The first frost-covered glimpses of Christmas are on the horizon, which means it's time to start thinking about how you're going to entertain your children over the festive period.

For us, theme parks are always a great idea. Even on chilly winter days you can't beat places like Chessington for how they embrace the Christmas spirit.

This year, the Surrey theme park is bringing back their Winter's Tail and Christmas Village events, which offer a huge range of shows, activities and events for kids and parents to treasure forever.

Here's everything you need to know.

Book Chessington Christmas tickets from £22

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What happens at Chessington Winter's Tail?

Chessington christmas
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Winter's Tail is the name of Chessington's annual Christmas celebrations, which include a fabulously festive range of events and activities.

Throughout this period the park undergoes a huge festive makeover complete with carollers and a festive light trail. Plus, every year there's a new Christmas panto amongst a range of other kid-friendly performances and scavenger hunts.

Book Chessington Christmas tickets from £22

What is the Chessington Christmas Village?

The Chessington Christmas Village is an add-on experience you can book alongside your park entry ticket.

It combines a visit to Father Christmas's Grotto, where you can actually meet the big man himself, and a look in the Enchanted Hollow: Toy Workshop where the elves are hard at work – you may just receive an early Christmas gift!

The Christmas Village also has a festive Silent Disco and a journey through a snowy woodland.

What rides are open at Chessington Christmas?

Select rides and attractions are open during Chessington's Christmas period, including the World of Jumanji, The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and Room on the Broom.

The Zoo and SEALIFE centres are also open with full access included in your entry ticket.

What are the dates for Chessington Christmas 2025?

Chessington Christmas
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Chessington will open on select dates from late November to Christmas Eve, although they will shortly be announcing dates for Twixtmas too (the space between Christmas and New Year). The Chessington Christmas dates for 2025 are:

  • 22nd – 23rd Nov
  • 29th – 30th Nov
  • 6th – 7th Dec
  • 12th – 24th Dec

What is the Chessington Christmas ticket price 2025?

Standard entry tickets to Chessington Winter's Tail cost £22 per person, but if you want to get Winter's Tail and the Christmas Village it's £32 per person. Short breaks meanwhile start from £53.

Book Chessington Christmas tickets from £22

How to book the Chessington Christmas room

The Chessington Christmas room was introduced earlier this year and has proved insanely popular. Booking out this entirely festive room – complete with elf wakeup and a Reindeer Encounter – starts from £77, although demand is likely to be very high as we enter the colder months.

Book Chessington festive breaks from £53

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Make sure you also check out the best teen advent calendars and must-have Christmas toys.

Authors

Olivia Garrett
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