Sick of markets and panto? Elizabeth Morris wrangles some of the more one-of-a-kind Christmas events you can do this winter in 2022.

ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE BADINERIE CONSORT: CHRISTMAS BAROQUE

If you like your Christmas more classical, start your December at the RWCMD for a programme of baroque masterpieces that celebrate the splendour of winter. 

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Fri 2 Dec.

Tickets: £8. Info: here 

TALES OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM

Tales Of The Brothers Grimm follows Stevie as she is transported into a land of fairytales, meeting the characters we know and love and helping them to escape the confines of their stories. The characters are richly talented, all playing their own instruments for the musical numbers, and will have you laughing out loud. A treat for the whole family. 

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, until Sat 31 Dec.

Tickets: £8-£27. Info: here

WINTERLAND AT THE PROPYARD

Propyard is having a festive makeover with Winterland: Bristol’s only indoor ice rink, a Christmas market, a bar with seasonal beverages, and the world-famous animatronic polar bear, Bjorn, will be making an appearance.

Propyard, Bristol, until Tue 31 Jan.

Admission: free; ice-skating from £8. Info and booking: here

MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS DECORATION WORKSHOP

Chepstow Castle is hosting a Medieval Christmas Decoration Workshop where you can learn which festive scents played a role in medieval Christmases and incorporate them into your own scented decoration. 

Chepstow Castle, Sat 3 + Sun 4 Dec.

Admission: £8.30. Info: here 

ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL-AL

Don your sparkles and head to the ICC for their Ultimate Christmas Festive-al, a night full of high-energy entertainment and partying. With street food stalls, live music performances, and a whole hoard of circus stunts, this evening has everything from samosas to showgirls and sticky wings to stilt walkers. 

ICC Wales, Newport, every Friday and Saturday until Sat 17 Dec.

Tickets: from £58. Info: here 

SANTA ON A SPEEDBOAT WITH BRUNCH

If brunching with Santa isn’t enough enticement for your little ones, then what if I were to tell you that Santa will arrive in style on a slightly different choice of transport to his usual reindeer-drawn sleigh… a speedboat. Watch as Santa speeds across Llandegfedd Lake before chatting with each child and presenting them with a special gift. 

Llandegfedd Lake, nr Pontypool, every Friday and Saturday until Sat 17 Dec.

Tickets: £16.95 kids/£12.95 for accompanying adults. Info: here

TOKYO GODFATHERS

Possibly one of the best adult-oriented animated films for this time of year is the late, great anime director Satoshi Kon’s Tokyo Godfathers. In something of a twist on both the nativity story and It’s A Wonderful Life, the 2003 film follows three homeless friends on their quest to return an abandoned baby to its mother on Christmas Eve. Black comedy, dangerous capers and even some heartwarming moments follow. A special screening is happening at Chapter this December as part of a one-off Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival pop-up, which will also include the summer festival’s regular market stalls and reading corner.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Sat 17 Dec.

Tickets: £4 children/£6 adults. Info: here.

ELF ACADEMY

Learn everything there is to know about being one of Santa’s elves at Gwrych Castle. Complete fun tasks such as gingerbread decorating and scavenger hunts to see if you have what it takes to be Santa’s helper, you can even meet the man himself once you graduate Elf Academy. 

Gwrych Castle, nr Abergele, every Friday and Saturday until Sat 17 Dec then Mon 19-Fri 23 Dec.

Tickets: £19.95 kids/£10 adults. Info: here

SAUNDERSFOOT COASTAL CHRISTMAS

Head to Saundersfoot for one of their many coastal Christmas events, a particularly unique one being the fabulously fun Santa Paddle. Join a group clad in Santa hats at Coppet Hall Beach before taking to the water on your paddleboards, truly a sight to behold. 

Just turn up on the day with your festive hat and rent a board if you need to. All donations go to charity. 

Coppet Hall Beach, Saundersfoot, Sun 4 Dec.

