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 wreath experience at Sutton Lodge Flowers
An unhurried wreath-making session at Sutton Lodge Flower Farm, with home-grown dried flowers, seasonal foliage and good food.
27–29 November and 3–5 December 2026, selected sessions · Broughton Astley, Leicestershire
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
Winterfest at Thoresby Park
Thoresby’s three-day winter fair brings makers, seasonal shopping and festive food to the estate.
27–29 November 2026 · Thoresby, Nottinghamshire
Christmas wreath workshops at Peterborough Cathedral
Make a traditional foliage wreath in the cathedral’s atmospheric Knight’s Chamber.
27 November; 3 and 6 December 2026, selected sessions · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Magpie Christmas Crimbo Market at Curious Magpie
Local artists and independent makers take over Curious Magpie for two days of Christmas shopping, mulled wine and good company.
28 November, 10am–5pm; 29 November, 11am–4pm · Mountsorrel, Leicestershire
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
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
Christmas craft and gift fair at Newstead Abbey
Independent craft stalls return to the historic cloisters at Newstead Abbey over four winter weekends.
28–29 November; 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 December 2026 · Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire
Enchanted Christmas at Newstead Abbey
The rooms of Newstead Abbey are dressed for Christmas, from the historic interiors to seasonal installations throughout the house.
28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, weekends and school holidays · Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire
Festive afternoon tea at Newstead Abbey
Afternoon tea in the historic Abbey, with admission to see the decorated Christmas rooms included.
Weekends, 28 November – 20 December 2026 · Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire
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
Wreath making with The Garden Knight at Rutland Nursery
Florist James Knight leads a wreath-making workshop using winter foliage and natural materials at Rutland Nursery.
29 November 2026 · Manton, Rutland
The Sunday Table at Restaurant Jericho
A special Sunday Table at Restaurant Jericho in the Vale of Belvoir, celebrating seasonal cooking in an intimate setting.
29 November 2026 · Plungar, Leicestershire
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
Wreath making with The Garden Knight at Rutland Nursery
Florist James Knight leads a wreath-making workshop using winter foliage and natural materials at Rutland Nursery.
30 November 2026 · Manton, Rutland
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
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