Get ready for a festive season of adventure in Cambridge! Discover all the exciting holiday events with our guide. From Cambridge regulars to holiday explorers, our guide brings the festive season to life.
One of the highlights is the Cambridge Christmas Market, where you can immerse yourself in a wonderland of crafts, food, and seasonal gifts. Experience the dazzling displays and community spirit at The Cambridge Christmas Lights Switch-On, a beloved tradition that illuminates the city streets. And definitely don't forget The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College, a cherished event featuring soul-stirring carols and readings. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Cambridge
- Cambridge Christmas Market
- The Cambridge Christmas Lights Switch-On
- The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College
- North Pole Cambridge
- Mill Road Winter Fair
- Christmas at Parker's Piece
- Cambridge Handmade Christmas Fair
- Christmas Tours of the Round Church
- Pantomimes at the Cambridge Arts Theatre
- Christmas Carols at Great St. Mary's Church
Cambridge Holiday Light Displays
The Cambridge Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Citywide celebration marking the start of the holiday season
Description:
Cambridge ignites with holiday spirit as the city's Christmas lights flicker to life. This annual event unites locals and visitors in a grand celebration. Choirs perform traditional carols, their voices echoing through the historic streets. You can join in the countdown to the big switch-on moment. The event harks back to the 1960s when electric Christmas lights first adorned Cambridge's shopping areas, marking a new era of holiday celebrations.
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The Cambridge Christmas Lights Switch-On
Cambridge Holiday Markets and Shopping
Cambridge Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional German-style Christmas market in historic city center
Description:
Cambridge's historic Market Square transforms into a bustling German-style Christmas market. Wooden chalets line the cobblestone streets, offering handcrafted gifts and local delicacies. The aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the air. Visitors can try their hand at traditional glass-blowing demonstrations. This market continues a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages when winter fairs were essential for trade in university towns.
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Mill Road Winter Fair
What to Expect:
Multicultural celebration showcasing local businesses and community spirit
Description:
Mill Road bursts with energy during its annual Winter Fair. This vibrant event showcases the street's diverse community and independent businesses. Colorful parades featuring local dance troupes wind through the thoroughfare. Visitors can sample global cuisines from the many food stalls. The fair celebrates Mill Road's history as a melting pot of cultures since the 19th century, when it became home to railway workers from across Britain.
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Cambridge Handmade Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans and craftspeople
Description:
The Cambridge Handmade Christmas Fair spotlights the region's talented artisans and craftspeople. Unique, handcrafted gifts fill the venue, from intricate jewelry to bespoke ceramics. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques. The fair embodies Cambridge's long-standing tradition of supporting local arts and crafts, a legacy that dates back to the medieval guilds that once thrived in the city.
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Cambridge Handmade Christmas Fair
Cambridge Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College
What to Expect:
World-renowned choral service broadcast globally since 1928
Description:
King's College Chapel resonates with angelic voices during the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. This revered service interweaves biblical readings with exquisite choral performances. The haunting solo of "Once in Royal David's City" opens the service, a tradition since 1919. Attendees can experience the acoustical marvel of the chapel's fan-vaulted ceiling. The service has been broadcast by the BBC since 1928, bringing Cambridge's holiday spirit to millions worldwide.
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The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College
Pantomimes at the Cambridge Arts Theatre
What to Expect:
Traditional British holiday entertainment in a historic theater
Description:
The Cambridge Arts Theatre comes alive with the laughter and cheers of pantomime season. These beloved productions blend fairy tales, slapstick comedy, and audience participation. Elaborate costumes and sets transport audiences to fantastical worlds. Visitors can join in the traditional call-and-response moments. The theatre, opened in 1936, continues the British pantomime tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, offering a uniquely English holiday experience.
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Pantomimes at the Cambridge Arts Theatre
Christmas Carols at Great St. Mary's Church
What to Expect:
Carol services in the historic university church of Cambridge
Description:
Great St. Mary's Church, the heart of Cambridge University, resounds with joyous carols during the holiday season. The church's magnificent organ accompanies choral performances, filling the nave with rich harmonies. Visitors can join in singing beloved carols beneath the church's impressive hammer-beam roof. These services continue a tradition of worship at this site dating back to 1205, connecting modern celebrants with centuries of Cambridge scholars and townspeople.
