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A very merry canal Christmas


Father Christmas doesn’t just travel by sleigh – this December he’ll be paying a visit to canals and rivers up and down the country by boat. In fact, judging from waterscape’s big list of Christmas events, he’ll have a packed schedule. It’s a good thing he has magical powers, or he’d never be able to fit everything in!

Christmas is a very special time for a family visit to your local canal or river. Not only are there lots of chances for the children to meet Santa, there are also plenty of other festive things to do. Enjoy carol singing, try Christmas shopping with a difference in canalside shops and markets, or watch a magical illuminated boat parade. See waterscape’s list of Christmas events below. Booking is recommended for many of these events. Click the dates for more details.

Santa Cruises at the Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire

The magnificent Anderton Boat Lift raises boats up from the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Here you can meet Santa on a special boat trip, with presents for the children included.

Muddy Waters Santa Cruises, Oxfordshire

A festive trip on the child-friendly narrowboat Muddy Waters on the Oxford Canal. Boat trips depart from the picturesque village of Thrupp. Meet Santa in his floating grotto, including gifts for the children and tea and a mince pie for the grown-ups.

Santa Special boat trips on the Chesterfield Canal, Derbyshire

Meet Santa on a boat trip with the Chesterfield Canal Trust. Presents for the children and mince pies and drinks for the adults.

Christmas music at Foxton Canal Museum, Leicestershire

Get in the festive spirit with Christmas songs at the Foxton Canal Museum on the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line.

Wharf Inn Christmas Fayre, Warwickshire

Unusual and handmade Christmas gifts will be on sale at the Wharf Inn on the Oxford Canal. There will be stalls in the pub and in a heated marquee, selling gifts, spices, cakes and homemade Christmas puddings, hamper orders, bird boxes, sticks and turned items. Plus, you can learn how to make a Christmas wreath.

Santa’s Grotto Boat Cruise at Gloucester Waterways Museum, Gloucestershire

Meet Santa in his floating grotto on a boat cruise from the Gloucester Waterways Museum on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Includes children's presents, tea or coffee and a mince pie.

Carols by the Canal, Shropshire

Carol singing by the Shropshire Union Canal at Talbot Wharf. Santa will arrive at the event in an illuminated narrowoat, plus there will be Christmas shopping opportunities, children's games, hot food and mulled wine.

Santa at the Falkirk Wheel, Lowlands

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift, raising boats from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. You can visit Santa in his floating grotto and join in with singing and dancing with the elves. Plus, face painting in the Christmas village, a reindeer hunt and goody bags for the children.

Santa’s Special Saturday at London Canal Museum, London

Enjoy a boat trip with Father Christmas on the Regent’s Canal from the London Canal Museum. Enjoy a boat trip with Santa, including presents for the children. Plus, mince pies, refreshments and a paper-based activity for children in the museum.

Santa Cruises at the National Waterways Museum, Cheshire

Join Santa for a boat trip on the Shropshire Union Canal from the National Waterways Museum. Children can visit Santa's enchanting grotto, experience the Victorian Teddy Bears’ Christmas, hear a story and get a gift from Santa himself. Tea, coffee, juice, mince pies and biscuits will be available.

Santa’s Grotto in the Dudley Caverns, West Midlands

Take an illuminated canal boat trip into the Dudley Tunnel, on the Dudley No 1 Canal, to Santa's grotto deep in the limestone caverns. There will be carols, hot drinks, mince pies, seasonal entertainment and gifts for the children.

Illuminated Boats and Carols, Northamptonshire

Celebrate Christmas at the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, on the Grand Union Canal. Take an illuminated boat trip and enjoy carol singing by the canal. There will be a prize for the best illuminated boat, hot soup and roasted chestnuts and Christmas shopping in the museum shop and other canalside gift shops.

Last updated: 13/12/2011