Christmas is a time for families to come together and create cherished memories.
Coventry city centre offers a wide range of enchanting Christmas events that are perfect for families looking to celebrate the season and spend some quality time with the little ones while school is out!
From meeting Santa to exploring Christmas markets and witnessing magical performances, Coventry has it all. In this guide, we’ll take you through the most delightful family events in Coventry city centre this Christmas.
Big Wheel in the Coventry City Centre
Coventry’s Big Wheel in the city centre provides a fun and picturesque way to take in the lights and sights of the Christmas season. At well over 100ft in the air, families can hop on board and enjoy breath-taking views of the city’s skyline adorned with festive decorations and the three spires.
This experience is especially magical in the evening when the city’s Christmas lights twinkle below. It’s a perfect activity for families seeking a little thrill and excitement during the festivities.
Meet Santa & VR Sleigh Ride at West Orchards Shopping Centre
West Orchards has something truly special in store for families this Christmas.
Children of all ages can experience the magic of meeting Santa Claus in a charming and festive setting after taking his sleigh for a test drive!
Located on level 3 of the shopping centre, West Orchards is taking the Santa experience to the next level with an exciting VR Sleigh Ride that promises a thrilling adventure around the world for young and old alike. This immersive 4D experience seats 8 and so is perfect for families big or small.
The combination of traditional charm and modern technology creates an unforgettable Christmas memory.
The Coventry Transport Museum is another wonderful place to meet Santa.
From Saturday 5th to Wednesday 23rd December on selected dates, meet Santa and ride in his vintage sleigh. And this year will be even more special as the Transport Museum celebrates the Vintage Sleigh’s 70th anniversary, with a 1950s “Driving Home for Christmas” theme.
The experience will feature 1950s-inspired Christmas décor, vintage cars and plenty of festive touches throughout.
Your visit includes a trip to the Elves’ Toy Shop to choose a Christmas gift and a Christmas goody bag for each child.
It’s a magical opportunity to create lasting memories in a unique setting that celebrates the city’s rich transport heritage.
For a truly magical and historic Christmas experience, transport your family to the beautifully decorated medieval setting of St Mary’s Guildhall.
Here, you can join Father Christmas and his merry helpers for an intimate and enchanting Storytelling with Father Christmas session. Imagine your little ones wide-eyed as Santa shares one of his favourite festive tales in the magnificent Great Hall!
The experience includes gingerbread decorating and children’s crafts, making it a perfectly rounded festive treat that will create unique and lasting family memories.
Belgrade Theatre in Coventry celebrates Christmas in style, offering delightful family-friendly pantomimes each year that are perfect for the winter season and are a beloved tradition for many.
This year, immerse yourself in the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast with all the enchantment, humour, and magic you’d expect from this beloved story.
It promises laughter, joy, and a memorable family experience.
This Christmas Planet Ice is holding a magical ice-skating show, Jack & the Beanstalk on Ice.
Talented skaters and local amateurs bring the classic tale to life – with spectacular performances, dazzling costumes, and enchanting choreography – making it a wonderful event for families.
FarGo Village is a vibrant and creative hub in Coventry, and during the festive season, it puts on a Makers Market full of independent retailers selling various treats, Christmas goodies, clothes, and more.
Christmas markets at FarGo Village are a perfect place to find unique gifts, local crafts, and delicious food.
The atmosphere is lively, with carol singers, street food stalls, and a sense of community that embodies the spirit of Christmas. Bring your family to soak in the festive vibes, do some shopping, and enjoy the unique, small businesses that call FarGo Village home.
Christmas Market in Broadgate
Broadgate, in the heart of Coventry city centre, is the place to be for a classic Christmas market experience.
The market is a treasure trove of festive delights, with stalls offering handmade gifts, seasonal treats, and mulled wine. The scent of warm bratwursts fills the air, and the joyful atmosphere is infectious.
Families can wander through the stalls, enjoying the sights and sounds of a traditional Christmas market, making it an ideal place to find those unique and thoughtful gifts.
Fun Zones: Where Families Can Play All Day
After all the shopping and traditional festive activities, sometimes kids just need to burn off that Christmas excitement! Luckily, Coventry city centre is packed with exciting indoor attractions that are perfect for keeping the whole family entertained, no matter the weather.
Star Pins: Legendary Lanes & Games
Located in West Orchards Shopping Centre, Star Pins is Coventry’s ultimate entertainment hub.
It’s a brilliant place for a family showdown with its state-of-the-art Ten Pin bowling lanes (complete with ramps and automatic bumpers for the little ones!) and brightly coloured Mini Golf.
