News Beat
County Durham named one of the best for family days out
The county secured eighth place on the list with 160 festive activities planned for the season, according to research by children’s toy brand Outdoor Toys.
The ranking is based on the number of Christmas-focused events planned for December 2025, including light trails, markets, and pantomimes.
Outdoor Toys said: “County Durham is the eighth best for family days out this Christmas, with 160 festive activities.”
Among its seasonal offerings were 145 Christmas events—ranging from light displays and festive markets to pantomimes—as well as 15 Santa’s grotto experiences.
Elsewhere, Buckinghamshire was crowned the Christmas capital for 2025, hosting a ‘remarkable’ 369 festive activities this December.
Other top-ranking counties include Cheshire in second place with 254 activities, and Cornwall in third with 208 events.
The research also notes that festive cheer is not limited to major cities, with lantern parades, coastal Christmas markets, and community events in towns and villages.
Cheshire took second place with 254 total activities, offering a strong mix of traditional markets, illuminated trails and winter gardens at locations such as Tatton Park and Dunham Massey.
Christmas events featured in the ranking include light switch-ons, light trails, markets, and pantomimes, as well as family-friendly experiences like Santa’s grottos.
The full ranking is as follows: Buckinghamshire (369 activities), Cheshire (254), Cornwall (208), Bristol (192), Greater Manchester (168), West Midlands (163), Herefordshire (161), County Durham (160), Northamptonshire (153), and Suffolk (151).
The complete research can be found at the Outdoor Toys website.
