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.
Papercut Nativity baubles at Peterborough Cathedral
Paper artist Shobhna Patel teaches the delicate art of papercutting through a three-dimensional Nativity bauble.
21 November 2026, 10am–12pm · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Partridge in a Pear Tree papercraft wreath at Peterborough Cathedral
Shobhna Patel of Paper Academy leads a paper-making workshop inspired by a favourite Christmas carol.
21 November 2026, 1–4pm · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Handel’s Messiah at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral Choir, musicians and soloists perform Handel’s Messiah in the soaring nave of Lincoln Cathedral.
21 November 2026, 7.30pm · Lincoln, Lincolnshire
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
Tolethorpe Clothing Sale at Tolethorpe Hall
Vintage, preloved and nearly new clothes and accessories fill four rooms at Tolethorpe Hall for a one-day sale.
22 November 2026, 9am–4pm · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Wreath making at Otters Fine Foods
Make a Christmas wreath with Vicki of the Paisley Flower Co. at Oakham’s independent Otters Fine Foods.
24 November 2026 · Oakham, Rutland
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
Floral Advent workshop at form&blōm
Create an Advent wreath or Christmas table centrepiece at form&blōm, with bubbly and canapés.
25 November 2026 · Oakham, Rutland
Great Wine in Great Glasses at Hambleton Hall
A wine dinner at Hambleton Hall exploring how different Riedel glasses change the way we taste.
25 November 2026 · Hambleton, Rutland
Uppingham Fatstock Show
A longstanding agricultural tradition bringing farmers, livestock and townspeople together in Uppingham.
25 November 2026 · Uppingham, Rutland
Christmas wreath making at Curious Magpie with Sutton Lodge Flowers
Sutton Lodge Flowers leads two evenings of seasonal wreath making at Curious Magpie, using winter foliage and natural materials.
25 November and 2 December 2026, 7–9pm · Mountsorrel, Leicestershire
Luxury wreath masterclass at Hart’s Hotel & Kitchen
The Botanical Flower Studio leads a specialist wreath workshop at Hart’s, followed by lunch at the restaurant.
25 November 2026, 10.30am–3pm · Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
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 modern calligraphy at The William Cecil
Learn modern calligraphy for Christmas place cards and gift tags at The William Cecil, with a starter kit to take home.
25 November 2026, 6.30–8.30pm · Stamford, Lincolnshire
Christmas canapés at The Olive Branch
Head chef Dean Carroll demonstrates Christmas canapés, followed by a seasonal meal in the Barn.
26 November 2026 · Clipsham, Rutland
Everlasting wreath workshop at Sutton Lodge Flowers
Make an everlasting wreath from British flowers grown and dried at Sutton Lodge’s Leicestershire flower farm.
26 November 2026, from 6.30pm · Broughton Astley, Leicestershire
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
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
Christmas Tree Festival at Peterborough Cathedral
More than a hundred trees decorated by local groups and charities fill the cathedral for its seasonal festival.
26 November 2026 – 6 January 2027 · Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Bauble painting at The William Cecil
A seasonal bauble-painting workshop at The William Cecil, making a hand-decorated decoration to take home.
26 November 2026 · Stamford, Lincolnshire