But the fun doesn’t stop there… families can also try ice-free curling, tech darts, and a wide array of arcade games. With a great menu of pizza, hot dogs, and slushies, Star Pins provides a vibrant and affordable gaming experience for all ages, making it a perfect spot to spend a chilly afternoon.
For high-energy fun, head to Flip Out, Coventry’s epic indoor adventure park.
Dive into a HUGE arena packed with attractions like Dodgems, Laser Tag, Drift Trikes, and a Roller Rink! There’s even a dedicated soft play area to keep the littlest adventurers (ages 5 and under) entertained.
With a range of attractions for one entry price, Flip Out guarantees hours of action and laughter, making it the ideal spot for kids and teens to let loose during the Christmas school holidays.
Inject some light-hearted competition into your family day out at Putt Putt Social.
Its unique and immersive Asian-themed crazy golf courses are an absolute blast for the whole family. The courses are fun, challenging, and filled with colourful artwork that makes for great photos.
The low-pressure, engaging activity is perfect for bonding, and you can reward your champions (or commiserate with the losers!) with delicious Pan-Asian street food and bubble teas afterwards.
Coventry city centre is a hub of festive activities, catering to families looking to create magical and heart-warming memories this Christmas.
Whether you want to watch your children’s face light up with joy as they meet Santa or immerse yourself in the true spirit of Christmas by wandering through the market and browsing the festive goodies, Coventry has something for everyone.
And don’t forget to take a spin on the Big Wheel and stop by the panto too!
This Christmas, Coventry City Centre promises to be the perfect backdrop for unforgettable family experiences and celebrations, with non-stop fun to keep you and yours busy making memories and entertained.
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Looking for ways to keep your kids entertained this October half term in Coventry city centre?
From hands-on workshops and learning new skills to physical activities and competitive games, there’s plenty to do for the whole family.
Whether your little ones love spooky Halloween fun or enjoy visiting attractions, Coventry offers a variety of events and venues to make their half-term break boredom free!
What’s On in Coventry City Centre this Half Term
Tinker | Make | Play: Weird & Wonderful Engineers at Coventry Transport Museum
Tinker | Make | Play: Weird & Wonderful Engineers
Designed for ages 7-11 but all are welcome, unleash the power of play, invention and imagination this October half term with Coventry Transport Museum’s Weird & Wonderful engineering experience! Tinker with tools, create with all kinds of materials, and discover the joy of making. Will you build a wonderfully wacky robot, design a curious contraption, or invent something the world has never seen before?
More than just a holiday club, this is an engineering playground for STEM-curious kids aged 6–11 to build, invent, and explore with real tools. For £27.80 per child (with sibling discount available), 6–11-year-old STEM enthusiasts can enjoy an exciting, hands-on experience where young people can explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths through specially designed activities. This October half term, they’ll be exploring inventions, coding and programming, and innovation.
Get creative this October half term with a week of autumn-inspired and spooky craft activities at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum!
Drop in throughout the day to make a range of fun seasonal creations, from creepy critters to autumnal masterpieces. Whether you’re crafting colourful woodland creatures or spooky Halloween decorations, there’s something for children of all ages to enjoy.
Spooky fun for all, young and older visitors can enjoy the return of Gertie the witch and her friends, who have taken over some of the Guildhall, making potions and wicked fun in the Great Hall.
Older visitors can come and brave the Plague Doctor in the Prince’s Chamber in “Appointment with the Plague doctor”, learning about the practices, and perhaps discover someone in your group may have the curse of the black death!
Groups up to six at a time | Included in admission | Time slotted, roughly every 30 minutes | Interaction is around fifteen minutes long.
Enjoy St Mary’s Plague themed family trail, join in Halloween crafts, create potions and spells, as well as our fun gaming kiosks, costumes and interpretation.
Feed your appetite for one of the most popular, hilarious and delicious musicals ever written.
When mild-mannered florist Seymour stumbles upon a strange and exotic plant, his luck seems to finally be turning. But this new green arrival has a very particular taste… and as success blooms and true love beckons, our hero has an impossible choice to make.
Packed with iconic songs, larger-than-life characters and a carnivorous plant with a mind of its own, this brand-new production promises big laughs, big tunes and exquisite stagecraft. Whether you know every lyric or are discovering the show for the first time, Little Shop of Horrors is a gloriously entertaining night out – funny, thrilling and just a little bit perilous!
Suitable for audiences aged 10+ with parental guidance. Just remember: whatever they offer you, don’t feed the plants.
A bewitching celebration of independent creativity, set in the heart of FarGo Village. This won’t be just any market – they’re conjuring up a full Halloween Day Out, with eerie extras and seasonal activities taking place across the village alongside the market itself.