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Christmas Carols at Great St. Mary's Church
City of Cambridge Brass Band Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Holiday performance by a renowned local brass band
Description:
The City of Cambridge Brass Band fills the air with jubilant holiday tunes during their annual Christmas concert. The rich, resonant tones of brass instruments bring classic carols to life in a unique way. Audience members can enjoy the band's renditions of both traditional and contemporary holiday music. You'll experience a musical tradition that harks back to the 19th century when brass bands became an integral part of British cultural life.
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City of Cambridge Brass Band Christmas Concert
Cambridge Other Holiday Activities
North Pole Cambridge
What to Expect:
Immersive Arctic-themed winter attraction
Description:
North Pole Cambridge transports visitors to a frosty wonderland. This Arctic-inspired attraction features real ice sculptures and a genuine ice rink. Guests can glide across the ice, surrounded by twinkling lights. The event pays homage to Cambridge's contributions to polar exploration, including the Scott Polar Research Institute founded in 1920. You'll discover the chilly thrills of the North without leaving East Anglia.
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Christmas at Parker's Piece
What to Expect:
Open-air ice rink and funfair in the heart of Cambridge
Description:
Parker's Piece, a historic common in Cambridge, transforms into a winter playground. An expansive open-air ice rink takes center stage, surrounded by twinkling lights. Thrill-seekers can enjoy rides at the accompanying funfair. You'll find hot chocolate stands to warm up after skating. This event continues the tradition of winter recreation on Parker's Piece, which has been a gathering place for Cantabrigians since the 16th century.
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Christmas Tours of the Round Church
What to Expect:
Guided tours of one of only four round churches in England
Description:
The Round Church opens its doors for special Christmas tours, offering a unique perspective on Cambridge's history. Guides lead visitors through the 12th-century Norman church, illuminating its architectural significance. The church's circular design creates exceptional acoustics for seasonal carols. You'll learn about the Knights Templar, who are believed to have influenced the church's unusual shape. These tours provide a rare opportunity to experience Christmas in one of England's most distinctive places of worship.
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Christmas Tours of the Round Church
Nearby Events
Christmas at Wimpole Estate (Arrington)
What to Expect:
Festive activities at a National Trust property with centuries of history
Description:
Wimpole Estate dons its holiday best, offering a glimpse into Christmas past and present. The grand mansion sparkles with period decorations, while the gardens glow with carefully placed lights. Visitors can participate in traditional craft workshops, creating their own Victorian-inspired ornaments. The estate, dating back to the 17th century, provides a stunning backdrop for holiday celebrations, connecting modern festivities with centuries of English heritage.
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Santa Specials on the Nene Valley Railway (Peterborough)
What to Expect:
Vintage train ride with Santa through the Cambridgeshire countryside
Description:
The Nene Valley Railway chugs to life with Santa Specials, offering a nostalgic journey through wintry landscapes. Passengers board vintage carriages, greeted by the rhythmic sound of wheels on tracks. Children receive gifts from Santa as the train winds its way through picturesque scenery. You can enjoy mince pies and hot drinks during the ride. This event celebrates the railway's heritage, which dates back to 1845 when it first connected Peterborough with Northampton.
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Santa Specials on the Nene Valley Railway
Newmarket Christmas Market & Winter Wonderland (Newmarket)
What to Expect:
Christmas market in the historic home of British horseracing
Description:
Newmarket, the birthplace of thoroughbred racing, gallops into the holiday season with its Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland. The event combines traditional market stalls with equestrian-themed attractions. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic town. The market pays homage to Newmarket's racing heritage, which dates back to the 17th century when King Charles II established the town as the home of British horseracing.
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Newmarket Christmas Market & Winter Wonderland
The Polar Express Train Ride at the Mid-Norfolk Railway (Dereham)
What to Expect:
Immersive train journey based on the beloved children's book
Description:
The Mid-Norfolk Railway transforms into the world of "The Polar Express" for a magical train ride. Passengers don pajamas and board beautifully decorated vintage carriages. The story unfolds through live performances as the train chugs through the Norfolk countryside. Hot chocolate and cookies are served, just like in the book. This event brings to life the 1985 children's classic, allowing visitors to step into a beloved holiday tale.
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The Polar Express Train Ride at the Mid-Norfolk Railway