What to do in the Falkirk area this Christmas

It’s the countdown to the most wonderful time of the year!

This Christmas, enjoy a wide range of family fun events and activities planned across the Falkirk area. From festive trails, family panto, classic Christmas films; to supporting local independent shops, restaurants and paying a visit to our wide range of fantastic visitor attractions.

 

We will update this page every time a new Christmas 2022 event in the Falkirk area is announced, so keep checking back for more festive fun!

 

Christmas Art & Gift Sale

8th December 

 

Still got Christmas shopping to do? Pop along to Aran Cafe in Falkirk town centre to enjoy an evening of art and gifts for sale, along with hot drinks, cake, and a selection of home made and locally sourced produce!

 

Aran craft sale

 

Festive family films at Bo'ness Hippodrome Cinema

13th November - 24th December 2022

 

Why not have a family trip to Scotland's oldest purpose-built cinema and enjoy some festive favourites such as Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone. 

 

Have a look at the film programme and pre-book your tickets online here.

 

The Boness Hippodrome Interior 

The Hippodrome 

 

Festive Afternoon Tea at Callendar House

25th November - 31st December 2022

 

What better way to get yourself in the mood for Christmas than with a Festive Afternoon Tea in the beautiful Callendar House tea rooms.

 

A true seasonal homemade delight, piled high with treat after treat, from only £18.95 per person. Why not make your festive afternoon even more special with a merry upgrade to a prosecco or gin tea?

 

Make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Book your tickets here

 

Callendar House festive afternoon tea

Festive Afternoon Tea at Callendar House 

 

Festive afternoon teas in the Falkirk area:

 

 

Santa's Grotto at Torwood Garden Centre

3rd - 18th December 2022

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Santa and his elves are ready to greet you in his cosy log cabin. Torwood Garden Centre will be transformed for a magical Christmas experience the whole family can enjoy. With limited space in Santa’s workshop, it is requested that a maximum of two adults enter the log cabin per visit.

 

Tickets cost £10 per child (including gift) and can be booked online here.

 

Santa's Grotto Torwood

 

Sleeping Beauty at FTH Theatre

9th - 30th December 2022

Relaxed performance: Wed 14th December at 7pm

BSL: Thu 15th December at  7pm

 

When the wicked fairy Carabosse’s evil curse causes the princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it is too late?

 

Sleeping Beauty will have everything you have come to expect from a FTH Theatre pantomime with a hilarious comic, an outrageous dame, a delightfully wicked baddie, marvellous musical numbers and tons of slapstick fun.

 

Get your tickets here for what will be a spellbinding festive treat!

 Sleeping Beauty

 Sleeping Beauty cast

 

Help Santa Find the Magic at The Falkirk Wheel

10th - 24th December 2022

 

At The Falkirk Wheel, the Winter Elves are busy bringing the sparkle and the glitter, the Holly and the Ivy, the tinsel and the Ho Ho Ho, but the magic is missing! Oh no, will Christmas have to be cancelled? Can you help? Join the jolly crew on an adventure to bring the magic back again!

 

When you hop on board one of the boats, you’ll be transported on a festive voyage to help the elves. Flying through the sky on the world's only rotating boat lift, don’t be surprised if you bump into Mr Claus along the way, he may just have a gift for you (if you’re on the nice list that is).

 

With sparkling lights and fantastic characters to meet, we’re sure this will be a Christmas event will be a truly magical experience.

 

Book your magic seeking trip here now!

 

Falkirk Wheel santa

 

Sunday Lunch with Santa at Macdonald Inchyra Hotel

11th December 2022

 

Savour a succulent three-course choice menu on this special day. Watch the faces of children and loved ones light up as Santa stops by to share gifts and Christmas cheer. 12noon – 5pm. Book your tickets online here

 

Christmas Drive-In Movies at Falkirk Stadium

16th - 18th December 2022

 

Christmas Drive In is back at Falkirk Stadium for a weekend of festive family fun!

 

Brought to you by the Catherine McEwan Foundation, watch your favourite Christmas classics on the world's largest drive in screen and enjoy street food from the Big Feed.