Visitors will be encouraged to shop, eat, explore, and linger, soaking up family-friendly Halloween experiences, creative workshops, and all the cosy autumnal vibes the Village has to offer.
Family activities in the city centre this half-term
The Wave, Coventry
Putt Putt Social
Visit Putt Putt Social, packed full of adventure, culture and fun.
Embark on an exhilarating journey through the whimsical landscapes of Zen Garden and Tokyo Drift, where the tranquillity of ancient traditions meets the adrenaline of high-speed thrills. It’s where epic Pan Asian themed crazy golf meets Asian street food.
For the thrill, spill and chill seekers, there is something for all ages and all the family at The Wave this half term.
Visit the award-winning, indoor waterpark making a splash in the heart of Coventry! From high-speed slides and a fun-packed splash zone to the exhilarating Wave Pool and relaxing Lazy River… tickets for October half term are available to book now.
The Boom Battle Bar’s family fun day package is the perfect activity to keep older children and teens entertained. We promise you – they will enjoy this!
Choose your 3 games, from Shuffleboard, Augmented Reality Darts, American Pool, and Crazier Golf for hours of fun at the battleground and let the entertainment begin!
‘Rock’ up to Social Climbing Coventry in the city centre and have fun with the family trying something new.
There’s no experience needed to get started, but rest assured, the team will give you a short safety induction when you arrive for the first time so you can enjoy the centre in a safe way.
Take a look at what’s on and visit the centre for a fun packed, exciting activity when visiting Coventry this half term.
Round up the kids, grab some popcorn, and get ready to explore the latest films together. You’ll find a film that’s brilliant fun for the whole family at Odeon Cinema in the Skydome.
Get your skates on this half term! Enjoy ice skating or take part in a Learn to Skate course, with 3- or 5-day camps. Learn to Skate lessons teach the fundamentals of ice skating and have been designed for beginners of all ages, abilities, and learning styles.
A fantastic spot for a family day out, choose from a mix of classic bowling fun, ice-free curling, crazy golf, shuffleboard, arcade games, and more. Plus, with tasty food and drinks available too, it’s perfect for keeping kids (and grown-ups) entertained for hours.
The atmosphere is lively but family-friendly, making it a great place to unwind and enjoy a bit of friendly competition. You can even book in advance to make sure you get a lane during the busy holiday week.
Flip Out Coventry is an indoor adventure park packed with slides, inflatables, obstacle courses, laser tag, roller-skating, dodgems, and more – ideal for burning off half-term energy.
Older kids will have a blast playing, climbing, and racing through challenges while parents can finally relax with a coffee in the café area. There are also dedicated toddler areas for younger children, and tickets for the whole family to get involved. It’s an action-packed day out that guarantees laughter, exercise, and lots of memories.
With all these awesome activities happening in Coventry this half term, you’re sure to keep the kids busy and happy.
So, grab your coats, head into town, and have some brilliant half-term fun together!
Are you looking for ways to keep your children entertained in Coventry city centre?
Whether you’re planning a quick visit or a full-day outing, the city has plenty of family-friendly activities to suit all ages and abilities. From interactive experiences and energy-burning activities to exploring your child’s creativity and discovering something new, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect day out in Coventry – there’s something to make everyone happy.
In this blog, we’ll share some of the best ways to enjoy Coventry with children that fit within both your plans and your budget.
Get active with your kids in Coventry
There are so many fantastic activities for the whole family in Coventry City Centre. Whether you want to try something new or simply let them run off some energy, the city has many easily accessible options that should do the trick!
Here are some of our favourite family-friendly activities in Coventry.
The Wave
Dive into The Wave for a thrilling, indoor waterpark adventure.
From six high adrenaline slides for older riders, to a splash pool for the smaller ones, this is an ideal trip to suit the whole family. Plus, with a huge wave pool and the ultimate lazy river, you can relax and get some downtime before grabbing your rubber ring and riding the flumes all over again!
Flip Out
Ever dreamed of just one destination that houses a whole range of children’s activities? Enter Flip Out in Coventry’s Lower Precinct.
Set across multiple floors, this indoor adventure park includes plenty for your entry fee – from laser tag and drift trikes to dodgems and a ninja warrior playground… and much more besides! We are confident that boredom doesn’t exist here – but a cup of coffee in peace just might.
Laser Quest
A sci-fi action adventure for all ages,Laser Quest Coventry is like playing a video game, but in real life.
In full futuristic kit, head through the labyrinth of mazes, fog, music, and lights to zap your opponents and win points. Who will be crowned the Laser Quest champion? And as if that wasn’t enough, you can also put your skills to the test with their mini glow-golf or even try out their incredible VR Spheres that simulate soaring through the sky or exploring the depths of the ocean.
