: Here
Cost: Free to browse
What kids love:
- Handmade wooden toys and games
- Sweet treats, including hot Welsh cakes and roasted chestnuts
- Festive atmosphere with twinkling lights
- Artisan chocolates and fudge
- Hot chocolate with marshmallows
- Wide pedestrianised streets (great for pushchairs)
Opening hours:
- Mon-Sat 10 am 6 pm (7 pm on Thursdays in December)
- Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
8. Cardiff Christmas Festival at Sophia Gardens
Live shows in a magical, heated Spiegeltent
When: 5-31 December 2025
Where: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Age suitability: Varies by show
Information: Here
Family-friendly shows include:
- Jack Frost (5-31 December) - festive family entertainment
- A Christmas Carol (9-11 December) - classic tale retold
- Festive Fantasy (19-20 December) - variety spectacular
All performances in the beautiful heated Spiegeltent with food stalls, bars, and festive atmosphere outside.
Great for: Families with older children (7+) who love theatre and live performance
9. SKATE at ICC Wales
Ice skating with illuminated light tunnels and falling snow
When: Check the ICC Wales website for 2025 dates
Where: ICC Wales, Newport
Information: Here
Age suitability: All ages
Transform your Cirque Scrooge visit into a full day out! The ice rink features magical light tunnels, falling snow, and a festive atmosphere. Combine with Christmas gift stalls and festive food.
Perfect combo: Afternoon ice skating + early evening Cirque Scrooge show
Top Tips for Christmas Activities with Kids
- Book ahead: Popular events like Cirque Scrooge, Royal Mint Christmas Experience, and Cardiff Castle Santa visits sell out weeks in advance. Book as soon as tickets are released.
- Arrive early: Most attractions are quieter in the morning. You'll get better photos, shorter queues, and happier kids.
- Layer up: Many activities are outdoors or in historic buildings. Warm coats, hats, and gloves are essential.
- Bring snacks: Having emergency snacks prevents hangry meltdowns between activities.
- Budget wisely: Mix expensive ticketed events (Cirque Scrooge, Royal Mint) with free activities (Reindeer trails, Light of Winter, Christmas lights) for a magical but affordable season.
- Take breaks: Christmas can be overwhelming for little ones. Build in quiet time between big activities.
- Photo opportunities: Charge your phone! You'll want to capture kids' faces during Cirque Scrooge's aerial acts, meeting Santa, and seeing the light trails.
Making Memories This Christmas
Cardiff and the surrounding area offer an incredible variety of Christmas activities that cater to every age, interest, and budget. From the jaw-dropping spectacle of Cirque Scrooge to magical Santa visits, enchanted light trails to festive markets, there's something to delight every child.
The key is mixing ticketed experiences with free activities, planning ahead for popular events, and not trying to cram everything into one day. Cirque Scrooge stands out as the must-see show of the season - combining Christmas magic, circus artistry, and storytelling in a way that will have kids talking about it long after the decorations come down.
Whatever you choose, Cardiff's Christmas offeto mix ticketed experiences with free activities, plan ahead for popular events, and avoidings promise to create the kind of magical memories that become family traditions. Start booking now, wrap up warm, and get ready for the most wonderful time of the year!
Start with the star attraction - book Cirque Scrooge today!
