FESTIVE EVENTS

christmas carols sung by a choir in a boat

Want to enjoy a truly magical and quintessentially Cantabrigian festive experience? Head to the river on 7 December to see The Traditional Punting Company’s annual Charity Christmas event, a collaboration with the choir from St. John the Evangelist that will raise money for Cambridge Little Miracles. You can watch from the river bank and donate online or book tickets on an hour-long punt and glide down the river serenaded by the incredible choir singing Christmas carols.

Now this is guaranteed to get even the biggest Grinch in the Christmas spirit – horse carriage rides around the NHRM grounds. On 13 December at the National Horseracing Museum you can visit Santa in his festive stable, enjoy seasonal treats and take part in crafts and games.

new christmas in cambridge event for 2024 — Image: Seventa Events

Christmas magic is sweeping across Cambridge, with Christmas on Parker’s Piece running until 31 Dec. The city green transforms into a full-blown winter wonderland, complete with an ice rink, festive market stalls, and an Alpine Lodge serving seasonal foodie treats. Heated domes let you watch the skating in cosy comfort, while the Après Terrace brings shuffleboard, curling and serious winter cheer — because who says you can’t sip mulled wine and throw a stone at the same time?

Step back in time and meet Father Christmas from the Victorian era at Kentwell Hall’s annual Dickensian Christmas (13/14 December). Costumed characters will bring the enchanting world of Charles Dickens to life as you stroll through beautiful rooms with decorations and roaring fires, discover how Christmas was celebrated in years gone by and enjoy carol singing at the big tree. Then it’s time to meet the main man himself and sample some festive treats.

Swan lake at the Cambridge Corn Exchange

If Christmas isn’t complete without a sprinkling of tutus and tiaras, Swan Lake is back in Cambridge. Performed by the Mergaliyev Classical Ballet Company at the Corn Exchange from 27–28 Dec, expect all the drama, romance and magical leaps you could hope for — the perfect festive finale for ballet lovers.

Choo Choo! All aboard the Polar Express or Santa Special as Mid-Suffolk Light Railway are calling it. Kids up to 10 can board the Santa Special steam train running from Brockford Station to ‘North Pole Halt’, for an individual visit to Santa at his Christmas Guards Van. Each child receives a present and the stations will be decorated in full festive style. After the train you can enjoy Christmas crafts, drinks and snacks and a complimentary mulled wine for the adults.

The festive fun is full steam ahead at Theatre Royal’s Christmas Cabin, back for its fourth year in the Arc Shopping Centre. From December, little ones aged 2–7 can join Santa and Fudge the elf in The Little Train, an interactive mini-performance where children help fix a broken toy train and sprinkle a little extra magic on the season. Full of wonder, play, and giggles, it’s the kind of festive adventure that will have the whole family grinning from ear to ear.

OUTDOORS

The countdown to Christmas is officially glowing in Suffolk & Cambs, thanks to some spectacular light trails. Cambridge Botanic Lights returns for its third year from 28 Nov – 23 Dec, turning the Botanic Garden into a dazzling after-dark celebration of plants, art, and pure enchantment — 17 nights of twinkling wonder, its longest run yet. Over in Suffolk, Kentwell Hall’s gardens shimmer with festive charm from 20 Nov – 21 Dec, where magical illuminations highlight every corner of their historic grounds. And new for 2025, Illuminate takes over Christchurch Park in Ipswich, guiding visitors along a winter-wonderland trail of inventive light installations — perfect for an evening stroll with a hot chocolate in hand and the festive spirit in full swing.

Over at Nene Park, Ferry Meadows is getting its own dose of sparkle as the Winter Festival returns from 28 Nov – 23 Dec. Expect festive tingles, added jingles, and plenty of seasonal cheer as the park transforms into a twinkling wonderland on selected dates throughout the month — the perfect excuse for a crisp, Christmassy wander.

For something a little less twinkly and a lot more cheers-y, the Cambridge Winter Beer Festival (10–13 Dec) returns with 90+ real ales, ciders, perries, craft brews, low/no options and international pours — plus plenty of food to keep you going between tastings.

WORKSHOPS

Get your festive craft fix this December with a flurry of creative workshops across Suffolk & Cambs. At The Packhorse Inn on 5 Dec, join Alicia for a cosy Festive Calligraphy Workshop complete with mulled wine, treats and a starter kit to take home — perfect for levelling up those Christmas cards. Over at Studio Bartlow on 7 Dec, Elly from Elly’s Flower Studio hosts a luxury wreath-making session, guiding you step-by-step to create a showstopper for your front door. And in Cambridge on 5 Dec, Willow Grange Farm teams up with Beth of Bumble – The Wellness Wax Co for a fragrant candle-making workshop where you’ll learn to blend essential oils and hand-pour your own aromatherapy soy candle using vegan ingredients. Festive vibes: fully guaranteed.

PANTOS

It’s panto season (oh yes it is!) and the region’s stages are serving pure Christmas chaos, glitter and giggles. Cambridge Arts Theatre kicks things off with a grand return — their newly refurbished venue reopens with a dazzling new production of Sleeping Beauty, promising all the magic and mayhem you’ve been waiting for. Over in Peterborough, New Theatre goes sky-high with Jack & The Beanstalk, a supersized spectacular packed with comedy carnage, live music and special effects the whole family will love.

Meanwhile, at Ipswich Regent Theatre, the godmother of all pantos lands with Cinderella — and she’s bringing a star-studded cast. Expect laughs from lovable Buttons (Mike “Squeaky” McClean), swoons courtesy of 90s heartthrob Lee Brennan as Prince Charming, and even Hear’Say nostalgia with Noel Sullivan as Dandini. Christmas sparkle: delivered.

And in Sudbury, the Quay Theatre serves up a cracking good time as Sudbury Dramatic Society presents Mother Goose — a fun-filled feast of boos, cheers, gags and good old-fashioned panto silliness. It’s guaranteed to be egg-cellent festive fun for the whole family.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

The Seckford Hall gala may already be off the cards (it always sells out), but don’t panic — there are still some seriously glittering ways to ring in 2026.

Over in Cambridge, the University Arms is going full old-school glamour with a sparkling reception, handcrafted canapés and a five-course feast at Parker’s Tavern, before The G and The Lizards take over the Ballroom for a proper, live-music-til-midnight celebration. NYE, but make it effortlessly elegant.

If you prefer your countdown a little cooler and more intimate, Novi is throwing a two-floor takeover — DJs in the Loft and the Terrace Bar, the whole venue open, and only 200 tickets available. A boutique NYE bash for those who like their dancing shoulder-to-shoulder and their cocktails ice-cold.

Meanwhile in Suffolk, The Marquis is doing New Year’s Eve the classic way: Champagne on arrival, a three-course dinner, a DJ to get you moving, and fireworks lighting up the sky after midnight. Pure celebratory magic.

For anyone seeking full sparkle, The Oaksmere is hosting a NYE Gala Dinner inside The Pavilion: a four-course feast, DJ-fuelled dance floor, a fireworks finale and a bubbly toast — the whole glamorous package.

And at The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham, you can toast 2026 with Champagne, canapés and a refined four-course dinner, with the bar open late for lingering celebrations.

FESTIVE EVENTS

OUTDOORS

WORKSHOPS

PANTOS

NEW YEAR’S EVE

IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?

Tinsel, tipples & top days out: your December guide to Suffolk & Cambs

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