Planning a festive family day out at Alton Towers Resort this Christmas? While the resort’s biggest rollercoasters take their annual winter break, visitors can still enjoy a selection of family rides and attractions as the theme park transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland.
Alton Towers Christmas 2026 begins on 27 November, with selected dates offering festive entertainment, Christmas decorations, family rides and the chance to visit Santa’s Grotto.
But which rides can you actually enjoy during the festive season? Here’s our guide to the rides and attractions expected to be available at Alton Towers this Christmas.
Which Rides Are Open at Alton Towers at Christmas 2026?
The Christmas ride line-up focuses on CBeebies Land and family attractions in Mutiny Bay, rather than the resort’s usual collection of thrill rides.
CBeebies Land
CBeebies Land is one of the main areas for families visiting Alton Towers during the Christmas season, with a selection of familiar rides and attractions available.
The advertised seasonal selection includes:
- Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! – Join Bluey and Bingo on a fun-filled junior rollercoaster adventure.
- Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure – Climb aboard and join the Octonauts on an exciting family rollercoaster.
- In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride – Take a relaxing boat journey through the colourful world of In the Night Garden.
- Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop – Bounce up and down with Peter Rabbit on this family attraction.
- Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride – Join the Go Jetters for an adventure on their Vroomster vehicles.
- Justin’s House Pie-O-Matic Factory – Get involved in the fun at Justin’s House.
- Bugbie Go Round – Enjoy a gentle ride on this colourful family attraction.
- Hey Duggee’s Big Adventure Badge – Join Duggee and the Squirrels for an interactive adventure.
- JoJo & Gran Gran: At Home – Explore JoJo and Gran Gran’s home.
- Something Special Sensory Garden – Explore this sensory experience.
- Andy’s Adventures Dinosaur Dig – Discover dinosaurs in this interactive attraction.
- Big Fun Showtime – Enjoy live entertainment for younger visitors.
Mutiny Bay
Mutiny Bay is another area where visitors can enjoy some family attractions during the Christmas event.
The advertised attractions include:
- Marauder’s Mayhem – Spin around on this pirate-themed spinning ride.
- Heave Ho – Set sail aboard this family swinging ship attraction.
- Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE – Explore the underwater world and discover a variety of fascinating marine creatures.
These attractions provide additional entertainment for families looking to enjoy more than just CBeebies Land during their festive visit.
Are Alton Towers’ Big Rollercoasters Open at Christmas?
Unfortunately, visitors hoping to experience Alton Towers’ biggest rollercoasters will have to wait until the main theme park season returns.
The resort’s major thrill rides take their winter break, meaning attractions such as:
are not part of the Christmas ride offering.
Christmas at Alton Towers is primarily aimed at families with younger children, rather than thrill-seekers looking for a full day of rollercoaster adventures.
What Else Can You Do at Alton Towers at Christmas?
There is more to the Christmas event than just the rides.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of festive experiences throughout the resort, including:
Santa’s Grotto
Meet Santa Claus in his magical grotto, share your Christmas wishes and receive a special gift. Day visitors should check availability and book their grotto experience in advance.
Christmas Shows and Entertainment
Enjoy festive entertainment, including The Sprout That Saved Christmas and Hey Duggee Live: The Christmas Badge.
Christmas Decorations
Explore the resort’s festive decorations, Christmas trees and illuminated areas, including the beautifully decorated Towers Street.
When Is Alton Towers Open for Christmas 2026?
Alton Towers’ Christmas event takes place on selected dates from 27 November 2026.
The advertised Magical Days Out run through to 23 December 2026, with separate festive short-break experiences available around the Christmas and New Year period.
The Christmas theme park opening hours are advertised as:
- Opening time: 10am
- Closing time: 4pm
Always check the official calendar before travelling, as opening dates and operating hours can vary.
Is Alton Towers Worth Visiting at Christmas?
If you’re visiting with younger children, Alton Towers Christmas can be a lovely festive day out, combining family rides with Christmas shows, decorations and the opportunity to meet Santa.
However, visitors should remember that the Christmas event is very different from a normal summer visit.
With the major rollercoasters closed and a reduced selection of attractions available, it is best suited to families looking for a festive experience rather than a traditional theme park day.
Plan Your Visit to Alton Towers This Christmas
Alton Towers Christmas 2026 offers families the chance to enjoy a selection of rides, festive entertainment and magical Christmas experiences.
Before setting off, we recommend checking the official Alton Towers website for the latest information about ride availability, event dates, opening times and ticket options.
Find out more and book your visit:
https://www.altontowers.com/explore/events/christmas/
Please note: Ride and attraction availability can change due to weather, technical issues and operational requirements. Not every attraction is guaranteed to operate on every event date. Check the Alton Towers Resort app for the latest ride availability before and during your visit.
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