Start hanging up your stockings and dusting off your decorations, because the most wonderful time of the year has nearly arrived in Stoke-On-Trent! Whether you’re after mulled wine or a trip to the theatre, there’s something for everyone and every budget this Christmas. Now that December is officially underway, here’s a rundown of what’s on in Stoke-On-Trent on the run-up to the big day.
Festive Weekend at Smithfield
Join us here at Smithfield for two days of festive fun, with free admission for all the family to enjoy. You can indulge yourself in everything from mulled wine and hot chocolate to mince pies at our cosy markets, and on Sunday, there will be a Christmas choir – not to mention a surprise visit from Santa and his reindeer!
Don’t miss out on this extra-special weekend on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December, from 12:00-16:00.
Trentham Gardens
Back for 2022, Trentham Gardens will be holding a Christmas extravaganza this year, with festive decorations galore, performers, and a variety of food and drink. Visitors can walk through an illuminated trail complete with twinkling lights and watch the historic gardens transform into a world of colour.
Christmas at Trentham Gardens runs from December 2nd to January 1st – tickets are £22.10 for adults, and £14.60 for children.
Santa Saves Christmas
For the little ones this Christmas, Santa will be paying a visit to Stoke-On-Trent in a family show at the Mitchell Arts Centre designed for 2–7-year-olds. Join Dasher the Reindeer and Pompom the Penguin for this festive, musical, interactive adventure, and receive a specially wrapped Christmas gift on arrival.
Help Santa save Christmas on 2nd, 3rd and 4th December, with tickets priced at £10.50-£11.50, and family tickets at £40 (2ad, 2ch).
Alice in Wonderland at the New Vic Theatre
Adapted for the stage by artistic director Theresa Heskins, this Christmas, Stoke-On-Trent will see Lewis Carrol’s classic tale brought to life. Join Alice as she navigates the strange world of Wonderland to find her way home, meeting a whole host of whimsical characters on the way.
The show opened on 18th November and will run until Saturday 28th January 2023.
Bongo’s Bingo Christmas: The Winner Takes it All
While ABBA may not spring to mind when you hear the word ‘festive’, Bongo’s Bingo will be digging out their disco balls for their Christmas event this year.
Get your dancing shoes on for their usual antics! Described as the UK’s ‘original and defining rave phenomenon’, Bongo’s Bingo pays Stoke a visit at the Victoria Hall in Hanley for their special Christmas event. Expect plenty of ABBA tunes, bingo (of course), dance offs, prizes and cash to be won.
Get your tickets now for the 12th and 29th December, but be quick, as they are on final release!
Fairytale of New York Live at Victoria Hall
The ultimate feel-good Irish-inspired Christmas show is back with a huge production for 2022. From the producers of Seven Drunken Nights, The Story of The Dubliners and featuring an international cast of singers, musicians and dancers, Fairytale of New York brings you all your favourite Christmas songs, as well as some of iconic Irish sing-along tunes.
Don’t miss out and catch the show at Victoria Hall on Friday 23rd December.
Carols By Candlelight
For some more festive live music, Carols By Candlelight at The Quarter at Potbank is the perfect event to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Join them on 17th December in the Factory Floor to hear an array of carols by ‘The Winter Warmers’, with hot chocolate and mulled wine available to purchase.
Regent Theatre Panto
British Christmas time wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the theatre to watch the panto. The Regent Theatre in Hanley’s yearly pantomime will run from December 9th to December 31st, with tickets starting at £13.
This year’s production will be a performance of Peter Pan, with Jonathon Wilkes in the role of Smee, Kai Owen as Captain Hook, Amanda Coutts as Tinkerbell Hannah Everest as Wendy, and Rory Sutherland leading the cast as Peter Pan himself. The show is set to have barrel-loads of laughter as Hanley takes a trip to Neverland!
Storytime in Santa’s Grotto
Santa is taking a break from his busy December schedule to read a Christmas story in his magical grotto. Join Santa and his elves at World of Wedgwood and see if you’ve made it to the good list! Enjoy a warming hot chocolate, biscuits and a selection of stories read by Santa. Recommended for ages 2-7 years, and with grown-ups attending free, don’t miss out on a meet-and-greet with Santa himself, with booking available from now until 24th December.
Stoke-On-Trent is packed with loads of things to do in the Christmas season, and we hope our round-up of festive activities has given you some inspiration.