Events in and around Cambridge during the Festive Season
Cambridge is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe in the Summer but it also comes alive at Christmas time with smells of festive food, beautifully lit streets and buildings, festive punting and even the world-famous Carols from King’s College. There really is an abundance of events and experiences across Cambridge and the surrounding area in these winter months.
Here is guide with a few of the festive dates you may want to add to the diary.
Cambridge Science Park Christmas Market
When: Thursday 1st December between 11:30 and 14:00.
Where: The Trinity Centre, Cambridge Science Park Milton Road, Cambridge, Cambs CB4 0FN
The Christmas Market on the Science Park is open to everyone and will be held in the marquee next to the Trinity Centre on the Park. Free mince pies and mulled wine for Park members, alongside a selection of local businesses to help you tick those presents off your list. The foodPark will also be in attendance, with food trucks offering a variety of delicious food.
Onsite parking available
Festive Afternoon Tea
When: Throughout December
Where: Hilton Cambridge City Centre
A British Classic with a Festive Twist
When all the shopping and wrapping is done, take a well-deserved break with our special festive themed afternoon tea. Relax with your friends while you nibble on the fabulous Hilton seasonal treats.
Why not add a glass of fizz to toast the day?
Available on selected days throughout December.
£24 per person for Afternoon Tea.
Add a glass of champagne for£10.
Vegan options available.
Mill Road Winter Fair Art Exhibition
When: 3rd December
Where: Mill Road, Cambridge
At the 2022 Fair, Donkey Common they will have a mix of food and drink, market and craft stalls.
Petersfield Green will also have food and drink, market and craft stalls, plus the mysterious, meditative labyrinth. At Covent Garden, there will be a full day of film screenings in the ARU Drama Centre. There will be tours of Mill Road Cemetery at 11.30am and 2.00pm, and Mill Road History Society will also run a history tour at 8.45am the morning of the Fair.
Ditchburn Gardens will have live music, craft stalls, hot food and mulled wine. Nearby, the Cambridge Mosque on Mawson Road will host activities, and the Salvation Army Centre on Tenison Road/Mill Road will have an indoor children’s venue, live music, refreshments, and indoor stalls.
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Christmas Punt and Hunt
When: 3rd until the 31st of December.
Where: Landing Stage Thompsons Ln, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB5 8AQ
This is ideal if you are staying at one of our apartments with the family. This punting experience is child-friendly, full of festive spirit and cheer, with magical stories throughout. So get your Christmas jumpers on and prepare to take to the waters aboard an iconic punt on the rivers of Cambridge.
Visit Traditional Punting Company for more information and booking.
A Baroque Christmas
When: 4th December 2022 / from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: ST Andrews Church, Wimpole Royston SG8 0BW, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire SG8 0BW
Take in the atmospheric surroundings of St Andrew’s Church, Wimpole for a festive concert of Baroque music.
The programme features seasonal vocal and instrumental works including arias from Handel’s Messiah, a pastoral recorder concerto by Telemann, music for Trumpet and traditional french Christmas carols by Charpentier.
Adults £20.50, Students £10.50, Children (under 18) Free
Mulled wine and mince pies will be served.
For ticket enquiries, please email eboracumbaroque@gmail.com or call 07827 207 150. We are a small organisation but will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Christmas at Wimpole
When: 25th November 2022 to 1st January 2023 / Doors 0pen from 4.30pm, last entry 8pm and closes at 10pm.
Doors close on 5, 6, 25 December
Where: Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW
The popular Wimpole Christmas lights trail, which runs from 25 November 2022 until 1 January 2023, features an array of installations from artists across Europe. The magical trail, featuring spectacular light installations and enchanting visitors with seasonal Christmas classics, will transform the Wimpole estate’s landscaped grounds and garden. This is another fabulous family day out not a short drive from Cambridge city center.
For more info on Christmas at Wimpole or to book Wimpole Christmas light tickets, visit christmasatwimpole.co.uk
Christmas Wine Tasting with Bill Brogan
When: Tue, 6 Dec, 18:00–19:00
Where: Market House Cambridge 12 Market Hill Cambridge CB2 3NJ
Bill Brogan will be hosting another ‘Christmas Wine Tasting’ on 6 Dec 2022 featuring 6 hand-selected great wines for the festival season.
Limited spaces available. Pre booking required via the Market House website.
Before his 17 years’ tenure at St John’s College Cambridge, Bill worked in many aspects of hospitality, from the Four Seasons Hotel Group to ICI (which then split into ICI and AstraZeneca) and P&O. He kept a Michelin Star at Le Talbooth, as the youngest chef to do so at the time, and also received a Catey award – the Oscar of the hospitality industry. Bill has been judging for London International Wine Competition since the 1990s.
Christmas Jumper Speed Dating
When: Wednesday 7th Dec – 36-55 years / Starts at 7pm
Where: Hidden Rooms Cocktail Lounge, 7b Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BA
This is a bit of fun for anyone single that would like to meet someone local during the festive season. This year speedater are running Christmas Jumper Speed Dating. So grab your reindeer sweater or your Frosty The Snow Man hoodie and come along to meet the other fine and eligible singles looking for love.
Hidden Rooms is a unique cocktail lounge, which is famous for its prestigious spirits, creative cocktails, and bespoke events in the heart of beautiful Cambridge. It’s time to relax, make real life connections and meet your perfect partner in crime!
