The festive season is upon us, Nottingham! Explore our guide for all the must-see holiday attractions.
Kickstart your holiday cheer with a visit to the Nottingham Christmas Market, where you can enjoy festive treats, unique gifts, and the joy of ice skating. Experience the magic of beautifully illuminated Wollaton Hall, which transforms into a winter wonderland with dazzling light displays and seasonal festivities at Christmas at Wollaton Hall. And Light Night Nottingham is an event you definitely don't want to miss, featuring spectacular light installations and displays across the city. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Nottingham
- Nottingham Christmas Market
- Christmas at Wollaton Hall
- Light Night Nottingham
- Christmas Pantomime at Theatre Royal
Nottingham Holiday Light Displays
Christmas at Wollaton Hall
What to Expect:
Immersive light trail through historic estate grounds
Description:
Wollaton Hall, a stunning Elizabethan mansion, serves as the backdrop for an illuminated journey through time. The estate's expansive grounds come alive with innovative light installations, each telling a story of Nottingham's rich heritage. As you stroll along the trail, the crisp winter air carries the faint aroma of mulled wine. Pause to admire the hall itself, which famously doubled as Wayne Manor in "The Dark Knight Rises". You can also warm up with a hot chocolate in the pop-up winter village.
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Nottingham Holiday Markets and Shopping
Nottingham Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Largest outdoor Christmas market in the East Midlands
Description:
Nottingham's Old Market Square transforms into a bustling winter bazaar, boasting over 70 traditional chalets. Artisans showcase handcrafted goods, while local delicacies tempt your taste buds. The market's centerpiece, a 60-foot Christmas tree, pays homage to Nottingham's historic connection to Sherwood Forest. Visitors can ice skate on the temporary rink, surrounded by the city's Victorian architecture. This vibrant gathering embodies the spirit of a classic European Christmas market right in the heart of England.
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Nottingham Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Pantomime at Theatre Royal
What to Expect:
Traditional British pantomime with a modern twist
Description:
The Theatre Royal's annual pantomime injects fresh energy into a beloved British tradition. This year's production blends classic fairy tale elements with contemporary pop culture references and local humor. The ornate Victorian theater, opened in 1865, provides a grand setting for the lively performances. Elaborate costumes and set designs dazzle the eye, while catchy musical numbers get the audience singing along. You'll find yourself swept up in the playful atmosphere, where audience participation is not just encouraged but expected.
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Christmas Pantomime at Theatre Royal
Nottingham Other Holiday Activities
Light Night Nottingham
What to Expect:
City-wide arts festival celebrating light and creativity
Description:
Light Night Nottingham ignites the city with a dazzling array of illuminated art installations. This one-night extravaganza transforms familiar landmarks into canvases for cutting-edge light projections. Street performers and musicians enliven the atmosphere, creating an electric buzz throughout the city center. Rooted in Nottingham's history of innovation, the event showcases local talent alongside international artists. Visitors can participate in interactive light-based workshops, learning about the science and art behind the displays.
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Nearby Events
Southwell Minster Christmas Carol Service (Southwell)
What to Expect:
Candlelit carol service in a 900-year-old cathedral
Description:
Southwell Minster, with its distinctive pepper-pot spires, hosts a soul-stirring carol service that echoes through centuries of tradition. The cathedral's exceptional acoustics amplify the angelic voices of the choir, creating an unforgettable auditory experience. Flickering candlelight illuminates the intricate Norman architecture, transporting attendees to a bygone era. The service incorporates both well-known carols and lesser-known medieval hymns, reflecting the minster's long history. Visitors can admire the famous "Leaves of Southwell," exquisite 13th-century stone carvings that adorn the chapter house.
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Southwell Minster Christmas Carol Service
Ruddington Christmas Market (Ruddington)
What to Expect:
Village-wide market celebrating local artisans and producers
Description:
Ruddington's charming streets come alive with the spirit of community during its annual Christmas market. Local shops and pop-up stalls showcase an array of unique gifts and artisanal products, many crafted by village residents. The market highlights Ruddington's rich textile heritage, with demonstrations of framework knitting at the village museum. Live music from local bands creates a lively atmosphere as you explore the quaint lanes. Visitors can sample traditional Nottinghamshire delicacies, including the famous Bramley apple pie.
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Eastwood Christmas Lights Switch On (Eastwood)
What to Expect:
Celebration of D.H. Lawrence's hometown with a literary twist
Description:
Eastwood's Christmas lights switch-on event pays homage to its most famous son, author D.H. Lawrence. The illuminations incorporate quotes from Lawrence's works, creating a unique literary trail through the town. Local actors perform dramatic readings of seasonal passages from his novels and poems. The event coincides with a special exhibition at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, offering insights into the author's life during the holiday season. You can join a guided walk exploring Lawrence's childhood haunts, now adorned with twinkling lights.
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Eastwood Christmas Lights Switch On
West Bridgford Christmas Light Switch-On (West Bridgford)
What to Expect:
Community-driven event with a focus on local talent
Description:
West Bridgford's light switch-on event shines a spotlight on homegrown talent. Local choirs and dance troupes take center stage, showcasing the area's vibrant arts scene. The event features a "community corner" where local charities and organizations share information about their work. As the lights illuminate, they reveal a series of art installations created by local schools, each interpreting a different aspect of West Bridgford's history. Visitors can participate in a treasure hunt, discovering hidden gems throughout the town's independent shops and cafes.
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West Bridgford Christmas Light Switch-On
Beeston Winter Lights Festival (Beeston)
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations inspired by scientific discoveries
Description:
Beeston's Winter Lights Festival celebrates the town's scientific heritage with a series of cutting-edge, interactive light installations. Each display is inspired by a different scientific principle or discovery, many linked to the nearby University of Nottingham. Visitors can manipulate light and sound through motion sensors, creating their own illuminated artworks. The festival pays tribute to local scientist and Nobel laureate Sir Peter Mansfield, with a special display honoring his work on MRI technology. You can join guided tours led by university physicists, explaining the science behind the dazzling lights.
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Beeston Winter Lights Festival
Kimberley Christmas Market (Kimberley)
What to Expect:
Mining-themed Christmas market celebrating local history
Description:
Kimberley's Christmas market pays tribute to the town's coal mining heritage. Stalls are set up in and around restored mining buildings, creating a unique industrial-chic atmosphere. Local craftspeople showcase traditional skills once common in mining communities, such as leatherworking and metalsmithing. The market features a pop-up mining museum, where visitors can learn about Kimberley's pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution. You can descend into a recreated mine shaft, decorated with twinkling lights, for an immersive historical experience.