Plan your perfect holiday in Preston with our guide. Discover all the best festive events and activities.
One of the most popular attractions is the Christmas Market at Preston Markets, where you can enjoy a cozy atmosphere filled with local vendors and festive treats. With its charming stalls and holiday goods, the Lancashire Christmas Market offers unique crafts and delicious seasonal foods. And definitely don't forget the Preston Minster Christmas Services, which provide a beautiful and reflective experience during the holidays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Preston
- Christmas Market at Preston Markets
- Lancashire Christmas Market
- Preston Minster Christmas Services
- Santa's Grotto at St George's Shopping Centre
- Preston Guild Hall Christmas Pantomime
- PNE Community Christmas Party
- Christmas Craft Fair at Samlesbury Hall
- Avenham Park Christmas Trail
Preston Holiday Light Displays
Avenham Park Christmas Trail
What to Expect:
Nature-inspired Christmas trail through historic park
Description:
Avenham Park, one of Preston's oldest parks, transforms into a nature-themed Christmas adventure. The trail weaves through the park's Victorian landscape, designed by Edward Milner in the 1860s. Illuminated sculptures of local wildlife guide visitors along the path, blending art with nature. Participants can forage for natural materials to create their own eco-friendly Christmas decorations. The rustle of leaves underfoot adds to the sensory experience as you explore the park after dark. You'll gain a new appreciation for Preston's green spaces and their role in the city's history and future.
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Preston Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market at Preston Markets
What to Expect:
Traditional Lancashire produce and crafts
Description:
Preston Markets transforms into a bustling hub of holiday cheer. Local artisans and farmers showcase traditional Lancashire produce and handcrafted goods, offering a true taste of the region's heritage. The market's Victorian-era glass canopy, dating back to 1875, provides a historic backdrop as you browse stalls filled with unique gifts and seasonal delicacies. Visitors can participate in wreath-making workshops, learning techniques passed down through generations. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air, enticing shoppers to warm up with a steaming cup.
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Christmas Market at Preston Markets
Lancashire Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Celebration of Lancashire's culinary heritage
Description:
Lancashire's rich culinary traditions take center stage at this vibrant market. Local producers gather to showcase the county's finest foods, from creamy Lancashire cheese to hearty hotpot. The market celebrates the region's agricultural roots, which date back to the Middle Ages. Visitors can sample artisanal treats and watch live cooking demonstrations featuring traditional Lancashire recipes. The sound of local choirs singing carols adds a joyful atmosphere to the proceedings. You'll discover unique food gifts that capture the essence of Lancashire's gastronomic legacy.
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Christmas Craft Fair at Samlesbury Hall
What to Expect:
Medieval-inspired crafts and demonstrations
Description:
Samlesbury Hall, a stunning black and white medieval house, hosts a craft fair that celebrates traditional artisanship. Skilled craftspeople demonstrate techniques dating back to the hall's 14th-century origins, from blacksmithing to illuminated manuscript writing. Visitors can try their hand at making rush lights, a medieval lighting method, guided by expert artisans. The hall's Great Hall resonates with the sounds of period music played on authentic instruments. You'll discover unique gifts that connect the present to Lancashire's rich medieval past, each item telling a story of skill and tradition.
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Christmas Craft Fair at Samlesbury Hall
Preston Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Preston Guild Hall Christmas Pantomime
What to Expect:
Locally written pantomime incorporating Preston's history
Description:
Preston Guild Hall hosts a unique pantomime that weaves local history into a classic tale. The script, penned by Preston playwrights, cleverly incorporates references to the city's past, from its Roman roots to its industrial heyday. Audience participation reaches new heights with Preston-specific call-and-response moments. Visitors can marvel at elaborate costumes that pay homage to different eras of Preston's development. The sound of laughter echoes through the hall as locals and visitors alike enjoy in-jokes and playful jabs at neighboring towns. You'll gain a new appreciation for Preston's rich heritage through this entertaining performance.
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Preston Guild Hall Christmas Pantomime
Preston Other Holiday Activities
Preston Minster Christmas Services
What to Expect:
Historic setting for traditional Anglican services
Description:
Preston Minster, with its imposing Gothic architecture, provides a solemn backdrop for traditional Anglican Christmas services. The church's history stretches back to the 11th century, offering a tangible link to Preston's past. Candlelight flickers across ancient stone walls as the congregation gathers for time-honored rituals. Visitors can join in singing beloved carols accompanied by the church's magnificent pipe organ. The services blend centuries-old traditions with contemporary reflections on the Christmas message, creating a deeply meaningful experience for worshippers and observers alike.
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Preston Minster Christmas Services
Santa's Grotto at St George's Shopping Centre
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling sessions with Santa
Description:
St George's Shopping Centre transforms a corner into Santa's cozy retreat. Unlike typical mall Santas, this grotto offers interactive storytelling sessions where children become part of the tale. The grotto's design draws inspiration from Preston's industrial past, incorporating elements of cotton mills and railways. Visitors can create their own Christmas story with Santa, fostering creativity and imagination. The gentle tinkling of sleigh bells adds to the immersive experience. You'll watch young faces light up as they embark on a personalized adventure with Father Christmas himself.
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Santa's Grotto at St George's Shopping Centre
PNE Community Christmas Party
What to Expect:
Football-themed holiday celebration
Description:
Preston North End Football Club opens its doors for a community celebration that blends holiday cheer with sporting spirit. The event honors PNE's long history, dating back to 1863, making it one of the founding members of the Football League. Visitors can tour the historic Deepdale stadium, decorated with a mix of Christmas lights and team colors. Children participate in football-themed games with a holiday twist, guided by current and former players. The scent of traditional match day pies mingles with the aroma of mulled wine, creating a uniquely Preston holiday experience.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at Gawthorpe Hall (Burnley)
What to Expect:
Elizabethan manor house decorated for Christmas
Description:
Gawthorpe Hall, an Elizabethan gem, dons its holiday finest. This 16th-century manor house showcases period-appropriate decorations, offering a glimpse into Christmas celebrations of centuries past. Rooms sparkle with candlelight, reflecting off polished wood and gilt frames. Visitors can explore the hall's textile collection, one of the finest in the country, featuring intricate needlework from various eras. The great hall hosts readings of classic Christmas stories, transporting listeners to bygone eras. You'll step back in time as you wander through this beautifully preserved piece of Lancashire history.
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Penwortham Christmas Market (Penwortham)
What to Expect:
Community-driven event with local entertainment
Description:
Penwortham's close-knit community spirit shines at this charming market. Local schools and community groups perform on a central stage, showcasing homegrown talent. The market emphasizes sustainability, with many vendors offering eco-friendly and locally sourced products. Visitors can join in traditional Lancashire folk dances, a nod to the area's cultural heritage. The aroma of freshly baked Eccles cakes fills the air, tempting passersby with this regional treat. You'll experience the warmth of Lancashire hospitality as you browse stalls run by passionate local artisans and producers.
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Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival (Garstang)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-era Christmas experience
Description:
Garstang leaps back in time to the 19th century for this immersive festival. The town's historic core becomes a living museum of Victorian Christmas traditions, with residents and visitors alike donning period attire. Street vendors sell roasted chestnuts and other Victorian treats from carts, recreating the atmosphere of a bygone era. Visitors can participate in traditional parlor games popular during Queen Victoria's reign. The clip-clop of horses' hooves on cobblestone streets transports you to a different time. You'll experience firsthand how the Victorians shaped many of our modern Christmas customs.
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Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival