WHEN it comes to Christmas, you probably have a lot of family plans and then for the New Year, you might be seeing friends – but that time in between can be tricky to plan things to do.
Known as Twixmas, the period between Christmas and New Year – usually December 27, 28, 29 and 30 – always feels like you’re in a bit of a limbo.
You don’t know what day of the week it is, whether things are open or closed and you’re living off of leftovers from the big day.
So, instead of stressing about what you can and can’t do, here are 50 things across the UK that you can enjoy during Twixmas.
The Traitors Live Experience, London
Traitors fans can fully immerse themselves in the show at the live experience in Covent Garden, London.
You can opt to not be chosen as a traitor, but if you don’t mind then you might spend a couple of hours deceiving people…
Read more on travel inspo
It costs from £29.50 per person.
Ice skating, various
There are a ton of ice skating rinks across the UK at the moment, most of which will be disappearing across January.
Ice skating is a fun winter activity and isn’t necessarily Christmassy so it is worth checking out the rink close to you and when it closes for the season.
One great site to visit is Somerset House in London, where you can go for a spin on the ice before grabbing a drink at The Chalet by Jimmy Garcia and looking out at the scenic setting.
It costs from £14 for adults and £12 for kids,
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, London
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy experience is running in London until February 15.
During the experience, visitors can join characters including Arthur Dent, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Fenchurch on a galactic adventure.
This is a new production and costs from £42.
The Legend of the Titanic, London
For those who want something immersive to do but are also interested in history, head to Dock X in Canada Water to The Legend of the Titanic.
The experience allows visitors to learn about the 1914 tragedy, as well as get a feel for what the ship would have looked like via AR.
It costs from £24 for adults and £16 for children.
Enchanted Tree Trail, Wentworth Castle Gardens, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
At Wentworth Castle Gardens in South Yorkshire, visitors can head on an enchanted tree trail.
Across the trail, visitors will see small creatures in their secret world.
It is running throughout the Twixmas period and costs from £6.50 per adult and £3.25 per child.
Cinema, various
What better time to head to a cosy film screening than when you have time off and are feeling lazy?
Between Christmas and New Year’s, a lot of cinemas are open and operating as normal.
It is the perfect time to feel like you’re getting out but also kicking up your feet at the same time.
And there are a number of great movies in the cinemas at the moment including the second part of Wicked, comedy Fackham Hall, and from December 19, the new Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Sunflowers Needle Felting Workshop, Lyveden near Oundle, Northamptonshire
Looking for something to do solo? Then why not head to Lyveden in Northamptonshire for a needle felting workshop.
Over two sessions, guests will learn how to transform wool into a small piece of art.
The workshop is designed for beginners, and by the end of the two sessions, guests will have created their own sunflower scene, inspired by Vincent van Gogh.
The workshops take place on Friday, January 30, from 10:30am to 3pm and cost £47.50 per person.
West End Shows, London
If you aren’t a fan of pantos, then why not opt for a London West End show instead?
Sites like TodayTix often offer deals and flash tickets at discounted prices for shows including Wicked and Moulin Rouge.
Twixmas swims, Ware Lido
Those who love a bit of an adrenaline rush can head to Ware Lido, which is open for festive swims.
Sessions for December 27 to 31 are still available… though they do advise wearing a wetsuit.
Adult swim sessions cost £6.75 and child sessions cost £3.75.
Fanhams Hall, Ware
The Jacobean mansion, Fanhams Hall, in Ware is hosting afternoon tea in the Drawing Room between Christmas and New Year.
The room overlooks the gardens at the house and visitors can enjoy a tiered offering of finger sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.
It costs from £40 per adult and there is a children’s tea available for £22.50 as well.
The afternoon tea is being hosted from December 27 to 30.
Afternoon tea, Petersham
Enjoy some classic British treats at Petersham, near Richmond from £54.00.
The menu includes roast turkey sandwiches and orange and cranberry scones.
You can even upgrade to have prosecco or champagne as well.
Eden Project, Cornwall
Eden Project is is opening to the public on Boxing Day for the first time since 2019, this year.
And over Twixmas there will be three, free running events on December 28, January 1 and January 4.
Eden Project also has an ice rink, which will be open until February.
And the Eden Project’s festive lights and soundscape experience will also take place each day between 5pm and 8pm, December 27 to 30.
Adult tickets cost £38 each and child tickets cost £12 each.
Helios, St Albans Museum + Gallery
If you love space or your kids do, then head to the solar show known as Helios at St Albans Museum + Gallery.
Here visitors can discover a six metre sculpture of the moon created by UK artist Luke Jerram.
The event runs from December 27 to January 25 and is free to visit.
Jurassic World Experience, London
It is your last chance to see Jurassic World Experience in London before it ends on January 4.
The experience features 10 immersive zones which bring the film to life.
It costs from £35.95 per adult and £28.95 per child.
Drayton Manor, Tamworth
Drayton Manor is the only UK theme park that will have all its major rides open throughout the festive period.
These rides include Gold Rush, The Wave and Maelstrom.
If visiting, your ticket will also include access to a new end-of-day show called ‘Drayton Manor’s Christmas Miracle’.
Tickets to the theme park cost £25 per person.
Edinburgh day trip
Head on a day trip to Edinburgh, which was recently named the most festive city in the UK by London Northwestern Railway (LNR).
It is either a short flight or a train journey, with both costing from around £34 per way.
Winchester Science Centre
Another one for aspiring astronauts is the Winchester Science Centre, which reopens on December 27 after being closed for Christmas.
Inside, visitors can explore many interactive exhibits as well as watch the live planetarium show – Solar System Adventure.
The Science Centre costs from £14 per person to visit.
Lights of Abraham, Peak District
Head to Lights of Abraham in the Peak District before they close for the year.
Visitors can go on a moon-lit cable car ride over a valley, which is full of lights.
Then, once they reach the summit, they can set off on a trail that has interactive stepping stones, a neon forest, and giant creatures.
The light trail is open from December 27 to 30 and costs from £22 per adult and £16 per child.
Stonehenge, Salisbury
For a refreshing walk with a bit of history, head to Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.
The world-famous prehistoric monument was built over 5,000 years ago, and visitors can walk around the stones as well as explore a museum about their history.
Stonehenge is only closed on Christmas Day, but has reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
It costs from £25 per person to visit.
National Stone Centre, Matlock
Found just 30 minutes from Derby, on the edge of the Peak District, is the National Stone Centre.
Spread across 40 acres, it is free to visit all year round.
There are a number of activities for families, including geo-trails to find fossils.
There is also gem-panning which costs £3 per person.
There is also a playground as well.
Bounce Below, Llechwedd
Bounce Below features six netted areas with different chambers and bouncy nets for guests to play on.
And it is all set within caves under the ground, which is twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Tickets cost from £25 per person.
Sun Travel recently visited Bounce Below, finding it to be like a ‘theme park’ in caves.
Silent Pool Gin Festive Distillery Tour, Guildford
Silent Pool Gin Distillery in Guildford are running festive tours and tasting experience.
On each tour, a guide will explain how and why the distillery was created, and visitors will get to see the copper gin stills.
To make it a touch more festive, guests will also get to have a ‘Rare Citrus Hot Toddy’.
The tour will take place at various times across December 27 and 28 and it costs £30 per person.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
There’s nothing quite like visiting a palace and between Christmas and the New Year you could head to all three of the festive attractions at Blenheim Palace, as they remain open until January 3.
These include the Palace of Oz where the State Rooms have been transformed, The Great Skate ice rink and the Illuminated Light Trail.
Entry costs from £41 per adult and £24 per child.
Forest Bathing, Wrest Park
At Wrest Park, you could kick start 2026 with some pre-New Year wellbeing with forest bathing.
During the 90-minute experience, visitors will get to go on a slow walk through the woodland with a number of stops to explore nature.