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Winter Lights at Anglesey Abbey
When: From Friday 9th December – Wednesday 21st December
Where: Anglesey Abbey Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB25 9EJ
A beautiful, sensory after-dark journey that brings the gardens and creatures of Anglesey Abbey to life in all their wonder.
Anglesey Abbey’s biggest annual fundraiser is back for 2022. From Friday 9 – Wednesday 21 December we invite you to join us for an enchanting, magical celebration of the natural world. An alternative to traditional Christmas experiences ‘Nature by Night, Nature by Light’ is a beautiful, sensory after-dark journey that brings the gardens of Anglesey Abbey to life in all their wonder.
Lots of delicious food and drink available to indulge in whilst you enjoy the lights as well as a variety of artists and performers.
Festive Arts & Crafts Fair
When: 10th December 10.30am – 4pm
Where: The Exhibition Hall, The Guildhall Cambridge Market Square, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 3QJ
A chance to discover unique, handmade gifts from local artists and join us for festive refreshments.
Discover unique, handmade gifts from local artists and support the work of local charity, Cambridge Community Arts.
Put A Little Love In Your Heart: Christmas Concert 2022
When: 10th December – 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: St. Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 43 St. Andrew’s Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AR
Sing! Community Choir are putting on an evening of fun and festive music as part of their 10th anniversary while supporting Cambridge Acorn Project.
The concert will include some favourite festive tunes as well as a joyful selection of pop and gospel numbers – from Queen to Bonnie Tyler and beyond! And as if that wasn’t enticement enough, there will also be homemade cake to help get the audience into the Christmas spirit.
Book your tickets here
Christmas Carols at the Leper Chapel
When: Sun 11th December 4pm-5pm
Where: Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8JJ
In Steam at Christmas — Cambridge Museum of Technology
When: Sun, 11 Dec, 10:30 am–4 pm
Where: Cambridge Museum of Technology, Entrance on Riverside. The Old Pumping Station, Cheddars Ln, Cambridge CB5 8LD
A great day out for all the family. Have all your senses stimulated by the magnificent engines running in public following an extensive restoration program. This has been made possible by many 1000’s of volunteer hours and over £100,000 funding from local donations, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England. The museum will also have other visiting steam engines such as William the road roller.
They plan to run the Hathorn Davey engine in short burst throughout the day starting at 11.30.
There is an exciting range of hospitality at Cambridge Museum of Technology. The even say the best coffee in Cambridge available all day in the Museum lower yard. Craft beer and wood fired pizza from 12.00 in the Engineer’s House gardens overlooking the river.
Book your tickets in advance here
Music For A While – A Candlelit Concert at Stapleford Granary
When: Monday 12th December | 7:45pm
Where: Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, Stapleford, Cambridgeshire, CB225BP
The concert opens with two pieces by Purcell – a pioneering early concert work for trumpet and a thrilling set of variations – and features arias from Bach’s much-loved exploration of the Christmas story. A generous selection of pieces from Handel’s perennial favourite The Messiah brings this glorious programme of festive music to a close.
Note: currently sold out but returns may be available. Info here
Live At Christmas (Festive Comedy Show)
When: Thursday 15th December / Doors Open: 18:30 – Starts: 19:30 / Tickets: £28
Where: Cambridge Corn Exchange, Wheeler Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QE
It’s nearly Christmas and the country’s best comedians are going on tour for a spectacular all-star festive show!
Legendary BAFTA and Perrier award winning comedian Dylan Moran headlines this year’s incredible Live At Christmas line-up. You’ll be floored as he takes you on a joyously furious romp through the frustration and folly of modern day life.
Joining Dylan is an astounding bill with Last Leg regular and Live At The Apollo star Rosie Jones, breakout Taskmaster star Mike Wozniak, multi-award winning Celya AB and podcast hero and all-round vibe magnet John Robins as host.
More information and Booking Here
Christmas Market and Fun Fair
When: Friday, 16th Dec, 16:00–19:30
Where: University of Cambridge Primary School, Eddington Ave, Cambridge CB3 0QZ
The annual Christmas market and fun fair. Enjoy a hot mulled wine or hot chocolate whilst you browse the market stalls, or the children enjoy one of the fairground rides or activities.
The school choir will be performing Christmas carols to get you into the festive spirit. Come and enjoy some Street food, mulled wine, beer or perhaps warm yourself up with a hot chocolate made with real chocolate!
Book your ticket in advance here
Paint Christmas
When: 21st December / 7.30pm – 10pm
Where: Station Tavern, 2 Station Square, Cambridge, CB1 2GA
Your sip & paint event at The Station Tavern, Cambridge will be themed around Annie Dalton‘s Banksy-inspired Christmas Flying Balloon Girl painting! Forget the stencil, show us your inner rebel.
Unleash your creativity – wine glass in one hand, paint brush in the other. No experience needed!
Your PopUp Painting experience in Cambridge will include:
- All art supplies – including paint, brushes, canvas and apron
- Guidance from a practicing artist – but feel free to go off-piste!
- A themed playlist to immerse you in your experience
- Drinks are available for purchase
- Your canvas is yours to keep. Hang it with pride!
Booking available here £34.99
Which ever events you decide to go to have a wonderful time exploring all that Cambridge has to offer this festive season.
