Christmas in Nottingham & Nottinghamshire 2026:

A Legendary Season Awaits

Nottinghamshire is ready to sparkle this festive season with a host of brand-new Christmas events, enchanting light trails, family experiences, and magical performances. Whether you’re visiting for a day or planning a seasonal getaway, Nottinghamshire's got something for everyone – from wreath-making workshops to pantomimes, Santa encounters, immersive illuminations, and festive concerts.

Here’s our full guide to Christmas 2026 across Nottinghamshire, curated to make planning your festive adventures simple and fun.

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Legendary Events at Historic Venues

Step back in time and enjoy the magic of Christmas at some of Nottinghamshire’s most iconic historic locations.

Christmas at Nottingham Castle
28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Local Choirs, schools & community groups, market stalls offering festive food & drink and a range of festive entertainment.

Newstead Abbey – Enchanted Christmas
28 November 2026 - 3 January 2027 
Wander through fairytale-themed installations in the historic house, browse craft stalls, enjoy afternoon teas, and take part in seasonal trails. Perfect for a festive family outing.

Christmas at Wollaton Hall
25 November 2026 - 3 January 2027
Join Wollaton Hall for an array of seasonal activies such as the Wollaton Winter Light Trail and more!

Christmas at Bassetlaw Museum
26 November – 20 December 2026
Explore the rooms and galleries, adorned with festive garlands and twinkling Christmas trees.

The Library at Christmas – Bromley House Library
10 & 17 December 2026 | 6pm & 7pm
Discover the collections, hear about secrets from the shelves and members from the past, and enjoy the historic features of this literary gem.

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Festive Workshops & Creative Fun

Get hands-on this Christmas with wreath-making, bauble decorating, and more.

Festive Wreath Making – Lakeside Arts
12 December 2026
£70 including materials
Design a modern wreath that's completely unique to you, using fabric and recycled materials.

Scandi Star Workshop
Sunday 25 October, Saturday 7 & 28 November 2026 | 2pm - 5pm
£38 per person
Design, hole-punch and construct your own traditional Swedish-style paper star light.

Wreath Making Workshop – Sherwood Forest
21 November 2026 | 1pm – 3pm
£56 per person (£45 RSPB members)
Bring a unique piece of the forest home for Christmas and learn a new skill at the same time!

Luxury Christmas Wreath Masterclass – Hart’s Hotel & Kitchen
25 November 2026 | 10.30am – 3pm
£120
Led by Rebecca from The Botanical Flower Studio, discover how to create a beautiful bespoke wreath using seasonal foliage, natural textures and decorative details.

Watercolour: Cat or Dog in a Christmas Hat – Patchings Art Centre
24 November 1, 8 & 15 December 2026
£30 per person
A mindful watercolour workshop with artist Paula Bell – paint a playful festive pet.

Wreath Making Workshop – Stubton Hall
26 November 2026
Craft your very own bespoke wreath while enjoying delicious seasonal treats and soaking up the magical festive atmosphere.

Silly Christmas Decoration Workshop – Lakeside Arts
12 December 2026
£10 (with free adult ticket)
Create your very own quirky Christmas decorations, think cheeky Brussels sprouts and jolly Christmas puddings bursting with personality.

Xmas Biscuit Baking - Green's Windmill and Science Centre
Saturday 19 December & Sunday 20 December 2026 | 10.15am - 2.30pm
Price: £4 per child
Bring the kids to bake some festive biscuits in this fun Christmas inspired workshop. With a variety of themed cookie cutters to choose from! 

Children's Bread Baking - Green's Windmill & Science Centre
Thursday 31 December 2026 & Saturday 2 January 2027 | 10.15am - 2.30pm
Pric: £4 per child
Bring the kids to bake their very own delicious bread in this fun children's bread baking workshop. 

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Christmas Light Trails & Illuminations

Experience Nottinghamshire sparkling in lights this festive season.

Light Post Farm
21 November – 23 December 2026
Wander through a 1km illuminated farm trail, surrounded by festive lights and seasonal magic.

Wollaton Winter Light Trail
25 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Experience immersive installations, soundscapes, fairground rides, food vendors, and marshmallow toasting on this spectacular festive trail through Wollaton Hall’s grounds.

The Lights of Abraham – Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath
20 November – 30 December 2026 | 4pm – 8pm (last entry 7pm)
Take a moonlit cable car ride across the river before exploring illuminated gardens, boardwalks, and woodland paths at the summit.

Sky Kingdom: A Dragon Drone Light Show
5 December 2026 | 6.30pm
Watch breathtaking dragon formations soar through the sky with this spectacular new drone light show arrives at Trent Bridge.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Drone Light Show
28 November 2026 | 2pm – 8pm
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer takes to the skies in a spectacular drone light show at Nottingham Racecourse.

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Winter Wonderland & Festive Markets

Nottingham Winter Wonderland – Old Market Square
12 November – 31 December 2026
Nottingham's Winter Wonderland brings the magic of Christmas to Old Market Square with all the festive favourites including Ice rink, Sky Skate path, dedicated children’s rink, Ice Bar, chalets, market stalls, rides, and more.

Vantom Village Christmas Market
6 – 8 November 2026
Explore 75+ independent vendors, enjoy live cookery shows, fantastic seasonal food and drink, music, entertainment and plenty more throughout the Village.

