9 Magical Christmas Activities for Children 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. Scrooge, A Cirque Spectacular 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. Scrooge, A Cirque Spectacular 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 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 Scrooge show

Top Tips for Christmas Activities with Kids

Book ahead: Popular events like Scrooge - A Cirque Spectacular, 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 (Scrooge - A Cirque Spectacular, 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 this festive magic.

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 Scrooge - A Cirque Spectacular 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.

Start booking now, wrap up warm, and get ready for the most wonderful time of the year!

Start with the star attraction - book Scrooge, A Cirque Spectacular today!