Your ultimate guide to the holidays in Peterborough is here! Explore all the best festive events and activities. Whether Peterborough is your lifelong home or your holiday destination, this guide maximizes your seasonal enjoyment.
One event that draws significant attention is the Christmas Lights Switch-On, illuminating the city with a magical glow. Experience the charming Winter Wonderland, featuring ice skating and festive markets. And the Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its unique setting and diverse stalls. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Peterborough Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Peterborough
- Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Winter Wonderland
- Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Market
- Christmas Extravaganza at Sacrewell Farm
- Nene Valley Railway Santa Specials
- Key Theatre Pantomime
- Thorpe Hall Hospice Christmas Fayre
- Christmas at Peterborough Museum
- Queensgate Shopping Centre Christmas Grotto
Peterborough Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-wide countdown and simultaneous illumination
Description:
Peterborough's city center transforms in an instant as thousands gather for the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On. The air buzzes with anticipation as the crowd joins in a synchronized countdown. At zero, the entire city center bursts into a dazzling array of lights, illuminating centuries-old architecture alongside modern festive displays. You can join local choirs in caroling before the big moment. This tradition dates back to the 1950s when post-war Britain sought to brighten spirits during dark winter months.
Website:
Peterborough Holiday Markets and Shopping
Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Market stalls set within a 900-year-old cathedral
Description:
Peterborough Cathedral's Christmas Market offers a shopping experience like no other, with stalls nestled within the stunning Norman architecture of the 900-year-old building. The cathedral's soaring vaulted ceilings and intricate stonework provide a breathtaking backdrop for local artisans and food producers. Visitors can sample mulled wine while browsing handcrafted gifts. This unique market continues a centuries-old tradition of church-based trading, harking back to medieval times when cathedrals were central to both spiritual and commercial life.
Website:
Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Market
Peterborough Holiday Giving Opportunities
Thorpe Hall Hospice Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Charity event in a 17th-century manor house
Description:
Thorpe Hall Hospice's Christmas Fayre transforms a 17th-century manor house into a hub of holiday giving. Stalls selling handmade crafts and local produce fill the historic rooms, each sale supporting hospice care. Visitors can explore the Grade I listed building, including its restored 17th-century garden, while contributing to a worthy cause. This event continues the charitable legacy of Thorpe Hall, which has served the community in various capacities since its construction in 1656.
Website:
Thorpe Hall Hospice Christmas Fayre
Peterborough Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Nene Valley Railway Santa Specials
What to Expect:
Santa's grotto on a moving heritage steam train
Description:
The Nene Valley Railway Santa Specials offer a truly unique experience – meeting Father Christmas aboard a moving heritage steam train. As the countryside rolls by, children receive gifts from Santa in his special grotto carriage. The rhythmic chug of the engine and the whistle of steam create a nostalgic atmosphere. This event takes place on a preserved railway line that once connected Peterborough to the East Coast main line, offering a journey through both the landscape and railway history of the region.
Website:
Nene Valley Railway Santa Specials
Key Theatre Pantomime
What to Expect:
Interactive pantomime with local cultural references
Description:
The Key Theatre's annual pantomime injects local flavor into a beloved British tradition. This interactive show encourages audience participation and incorporates references to Peterborough's landmarks and legends. Expect to hear jokes about the city's roundabouts or nods to local sports teams. The pantomime, a uniquely British art form, has been performed at the Key Theatre since its opening in 1973, making it a cornerstone of Peterborough's cultural calendar.
Website:
Queensgate Shopping Centre Christmas Grotto
What to Expect:
High-tech, interactive Santa's grotto experience
Description:
Queensgate Shopping Centre's Christmas Grotto reimagines the traditional Santa visit with cutting-edge technology. Children embark on a virtual sleigh ride before meeting Father Christmas, complete with interactive displays and augmented reality elements. The grotto's design changes annually, ensuring a fresh experience for returning visitors. This modern take on a classic tradition reflects Peterborough's evolution from a medieval market town to a hub of innovation and technology.
