WHAT’S ON
CHRISTMAS IN THE NOTSWOLDS
From carol concerts and creative workshops to visits with Santa and festive light switch-ons, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas across the Notswolds. Plan your festive season here.
Christmas at Doddington Hall
Classic Christmas films inspire a series of imaginative, handmade installations throughout the historic rooms of Doddington Hall.
11 November – 31 December 2026, selected dates · near Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Christmas block printing at Easton Walled Gardens
Make hand-printed Christmas cards and wrapping paper with Haveli Diaries, using carved wooden blocks and traditional techniques.
12 November 2026, 10am–12.30pm · Easton, Lincolnshire
Oakham Magical Lantern Walk
A procession of handmade lanterns winds through Oakham, from All Saints’ Church to the castle.
14 November 2026 · Oakham, Rutland
Deck the Halls at Belvoir Castle
Belvoir’s state rooms are dressed as Christmas carols, with a festive mice trail winding through the castle.
14 November – 30 December 2026 · Belvoir, Leicestershire
Festive afternoon tea at Belvoir Castle
Seasonal savouries and festive patisserie are served in Belvoir Castle’s Aviary Tearoom during its Christmas opening.
14 November – 30 December 2026, selected sittings · Belvoir, Leicestershire
Fused glass Christmas decorations at Ferry Meadows
Glass artist June Massey leads a workshop making individual decorations using two different fused-glass techniques.
14 November 2026; 10.30am–12pm or 1–3pm · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Festive cookery at The Olive Branch
Head chef Dean Carroll shares seasonal recipes and techniques, followed by a three-course lunch at The Olive Branch.
19 November 2026 · Clipsham, Rutland
Macramé Christmas baubles at Curious Magpie
Make a set of knotted macramé decorations with Renee from Pretty Knotty at Curious Magpie in Mountsorrel.
19 November 2026, 7–9pm · Mountsorrel, Leicestershire
Christmas market at The Barnsdale
Around 40 independent makers and small businesses gather at The Barnsdale for three days of festive shopping.
20–22 November 2026 · Exton, Rutland
Christmas styling with Elizabeth Stanhope at Rutland Nursery
Elizabeth Stanhope shares her approach to Christmas styling and seasonal entertaining at Rutland Nursery.
20 November 2026 · Manton, Rutland
Christmas Craft & Gift Market at Peterborough Cathedral
The cathedral welcomes independent makers and small businesses for three days of Christmas shopping beneath its extraordinary vaulted ceiling.
20–22 November 2026; Friday 1–8pm, Saturday 10am–6pm, Sunday noon–4pm · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Christmas at Belton — illuminated trail
Fire gardens, glowing wildlife and projected illuminations bring Belton’s gardens and lakeside to life after dark.
20 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, selected evenings · Grantham, Lincolnshire
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Thousands of lights transform the medieval castle grounds, with installations, the Christmas Express and an optional wall-walk experience.
20 November – 23 December 2026, selected evenings · Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Festive letterpress at Rutland Nursery
Create Christmas cards and gift tags using traditional letterpress techniques with Green Machine Creative.
21 November 2026 · Manton, Rutland
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Curve
A new Curve production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory brings the chocolate factory to the stage for Christmas.
21 November 2026 – 16 January 2027 · Leicester, Leicestershire
Christmas Fair at Delapré Abbey
Local makers, live music and seasonal food fill the grounds of Delapré Abbey for its two-day Christmas fair.
21–22 November 2026, 10am–5pm · Northampton, Northamptonshire
Christmas wreath making in Sherwood Forest
Make a rustic wreath using foliage gathered from Sherwood and Budby, guided by Craft and Bloom.
21 November 2026, 1–3pm · Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire
Papercut Nativity baubles at Peterborough Cathedral
Paper artist Shobhna Patel teaches the delicate art of papercutting through a three-dimensional Nativity bauble.
21 November 2026, 10am–12pm · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Partridge in a Pear Tree papercraft wreath at Peterborough Cathedral
Shobhna Patel of Paper Academy leads a paper-making workshop inspired by a favourite Christmas carol.
21 November 2026, 1–4pm · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Handel’s Messiah at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral Choir, musicians and soloists perform Handel’s Messiah in the soaring nave of Lincoln Cathedral.
21 November 2026, 7.30pm · Lincoln, Lincolnshire