Whether it's seeing Santa Claus before his big day of the year, or participating in family events, there's something for everyone this Christmas in Norfolk and Waveney.

• Africa Alive – Christmas with the animals

December 20-24, 11am-3pm

Spend this Christmas with your favourite African animals at this zoo near Lowestoft. A trip to the zoo this Christmas may include activities such as Christmas crafts, animal handling, and if you're lucky, a trip to see Father Christmas himself.

• Dinosaur Adventure Park – A snowy Jurassic Park

December 20-24, 11am-3pm

The dinosaurs are preparing for a special visit from Father Christmas. Enjoy visiting the dinosaurs in all their magnificent glory with the family. Meet Father Christmas in his grotto, take part in festive crafts in the animal garden, and while you're there, tuck into a mince pie.

• Banham Zoo – Visit the ice cave

December 20-24, 11am-3pm

Visit Santa's grand ice cave for a chance to receive fantastic gifts. Other festive fun can be had with Christmas crafts and face painting.

• Broads Tours – A Christmas boat trip

December 19-24, 8am-5.30pm

These special Santa Cruises leave from Wroxham Bridge, with plenty of sightseeing to keep the little ones (and the older ones) entertained. As the boat leaves Wroxham Broads, Santa's pixies will serve children a large festive cookie, soft drink and give adults one or two glasses of mulled wine and a mince pie. Once the boat reaches its destination, Santa's reindeer land on the top deck and Father Christmas will be giving out special gifts for all.

• Melsop Farm Park – A very Christmas breakfast

December 19-24, 10:15am

Enjoy a lovely cooked breakfast within the company of Saint Nick himself. Make sure the cheeky elves don't cause too much mischief while you enjoy the most important meal of the day.

• Wroxham Barns – A barn full of joy

December 21-23, 10am-5pm

Come and see the wonderful animals of the countryside in Bella's Barn this Christmas. You'll be able to spread Christmas cheer with a good sing-a-long, games to play, as well as see Santa's Magic Show. You'll also have the chance to make Christmas crafts to take home.

• Stranger's Hall – A merry time at one of Norwich's oldest buildings

December 19-20, 10am-4pm

What better way to spend Christmas in one of the country's finest cities than to visit one of its oldest halls. Seize the moment and experience festive fun at Strangers' Hall. Spend time at the After Hours Christmas Tours, or visit Santa with their traditional Christmas offering.

• The Forum – Brick Wonders

December 19-23, 27-30, 10am-4pm

Although this impressive exhibition may not be Christmas-themed, it is an exhibition that you and the rest of the family should spend some time witnessing. It was created by artist Warren Elsmore with 500,000 LEGO bricks and features sites located from around the world. A free trip involving this many LEGO bricks seems hard to pass up.

• Holkham – Quiz nights, Christmas crafts and Christmas runs

December 20-30

Holkham has plenty to offer the whole family this Christmas time. Whether you fancy a guided walk of the Holkham National Nature Reserve, Christmas Candlelight Tours, or an audience with Father Christmas, there's more than enough to do Holkham over the next couple of weeks.

• Yarmouth Time and Tide Museum – Santa on a zipwire

December 22, 11am-4pm

Santa needs your help in reaching his destination on time. Help Santa this Christmas with this fun and festive craft event. As it is included within the normal museum admission, you and the family can hit two birds with one stone, as they say.

• The Garage – Little Red Riding Hood Panto

December 19-29

See the wonderful cast who brought you last year's smash hit My First Panto: Cinderella, with their panto this year, My First Panto: Little Red Riding Hood. This Christmas production guarantees fun for all the family and contains a family-friendly experience, with the opportunity for the kids to engage with the story of Red Riding Hood and her ill Grandma.