LaplandUK Expands Festive Experience Ahead of 2026 Ticket Release
LaplandUK has announced several updates to its Christmas attractions in Ascot and Manchester as tickets go on sale on 27 March. The immersive festive experience, designed for families, will run between 7 November and 24 December. Organisers have introduced adjustments intended to give visitors more time to enjoy key activities, while keeping the structure of the event familiar to returning guests.
One of the main changes is more time in the Elven Village, where guests can enjoy activities such as ice skating, writing letters and exploring detailed festive settings. The organisers have not confirmed the new duration, but in previous years visitors spent about 90 minutes in this area. Extra time means visitors can move between activities at a steadier pace and spend longer at the parts they enjoy most, rather than trying to fit everything into a limited schedule.
Children will also be able to prepare reindeer food together with the Elves, an activity now included in the ticket price. Another update is a redesigned invitation box for guests attending the 2026 season, with personalised invitations expected to arrive by the end of summer. Mother Christmas’s Kitchen returns with more time for gingerbread decorating before joining a traditional storytelling session with Mother Christmas and the Elves.
Key Details for Visitors
- Dates: 7 November – 24 December
- Locations: Ascot and Manchester
- Ticket prices: £60–£195
- Virtual queue opens at 9am on 27 March
- Random queue positions allocated at 10am
- Personalised invitations sent after booking
Visitors begin the experience by entering themed woodland pathways designed to recreate the journey to Lapland, followed by interactive performances and activities including helping the Elves in the Toy Factory. Children meet Father Christmas and receive a gift, while parents are given the toy created during the visit to present again on Christmas Day, continuing the tradition at home.
Longer activity times and additional hands-on activities give families more freedom to plan a winter day that also includes nearby places in Berkshire or Greater Manchester, where Christmas markets, historic streets and seasonal events attract visitors each year. The changes reflect steady demand for festive days out where families can follow well-known traditions, spend time together and move through activities without feeling rushed, even during one of the busiest periods of the year.