Planet Ice
Home to Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey team, Planet Ice is the go-to in Coventry for all your ice-skating fun.
Take lessons to become the next ice hockey champion or simply join a public skating session to give it a go and brush up on your skills. Plus, look out for their SubZero discos, where adults and children alike can enjoy a vibrant, energetic atmosphere on the ice, gliding under dazzling lights and grooving to the music. Count us in!
Putt Putt Social
Fancy giving your crazy golf skills a go? Then Putt Putt Social is a must-visit.
A golfing adventure like no other, embark on an exhilarating journey through the high-speed thrills of the Tokyo Drift course, or opt for whimsical landscapes and embrace the tranquillity of ancient traditions in Zen Garden. With pool tables, arcade games, and deliciously mouth-watering Asian-themed street food to keep you going, it’ll be hard to stop at just one round of crazy golf…!
Star Pins
Nestled in West Orchards Shopping Centre, Star Pins takes bowling to the next level.
From state-of-the-art Ten Pin lanes to ice-free curling, tech darts, and more – Star Pins has everything you need for an incredible day out for families of all ages. And don’t worry, with epic games also comes epic food – including pizza, nachos, fries, and ice cream – meaning you can fuel up and carry on to your heart’s content.
Boom Battle Bar
For families with slightly older children, Boom Battle Bar is the perfect destination to try your hand at something out of the ordinary.
With karaoke booths, shuffleboard, crazier golf, axe throwing and more, you’re guaranteed to find something to suit even the pickiest of family members. Complete with a great food menu, it’s a winning way to get them off their electronics and make more memories with you.
Social Climbing Coventry
Looking to try something completely new? Give bouldering a go at Social Climbing Coventry and see if scaling the heights of the bouldering wall is for you!
Offering fun and supportive classes for adults and children of all skill levels and abilities in a friendly, community-driven atmosphere, Social Climbing Coventry truly makes climbing enjoyable for everyone. Give it a go and unlock a new family favourite.
Enjoy the arts with your family in Coventry City Centre
After all that activity, you’re bound to need a moment to rest… and perhaps delight in a spot of the arts. That’s where our next two destinations can help you out.
Belgrade Theatre
Take a trip to one of the largest regional producing theatres in Britain, Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.
Choose from a huge variety of classic, family-friendly shows live on-stage – from pantomimes to musicals – and ignite their love of the arts. Or encourage budding future actors and actresses by enrolling them into the theatre’s junior drama classes and watch their confidence build and unique imaginations come to life.
Odeon Cinema
If you’re looking to catch up with the latest blockbuster, grab the family and head to the Odeon Cinema at Coventry’s Skydome Arena.
Experience the biggest movies on the big screen – complete with the most delicious snacks (Ben & Jerries, anyone?). And with nine screens in stunning RealD 3D, there’s bound to be something epic to suit everyone’s film tastes!
Make learning fun for little ones in the city centre
Planning a trip into the city centre with a focus on fun and learning? We’ve rounded up some great destinations to help you make the most of it. Discover, explore, and enjoy quality time together as a family at these brilliant spots.
Coventry Transport Museum
Boasting one of the largest publicly owned collection of vehicles in the world,Coventry Transport Museumis a must-see for any motor enthusiast, as well as a great trip out for the whole family.
Discover unique collections that span history and represent a vital part of Britain’s national, cultural and artistic heritage. With regular events that encourage kids to create, discover and explore STEM activities, the Transport Museum is the ideal destination to make engineering accessible and fun for all.
Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
Explore Coventry’s rich history, while diving into a beautiful world of art and culture at theHerbert Art Gallery & Museum.
Featuring interactive displays and exciting exhibitions, there’s always something new to discover at the gallery. The Herbert Art Gallery encourages creativity, exploration and fun – regularly hosting events and workshops for children and young people to learn more about the world around them, capturing their creative imaginations in new and unique ways.
Coventry Central Library
An often forgotten, but much-loved staple in the city centre is Coventry’sCentral Library.
Borrow a book for free to explore uncharted worlds, learn something new together, or help with tricky homework subjects. Coventry’s library is the perfect place to bring their love of reading to life in a friendly, supportive environment. Plus, with lots of child-friendly events throughout the year, it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on their calendar for the latest activities.
Enjoying Coventry City Centre with children
Coventry city centre is the ideal place for a family day out, with plenty to keep children of all ages entertained.
Whether you’re looking for hands-on activities, opportunities to learn something new, or simply an outing to allow them let off steam, there’s something to suit every kind of day trip – and every kind of family.
With plenty of spots to grab a snack or take a break, Coventry is a destination that’s both accessible and enjoyable – whether it’s for just a few peaceful hours or a full day of exploring together.
