With this Christmas looking somewhat different from usual, virtual events are one way that families around the world are experiencing the magic of the holidays. From Christmas cooking tutorials to video calls with Santa , here are 10 digital events for this festive season.
Experience the excitement and wonder of Christmas from your couch. From a virtual visit to Santa’s Grotto to a carol concert, the team at Uswitch has rounded up 10 virtual events to keep the magic of Christmas alive throughout November and December.
- New Wave Events, Festive Cooking Shows – Available Now
New Wave Events have no shortage of online activities to make sure you don’t miss out on the indulgent treats that come with all the food at Christmas, including their online cookery classes. Participants will be emailed an easy list of ingredients, utensils and then guided through the recipes by a Michelin Star chef. You can learn amazing cookery skills and create some delicious goodies that can be recreated on Christmas day.
Take a look at New Wave’s cooking shows on their website
- Super Market Events, Festive Online Market – Sunday 22nd November to Sunday 13th December
Super Market is a Scottish based company offering the UK’s first ‘immersive’ online Christmas market. If you are missing the buzz of the traditional Christmas markets that pop up all over the nation, you can still get the mulled wine and bratwurst experience, right from your living room.
The Christmas market experience guides you through an online gallery featuring 150 independent Scottish brands, selling products that range from food & drink, candles, plants, and children’s gifts. That’s not all however, Super Market is also hosting a range of festive-themed workshops such as felt puppet and wreath making! Perfect for those last-minute Christmas gifts.
Check out what Super Market’s virtual market and workshops have to offer!
- Santa’s Calling You, Zoom With Santa – Available Now
Visiting Santa’s Grotto is a right of passage for many kids, who love the wonder and magic of visiting Father Christmas in his festive grotto. This year, Santa’s Calling You, is offering a digital experience for families, providing a Zoom call with Santa, Mrs. Claus, or one of Santa’s elves, who will join the call right from the North Pole. The site is also offering calls to schools to make up for Christmas plays and fayre’s being canceled, along with live storytelling which is the perfect way to calm excited kids down on Christmas Eve.
Check availability for your call with Santa on the website now
- Wigan Council, Frost Fest – Saturday 21st November (7:00-9:00 pm)
Following the cancellation of Wigan’s well-known annual Christmas lights switch-on, the town council has announced they’re instead going virtual!
Wigan’s 2020 ‘Frost Fest’ will come in the shape of a pre-recorded show streamed across a number of social platforms on the 21st of November at 7 pm.
It will feature a headline act from The Lancashire Hotpots, a live switch on of Ashton, Wigan, and Leigh’s lights, and videos from businesses in the areas, encouraging residents to shop local this Christmas.
Watch Wigan’s virtual Frost Fest on their YouTube page
- Evolve Events, Christmas In A Box – Available Now
Evolve Events are trying their hardest to make sure that the infamous office parties go ahead this year with ‘Christmas In A Box’. Evolve offers a choice of two different boxes that are delivered to the party-goers home, the ‘Aperitivo’ or the slightly more luxurious ‘Primo’ box.
Each box includes a selection of perfectly curated festive nibbles and the choice of several virtual experiences such as balloon making, pub quizzes, karaoke, and psychic readings; the perfect alternative for a bit of festive fun!.
Choose your box on Evolve Events’ website now!
- GOTO Events, Christmas Escape Room – Available Now
There’s no team-building or family challenge quite like an Escape Room, which is why GOTO has set up the first fully virtual Christmas edition, with challenges that can be shared with families kept apart due to travel restrictions. that can be played around the world. Participants will work together to decode several clues and riddles on their smartphone in order to escape three different stages; and avoid a different kind of lockdown.
Enquire about GOTO’S virtual escape room now
- St Teresa’s Hospice, ‘Christmas From Me to You’ Market – Available Now
Charities are one of the hardest sectors hit by the current pandemic due to their usual fundraising events being canceled, Lyn Hatch has launched a major event ‘Christmas From Me to You’ – the event will not only support the hospice, but hopefully allow businesses taking part generate some of the footfall and income they’ll miss out on in the lead up to Christmas. The online Christmas marketplace has attracted over 30 local businesses in the Yorkshire area, with 100% of registration costs going straight to the hospice.
See what Christmas From Me to You has to offer over on their Facebook page
- Santa’s Lapland, Live Video Call with Santa – Available Now
Even Santa will have to socially distance this year, but that doesn’t have to stop the kids from seeing him. You can experience the magic from your very own home this year, with a live family video call with the real Santa Claus. Santa’s Lapland is hosting a virtual call straight from Lapland, where you’ll be led through the snow and see a reindeer close up before going live to Santa’s Log Cabin and speaking with Santa himself.
Book your call with Santa in Lapland now!
- CancerCare, Santa Dash – 9th November to 20th December
CancerCare’s annual Santa Dash has gone digital this year. Usually taking place on the streets of Lancaster, the charity is now asking the public to run, walk, cycle, swim or row as many miles as they can to reach a combined total of 1,347 miles – the distance between Santa’s home in Lapland to Lancaster. You can enter the dash for as little as £5, and download your own sponsorship form to raise funds for CancerCare.
Sign up for CancerCare’s Santa Dash on their website
- Shelter, Free Virtual Carol Concert – 3rd December (7:00 pm)
Shelter is a UK based charity that has helped thousands every year struggling with housing and homelessness.This December the charity is hosting the UK’s biggest virtual carol concert, to bring the nation together and show support to the people facing homelessness this winter.
The concert will be live streamed from St Martin-in-the-Fields church on the 3rd of December, where guests can expect to see some familiar famous faces, listen to heartfelt readings, and even the opportunity to get involved, if you fancy singing a Christmas carol or two!
Register your interest for Shelter’s free carol service now!
Further information concerning Virtual Christmas events can be found here: https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/virtual-events/
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