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.
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
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.
27 November 2026 · Manton, Rutland
Beaumanor Hall festive gift fair
Independent craftspeople and makers fill the historic rooms of Beaumanor Hall over two festive weekends.
27–29 November and 11–13 December 2026 · Woodhouse, Leicestershire
Mountain Rose live at Curious Magpie
Mountain Rose brings an evening of Americana-inspired live music to Curious Magpie, raising funds for LOROS.
27 November 2026, 7–10pm · Mountsorrel, Leicestershire
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
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
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
Santa’s Twelve Days of Christmas at Wollaton Hall
A festive story-led visit inside Wollaton Hall, with a meeting with Father Christmas and a gift for children.
Weekends, 28 November – 20 December 2026 · Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
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
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