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 Canons Ashby: Merlin’s Magic Trail
An outdoor Christmas quest at Canons Ashby, following clues and collecting ingredients for Merlin’s seasonal spell.
19 November 2026 – 1 January 2027, selected opening days · Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
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 at Canons Ashby
Make a festive wreath using greenery gathered from the grounds of the historic National Trust house.
24–25 November 2026, morning and afternoon sessions · Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
Victorian Christmas at Delapré Abbey
See Delapré Abbey’s Bouverie rooms decorated for a Victorian Christmas, with the chance to explore after dark.
26–27 November 2026, house open 2–8pm · Northampton, Northamptonshire
Winter Light Trail at Delapré Abbey
New illuminated installations, soundscapes and interactive features transform Delapré Abbey’s parkland after dark.
27 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, selected evenings · Northampton, Northamptonshire
A Christmas Quest at Canons Ashby
Arthurian stories inspire the Christmas decorations at Canons Ashby, with a quest for young visitors through the house.
28 November – 24 December 2026, 11am–3.30pm, on open days · Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
Christmas wreath making with Wilder Floral at Lamport Hall
Wilder Floral leads a festive wreath workshop at Lamport Hall, set among the estate’s historic buildings.
28 November 2026, 12pm · Lamport, Northamptonshire
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas at Royal & Derngate
Julia Donaldson’s mischievous farmyard story has its world-premiere stage adaptation at Royal & Derngate.
28 November – 31 December 2026, selected performances · Northampton, Northamptonshire
Wreath making and afternoon tea at Boughton House
Make a Christmas wreath in Boughton House’s Tapestry Suite, then settle in for afternoon tea.
28–29 November 2026, 12.30–3.15pm, followed by afternoon tea · Kettering, Northamptonshire
Santa Specials at Northampton & Lamport Railway
Take a heritage train ride and meet Father Christmas at Northampton & Lamport Railway.
29 November; 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December 2026 · Pitsford, Northamptonshire
Festive wreath making at Rockingham Castle
Create a biodegradable wreath with foliage and seed heads gathered from Rockingham Castle’s Wild Gardens.
1–2 December 2026, 10.30am or 6pm sessions · Rockingham, Northamptonshire
Mosaic in Concert at Rockingham Castle
Six unaccompanied voices fill Rockingham Castle’s Great Hall with Christmas music from across the centuries.
3 December 2026, doors 6.30pm, concert 7.30pm · Rockingham, Northamptonshire
Lollyrocket Christmas Market at Boughton House
Lollyrocket brings a curated Christmas market to Boughton House for two days of independent shopping.
4 December, 4–7pm; 5 December 2026, 10am–4pm · Kettering, Northamptonshire
Christmas Market at Lamport Hall
More than 100 stalls fill Lamport Hall’s Edwardian stable block, alongside live music, festive food and family activities.
5–6 and 12–13 December 2026, 10am–4pm · Lamport, Northamptonshire
Christmas Studio Experience at FOUND Ceramics
Spend a day in FOUND’s Harringworth studio hand-building a ceramic bowl, with seasonal lunch and refreshments.
5 December 2026, 9.30am–3pm · Harringworth, Northamptonshire
Father Christmas in the Tudor House at Lamport Hall
Meet Father Christmas in Lamport Hall’s Tudor house during its December festive opening.
5–8, 10 and 12–13 December 2026, selected sessions · Lamport, Northamptonshire
A Christmas Carol in the Cellars at Delapré Abbey
Dickens’s Christmas ghost story is performed in the atmospheric cellars beneath Delapré Abbey.
7 and 20 December 2026, evening performances · Northampton, Northamptonshire
A Victorian Christmas by Candlelight at Delapré Abbey
Explore Delapré Abbey’s decorated Victorian rooms by candlelight before port and cheese in the dining room.
7–8 December 2026, 6pm or 7.30pm · Northampton, Northamptonshire
Christmas Arts & Crafts Exhibitions at Boughton House
Boughton House welcomes artists and craftspeople for two December weekends of prints, ceramics and handmade gifts.
12–13 and 19–20 December 2026, 10am–4pm · Kettering, Northamptonshire
Ghost Stories for Christmas at Lamport Hall
An afternoon or evening of Christmas ghost stories in the historic setting of Lamport Hall.
18 December 2026, 2pm and 7.30pm · Lamport, Northamptonshire