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.
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
Christmas concert and carols with Hambleton Hall
Choral music and carols at St Andrew’s Church, with an optional black-tie dinner at Hambleton Hall.
2 December 2026 · Hambleton, Rutland
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
Christmas in Uppingham
Late-night shopping, music, street performances and seasonal festivities bring Uppingham’s independent shops to life.
3 December 2026 · Uppingham, Rutland
Christmas wreath making at form&blōm
Make a seasonal wreath at form&blōm’s Oakham studio, with winter foliage, bubbly and canapés.
3 December 2026 · Oakham, Rutland
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.
3 December 2026 · Clipsham, Rutland
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
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
Christmas door swag workshop at Curious Magpie
Sutton Lodge Flowers shows how to create a generous Christmas door swag at Curious Magpie, using seasonal foliage.
4 December 2026, 7–9pm · Mountsorrel, Leicestershire
Christmas shopping under the stars at Leicester Cathedral
An evening makers’ market with music and refreshments beneath Leicester Cathedral’s Light of Stars installation.
4 December 2026, 5–8pm · Leicester, Leicestershire
Christmas with the Rat Pack at Kilworth House
Christmas swing and Rat Pack standards come to the Orangery at Kilworth House for a festive theatre evening.
4 December 2026 – 3 January 2027, selected performances · North Kilworth, Leicestershire
Ollie Dabbous at Keythorpe Hall
Chef Ollie Dabbous cooks at Keythorpe Hall for two special evenings, with the rare chance to stay overnight in the private house.
4–5 December 2026 · Tugby, Leicestershire
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
Ceramic Fair at Thoresby Park
A dedicated ceramics fair at Thoresby brings together handmade pottery and contemporary ceramic work.
4–5 December 2026 · Thoresby, Nottinghamshire
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
Christmas market at Leicester Cathedral
A Christmas market of handmade gifts and local makers beneath the Light of Stars installation at Leicester Cathedral.
5 December 2026, 10.30am–3pm · Leicester, Leicestershire
Christmas market at St Mary’s Works
An independent Christmas market in Leicester’s St Mary’s Works, bringing creative businesses and makers together.
5 December 2026 · Leicester, Leicestershire
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