Add a sprinkling of seasonal joy to your diary with our pick of the best upcoming Christmas events in and around Cambridge, including festive markets, light trails, concerts and more.
From winter illuminations to Christmas shopping fairs, the region has plenty of festive fun to offer over the coming months…
Bonfire Night events in Cambridge
Fireworks Night
When: 5 November, from 6pm
Where: Midsummer Common, Cambridge
Before the Christmas events get underway, get ready for a night of firework fun. One of Cambridge’s longest-running community traditions, the climax of this free, unticketed event is a spectacular fireworks display provided by 100% carbon-neutral Pains Fireworks, which begins at 7pm.
From 6pm there will also be food vendors, a live DJ and from 6.15pm walkabout entertainment including Ghost Caribou by Thingumajig Theatre – two giant, illuminated caribou puppets that will parade through Midsummer Common before coming together for a performance featuring folk dance and shadow puppetry – and the ethereal, stilt-walking jellyfish of Sashimi by The Vortexes.
Find out more at camcityevents.co.uk
Christmas concerts and shows near Cambridge
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
When: 10 November – 23 December
Where: Fakenham, Norfolk
An award-winning extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and speciality acts, the Thursford Christmas Spectacular is well worth the journey over to Norfolk. This is its 49th year, with new routines, acts, costumes and a cast of more than 120 performers gracing the 130ft stage. With fun for all the family, you can also follow the outdoor Enchanted Journey of Light illuminated trail and indoor Santa’s Magical Journey to meet the man himself.
Find out more at thursford.com
Tony Hadley – The Christmas Big Band Tour
When: 13 November
Where: Cambridge Corn Exchange
Tony returns to the stage for a night of glamour and festive cheer, performing timeless jazz standards, swing favourites and 1980s anthems. Expect classics from legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley, alongside his big band versions of True, Gold and Through the Barricades.
Find out more at cornex.co.uk
Adam Riches – How The Bean Saved Christmas
When: 5 December
Where: Cambridge Junction J2
Back with more chaos, buffoonery and to save Christmas, once and for all. Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner Adam Riches is becoming Sean Bean again in a brand-new comedy show for 2026, following on from last year’s acclaimed The 12 Beans of Christmas.
Find out more at junction.co.uk
James B Partridge – The Big Christmas Assembly
When: 13 December
Where: Cambridge Corn Exchange
Also showing at Saffron Hall on 26 November.
Returning with a new Christmas celebration, school-teacher-turned-Glastonbury-sensation James B Partridge brings another Big Christmas Assembly to Cambridge for 2026! From Jingle Bells to This Little Light of Mine, the show blends festive favourites and primary school memories for a joyful night out, with plenty of full-voiced singalongs, feel-good vibes and nostalgic throwbacks.
Find out more at cornex.co.uk and saffronhall.com
Christmas attractions and family events in Cambridge
Christmas in Cambridge
When: 13 November – 3 January
Where: Parker’s Piece, Cambridge
Get into the festive spirit with a family day out at this returning attraction, where you can skate on an open-air ice rink, take in the views from the big wheel, challenge friends on the curling lanes, soak up the après-ski atmosphere in the Alpine Lodge and enjoy dodgems, traditional games, visits from Santa, live entertainment, a Christmas market, street food and winter warmers.
Find out more at christmasincambridge.co.uk
Audley End Enchanted Railway Christmas Special
When: 21 November – 24 December
Where: Audley End, Saffron Walden
Hop on board the train for a magical journey into the Enchanted Forest, where the spirit of Christmas awaits. Meet Father Christmas and Mother Christmas, who come bearing gifts, stroll through the Fulfen Forest bedecked with twinkle lights, make reindeer food to leave out on Christmas Eve, see the resident fairies and elves in their festive homes, and enjoy a jolly performance in the stage show. All this plus an adventure playground, warming refreshments and a classic fairground carousel!
Find out more at audley-end-railway.co.uk
Northstar S.E.N.D. Christmas Community Event
When: 29 November
Where: Cambridge Junction
Organised by NorthStar Support & Coaching to create an inclusive and welcoming Christmas experience for SEND children, young people and their families, this event will feature 30 indoor stalls, SEND-related organisations and services, sensory products, handmade Christmas gifts, family activities, cakes and treats, two outdoor food vendors and a fully staffed bar.
Find out more at junction.co.uk
Father Christmas at the Fen
When: 29 November – 23 December
Where: Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Ely
Book now to ensure you don’t miss out on this enchanting experience for little ones at Wicken Fen. Join the Elves to make a Christmas craft, then step into the homely glow of Fen Cottage, where twinkling lights, festive wonder and Father Christmas await. Every child will receive a present and there are elf dress-up opportunities too!
Find out more at nationaltrust.org.uk/wickenfen
Christmas markets & shopping fairs in Cambridge
Curated By Hand’s Annual Christmas Fair
When: 14 November
Where: The Great Hall, Homerton College, Cambridge
Curated by Hand’s third annual Christmas Fair will offer visitors the opportunity to source stunning original gifts, including one-off and limited-edition pieces from handpicked independent designers and makers renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and design – while also supporting CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education). The wide range of stalls will cover stationery, home interiors, textiles, jewellery, knitwear, leather accessories, basketry and more.
Find out more via Instagram: @curatedbyhand_cambridge
Anglian Potters Christmas Selling Exhibition
When: 14 November – 6 December
Where: All Saints’ Church, Cambridge
Anglian Potters’ much-loved Christmas selling exhibition is back at All Saints’ Church on Jesus Lane, showcasing handmade ceramics and a Charity Christmas Tree with decorations made by its members. Perfect for unique presents or to treat yourself, it’s open every day except Mondays, with free entry. Visit on the morning of the opening day for mince pies and mulled wine, or the afternoon of the closing day to enjoy a solo cellist recital.
