Want an instant fix of festive spirit? Or something different to do this Christmas? Readers reveal their top seasonal activities, from a rugby scrum on Orkney to a lantern parade in SalisburyWINNING TIP: Lanterns for Salisbury Parade, Salisbury Local children and adults make the willow and paper lanterns throughout the year and congregate to march through the streets ending at Salisbury Cathedral for food and singing. It is so pretty watching all the lanterns glow in the night and walking through quiet streets to see the cathedral lit up at the end. Starts at Salisbury Arts Centre at 6.30pm on Thursday 16 December and ends at the cathedral at 8pm.01722 324111, salisburyartscentre.co.uksmithjohannaKirkwall Ba', OrkneyPart rugby scrum, part riot, occasionally a sprint, always social ? the Kirkwall Ba', held on Christmas Eve, is a fixed part of Christmas in Orkney and has to be experienced to be understood. This is street football at its best. No rules, no limit on participants ? games can last for hours. The Men's Ba' (ball) is thrown up from opposite the cathedral steps at the heart of the town at 1pm; the Boys' Ba' takes place at 10.30am. The game will continue until one team manages to get the ball into their own goal (the harbour for the Doonies, a gable wall at the other end of town for the Uppies). This can take a while, during which onlookers shout and cheer, chat, shuffle and stamp to keep warm; ever mindful that if the ball heads your way it is vital to move quickly if you do not want to be caught up in the action. It is Christmas ? but with a difference.JoefrozentoesButser Ancient Farm, HampshireFor an authentic and atmospheric Christmas experience I am taking my family again to Butser Iron Age farm in the South Downs. There they celebrate the generosity of an ancient winter festival with one of England's best-known storytellers in the Great Roundhouse, and we make something beautiful from the hedgerows on the farm to take home. Munching pies and sipping mulled wine, gazing into the fire in this stunning building, takes me back to a distant and sustainable past that holds magic for a hopeful future. Great value for money and a relief from all the plastic and tinsel.023-9259 8838, butserancientfarm.co.uk Madda14The Snowman GatesheadEvery year on the days leading up to ChristmasGua, Northern Sinfonia plays the soundtrack to Raymond Briggs' The Snowman while the movie plays on the big screen. They usually have a local child sing the Walking in the Air solo and there isn't a dry eye in the house among the adults! They also do an introduction to the orchestra and the different instruments before the movie starts. Our children love it and we go every year. It is a magical start to Christmas!0191-443 4661, thesagegateshead.org/theheidster11Help a reindeer herd TringSome wild reindeer make herds of up to 20,000 animals. Pop along to the Natural History Museum at Tring from 27-31 December to paint a reindeer or two to add to their Arctic mural. Will they manage to create a huge herd? It's a free, drop-in activity for all ages, and you can get there by train or there's a free car park. You can walk from the museum up to one of the highest points in the Chilterns, Ivinghoe Beacon, for spectacular panoramic views. Perfect to burn off the Christmas pud!020-7942 6163, nhm.ac.uk/tring/MidknightChristmas market and skating rink WinchesterA beautiful Christmas market full of great gifts. It also has an outdoor ice rink and food stalls so you really feel like you have entered into the Christmas spirit right next to the beautiful Winchester Cathedral.winchesterchristmasmarket.co.uksmithjohannaChristmas market and ice skating NottinghamA Christmas themed market with stalls selling all sorts of Christmas goods. There is also a wide range of food and drink available, from all the countries of the globe. The Dairy Milk hot chocolate stall is not to be missed. Complete the festive experience by going ice-skating ? it's cheap and the most festive fun I've had in ages.christmasinnotts.comnicholas1991Ice at the Tower LondonOutdoor ice-skating rink at the Tower of London. The setting is fabulous and atmospheric with the Tower looming above. Go on Christmas Eve when the rink is floodlit for a particularly exhilarating experience.020-8241 9818, toweroflondonicerink.comMrswayClimb up Glastonbury TorThere is nothing lovelier then a climb up Glastonbury Tor when it is all white outside with snowflakes softly falling. At the top is the roofless St Michael's Tower and myth-inspiring views. At the bottom is a short walk to town to warm with a pint of ale by the fire at the 15th century pilgrims' inn, the George.01934 844518, nationaltrust.org.ukwaywardcanuckChristmasChristmas and New YearChristmas marketsUnited KingdomScotlandGuardian readersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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