Center Parcs Evening Entertainment: Everything You Need to Know

There is no dedicated evening entertainment at Center Parcs in the way you’d find at alternatives like Butlins or Haven — no central venue, no nightly shows, and no structured programme of entertainment for guests.

Personally, I think it would be nice to have a central place to go for some organised evening entertainment. It’s one area where Center Parcs falls short compared to some of its competitors.

That said, there are things to do in the evenings, and for most people the lodge itself becomes the natural focal point after dark.

What We Do in the Evenings at Center Parcs

In our experience, evenings at Center Parcs are relaxed. We usually hang out at the lodge, have dinner, and watch a film — adding a Firestick to our Center Parcs packing list means we can stream whatever we want rather than being limited to the basic TV channels in Woodland Lodges.

When the weather is good, we’ll cook on the BBQ outside or go for an evening stroll through the forest. We also regularly use the Dining In delivery service to have restaurant food brought to the lodge, which is a great option after a long day of activities.

Bookable Evening Activities

For those who want to get out of the lodge there are several evening activities available at Center Parcs:

• Ten Pin Bowling: one of the most popular evening activities at Center Parcs, available at the Leisure Bowl. Lanes book up quickly so it’s worth reserving in advance. Note that prices are typically higher in the evening than during the day.
• Subtropical Swimming Paradise: Open until 9pm, making an evening swim a popular option for families. Access is through a pre-booking system, available from four weeks before arrival.
• SingPods: Soundproof karaoke pods where you and your group can belt out your favourite songs in private. A newer addition to Center Parcs and a great option for a fun evening out of the lodge.
• Aqua Sana Spa Twilight Taster: Evening spa sessions running from 4pm to 9pm, including a glass of bubbly on arrival. Requires advance booking.
• Nature Walk at Dusk: A guided walk led by Center Parcs rangers, introducing guests to the nocturnal wildlife in the forest. Available for children aged 4 and over.
• Badminton and Table Tennis: Available at the Sports Plaza into the evening.
• Entertainment Hive: Available at Whinfell Forest, featuring a range of high-tech activities including Puttify interactive mini golf, Interactive Darts, Interactive Shuffle, The Bat Cage batting simulator, and The ARENA immersive gaming experience.
• Silent Disco: A family-friendly silent disco at the Leisure Bowl with wireless glowing headphones and multiple music channels to choose from. Currently available for booking at Whinfell Forest and Sherwood Forest only.

The Leisure Bowl Disco

The free Leisure Bowl Disco has returned to Center Parcs after a period of absence. The event runs on selected evenings at all Center Parcs villages from 6pm to 8pm — check the Center Parcs website for specific days at your village when booking.

Evening Drinks & Dining

Center Parcs has several restaurants and bar areas where you can enjoy a drink in the evening, with live music featured each evening in one of the onsite restaurants. The Leisure Bowl also serves hot drinks, soft drinks, and bar snacks. Restaurants at Center Parcs close at around 10pm, though this varies by village and time of year.

Alternatively, the Dining In delivery service lets you order food from a range of onsite restaurants and have it delivered directly to your lodge — a convenient option for an easy evening in.

Evening Stroll

A walk through the forest in the evening is a simple, free activity that’s easy to overlook. The forest at Center Parcs feels completely different after dark, and it’s one of those things that tends to be a highlight of a visit when you make the effort to do it.

If you’re visiting Center Parcs at Christmas, you’ll also get to experience the Winter Wonderland — which runs from early November to early January — with the Enchanted Light Garden open every evening from 4pm to 9pm, transforming the forest with twinkling lights and seasonal installations.

From January to February, the Center Parcs Winter Forest Lights takes over, turning the forest into an illuminated trail of light installations and lanterns.