Find out more at anglianpotters.org.uk
Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift & Food Fair
When: 19-21 November
Where: Ely Cathedral
Indulge in festive shopping, seasonal flavours and a joyful atmosphere beneath the soaring architecture of one of the county’s most spectacular landmarks! With more than a third of the 160 exhibitors new to the fair this year, you can browse and invest in artisan foods, exceptional craftsmanship and inspiring creative talent, as well as taking a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, soaking up breathtaking views from the Observation Wheel and enjoying live entertainment, mulled wine and seasonal bakes.
Find out more at elycathedral.org
Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair
When: 28-29 November
Where: The Pitt Building, Cambridge
With free entry, make the most of this opportunity to get your Christmas shopping underway (or, for the super organised among us, maybe even complete it!). Decorations, greetings cards, jewellery, crafts, ceramics, prints and more will all be available to purchase from talented makers in the historic surroundings of The Pitt Building on Trumpington Street. Open 10am until 4.30pm each day.
Find out more at cambridge.org
Mill Road Winter Fair
When: 5 December
Where: Mill Road, Cambridge
With international food and drink, local arts and crafts, family activities, dance, performers and live music across multiple main stages, as well as many busking spots, Mill Road Winter Fair is back for another true celebration of community for the festive season on one of the city’s most vibrant streets. Takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Find out more at millroadwinterfair.org
Christmas at Highland Cow Cottage
When: 5-6 December
Where: Bridge Farm, Willingham
Seeking to bring back the Christmases of our childhood, with families spending time together, handmade gifts, independent businesses, good food and a little magic, Highland Cow Cottage is holding a traditional Christmas market this year, with 70 confirmed stalls, bookable craft activities such as wreath-making, miniature train rides and visits to see Father Christmas – plus, of course, the farm’s famous Highland cows.
Find out more at highlandcowcottage.com
Christmas light trails and displays in Cambridge
The Big Christmas Lights Switch-on
When: 15 November
Where: Market Square, Cambridge
One of the highlights of the festive calendar, the city will be lit up for Christmas once again at the official switch-on time of 5pm. Hosted by Josh Lovatt and delivered by Cambridge BID, the event (held from 12-5.30pm) will also include crowd games, giveaways, entertainment by Ruby Flames performers in LED costumes, and local bands and performances on the stage, including 4D Dance, Razzamataz, Sing! Choirs and the ADC Theatre.
Find out more at cambridgebid.co.uk
Christmas at Wimpole
When: 20 November – 3 January
Where: Wimpole Estate, Royston
This after-dark illuminated trail will transform the National Trust’s Wimpole Estate into a dazzling display of twinkling lights, seasonal soundscapes and festive magic. With awe-inspiring installations including the classic Christmas Cathedral, fan-favourite Fire Garden, mesmerising Sea of Light and, new for 2026, interactive Ribbon Tunnels, there will also be a glimpse of Father Christmas, food and beverage stalls serving festive treats and warming drinks, and the sounds of Christmas filling the air.
Find out more at christmasatwimpole.co.uk
Cambridge Botanic Lights 2026
When: 27 November – 23 December
Where: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
This illuminating event returns for a fourth year, bringing the Cambridge University Botanic Garden’s beautiful plant collection and landscapes to life through light, sound and colour. The light trail will run for 17 nights, with new displays created exclusively for the Garden alongside returning favourites to highlight some of its most distinctive features. Also introduced this year are more off-peak tickets than ever before and earlier entry (4.30pm). Food and drink are provided by the cafe, as well as stalls dotted around the trail.
Find out more at botanic.cam.ac.uk
Christmas pantomimes in Cambridge
Cinderella
When: 25 November – 5 December
Where: ADC Theatre, Cambridge
Cinderella longs for the simple things in life: a loving family, a welcoming community and a bedroom without rats. But everyone except her best friend Buttons is too busy to stop for a quick chat. So when the King announces a lavish ball, Cinderella isn’t too impressed – but everything changes when she meets the shy-yet-charming Prince outside the palace gardens.
This year’s Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and Cambridge Footlights pantomime promises fun, fantasy and fits of laughter! And for an alternative approach to panto, don’t miss Cambridge Improv Factory’s Chrimprov: The Improvised Panto at Corpus Playroom from 9 to 12 December.
Find out more at adctheatre.com
Jack and the Beanstalk
When: 27 November – 3 January
Where: The Arts Theatre, Cambridge
The Trott family are down on their luck and struggling to make ends meet. After selling the beloved family cow Daisy for a handful of magic beans, Jack’s world is turned upside down when he discovers an enormous beanstalk has sprouted outside his window! Can he climb through the clouds, defeat the fearsome giant and save the people of Cambridge?
This classic panto stars Steven Roberts as Jack, Jessica Martin as Fleshcreep, Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos as Princess Jilly, Emma Williams as Fairy Sunshine, Stuart Simons as Merlin the Wizard, Matt Crosby as Dame Trott and none other than Sir Ian McKellen voicing The Giant!
Find out more at artstheatre.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty
When: 21-29 December
Where: Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden
A beautiful princess awaits her true love’s kiss to awaken her from a deep, magical slumber. But the wicked fairy has cast a spell and only the bravest heroes can break it. Will good triumph over evil? Boo, hiss and cheer as the cast and live musicians take you on a laugh-out-loud journey through panto land, with spectacular costumes, toe-tapping tunes and magical surprises at every turn.
Find out more at saffronhall.com
Looking for more local events? Discover what’s on in Cambridge this month – including art exhibitions, comedy shows, music concerts and more.
Lead image: © CUBG