 

See the film listings and book your tickets here

 

Christmas drive in movies 2022 (2) 

 

A West End Christmas in Falkirk at Grangemouth Town Hall

17th December 2022

 

Kieran Brown returns with an all star cast of top talents, both local and from the West End, to bring some Christmas magic back to Falkirk!

 

Special guests will be announced at a later date, but this SEVENTH annual Christmas show promises some of your all time favourite musical theatre songs, mixed in with some festive favourites! We will again play host to our Christmas Market, showcasing small, local, independent businesses, ideal for those last minute Christmas gifts and stocking fillers!

 

This year donations will be accepted for KLSB charity (food donations, toy drop) as well as raising money for Strathcarron Hospice, in loving memory of “Mrs Stenhousemuir”, “Aunty” Anne Coyle.

 

The event is BYOB, and balcony seating is unreserved. Tickets are strictly limited so book fast! Get your tickets here

 

west end Christmas

 

Santa's Grotto at The Howgate

17th, 18th and 23rd December

 

Don't miss the chance to see Santa at the Howgate! £4 per child and a gift included.
Santa's Grotto Howgate (1)

 

Santa @ Lock 16

18th December 2022, 11am - 2pm

 

See Santa arriving on the Jaggy Thistle at Lock 16! Meet Santa and Mrs Clause (Limited spaces, timeslots will be given out on the morning), and join in with other festive activities including 'Come as yourself, leave as an Elf' and Santa's post office.

 

Lock 16

 

Festive events at Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway

 

Santa Steam Trains - 3rd - 24th December 2022

A magical steam hauled journey to the North Pole (South): Keep your eyes open for Santa as you enjoy festive signing, complete a Christmas wish list to post in the Christmas letter box, and - for good girls and boys - open a present left for you by Santa! Book here.

 

Christmas Clansman - 16th December 2022

Enjoy a traditional festive meal prepared on board the first class train. A glass of prosecco is provided on arrival with a full bar service available on the train! Tables availavle for bookings of 3 and 4 people. Book tickets here

 

Winter Diesel Running Day - 29th December 2022

Blow away the Christmas cobwebs for a day of heritage diesel traction on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. More info and booking coming soon!

 

Black Bun Specials - 30th & 31st December 2022 and 2nd & 3rd January 2023

Enjoy a nostalgic steam train journey in a cosy carriage, complimentary hot drink and a slice of traditional Hogmanay black bun for the adults and shortbread and juice for the kids. A perfect family treat to end the year together in style at this unique event. More info and booking coming soon!

 

Bo'ness Railway

Santa train at Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway 

 

 

Falkirk Town Centre Events

 

Santa's Post Office - open from Saturday 19th November - 23rd December

Located right next to the Steeple, every Saturday and Sunday leading up to Christmas there will be plenty of activities to do including Letter to Santa, Reindeer Food Baubles, Wooden Tree Decoration, and Clay Reindeer. This event is recommended for children ages 2 to 11 but all ages are welcome. Walk-ins available on the day.

 

Mrs Claus' Living Room - 26th November - 23rd December

Mrs Claus invites you to join her for story-time in her cosy living room, located in Seagull Trust Bookshop. Sessions last 30 minutes and every child can choose a free book to take home. This is a free event - please book tickets for children only, adults do not need a ticket, walk in slots available on the day.

 

Shopping

 

Discover and support the wide range of local businesses on your doorstep this Christmas. Whatever your taste or budget you are sure to find somewhere where you can stock up on unique festive gifts. The Falkirk area offers a great choice of award-winning independent boutiques, designers, gifts, food and drink shops and much more. Visit our Falkirk area shop local guide here.

 

Why not treat yourself or your loved ones with the Falkirk District Towns Gift Card? Shop in over 120 businesses located in Falkirk, Bo’ness, Denny, Grangemouth and Stenhousemuir town centres. An easy way to shop and support your local community.

 

Gift Shop Scarlett Ribbons Min

 Scarlet Ribbons gift shop

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