With the bit between Christmas and New Year something of a no man's land, we've pulled together some activity ideas for you - all within driving distance of Shepton - to make the most of the festive break. From panto, to magical displays, to ice-skating, you're sure to find something to keep the festive spirit alive for a few extra days.

Ice-skating at Clarks Village in Street

The Clarks Village ice rink is now open until 2nd January. It's outdoor and under cover, features real ice and offers plenty of fun for guests of all ages, whatever the weather.

Penguin and seal skating aids will be available for little ones and bob skates to help guests stay steady.

GARDNA Boxing Day Rave - King Arthur, Glastonbury - Dec 26 @ 8:00 pm – Dec 27 @ 1:30 am

Break out your glow stick and whistles and burn off all those extra calories with a good old-fashioned 'RAVE like back in the dayz!'

Ft. Support from: Max Thomson, Ninth Letta & Congo Iain.

Enchanted Christmas Woodland, Barrington Court

Barrington Court's Christmas lights are free to see if you're a National Trust member! Take a stroll around twinkling Christmas trees in the old cow shed and warm your cockles with something yummy at the café.

Glastonbury Market - Dec 27 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Tuesday is Market Day with outdoor stalls in St Dunstan's car park and indoor stalls in the Town Hall and Assembly Rooms.

Open Mic Night - King Arthur, Glastonbury 8pm

Bring your guitar, ukulele, harpsichord, euphonium, tiny violin, squeeze box, gong, crystal bowls or whatever… The mic is yours!

Open Mic Night - The Market House, Glastonbury - Dec 29 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Will Cartwright Funk Soul Collective - King Arthur, Glastonbury, 8pm

Will Cartwright's Soul Funk Collective is a modern take on the soulful sounds of 60's and 70's music. With an emphasis on improvisation and sonic exploration.

Mendip Farmers Hunt

This year's boxing day hunt will meet at Priddy Green at 10.45am for their traditional boxing day hunt.

It's worth noting that a protest against the hunt is also scheduled at the same place, starting at 10.15am.

Turn Up And Play Tennis

Fridays, 16:00–17:00

Robert Glanville Playing Field, Westbury

Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury

Winter strolls with mulled apple juice (28 Dec), play with vintage toys (29 Dec), meet farm animals and decorate ginger biscuits (30 Dec) and make a 2023 calendar (31 Dec). There'll also be a fun Elf Trail every day around the museum (£1).

Christmas Wonderland at Wookey Hole

These famous caves have been give a festive makeover for the Yuletide season, with 100,000 festive lights turning the always stunning caves into something magical.

Guided tours lead visitors through the caves, then you're free to explore above ground, where you'll find a fairy garden, animatronic dinosaurs, a 4D cinema showing a festive adventure, live circus shows, a giant soft play, Victorian-style arcade and a chance to meet a gift-giving Santa and his elves.

Robin Robin Family Trail at RSPB Ham Wall

Wrap up and enjoy a family day out at RSPB Ham Wall. Have a go at the special adventure trail, inspired by Aardman's musical tale (available to watch on Netflix) about a young robin to discover your own superpower, sing like a robin and make use of all your senses.

The activity pack (£3) includes robin-themed activities to enjoy at home and a certificate (suitable for ages 3-11 years). 

Festival of Light at Longleat

This year's Christmas lights Festival at Longleat will take visitors through the wondrous illuminated worlds of Roald Dahl with a lantern trail bringing key moments from the books to life. The spectacle will feature hundreds of lanterns, including a 5-metre-tall BFG, Wonka's famous factory gates, James' Giant Peach and more.

You can also take a look at the singing Christmas tree or go on a winter safari.

Panto

Sinders (ADULTS ONLY)

If you're after something a little...smuttier, the Glastonbury And Street Pottymouth Squad (GASPS) production of Sinders will be right up your alley,

Naughtier than the Carry On movies, this is strictly for adults only.

Sinders is being toured at seven Somerset venues. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Glastonbury and Street Musical Comedy Society (GSMCS) to secure the future of amateur musical theatre in mid-Somerset.

 The pantos will be performed between January 19 and 28 at the following locations:

• Thursday, January 19 - West Pennard Village Hall
• Friday, January 20 - Wedmore Village Hall
• Saturday, January 21 - Edington Village Hall
• Wednesday, January 25 - Compton Dundon Village Hall
• Thursday, January 26 - Bridgwater Arts Centre
• Friday, January 27 - Edgar Hall, Somerton
• Saturday, January 28 - Glastonbury Town Hall

Book tickets here.

CINDERELLA - Strode Theatre, 23rd December - 1st January

Cinderella dreams of becoming a dancer, but living in the shadow of her Stepsisters and with so many chores to do for her Stepmother after school, she can only dance with her friends at the launderette.

One day, she comes across an opportunity to fulfill her dreams and escape. But, with her stepsisters determined to stop her and only a less-than competent Fairy Godmother and Fairy-Godmother-in-Training to help her, things don't go quite as planned and Cinderella is forced to flee, leaving her shoe behind. Inspired by seeing Cinderella, and with dreams of his own, Samuel Prince finds Cinderella's shoe and hopes it will lead him to her.

Book tickets here.

Further afield

St Margaret's Hospice New Year's Day Charity Dip 2023

Minehead Beach, Minehead, Somerset TA20 5SJ Sunday 1st January

Brave the beach in a good cause

New Year's Day Charity Dip at Minehead Beach. Would you like to take part? Are you brave enough to take the plunge and do something amazing for St Margaret's Hospice Care? Start 2023 off in the best way possible and join us for our New Year's Day beach dip. Each participant will receive a St. Margaret's Somerset Hospice branded bobble hat included in their registration fee & a hot drink to warm you up after your dip.