Peterborough Christmas Events & Things to Do 2025
Your complete guide to the best christmas events in Peterborough and surrounding areas
Peterborough welcomes the Christmas season with Christmas lights and Christmas markets around the Cathedral Quarter and Queensgate. Join the Peterborough Christmas Lights Switch-On, visit the Queensgate Christmas Grotto, or browse the Christmas Craft & Gift Market for unique finds. The city offers parades, seasonal concerts, and family activities where lights and local vendors create a festive atmosphere perfect for shopping, dining, and making holiday memories under illuminated streets.
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Christmas Markets
26 eventsFestive market, ice rink, maze, and big wheel on Parker's Piece.
Christmas Lights
18 eventsSponsorship opportunities for brand visibility during the festive season.
Christmas Parties
12 eventsFestive dining with lakeside views at a nature reserve.
Christmas Shows
11 eventsA classic Robin Hood pantomime adventure.
Other Christmas Activities
33 eventsCommunity hero to switch on the Christmas lights
Editor's Picks (6)
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Peterborough Christmas Lights Switch-On
Sponsorship opportunities for brand visibility during the festive season.
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Christmas in Cambridge
(Cambridge)
Festive market, ice rink, maze, and big wheel on Parker's Piece.
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Cambridge Botanic Lights 2025
(Cambridge)
Illuminated trail celebrating plants after dark.
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Kettering Christmas Lights Switch On
(Kettering)
Community hero to switch on the Christmas lights
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Land of Lights
(Milton Keynes)
Spectacular lantern festival with dazzling light displays
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Northampton Winter Light Trail
(Northampton)
Mile-long immersive light trail with interactive displays.
This Week / Coming Up (6)
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Also Near Peterborough
Wisbech
See all in Wisbech →Saint Neots
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- Christmas Memories 2025
- Sally McRae Abstract Trees and Snowflake Tree Decoration Workshop
- Lamport Hall Christmas Shop & Cafe
Peterborough Christmas FAQ
The biggest events include the Christmas lights switch-on in the city center and the immersive light and sound displays at Peterborough Cathedral, both drawing thousands of visitors each year.
Peterborough’s unique traditions include the Christmas Tree Festival at the Cathedral, featuring decorated trees by local groups, and community-created papier-mâché reindeer displayed throughout the precinct.
Neighborhoods around Cathedral Square and several residential streets near the city center are known for their festive and creative Christmas light displays, making them popular spots for visitors.
Christmas markets and local artisan vendors are primarily found near the Cathedral precinct and in community halls around the city center, offering a range of crafts, food, and holiday goods.
Free or low-cost activities include exploring neighborhood light displays, visiting the Christmas Tree Festival during the day, and attending community markets with no admission fees.
Families can enjoy the immersive light shows at the Cathedral, festive neighborhood walking trails, and markets featuring Santa visits and children’s craft workshops throughout the season.