The walk also includes a tea ceremony.
The event takes place on December 28 from 10:30am to 12pm and costs £22 per person.
Glow in the Dark, Mini Golf, Bath
Until January 4, you can head to a glow in the dark mini golf experience in Bath.
Found at Glow Golf, each player will have a glowing ball and the course is decked out with lights.
It costs £11.50 per adult and £9.75 per child.
Twilight Tobogganing, Mendip Activity Centre, Somerset
At Mendip Activity Centre in Somerset, families can explore a toboggan run until January 4.
Each session lasts 60 minutes, and visitors can discover an illuminated area where they can toast marshmallows and have a hot chocolate around a campfire.
It costs around £34 per person.
Beyond the Bonnets: Working Women in Jane Austen’s Novels, Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery
At the Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery visitors can explore the exhibition ‘Beyond the Bonnets: Working Women in Jane Austen’s Novels’.
The exhibition celebrates 250 years of the author and explores a number of true stories of working women from Hampshire, where Austen was from.
An adult ticket costs £5.45 and a child ticket costs £4.50.
Christmas break with Warner Hotels
Warner Hotels have a number of properties across the UK – and many of which have great deals on breaks during Twixmas.
Twixmas breaks start from £249 per person for a three-night stay (based on two people sharing), and include bed, breakfast and three-course dinners, entertainment, access to leisure facilities and activities.
There are also a number of day experiences available, starting from £25 per person.
Bongo’s Bingo: Bingo All The Way, Newcastle
Bongo’s Bingo is in Newcastle at the Boiler Shop over the festive period.
The event features a mix of traditional bingo, dance-offs, raves, and audience participation.
The bingo will be taking place on December 27, 28 and 31 and it costs from £23.
Christmas Rocks, O2 City Hall, Newcastle
Over four days, a festival with rock tribute bands will be performing at O2 City Hall in Newcastle.
There will be AC/DC GB, Fleeting Rumours, Green Days and Paramore UK performing.
The event runs from December 27 to 30 and costs from £29.90 per person.
Twist Museum, London
Head to Twist Museum in London to explore a number of rooms with different illusions that are fun for both kids and adults.
There is also a new Lapland Infinity Forest at the museum, for a little bit of a festive twist.
Prices start from £20 per child and £24.50 per adult.
Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio, Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle
A special screening at Tyneside Cinema will show the latest edition of Exhibition on Screen – a documentary series that explores the history behind different artworks.
This time, the event will focus on artist Caravaggio, and it is believed to be the most extensive film made about the artist.
It takes place on Monday, December 29 and costs around £10 for standard tickets.
Christmas Stick Man Trail, Haldon Forest near Exeter
Fans of Julia Donaldson should head to Haldon Forest near Exeter, in Devon for a day of exploring the Stick Man trail.
The trail follows Stick Man as he helps Santa deliver the final present.
The trail runs until January 4 and is free to visit.
Bubblicious family raves with the Soapbox Theatre, Plymouth
The Soapbox Theatre in Plymouth is hosting a family-friendly dance party, to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
It will include sessions for families with babies and one for older kids as well.
A DJ will play dance music, with glow sticks, UV face painting, and performers present too.
There is also a bar for adults too.
It takes place on December 31 and costs from £10 per person.
Museums, various
Up and down the UK there are many museums that will be open over the period between Christmas and New Year, including the Natural History Museum.
Museums are great spots for a day out especially when it is raining and cold.
And to add to that, a lot are free to visit as well.
Meet Paddington at Wookey Hole
At Wookey Hole Caves, visitors will be able to meet Paddington as well as explore ancient caves.
The caves are currently decked out with 100,000 lights and there is also an on-site circus show.
It costs from £19 per person.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Hampshire
The Wellington Arms in Hampshire is hosting a ‘Big Fat Quiz of the Year’.
Teams can be no bigger than six people, and it costs £2 per person to enter.
And of course there are prizes.
It takes place on December 29 at 6pm to 10pm.
Treasure hunt, Leeds
Treasure Hunt Leeds allows visitors to explore the city and solve clues in the process.
You can see the sights of the city, such as Victorian arcades and the Corn Exchange.
What’s best about this experience, is you can take it at your own pace.
It costs £15 per person.
Hawkchurch Resort and Spa, Axminster, South Devon
What about just having a mini-break?
For example, you could stay at Hawkchurch Resort and Spa for three nights from December 27 from £375.
Each lodge sleeps between two and eight people, and pets are also welcome.
The site itself has amazing views of the Axe Valley, and you can even opt for a lodge with a private hot tub.
Escape rooms, various
Escape rooms are a great family-friendly activity to do, and there are different venues across the UK.
For example, you could even go to Butlin’s Bognor Regis Playxperience where there are a few different options including Escape the Seven Seas Escape Room, which is suitable for children over the age of five.
The majority of escape rooms are more suitable for older kids though.
And prices tend to vary greatly, but you can expect to pay at least £30 per player.
Butlin’s break, across all three sites
Butlin’s is hosting festive breaks from £129 per person at Skegness, Bognor Regis, and Minehead.
These are great for small kids with lots of activities and shows to explore at each site.
Sun Travel has visited Butlin’s on numerous occasions, including trying the £1.8 million indoor soft play attraction at one of the sites.
A spa day, various
Why not treat yourself to a pamper session?
For example, Bannatyne Spas offer pamper days from £104 for two people.
There is nothing like a refreshing facial or revitalising massage before the New Year…
Pantomimes, UK wide
Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean the pantos are!
Most pantomimes run on until the New Year, and some even beyond.
And they aren’t necessarily Christmas-themed – for example, Jack and the Beanstalk or Dick Wittington.
So why not have a laugh with a pantomime Dame?
Hook Norton Brewery, Banbury
For beer fans or just those who want to get a tipple in before dry January, head to Hook Norton Brewery.
Over the Twixmas period, you can book a brewery tour and also grab a bite to eat at Malthouse Kitchen.
Each tour costs £20 per person.
Wake the Tiger, Bristol
Wake the Tiger in Bristol is the UK’s largest immersive art experience and the world’s first amazement park.
Inside, visitors will head on a self-guided journey of “kaleidoscopic realms”, with over 40 immersive spaces.
It costs from £16.50 per adult and £13.50 per child.
Silverstone Lap of Lights, Northamptonshire
Formula 1 fans can catch a festive twist on the motorsport at the Silverstone circuit with a two-mile light trail.
There is also an ice rink at the track too.
It costs from £50 per person.
Shell Grotto, Margate
Hidden beneath Margate in Kent is the Shell Grotto, which has over 2,000 sq ft of walls and ceilings completely covered in mosaics made of seashells.
In fact, there are over 4.6million seashells in total.
Entry costs £4.50 for adults, £2 for kids and £4 for concessions (over 60s, students registered disabled, armed forces).
Race Across the World: The Experience, Manchester
For fans of the TV show Race Across the World, there is now a brand new experience in Manchester.
The experience is designed for teams of two to eight players and lasts about three hours.
Participants head around the city, solving puzzles as they go.
It costs from £25 per person.
Travel reporter Alice Penwill tried out the Race Across the World experience in London, and here is what she thought.
Dreamery Gardens, York
Head to the folklore-filled woodland known as Dreamery Gardens, located just outside of York.
Filled with over 100 fairy doors, there is a 1.5km trail to discover.
Tickets start at £14.95 per person.
Chaos Karts, Manchester
Chaos Karts is a go-karting experience mixed with video games that makes it feel as if you are in Mario Kart.
The virtual tracks come alive around you as you race your rivals.
It costs from £30 per person.
In other attraction news, the unofficial ‘eighth Wonder of the World’ could be getting a new theme park – with five-star hotel and casino.
Plus, UK’s Universal theme park gets go ahead to start works next year – here’s when it plans to open to visitors.
