A Center Parcs break is exciting at any time of year. However, guests visiting during the winter months are treated to twinkling lights, a sprinkling of snow, and cheery music as the villages transform into a Christmas Winter Wonderland. A magical amosphere settles over the forest and the seasonal activities begin.
Whether you're looking for some pre-Christmas excitement, post-Christmas relaxation, or wish to spend the day itself enjoying the festive fun, Center Parcs at Christmas is truly memorable.
Following our Christmas break at Sherwood Forest in 2021, here I'm sharing our thoughts, information and tips to help you have a wonderful winter stay.
Lights, Camera, Action!
As soon as you set foot on site, be prepared for a truly illuminating experience. Thousands of lights line the walkways and rain down from trees, plus there are an abundance of seasonal shapes dotted around. Some even provide fabulous photo opportunities, so have your camera ready to capture those memorable moments.
Winter Wonderland Activities
Santa's Woodland Village
Santa has arrived at Center Parcs, bringing his elves and a whole host of Christmas magic with him to create Santa's Woodland Village.
This was a real highlight of our winter break, and if a visit here doesn't get you into the Christmas spirit, nothing will.
Snow covered ground, Christmas Toadstool Cabins for guests to interact with, and a huge Christmas tree create a very merry atmosphere. You can warm up with a hot chocolate or mulled wine from Forest Festive Fayre. And it's here youngsters can post their letters to Santa, then await a reply delivered directly to your lodge.
Santa's Woodland Village is open throughout the day until 9pm, and you are welcome to visit as many times as you wish during your break.
Daytime provides a great opportunity to capture family photos in the various photo spots dotted around.
Once darkness falls, the area becomes even more festive as lights illuminate the paths, and the Enchanted Light Trail bursts to life.
Enchanted Light Trail
Center Parcs have recently announced their decision not to reintroduce firework displays during special breaks. Instead, they've created something equally entertaining in the form of an Enchanted Light Trail.
Here, colour changing lights curve along the forest floor and hang in trees as Christmas music plays throughout the walk.
As much as we've enjoyed the Center Parcs fireworks in the past, we felt this was a wonderful substitution, which can be enjoyed over and over again.
And lets face it, who wouldn't love to wander through the forest to the sounds of Shakin' Stevens Merry Christmas Everyone, as the lights above you appear to dance to the music. Believe me, it's highly entertaining, and a great way to embarass the teenagers as you bop along!
How to see Santa at Center Parcs
If you wish to see Santa during your break, you can do so right up to Christmas Eve. And Center Parcs have provided a number of ways to do this:
1. Visit Santa's Workshop
Located in the centre of Santa's Woodland Village is Santa's Workshop. Here you can watch the elves making last minute preparations, and even visit the main man himself.
A meeting with Santa requires pre-booking, and each visit includes a souvenir photo, plus little ones are also presented with a small Christmas gift.
2. Breakfast with Santa
You can also enjoy a visit from Santa during the Breakfast with Santa experience which takes place at Hucks American Bar & Grill.
Again, children will receive a Christmas gift. And the whole family can dine on breakfast offerings such as pastries, pancakes, full English, and even a chocolate fondue. Well, it is Christmas!
Tip: This is a highly popular activity which books up quickly. Therefore, I recommend making your reservation as soon as your booking window opens.
3. Santa's Village Tour
On certain days during your stay, including Christmas Eve for those on a Christmas break, Santa makes a tour of the Center Parcs villages.
Route maps are provided at check-in, which also outline approximate times he's scheduled to drive through each area. You'll need to head outside your lodge to see him pass by, but it's worth the effort as you witness elves on bikes, seasonal tunes and a very cheery ho-ho-ho. Great fun!
Extra Center Parcs Christmas Activities
The usual array of Center Parcs activities are also available during the winter season. Some popular favourites such as Cupcake Decorating, Chocolate Academy and Pottery Painting, are given a festive twist.
Plus, there's extra enjoyment to be had during Winter Wonderland breaks. Youngsters (3-7 years) are invited to join the Elf Academy in the Activity Den. Here they dress in elf costumes before being treated to 3 hours of Christmas crafts, games and festive treats. Or they may wish to Design a Giant Christmas Stocking with the decorations, pens and glitter provided.