Website:
Queensgate Shopping Centre Christmas Grotto
Peterborough Other Holiday Activities
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Ice sculpture garden with live carving demonstrations
Description:
Peterborough's Winter Wonderland boasts a unique ice sculpture garden where master carvers transform blocks of ice into intricate works of art. Visitors can watch live demonstrations and even try their hand at ice carving under expert guidance. The event also features an outdoor ice rink set against the backdrop of Peterborough Cathedral, blending modern winter fun with historical grandeur. This annual celebration draws inspiration from traditional European winter markets, bringing a continental flair to the heart of Cambridgeshire.
Website:
Christmas Extravaganza at Sacrewell Farm
What to Expect:
Interactive farm animal nativity scene
Description:
Sacrewell Farm's Christmas Extravaganza brings the nativity to life with a unique twist – real farm animals take center stage in the biblical scene. Children can pet gentle donkeys and sheep as they learn about the Christmas story. The event also features tractor rides through illuminated fields and a chance to feed reindeer. Sacrewell Farm, with its 18th-century watermill, offers a glimpse into rural English Christmas traditions, blending agricultural heritage with holiday cheer.
Website:
Christmas Extravaganza at Sacrewell Farm
Christmas at Peterborough Museum
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed Christmas celebrations
Description:
Peterborough Museum steps back in time for its Victorian Christmas celebration. Staff in period costume demonstrate traditional crafts and games, bringing 19th-century holiday customs to life. Visitors can try their hand at making Victorian Christmas cards or sample authentic recipes from the era. The museum, housed in a Georgian mansion, provides a fitting backdrop for this historical exploration, showcasing how Christmas traditions evolved in Peterborough over the centuries.
Website:
Christmas at Peterborough Museum
Nearby Events
Stamford Christmas Festival (Stamford)
What to Expect:
Georgian-themed market in a preserved medieval town
Description:
Stamford's Christmas Festival transports visitors to a Georgian winter scene, set against the backdrop of the town's remarkably preserved medieval and Tudor architecture. Stallholders in period costume sell wares reminiscent of the 18th century, from handmade candles to traditional sweets. The aroma of roasting chestnuts fills the air as you stroll along streets that have changed little since the 1700s. This event celebrates Stamford's status as England's first conservation area, designated in 1967 to preserve its historical character.
Website:
Oundle Christmas Market (Oundle)
What to Expect:
Artisanal market in a 17th-century coaching inn
Description:
Oundle's Christmas Market unfolds within and around the Talbot Hotel, a beautifully preserved 17th-century coaching inn. Local artisans and food producers showcase their wares in the hotel's historic rooms and courtyard, offering a intimate shopping experience. Visitors can explore the inn's secret passages and admire its architectural features while browsing for unique gifts. This market continues Oundle's long tradition as a market town, dating back to its 972 AD charter from King Edgar.
Website:
Whittlesey Christmas Extravaganza (Whittlesey)
What to Expect:
Straw bear-themed Christmas celebrations
Description:
Whittlesey's Christmas Extravaganza incorporates elements of the town's famous Straw Bear Festival into its holiday celebrations. Miniature straw bears decorate the market stalls, and traditional Molly dancers perform in the streets. Children can participate in straw craft workshops, creating their own festive bears. This unique blend of Christmas and local folklore highlights Whittlesey's rich cultural heritage, rooted in East Anglian agricultural traditions dating back centuries.
Website:
Whittlesey Christmas Extravaganza
Bourne Christmas Fayre (Bourne)
What to Expect:
Wake House charity Christmas tree festival
Description:
Bourne's Christmas Fayre centers around a spectacular charity Christmas tree festival held in the historic Wake House. Local businesses and community groups decorate trees in creative themes, competing for the public's vote. Visitors can admire the imaginative displays while supporting local charities. This event honors Bourne's philanthropic history, particularly the legacy of Charles Wake, who bequeathed Wake House to the town in the 19th century for the benefit of the community.