Info: here

5K SANTA DASH

Get your festive outfits on and join a huge group of Santas on a 5k dash in which you can run, walk or dance across Cardiff Bay in the name of a great cause. Calon are raising money to go towards heart screening in Wales, placing defibrillators in Welsh communities and free training in CPR. 

Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay, Sun 4 Dec.

Free to spectate; participants are asked to raise a minimum of £20 sponsorship. Info: here

RICK WAKEMAN’S GRUMPY CHRISTMAS STOCKING TOUR

If Christmas carol concerts just aren’t for you but you still want to get into the festive spirit with musical accompaniment, then Rick Wakeman’s Grumpy Christmas Stocking Tour might be for you. With music from throughout his career, covers with unexpected twists and some hilarious storytelling, it is a musical Christmas experience like no other. 

Grand Theatre, Swansea, Mon 5 Dec.

Tickets: from £32.50. Info: here

THE LION, THE B!TCH & THE WARDROBE

The Lion, The B!tch & The Wardrobe has all of your alternative Christmas needs sorted. Imagine Narniabut with drag artists, burlesque and musical theatre numbers… so not really Narnia, but a queer parallel universe of it with all the memorable characters and a lot more fun and naughtiness. 

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 8-Sat 31 Dec.

Tickets: £15. Info: here

CAPTAIN CALAMITY: SANTAMIME ADVENTURE

For festive family fun join Captain Calamity on his Santamime Adventure. Help the Captain spread enough Christmas cheer to make sure Santa’s reindeer can fly on Christmas Eve and giggle as he causes clumsy disasters along the way. 

Pavilion Mid Wales, Llandrindod Wells, Mon 12 Dec

Tickets: £10. Info: here

CHRISTMAS TREATS FROM THE NUTCRACKER

Brecon Festival Ballet is treating audiences to a festive production of Christmas Treats From The Nutcracker. Talented local children will be performing alongside the professionals and accompanied by a live orchestra to make this ballet even more magical.

Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, Fri 16-Sun 18 Dec.

Tickets: £25.50. Info: here

CHRISTMAS TALES FOR CHILDREN

Let your little ones bring out their creativity with Christmas Tales For Children at the Elysium Gallery. There will be Christmas storytelling and a chance to workshop their very own Christmas stories, poems and pictures, the perfect way to channel their festive energy into an artistic keepsake. 

Elysium Gallery, Swansea, Sat 17 Dec.

Admission: free (children must be accompanied by a guardian). Info: here

NO MERCY WRESTLING COBRA CEIBER CHRISTMAS

If unique and outside the box is what you’re going for this Christmas, then you may have met your match. No Mercy Wrestling presents their Cobra Ceiber Christmas… that’s right, festive wrestling. If you’re looking to experience something new or are already a seasoned wrestling fan there’s nothing that says ‘unique Christmas’ louder than this.

Penrhiwceiber Hall, Mountain Ash, Sun 18 Dec.

Admission: £12.50/£10 advance. Info: here

WINTER SOLSTICE WALK

Escape to the natural world just a few days before Christmas and climb to the top of the highest mountain in Southern Britain. Join the Wales Outdoors walking group and make your way to the summit of Pen Y Fan in perfect timing for a dazzling sunset, the worthy reward for your achievement. 

Pont Ar Daf carpark [starting point], Wed 21 Dec.

Tickets: £16.22 (non-members). Info: here 

THE CHRISTMAS SOCIAL AT ROCKIN’ CHAIR

Party your way into the early hours of Christmas Eve, indie disco style. The Christmas Social at Wrexham’s Rockin’ Chair (formerly known as Central / Central Station) offers live music from the best bands in town, including Camera, Kidsmoke and Johnny Ash. 

The Rockin’ Chair, Wrexham, Fri 23 Dec.

Tickets: £10. Info: here

words ELIZABETH MORRIS