Get into the swing of Christmas with these events
Cambridge is a Christmas wonderland, from glittering Christmas lights and ice skating on Parker’s Piece to festive markets and shows. It is a perfect excuse to visit one of the oldest university cities in the world.
Stroll through the cobbled streets and along Kings Parade, admire the festive lights and decorated windows, and get the most out of your time in Cambridge with our festive guide. Just search for Christmas events in the category field.
Switching on the Christmas lights in Cambridge
One of the highlights of the festive season is switching on the Christmas lights on 17 November. It marks the start of the Christmas celebrations.
Christmas at Parker’s Piece in Cambridge
Join us from November 14th (6pm special opening) to January 5th as we transform the historic Parker’s Piece in Cambridge into a magical Christmas Village. Curious about what’s in store? Let us take you on a festive journey like no other!
PLEASE NOTE : Whilst the special areas are bookable – entry to the site itself is FREE!
It includes:
- A Christmas Market
- Alpine Lodge
- Domes
- An Ice Rink
- The Apres Terrace
Botanic Lights
Join us for this year’s Cambridge Botanic Lights trail around Cambridge University Botanic Garden!
Cambridge Botanic Lights will again bring the Garden to life after dark with spectacular displays and artistic installations – creating a beautiful landscape for visitors to enjoy after dark.
The lights will highlight some of the Garden’s most beloved features, such as the Fountain, Lake and Glasshouse Range, and create special experiences around the rest of the Garden. There will be new, original installations that are unique to the Garden, as well as the return of some of last year’s most popular pieces such as the light tunnel and lilies on the Lake.
From 28 November to 23 December 2025, the trail will be open for 17 nights, its longest run yet, offering even more opportunities to experience this spectacular event. Expect a breathtaking blend of light, sound and nature – perfect for families, friends and anyone looking to enjoy a memorable night out this winter.
Here is a taste of what you can expect when you immerse yourself in Cambridge Botanic Lights with a video from last year’s stunning display – click here.
Running time: 20 min time slots 17:00 to 20:00. Some of the earlier entry slots are selling out, so please scroll through the calendar to find available entry slots.
A magical, festive encounter with Father Christmas
Look who’s coming to town! Father Christmas is heading to Anglesey Abbey and will be staying in the House for the first time this winter.
Get ready for a magical, festive encounter with Father Christmas every Friday to Sunday from 29 November to 22 December (plus Monday 23 December!)
Make and decorate a wish with Pepper Mint the Elf, enjoy a story time with Father Christmas, get a present and have fun taking some photos.
As an added bonus from 21 to 23 December, some of Santa’s reindeer will be stopping by! Come and say hello to the reindeer and learn some fascinating facts about them. Meeting the reindeer is free, normal admission applies.
Christmas Carols at the Leper Chapel
One of Cambridge’s best-kept secrets! Christmas Carols by candlelight and the story of Christmas on the 8th of December in the wonderfully atmospheric Leper Chapel, followed by refreshments. Led by Christ the Redeemer Church with the Cottenham Brass Band.
A Festival Of Nine Lessons and Carols
At 3:00 pm on Christmas Eve, Kings College’s beautiful Chapel will be full, all the candles will be glowing, and the organ will be gently playing. After a while, the organ will fall silent, and the keenly expected words, ‘Once in Royal David’s city,’ will float not only the length of the Chapel but around the globe. When that carol ends, the Bidding will invite millions of people to go ‘in heart and mind even unto Bethlehem’.
Swing into Christmas at West Road Concert Hall
This is a Christmas celebration like no other, as Down for the Count recreates the music of Nat ‘King’ Cole, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and many more in a luscious 30-piece orchestral setting evoking the sounds of the great Capitol Studios recordings.
Expect to hear faithful recreations of the best music of the swing era, including I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Let’s Face The Music and Dance and’s Wonderful, alongside original arrangements of jazz and festive standards written by the Orchestra’s principal conductor Mike Paul-Smith, including Winter Wonderland and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting).
“Awesome!” Michael Bublé
“A sonic sleigh ride back to the sounds of Capitol Studios in the 1950s” DownBeat Magazine
“A potential rival to the John Wilson Orchestra” Jazzwise Magazine
Midnight Communion at the Leper Chapel
A simple celebration of Christmas in a wonderfully atmospheric setting at the Leper Chapel. The Communion, by candlelight with carols at the smallest church in Cambridge.
The Cambridge Leper Chapel, also known as the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, is one of Cambridge’s oldest complete surviving buildings. This 12th century Romanesque building was originally the chapel of an isolation hospital caring for people with leprosy and is Grade 1 Listed.
The building has 900 years of fascinating history – at various times, it has been a place of worship, a bar and a warehouse! It owes its survival to its connection with the Stourbridge medieval fair, one of the largest in Europe.
The Chapel is not usually open but is used for community and cultural events. All are welcome. Free event, donations are appreciated.
Christmas events at Wandlebury Country Park
Nurture yourself this Christmas by connecting to nature by taking a stroll through Wandlebury Park, located on the Gog Magog Hills, just south of Cambridge. This beautiful countryside estate offers miles of wonderful walks through woodland and wildflower meadows grazed by Highland Cattle.
Festive Christmas markets
The Cambridge Christmas Markets showcase amazing products from local artisans, crafters, and makers. Shoppers can find unique local gifts here. Where can I find these Christmas markets?
Mill Road Winter Fair
Join the biggest party in Cambridge, the Mill Road Winter Fair, on the first Saturday of December.
Mill Road Winter Fair is a celebration of the community along one of Cambridge’s most diverse and vibrant roads. Usually held on the first Saturday of December, the Fair brings together local businesses and organisations, shops and stallholders, musicians, artists and dancers in one day of festival joy.
Find unique gifts at independent shops
We can be proud of the vast number of independent shops in Cambridge. Unfortunately, these lovely shops are often hard to find, tucked away in alleyways and a bit further away from Kings Parade, close to Mill Road. Here are our favourite indie shops in Cambridge.
Enjoy the festive season, and don’t forget to check out our What’s on Agenda, the Cambridge portal for what’s happening in Cambridge.
Gerla
