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.
Oakham Magical Lantern Walk
A procession of handmade lanterns winds through Oakham, from All Saints’ Church to the castle.
14 November 2026 · Oakham, Rutland
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 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
The Trail of Peter Rabbit at Clumber Park
Find twelve larger-than-life Peter Rabbit sculptures, each decorated by a different artist, on a winter trail through Clumber Park.
21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 · Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Oakham Christmas lights switch-on
Oakham’s town centre celebrates the start of Christmas with its lights switch-on and family entertainment.
22 November 2026 · Oakham, Rutland
Wollaton Winter Light Trail at Wollaton Hall
Wollaton’s formal gardens become a nighttime trail of sculptural light, atmospheric sound and illuminated installations.
25 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, selected evenings · Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Christmas Carnival at Ferry Meadows
Ferry Meadows becomes a winter carnival of games, playful elves, live entertainment and a garden of festive lights.
26–29 November; 3–6, 10–13 and 17–23 December 2026; sessions at 4pm and 6pm · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
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
Santa Specials at Nene Valley Railway
A heritage train journey with Father Christmas, station elves and a present for each child.
28–29 November; 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 and 23–24 December 2026 · Wansford, Cambridgeshire
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
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
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
Christmas in Uppingham
Late-night shopping, music, street performances and seasonal festivities bring Uppingham’s independent shops to life.
3 December 2026 · Uppingham, Rutland
Stamford Santa Fun Run at Burghley Park
A joyful procession of runners, walkers and families dressed as Santa takes on one-, two- or three-mile routes through Burghley Park.
6 December 2026, from 10am · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Christmas at Sacrewell Farm
Visit Father Christmas and explore a festive village at Sacrewell, with activities set around the working farm.
19–24 December 2026 · Thornhaugh, Cambridgeshire
Christmas Eve 10k at Clumber Park
A Christmas Eve trail run through the parkland and woodland of the Clumber estate.
24 December 2026 · Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Family lantern walks at Clumber Park
Explore Clumber Park’s Pleasure Grounds at dusk on guided lantern walks with stories from the estate’s past.
2–3 January 2027, dusk · Worksop, Nottinghamshire