Discover a magical Christmas in Nottinghamshire

Sprinkle some magic on your Christmas this year with a visit to Nottinghamshire. From Santa in Sherwood Forest to ice skating, traditional pantomimes, Christmas markets, Christmas cooking courses and special events at heritage attractions including Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey. More inspiration can be found in the definitive what’s on guide on our website, www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/whats-on.

Christmas at Nottingham Castle
Located in the heart of the city centre, Nottingham Castle will come alive and host some fantastic Christmas events for all the family. Visit Santa in the Castle’s beautifully decorated Bastion (13, 14, 20 & 21 December), enjoy a delightful high tea with a festive twist (13 & 14 December), and for one weekend only the Castle and its grounds will be FREE to enter from 11am – 3pm (13 – 14 December). Charges may apply. www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/Castle

Christmas at Rufford Abbey Country Park
Historic Rufford Abbey will play host to a number of magical events this Christmas, both for adults and children alike. Help Santa’s elves find the lost decorations, part of Santa’s Christmas Trail (15 – 24 December) and Father Christmas will be in his traditional Victorian style grotto at Rufford Mill (weekends only 15 November - 21 December and 22 & 23 December), whilst the popular Winter Gift Market will be open for festive shoppers looking for that special Christmas gift (8, 9, 22 & 23 November). Charges may apply. www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Christmas at Sherwood Forest
Robin Hood’s famous Sherwood Forest has plenty of seasonal spoils during the festive period. St Nicholas will arrive on 30 November and will be in his Yuletide Grotto until 21 December (weekends only). Visitors can join in the traditional custom of Tree Dressing on 7 December, or participate in one of many festive winter walks, taking place on 14 December, 24 December and 26 December. Charges may apply. www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/christmas

Lustre
Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham: 15 – 16 November 2014
Lakeside is once again delighted to host Lustre, a prestigious event in the contemporary craft calendar which is the perfect opportunity for festive shoppers and serious collectors alike. The event features top quality work by selected UK designer makers and is a key diary date for anyone interested in discovering unique pieces of jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass, wood and metalwork. www.lakesidearts.org.uk
Admission: Weekend admission £5; State pensioners £4; Under 16s FREE

Winter Wonderland – FREE
Old Market Square, Nottingham: 20 November 2014 – 4 January 2015
For a feast of festive fun, make your way to Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland this Christmas. The luxury Christmas market features 60 bespoke Victorian styled trading cabins with an array of quality Christmas gifts from local traders and craftspeople and mouth-watering treats, timber decked walkways, two winter bars, a bandstand, lots of authentic Christmas trees, and at the centre of it all, an outdoor ice rink which will be bigger and better than ever before! The Christmas Lights Switch-On will be on Friday 21 November 2014. www.nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk

Fairy Grotto
D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, Eastwood: 25 November 2014
Come along to the birthplace of literary legend D.H. Lawrence and make your way through the enchanted wood to meet the Christmas Fairy, plus for adults, mince pies and mulled wine will be available. This event is part of the Eastwood Lights Switch-On. www.nottingham.ac.uk/dhlheritage
Admission: £4 per child

Sleeping Beauty
Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham: 28 November 2014 – 17 January 2015
This Christmas, a magical family adventure awaits you at Nottingham Playhouse. Come prepared for laughs aplenty, glitter galore and thrilling musical numbers, everything you have come to love about Nottingham Playhouse pantomime. Will Sleeping Beauty live happily ever after with the handsome prince? www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Admission: From £22.50 – £29.50

The Christmas Art and Food Market and Harley Open Studios – FREE
Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Nottinghamshire: 29 – 30 November 2014
Each market stall at the Christmas market has been selected by experts from The Harley Gallery and award-winning Welbeck Farm Shop, you are sure to find the perfect present, and at prices to suit all pockets. From traditional crafts to cutting edge design, top makers from across the country are coming to show off their work at the Art Market. Also on site, there will be a fabulous food market, focussing on local produce including beer, cheese, bread and chocolates made on the Welbeck Estate. www.harleygallery.co.uk

Santa Specials
Great Central Railway, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire: 29 November – 21 December 2014 (weekends only) and 24 December 2014
Always popular with children, all-aboard a steam-train journey through the scenic Nottinghamshire countryside, with Father Christmas. All children receive a quality gift during their journey and everyone will receive seasonal refreshments. www.gcrn.co.uk
Admission: From £10 - £18 – booking is essential

Abbey Christmas
Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire: 29 & 30 November and 5, 6 & 7 December 2014
This Christmas, experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas at Newstead Abbey, once home to the great romantic poet Lord Byron. Part of Abbey Christmas, rooms will sparkle with Christmas lights and be decorated with impressive floral displays by local florists and Father Christmas will be greeting children in his magical grotto. What’s more, between 23 December – 3 January 2015, visitors can join the magical Christmas trail around Newstead’s beautifully decorated gardens. www.newsteadabbey.org.uk  
Admission for Abbey Christmas: FREE parking, adult entrance into the house £5; child entrance into the house £2 (Under 14); there will be an additional charge to visit Father Christmas.
Admission for A Very Merry Newstead: Trail cost is £1.

Snow White
Theatre Royal Nottingham: 6 December 2014 – 11 January 2015
Join the swashbuckling line-up at this year’s Snow White at one of the most beautiful Victorian theatres in Britain. With Birds of a Feather star, Lesley Joseph playing the Wicked Queen and EastEnders heart-throb and Dancing on Ice 2011 champion, Sam Attwater, as the Prince, it’s a family tradition not to be missed! www.trch.co.uk
Admission: From £15 - £31.50

A Victorian Workhouse Christmas
The Workhouse, Southwell, Nottinghamshire: 5 & 6 December 2014
Join the staff and paupers as they prepare to celebrate Christmas in The Workhouse. Sing carols with the pauper choir, listen to stories of Workhouse life and enjoy children’s crafts, gift stalls and seasonal refreshments. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/workhouse-southwell
Admission: Adult £5, child £2.50 – booking is essential

Yuletide Wollaton Tudor Christmas Celebrations – FREE
Wollaton Hall & Deer Park: 6 – 7 December 2014
Experience a true Tudor Christmas at Wollaton Hall; meet the Lord of Misrule, taste warm mead and tasty food at the food festival and enjoy music and merriment. What’s more, for this weekend only, it will be FREE to enter the house. Additional charges may apply on certain activities and parking charges apply. www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/wollatonhall

Christmas at the School of Artisan Food
7, 8 & 15 December 2014
This Christmas, experience new festive catering skills at the School of Artisan Food, the UK’s only not-for-profit school dedicated to artisan food. Discover the art of Christmas Baking (7 & 15 December) or create your very own homemade Christmas Preserves for the festive season and beyond (8 December). www.schoolofartisanfood.org
Christmas Baking: £165
Christmas Preserves: £145

A Victorian Christmas – FREE
Framework Knitters Museum, Nottingham: 13 December 2014
Start your Christmas celebrations at the Framework Knitters Museum and step back in time and explore a magical Victorian setting. Enjoy family festive fun, traditional music, food and activities and visit Santa in his grotto, with gifts for all, for a magical day to remember. www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk