AC Group has unveiled its Winter 2026/27 programme across the UK and Ireland. The programme combines new experiences with seasonal favourites from November through March.
Travel partners can work with AC Group to create bespoke itineraries around these experiences. Each itinerary can be tailored to suit individual clients.
The programme covers London, Edinburgh and Dublin, along with destinations across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Highlights include Christmas celebrations at historic houses, new after-dark attractions and festive food and drink. The programme also features Burns Night and the Winter Solstice at Newgrange.
However, the winter season extends beyond Christmas. Selected experiences and offers continue into January, February and March. This gives travel partners more opportunities to sell the UK and Ireland during the traditionally quieter winter months.
England: Festive London and Historic Houses
London brings together some of the capital’s biggest festive attractions. Winter Wonderland joins AC Group’s programme for the season.
Meanwhile, Up at The O2 returns with its Snow Globe experience from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Small Car, Big City will also take visitors through London’s illuminated streets on its Christmas Lights Tour.
Beyond London, historic houses take centre stage.
Blenheim Palace’s Christmas Light Trail returns from 13 November 2026. New to AC Group’s offering is Haddon Hall in Derbyshire. Its Christmas Mercatum brings artisan makers and producers to the historic house and grounds.
At Hampton Court Palace, mythical beasts take over the palace as they prepare for a magical festive ball from 28 November to 3 January. A Festive Fayre will also fill the gardens with stalls on selected December weekends.
Bamburgh Castle will decorate its rooms around the theme of Christmas carols from 14 November to 3 January. Meanwhile, Longleat’s Festival of Light adds another after-dark experience to the programme.
In Bath and the surrounding area, In & Beyond Bath offers several winter experiences. These include a Festive Walking Tour of Bath and Christmas Lights & Festive Delights in Merry England.
Visitors can also take part in wreath making in Frome or attend a choral evensong.
Elsewhere in England, RHS Glow adds another after-dark experience. Leeds Castle will also offer Christmas lights, alongside festive afternoon tea and lunch.
Scotland: Enchanted Forests and Burns Night
Scotland’s winter programme includes several new additions.
Giant Lanterns at Edinburgh Zoo will run on selected dates from November 2026 to February 2027. Meanwhile, The Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry runs from 8 October to 8 November.
After dark, light and sound transform the woodland setting of Highland Perthshire during The Enchanted Forest.
The new Inverness Castle Experience also joins AC Group’s programme. Returning favourites include the Christmas markets in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Christmas at the Botanics.
Afternoon tea is another highlight. Options include Edinburgh Castle, Palm Court at The Balmoral, Prestonfield House, Mackintosh at the Willow and Inverlochy Castle.
Scotland’s winter celebrations continue after Christmas. Burns Night on 25 January brings together poetry, music, storytelling and traditional Scottish food.
It also gives visitors the opportunity to experience a celebration with deep roots in Scottish culture.
Ireland: Christmas Traditions to St Patrick’s Festival
Ireland’s programme takes visitors from Christmas in Dublin and the Winter Solstice at Newgrange to music, St Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s Festival.
In Dublin, Guinness Storehouse will host My Goodness! It’s Christmas on selected dates from 14 to 29 November.
During November and December, Silver Works gives visitors the chance to make their own silver Christmas ornament.
Meanwhile, Vintage Tea Trips takes the festivities onto Dublin’s streets with its Christmas Twinkling Lights Trip. The experience runs from 19 to 23 December.
Visitors can enjoy afternoon tea aboard a vintage bus while taking in Dublin’s Christmas lights.
Outside Dublin, Beyond the Treetops’ Night Lights runs in Wicklow from November to January.
December also brings one of Ireland’s most extraordinary winter events. The Winter Solstice at Brú na Bóinne and Newgrange takes place from 19 to 23 December.
The programme continues into the new year. Pat Liddy offers Irish Traditional Music on 21 January.
This is followed by Romantic Dublin – Folklore, History & St Valentine! on 14 February. In the Footsteps of St Patrick then runs from 15 to 18 March during the St Patrick’s Festival.
Northern Ireland: Festive Family Experiences
Northern Ireland combines festive family experiences with a warming take on Irish food and drink.
At Hinch Distillery, Some Like It Hot offers a hot whiskey and Irish coffee mixology experience.
Meanwhile, Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens brings The Gruffalo’s Child to its 100-acre gardens from 28 November to 3 January.
Visitors can follow a story-led winter trail, play interactive games and watch the film. Santa will also make appearances on selected dates before Christmas.
Winter Travel Beyond Christmas
Rob Russell, CEO of AC Group, said:
“There is a real opportunity to look at winter as more than just the run-up to Christmas. Across the UK and Ireland, there is plenty happening well into January, February and March, from Burns Night and St Valentine’s Day to St Patrick’s Festival.
“For our partners, that means more reasons to sell these destinations at a traditionally quieter time of year, while giving their clients the chance to see a different side of the UK and Ireland.”
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