AC Group is putting the UK and Ireland’s winter season in the spotlight for 2026/27

AC Group has unveiled its Winter 2026/27 programme across the UK and Ireland, bringing together new additions and seasonal favourites from November through to March. Travel partners can work with AC Group to build bespoke itineraries around these experiences, tailored to their clients.

The programme covers London, Edinburgh and Dublin as well as destinations across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Highlights range from Christmas at some of Britain’s best-known historic houses and new after-dark attractions to festive food and drink, Burns Night and the Winter Solstice at Newgrange.

While Christmas is a major part of the programme, the season doesn’t end there. Selected experiences and offers continue into January, February and March, giving partners more opportunities to sell the UK and Ireland during the traditionally quieter winter months.

England: from festive London to historic houses
London brings together some of the capital’s biggest festive attractions. Winter Wonderland joins AC Group’s programme for the season, while Up at The O2 brings back its Snow Globe experience from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Small Car, Big City will also take visitors through the capital’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, while new to AC Group’s offering is Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, where the 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, with a Festive Fayre filling the gardens with stalls on selected December weekends. Bamburgh Castle will dress its rooms around the theme of Christmas carols from 14 November to 3 January, while Longleat’s Festival of Light brings another after-dark option to the programme.

In Bath and the surrounding area, In & Beyond Bath’s winter experiences include a Festive Walking Tour of Bath and Christmas Lights & Festive Delights in Merry England, alongside wreath making in Frome and the chance to attend a choral evensong.

Elsewhere in England, RHS Glow adds another after-dark experience, while Leeds Castle will offer Christmas lights alongside festive afternoon tea and lunch.

Scotland: from enchanted forests to Burns Night
Among the new additions are Giant Lanterns at Edinburgh Zoo, running on selected dates from November 2026 to February 2027, and The Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry, which runs from 8 October to 8 November, where light and sound transform the woodland setting of Highland Perthshire after dark.

The new Inverness Castle Experience also joins AC Group’s programme, alongside returning favourites including Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Christmas markets and Christmas at the Botanics.

Afternoon tea also features, with options including Edinburgh Castle, Palm Court at The Balmoral, Prestonfield House, Mackintosh at the Willow and Inverlochy Castle.

Christmas may be over by January, but Scotland’s winter celebrations are not. Burns Night on 25 January brings together poetry, music, storytelling and traditional Scottish food, giving visitors a chance to experience a celebration with deep roots in Scottish culture.

Ireland: from Christmas traditions to St Patrick’s Festival
Ireland’s programme takes visitors from Dublin at Christmas and the Winter Solstice at Newgrange through to music, St Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s Festival in the early months of the new year.

In Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse will host My Goodness! It’s Christmas on selected dates from 14 to 29 November, while Silver Works gives visitors the chance to make their own silver Christmas ornament during November and December.

Vintage Tea Trips takes the festivities onto the streets with its Christmas Twinkling Lights Trip, running from 19 to 23 December. Visitors can enjoy afternoon tea aboard a vintage bus while taking in Dublin’s Christmas lights along the way.

Outside the capital, 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, taking place from 19 to 23 December.

Into the new year, Pat Liddy offers Irish Traditional Music on 21 January, followed by a Romantic Dublin – Folklore, History & St Valentine! on 14 February and In the Footsteps of St Patrick from 15 to 18 March during the St Patrick’s Festival.

Northern Ireland brings together festive family experiences and a warming take on Irish food and drink. Hinch Distillery’s Some Like It Hot is a hot whiskey and Irish coffee mixology experience, while 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, with Santa appearances on selected dates before Christmas.

More than a winter wonderland
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.”

For more information, visit AC Group Travel or call +44 (0) 20 7737 3414.