Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-to-the-races">GO TO THE RACES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Christmas_Raceday_2019_Nicole_Hains-00796.jpg" alt="howden christmas race day ascot family festive things to do near me" class="wp-image-57679" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Christmas_Raceday_2019_Nicole_Hains-00796.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Christmas_Raceday_2019_Nicole_Hains-00796-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Christmas_Raceday_2019_Nicole_Hains-00796-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Christmas_Raceday_2019_Nicole_Hains-00796-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/11/Christmas_Raceday_2019_Nicole_Hains-00796-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Roll up, roll up! Ascot’s fabulously exhilarating&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ascot.com/horse-races-and-events/christmas-raceday/saturday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Howden Christmas Racing Weekend</a>&nbsp;takes place&nbsp;on Fri 19 &amp; Sat 20 December&nbsp;this year and is set to be one whopper of a festive shindig – wrapping up a whole year of remarkable racing in one neat little bow. Perfect for families, racing devotees, and everything in between. Honestly, it&#8217;s worth it for the Saturday entertainment alone. I&#8217;m talking story time with Mrs Christmas, the chance to meet Father Christmas&#8217;s reindeer, face painting, carol singing, and arts and crafts.&nbsp;Sign me up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-a-panto">SEE A PANTO</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644.jpg" alt="pantos on in berkshire christmas things to do this weekend" class="wp-image-84910" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/south-hill-park-MotherGooseSHP2025-644-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Panto season is in full swing, crash, wallop, and a bang. My recommendations? South Hill Park&#8217;s fabulous <em><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/review-mother-goose-and-the-golden-egg-panto-south-hill-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mother Goose and the Golden Egg</a></em> &#8211; a panto that’s part fairy tale, part viral sensation and made for the social media age. <em><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/review-a-christmas-carol-reading-rep-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Christmas Carol</a></em> at Reading Rep Theatre is also absolutely brilliant and gave me all the festive feels. You can&#8217;t beat it. Over in Newbury, <em><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/review-robin-hood-and-maid-marian-corn-exchange-newbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood and Maid Marian</a></em> is a hoot stacked with local gags, on at the Corn Exchange. Of course, The Hexagon in Reading&#8217;s pantos are always brilliant. This year it&#8217;s <em><a href="https://whatsonreading.com/beautyandthebeast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty and the Beast</a></em>. Corrr, you&#8217;re spoilt for choice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-follow-the-lights">FOLLOW THE LIGHTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/windsor-illuminated-477756243_634296558958024_1663035319634827121_n.jpg" alt="windsor illuminated light show festive things to do near me windsor light trail" class="wp-image-81705" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/windsor-illuminated-477756243_634296558958024_1663035319634827121_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/windsor-illuminated-477756243_634296558958024_1663035319634827121_n-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/windsor-illuminated-477756243_634296558958024_1663035319634827121_n-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/windsor-illuminated-477756243_634296558958024_1663035319634827121_n-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/windsor-illuminated-477756243_634296558958024_1663035319634827121_n-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Hold onto your Santa hats because&nbsp;<a href="https://www.windsorilluminated.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Windsor Great Park Illuminated</a>&nbsp;(on until 3 Jan)&nbsp;is its most dazzling year yet. No, seriously. I loved it even more than last year&#8217;s display and I&#8217;m struggling to think of anything quite as festive. The trail features countless fantastic new installations (the train is incredible), plus a sprinkling of returning favourites. Mulled wine and toasted marshmallows around a roaring fire is the cherry on top.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spill-some-tea">SPILL SOME TEA</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/CoworthPark-TheDrawingRoom-FestiveAfternoontea-DorchesterCollection-_2_.jpg" alt="coworth park festive afternoon fondue terrace" class="wp-image-83968" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/CoworthPark-TheDrawingRoom-FestiveAfternoontea-DorchesterCollection-_2_.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/CoworthPark-TheDrawingRoom-FestiveAfternoontea-DorchesterCollection-_2_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/CoworthPark-TheDrawingRoom-FestiveAfternoontea-DorchesterCollection-_2_-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/CoworthPark-TheDrawingRoom-FestiveAfternoontea-DorchesterCollection-_2_-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/CoworthPark-TheDrawingRoom-FestiveAfternoontea-DorchesterCollection-_2_-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.dorchestercollection.com/ascot/coworth-park/festive?ranLoyalty=0&amp;ranMID=53819&amp;ranEAID=TnL5HPStwNw&amp;ranSiteID=TnL5HPStwNw-C4J7YEbW3VMSegfESB8PVw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coworth Park</a> at Christmas is like stepping into a dreamy winter wonderland. These guys really know how to deck the halls and sprinkle every room with seasonal joy. The attention to detail is second to none – and its award-winning afternoon tea has been given a festive makeover. Tuck into roast turkey, sage and onion compote, plus Coworth Park signature chocolate, rum and raisin cheesecake, and Jamaican gingerbread. Trust me, it’s unbelievably delicious. On until Sunday 21 Dec, with this weekend featuring extra special live carol performances. Priced at £95pp. Psst, there&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.dorchestercollection.com/ascot/coworth-park/whats-on/festive-fondue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">festive fondue</a> on the terrace which is absolute cheese and choccy heaven. I can&#8217;t recommend enough.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-drone-spotting">GO DRONE SPOTTING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/drones-windsor-.png" alt="rudolph drone show windsor festive things to do near me" class="wp-image-85206" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/drones-windsor-.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/drones-windsor--800x450.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/drones-windsor--1000x563.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/drones-windsor--400x225.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/12/drones-windsor--768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>At Royal Windsor Racecourse, brace yourself for a kaleidoscope sky for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-light-show-4554833" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Drone Light Show</a>&nbsp;on Sat 20 &amp; Sun 21 Dec. We’re talking 600 LED drones choreographed to a rich,&nbsp;cinematic score. It sounds magic. There will be fairground rides, face painting, and food stalls too. Oh, and you can even bring your dog. Only Saturday tickets remain though, and they are selling fast. Run, run Rudolph!</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeling-festive">FEELING FESTIVE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/this-month/deck-the-halls-100-things-to-do-in-berkshire-this-december/">50+ things to do in Berkshire this December</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-ice-rinks-berkshire/">Skates on! 10 best local ice rinks</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/things-to-do-new-years-eve-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best New Year’s Eve events near you</a></li>
</ul>


5 festive things to do locally this weekend

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