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
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
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
Tolethorpe Clothing Sale at Tolethorpe Hall
Vintage, preloved and nearly new clothes and accessories fill four rooms at Tolethorpe Hall for a one-day sale.
22 November 2026, 9am–4pm · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Christmas modern calligraphy at The William Cecil
Learn modern calligraphy for Christmas place cards and gift tags at The William Cecil, with a starter kit to take home.
25 November 2026, 6.30–8.30pm · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Bauble painting at The William Cecil
A seasonal bauble-painting workshop at The William Cecil, making a hand-decorated decoration to take home.
26 November 2026 · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Burghley Christmas Fair
More than 150 independent stalls fill Burghley’s courtyards and grounds with handmade gifts, homewares and festive food.
26–29 November 2026 · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Christmas Tree Festival at Lincoln Cathedral
Forty real Christmas trees, decorated by businesses, charities and individuals, fill the cathedral cloisters for Advent.
28 November 2026 – 6 January 2027 · Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Christmas at Gunby Hall
Decorated rooms and a playful Christmas display bring the eighteenth-century interiors of Gunby Hall to life.
28 November – 23 December 2026, selected dates · near Spilsby, Lincolnshire
Makers Market at the Barbican, Lincoln
More than thirty local artists and makers gather at the Barbican Creative Hub for a new Christmas market.
28 November – 5 December 2026, selected dates · Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Grantham Christmas Fayre and lights switch-on
A town-centre Christmas fair with local stalls, live music, children’s entertainment and the festive lights switch-on.
29 November 2026, 11am–5pm · Grantham, Lincolnshire
Grantham House Christmas Market
Local makers and craftspeople gather in the grounds of historic Grantham House for a one-day Christmas market.
29 November 2026, 10am–4pm · Grantham, Lincolnshire
Luxury festive wreath workshop at Ode to Joy
Create a substantial Christmas wreath at Ode to Joy’s Stamford floristry studio, with three afternoon workshop dates.
1, 3 and 5 December 2026 · Stamford, Lincolnshire
The Christmas Orchestra at Lincoln Cathedral
A sixteen-piece chamber orchestra plays Christmas film music and seasonal classics in Lincoln Cathedral.
1 December 2026, 7.15pm or 9.15pm · Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Festive afternoon tea at Grantham House
A festive afternoon tea served in the historic dining room of Grantham House, dressed for the Christmas season.
2–31 December 2026, selected dates · Grantham, Lincolnshire
Festive wreath making at The William Cecil
Make a Christmas wreath at The William Cecil during one of three seasonal workshops in early December.
2, 5 and 6 December 2026 · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market
Independent festive shopping takes over Lincoln Cathedral and its historic grounds, with daytime and twilight sessions.
3–5 December 2026 · Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Oompah Christmas Party at The Bull & Swan
An exuberant Christmas party in The Bull & Swan’s Secret Garden, with a live oompah band and food from Hoggy’s Grill.
4 December 2026 · Stamford, Lincolnshire