The Best Holiday Parks for a Magical Christmas

Picture it: frosty mornings, twinkling lights, a visit from Santa and not a single sprout to peel. A Christmas holiday park break gives you all the magic of the season without the stress. Someone else does the cooking, the whole family is under one roof, and the festive fun is right on your doorstep.

At Away Resorts, several of our holiday parks go all out for Christmas, with Winterfest entertainment, Santa experiences, festive crafts and a three-course Christmas Day Lunch. Here’s our guide to the best holiday parks for Christmas in 2026, including what’s on site, how far the nearest Christmas markets are, and what’s happening nearby.

The exterior of one of our wooden lodges at Sandy Balls, Hampshire, on a snowy day.

Key Takeaways

Winterfest runs across four parks: Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Retallack Resort and Mill Rythe.
Christmas Day Lunch is available at six parks: the four above, plus The Bay Filey and Piperdam.
On-park activities include Santa meet-and-greets, Christmas crafts and evening entertainment.
Every park sits close to a local Christmas market, light switch-on or festive trail, so a stay easily combines on-park Winterfest fun with nearby town events.
Every Away Resorts park is dog-friendly, so the four-legged family members can join in too (up to two dogs per booking).

What Makes a Great Christmas Holiday Park

The best Christmas holiday parks have five things: festive activities for the kids, evening entertainment for the grown-ups, cosy accommodation, a proper Christmas dinner, and local events within easy reach.

Festive activities for kids. Santa visits, craft sessions and a bit of elf-related mischief keep little ones busy from breakfast to bedtime.
Evening entertainment for adults. Once the kids are tucked up (or having the time of their lives at a show), there’s live entertainment, a warm bar and a well-earned festive drink.
Cosy accommodation. A holiday home with the heating on, fairy lights up and room for everyone beats a crowded dining table at home. Many of our parks also offer hot tub lodges for a winter soak under the stars.
Christmas dining. A three-course Christmas Day Lunch with all the trimmings means no washing-up and no timing the turkey.
Nearby Christmas markets and events. Light switch-ons, grottos and artisan markets give you a day out beyond the park gates.

All six parks below tick those boxes, each in its own way.

Best Away Resorts Holiday Parks for Christmas

Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire

On the park: Tattershall Lakes is a perfect festive location, set around lakes in the Lincolnshire countryside. The Winterfest Spiegeltent is the heart of the festive fun, and a full activity programme keeps every age busy.

The whole family can enjoy a fantastic range of entertainment, from classic Christmas pantomimes to the festive Bear in the Woods show. Facilities include an indoor pool, the Tranquility Spa, a gym, cycle hire, bars and restaurants, plus lakeside hot tub lodges for a cosy break. On Christmas Day, you can enjoy a traditional festive lunch at Tattershall Park Pub or Propeller Bar.

“Went to Tattershall for our yearly family weekend Christmas visit. Panto & The musical was brilliant, we really got to see what fantastic actors the cast are. Security, bar staff, and entertainment team, were lovely as ever.” – Lisa at Tattershall Lakes

Nearby this Christmas:

Lincoln Christmas Market fills the historic city centre with stalls and festive atmosphere. It’s around 40 minutes by car from Tattershall Lakes.
Horncastle Christmas Market has local food, crafts and a Santa’s grotto. It’s only an 18-minute drive from Tattershall Lakes.
Rand Farm Park’s Christmas Experience offers tractor rides to Santa’s grotto, a great day out for families. It’s around 30 minutes by car from Tattershall Lakes.

Sandy Balls, Hampshire

On the park: Sandy Balls has a fantastic range of Winterfest entertainment and activities, including the beautiful Forest of Light illuminations, Santa’s Grand Arrival and the Elves Misbehaving show, perfect for the whole family. The park has direct access to the New Forest National Park, where the magical woodland setting does a lot of the festive work for you.

Fancy an extra bit of luxury? Hot tub lodges are a real treat after a frosty forest walk. Facilities include an indoor pool, a spa, a gym, cycle hire, alpaca walks, an adventure playground and an on-site shop. You can also enjoy a lovely Christmas Day Lunch with all the trimmings at Aubrey’s or the Woodside Inn.

Nearby this Christmas:

Ringwood’s artisan Christmas market and light switch-on is about five miles from the park.
The New Forest Christmas Fair at Exbury Gardens has a Santa’s grotto and a festive trail, around 35 minutes’ drive away.
New Forest Eats ’n’ Treats is a market at Brockenhurst College.

“The Christmas lights are a fantastic spectacle, swimming pool is great, the Alpacas terrific and we had a hot tub, which is a great way to chill out. You are in The New Forest, so easy to pop off campus and see the ponies up close.” – Gary at Sandy Balls

Retallack Resort, Cornwall

On the park: Retallack is our wonderful Cornish resort, set in the beautiful Cornish countryside and perfect for a Christmas escape. It offers a full festive activity and entertainment programme, including Festive Tie-Dye, Sleigh Team and Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, which the whole family can enjoy.

Facilities include an indoor pool, the ESYA Spa, a gym, an adventure playground and Cornwall’s only FlowRider, so there’s plenty to do whatever the weather. This festive season, you can also enjoy Retallack’s luxury barn accommodation, with hot tub options to relax under the festive sky. Want a traditional Christmas lunch with turkey and all the trimmings? Retallack has you covered, with lunch served in the Lookout Bar.

Nearby this Christmas:

Padstow Christmas Festival is under 10 minutes’ drive away.
Newquay’s Christmas market and light switch-on weekend takes place at the Killacourt, with fireworks over the bay. It’s 10 to 20 minutes by car.
Truro Christmas Market is held on Lemon Quay.

