Things to Do With Kids in Preston This Christmas
For Christmas with kids in Preston in 2026, there's the free lights switch-on at the Flag Market on Saturday 21 November, an ice rink with fairground rides and a Santa's grotto there from 4 December, Cinderella at the Guild Hall from 16 December, and The Winter Lodge on Friargate, where kids are welcome until 8pm. Check each organiser's page for times and tickets before you go.
The lights switch-on
Saturday 21 November on the Flag Market, from 5:30pm, free. See Visit Preston for the line-up.
Skating, rides and Santa
From Friday 4 December the Flag Market has a real ice rink, with traditional fairground rides, a Santa's grotto and food traders round it. Details are on Blog Preston.
The panto
Cinderella is on in the Guild Lounge at the Guild Hall from 16 to 31 December.
Hot chocolate at the Lodge
Kids are welcome at The Winter Lodge until 8pm. They get the full Christmas: wooden huts in garlands, ten thousand fairy lights, Santa by the bar, a claw machine full of teddies and Christmas films over the bar. The hot chocolate comes with whipped cream, mini marshmallows and a gingerbread man on top, and there are chocolate waffles too.
Each hut seats up to eight, so the whole family fits round one table. Book a hut, and see bringing the family for more.