Additional activities include Festive Wreath Making, Mrs Claus Gingerbread Decorating, and even an elf hunt through the forest for toddlers (2-5 years).
The Subtropical Swimming Paradise
Fans of the Subtropical Swimming Paradise will be pleased to know it's open every day, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Meaning you can do as we did, and throw yourselves down the rapids a few times to build up an appetite for Christmas dinner.
Pool opening hours are slighty reduced for Christmas breaks. During our stay they were:
- Christmas Eve: 10am-8pm
- Christmas Day: 11am-7pm
- Boxing Day: 10am-9pm
Shopping
The Center Parcs shops open every day except Christmas Day, and again, regular opening times may vary over the Christmas break.
During our stay, the Parc Market closed at 7pm on Christmas Eve, opening again 10am-4pm on Boxing Day.
Some Christmas essentials are available to purchase from the Parc Market. This includes a small selection of table crackers, together with some traditional Christmas food items.
Alongside the regular shops, a Christmas shop also opens for the season. Here you can purchase a variety of festive souvenirs including tree decorations and figurines.
Decorating Lodges
T'is the season for decorations, and this extends to Center Parcs lodges.
Wreaths hang from all lodge doors to welcome you on arrival. Beyond this, you'll need to provide your own decorations. We noticed many guests strung lights up at windows, some also brought window stickers, and there were even a few with exterior ornaments.
Christmas Tree & Decorations Pack
Luckily, there's no need to bring your own tree, as Center Parcs can provide one for you.
Christmas Tree & Decorations Packs are available to pre-order via the Center Parcs website. Each pack includes a real tree with stand, lights, plus plenty of baubles, beads, and a star for the top. These will be delivered to your lodge prior to arrival, enabling you to get straight into the festive spirit with some Christmas tree decorating.
Packs cost £60, and the decorations are then yours to keep.
Tip: Christmas Tree & Decorations Packs are subject to availability. Therefore, I recommend adding this as an extra when booking your lodge.
Restaurants:
Christmas Day Dining
All Center Parcs restaurants remain open throughout winter breaks, although some close on Christmas Day. Those which are open serve a special Christmas Day menu.
Traditional Christmas roast dinners are included on every Christmas Day menu, with some offering alternative dishes for those guests seeking a break from the norm.
All restaurants require pre-booking to guarantee a table, which will be allocated for 2 hours.
We decided to brave the notoriously fickle Center Parcs ovens and cooked our own Christmas meal, making use of the turkey tray provided in our lodge. A very thoughful extra from Center Parcs, which was extremely handy.
Extra Center Parcs at Christmas Tips:
1. Enjoy a cosy night in
Christmas is a time for relaxing, and although there are plenty of activities on offer, Center Parcs is also the ideal place to unwind. The lodges are perfectly designed for this, with their wood burning stoves and comfy surroundings.
So why not light the fire (pre-order a delivery of logs to your lodge), crack open a bottle of wine, and settle down for a movie or games night. Plus, you don't even need to cook as takeaways can be ordered via the Center Parcs website.
2. Feel festive in the bars & restaurants
If you do fancy heading out for a meal or drinks, many of the bars and restaurants are wonderfully decorated for the season. There are Christmas trees and garlands everywhere you look. Be sure to check for any festive specials offered at some restaurants, including mulled wine and mince pies.
3. Unload presents on Christmas Eve
If you're staying over Christmas and are worried about little ones spying their presents, Center Parcs have even thought this one through. The car park barriers are opened from 8pm-midnight on Christmas Eve, giving 'Santa' the opportunity to unload gifts.
So, not only have Center Parcs created a fabulous atmosphere around the villages, they've also considered lots of smaller details to ensure guests have a truly memorable Christmas break.
This was our first Christmas away from home, and thanks to us having such a fantastic festive time, it won't be our last.
If you fancy booking a Christmas break at Center Parcs in 2022, check out their webiste for all the latest news and prices.
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