“We had a lovely experience over Christmas at Retallack, staff were amazing, and plenty of things to do for the whole family.” – Jane at Retallack

Mill Rythe, Hampshire

On the park: Mill Rythe Coastal Village sits on stunning Hayling Island, so you’ll have a tranquil seaside backdrop for your Winterfest fun. There’s a full festive activity and entertainment programme for the whole family, including Bear in the Woods, Christmas pottery painting and the Elf Slime Factory.

In the park you can enjoy an indoor pool, hot tub accommodation, a bar and restaurant, an adventure playground, a sports court and walking routes. The beach is around a mile and a half away, and Chichester Harbour is practically on the doorstep. Christmas Day Lunch is served at The Missing Squirrel.

Nearby this Christmas:

Hayling Island’s own Mengham Christmas Market and light switch-on is right on the island.
Havant’s town centre Christmas lights and carol singing are about three miles away.
Chichester’s festive market runs along North and East Street, with a Santa’s grotto.

“We loved the Christmas activities and entertainment at Mill Rythe, food and drink were also great. We want to come back next week!” – Joe at Mill Rythe

A lifestyle image of a woman relaxing on the decking at our stunning holiday park in Cornwall, St Ives Bay. There are views of the ocean in the background.

The Bay Filey, Yorkshire

On the park: Set on the stunning Yorkshire coast, The Bay Filey is open all year round, with direct access to the beach for a festive walk. Facilities include an indoor pool, a gym, a tennis court, an adventure playground, an on-site shop and a small beauty room, so there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy whatever the weather.

Fancy an extra bit of luxury? We have a fantastic range of lodges with hot tubs to relax in. Want to book a Christmas lunch? The Bay Filey has you covered, with lunch served at the John Paul Jones.

Nearby this Christmas:

Filey’s Fishtive Tree switch-on takes place at Coble Landing. The tree is made from crab and lobster pots, a wonderfully coastal take on tradition. Filey is about three miles away.
Scarborough Sparkle brings a festive market and lights, around 10 miles from the park.

Piperdam, Scotland

On the park: Piperdam sits in 650 acres of Angus countryside, just 10 minutes from Dundee. You can enjoy a fantastic range of family-friendly entertainment and activities, including Santa meet-and-greets. Facilities include an indoor pool, a gym, the Admire Spa, an 18-hole and a 9-hole golf course, cycle hire, an adventure playground and hot tub lodges. Christmas Day Lunch is served in the Riga Suite.

Nearby this Christmas:

Dundee’s West End Christmas Fortnight and City Square light switch-on are about 10 minutes away.
Discovery Point Christmas Market is on the Dundee waterfront.
Perth’s Christmas Markets and Winter Festival events are a little further afield.

“We loved our weeks-long stay at Piperdam over Christmas, stunning location and plenty of things to do and evening entertainment.” – Tom at Piperdam

Festive Activities to Book at Winterfest

Winterfest is our festive programme of Christmas entertainment at Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Retallack Resort and Mill Rythe. Here’s what you can book.

Santa experiences

Santa’s Magical Meeting is the classic face-to-face with the big man himself.
Breakfast with Santa is a morning treat with a festive feast.
Dear Santa is a chance to share your Christmas wishes.

Christmas crafts

Make your own plushies and snow globes.
Try pottery painting for a keepsake.
Pop to the decoration station to create something for the tree.

Evening entertainment

Kids House Party is a high-energy night for little ones.
Bear in the Woods is a show with plenty of festive charm.
Candlelight Concerts are a calmer, more atmospheric evening out.

Most activities can be pre-booked through the Away Resorts app, so you can plan your Christmas before you arrive. Popular sessions can fill up, so booking early is the best way to guarantee your spot.

Christmas Day Lunch at Away Resorts

Christmas Day Lunch is a three-course festive meal with all the trimmings, so you can gather the family and leave the cooking to us. At five of our six parks, prices start at:

Adults: from £79.95 per person
Children under 15: from £39.95 per person
Under 5s: £4.95

You can view the festive menu and the kids’ festive menu before you book. Find out more.

How to Book Your Christmas Holiday Park Break

Ready to swap the stress for the sparkle? Booking is simple:

Pick your park. Choose the one that suits your family, whether that’s the New Forest, the Cornish countryside or the Lincolnshire lakes.
Choose your dates and accommodation. Christmas breaks are among our most popular of the year, so book early for your first choice.
Add the festive extras. Pre-book Christmas Day Lunch and your Winterfest activities.
Download the Away Resorts app to manage your bookings and plan your days.

Book your Christmas break today with Away Resorts.

FAQs

What is Winterfest at Away Resorts?

Winterfest is Away Resorts’ festive programme of Christmas entertainment. It includes Santa experiences, Christmas crafts, evening shows and seasonal activities for all ages, so families can enjoy a magical Christmas break right on the park.

Which Away Resorts parks host Winterfest?

Winterfest runs at four parks: Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire, Sandy Balls in Hampshire, Retallack Resort in Cornwall and Mill Rythe in Hampshire.

Are there Christmas markets near Away Resorts holiday parks?

Yes. Every park is close to a local Christmas market, light switch-on or festive trail. Examples include Lincoln Christmas Market near Tattershall Lakes, Ringwood’s artisan market near Sandy Balls, Padstow Christmas Festival and Newquay’s light switch-on near Retallack Resort, Hayling Island’s Mengham market near Mill Rythe, Scarborough Sparkle near The Bay Filey and Dundee’s Discovery Point Christmas Market near Piperdam.

Do I need to book festive activities in advance?

We recommend it. Many Winterfest activities, including Santa experiences and evening entertainment, can be pre-booked through the Away Resorts app, and popular sessions can fill up quickly at Christmas.