winter bite.Santa At Almond ValleyDecember 3–24Look out for the rotund fellow in red nestled away in the woods at Almond Valley Heritage Centre who will be dishing out Christmas presents to children both naughty and nice. Families can also enjoy Christmas

's Blueprint Cafe by taking part in a complimentary Easter egg panting session out on the terrace. There will also be a special two or three course fixed price menu available for parents to enjoy while taking in the cafe's views over Tower Bridge and The Thames

. The children’s Little Lounge area is also to be expanded for this year’s event with a plethora of baby facilities andmore space for families to take a time out from the frenetic festival vibe.As ever, the Lounge On The Farm is particularly proud of its links

child is destined for gregarious Gryffindor or sneaky Slytherin and improve their Expelliarmus with a magical Harry Potter themed day out at Cannon Park in Canley. The free event will include birds of prey, a flying Ford Anglia and the chance to pose

competition to see The Gruffalo Live on tour.12 Days Of ChristmasDecember 3-4, 10-11, 17-24For a very merry festive day out this Christmas, Nickelodeon Land in Blackpool is a veritable feast of seasonal activity. Children receive a special gift from Father

to Christmas is being played out on a colossal scale at Tower Bridge this year with a giant Victorian advent calendar. On arrival children will be asked to select a candy cane from a giant Christmas tree, one of which on each day will allow the lucky recipient

The Festive Gift FairNovember 17–20De-stress your Christmas shopping expedition this year and turn it into a fun, family day out at the NEC Birmingham. The hundreds of sellers in attendance at this four day shopping spectacular will be offering

there will be lantern parades, festive choirs, brass bands and the grand opening of Oxford Christmas Market.Festive Family Race DaysDecember 2, 3Families who fancy a flutter should trot down to Sandown Park racecourse inEsher for the Tingle Creek Festival. Dress up

this party offers a delicious three course meal (a children’s menu will be available) followed by a distinctly parent friendly disco-themed boogie wonderland dancing session with a live band.New Year’s Day ParadeKick off 2012 with an all-singing, all

2Postpone the New Year diet one more day by enjoying a hot mince pie and drink on the traditional Strathspey steam-engine. Bask in the vintage glow of this old-fashioned train as you take in the breath-taking views of the Highlands' winter landscape