Rufford Abbey Country Park
21 & 22 November 2026. A festive parade, vintage fairground rides, a Christmas Elf Showcase, Sing Along Show, festive eats and treats and the Mini Courtyard Christmas Market.

Renaissance at Kelham Hall
29 November 2026
En indoor market, offering a selection of festive gifts and treats, Santa’s grotto to meet the big man, festive food and drinks, live music and much more!

Christmas Craft Fayre – Framework Knitters Museum
5 December 2026
Meet Santa and explore a festive craft market, showcasing handmade seasonal gifts. The Parker’s Yard café remains open, serving hot drinks, seasonal treats, and hearty meals.

Christmas at Clipstone
5 December 2026
Twinkling lights, festive music, a delicious selection of hot food and drink, unusual gifts, and the chance to meet Santa.

East Markham's Craft & Produce Fair 
5 December 2026 
Local artisans, crafters and producers selling unique handmade jewellery, home décor, knitted clothing, candles, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, cheese, freshly baked goods and other delicious treats.

Stubton Hall’s Christmas Market
6 December 2026
A beautiful selection of artisan gifts, local makers, festive food and seasonal entertainment.

Yuletide Night Markets
28 November & 12 December 2026
Sneinton Market's Yuletide Night Markets will bring light, creativity and joy to Nottingham, with handmade gifts, festive flavours and more than a little of the weird, wonderful, and spooky.

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Family Fun

Aladdin – Nottingham Playhouse
27 November 2026 – 16 January 2027
Join the cast of Aladdin on a magical ride to a far-off land and find out if he can prove himself to the princess as they take on the wicked sorcerer.

Jack and the Beanstalk – Theatre Royal
28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Follow Jack and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to find out if he can outwit the evil giant and win riches beyond his wildest dreams.

Goldilocks and the 3 Bears – Nottingham Arts Theatre
5 – 20 December 2026
This year Goldilocks swaps her porridge-eating ways for life under the big top when she runs away to join the circus.

The Snowsmith – Lakeside Arts
5 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
A festive tale full of breathtaking puppetry, live songs, folk music, and captivating storytelling, suitable for children aged 4+.

Family Saturday EXTRA!: St Nicholas Christmas – National Civil War Centre
5 December 2026
Create your own Christmas cards, craft a Christmas wreath and make decorations to bring a little extra sparkle to your celebrations.

A Christmas Carol – Norwood Park
Friday 11 & Saturday 12 December 2026
A timeless Dickens classic brought to life through illusion, music and spine-tingling storytelling.

Festive Penguin Trail – Green's Windmill & Science Centre
Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Wednesday 23, Thursday 24, Wednesday 30 & Thursday 31 December 2026 | 10am - 3pm each day
Join Green's Windmill's Penguin Trail and get set for a festively fun time. On this magical adventure explore the science centre, mill yard and community garden for the plucky penguins. 

Christmas at Discobowl Nottingham
November – December 2026
Enjoy a game of bowling or two or add a round of Golf, followed by a delicious pizza to share and a drink for every guest. The perfect choice for a fun-filled Christmas celebration.

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Seasonal Dining

Malt Cross Festive Feast + Beer & Carols
7 – 10 December 2026 | 5pm
Festive Feast (£34pp) followed by Beer & Carols (FREE). Enjoy a festive menu, mulled wine, carol sing-alongs, and festive cheer, supporting YMCA.

Festive Dinner – Holiday Inn Nottingham
24 November – 31 December 2026
A delicious three-course festive dinner, festive novelties and all the flavours of Christmas.

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Unique Christmas Experiences

Ding Dong Merrily and Die: A Festive Murder Mystery – National Justice Museum
28 November – 19 December 2026 | 6pm
£62.50 per person
Step into 1950s Nottingham and solve a festive murder mystery while enjoying a three-course Christmas meal and cocktail or mocktail.

Christmas Murder Mystery – Kelham Hall
3 December 2026
£60 per person
An immersive festive dining experience, a glitter‑drenched, laugh-out-loud, interactive Murder Mystery spectacular.

Christmas Ghost Hunt
Friday 4 December 2026 | 7pm - 1am
Enjoy a two hour ghost tour through Nottingham City Centre going inside some of the most historic and haunted locations. Learn the history, folklore, ghost stories of this fantastic locations, including some Christmas tales.

Evening Talk: A Merry Noyse at Christmas – National Civil War Centre
8 December 2026 | 7pm
Through a fascinating presentation of historical seasonal music, A Merry Noyse will explore the world of the Town Waits and the civic bands that followed them, revealing what their music can tell us about everyday life, civic pride, entertainment and social change from the medieval period to the dawn of the modern age.

Festive Fixtures – Southwell Racecourse
December 2026
Enjoy both thrilling jumps racing and all-weather flat racing, with live music on selected dates to add to the festive atmosphere.

Christmas Overdrive Car Show – Vantom Village
6 December 2026 | 11am – 3pm
A relaxed seasonal meet packed with great cars decorated with lights and festive touches, Christmas atmosphere, music, food and plenty of photo-worthy moments.

Murder Behind the Curtain - Nottingham Central Library
15 December 2026 | 7pm - 9pm
£10 per person
Join crime novelist and interactive mystery host Jo Middleton for an evening of clues, suspects and amateur sleuthing and find out whodunnit!

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Nottinghamshire is ready to light up your Christmas, from glittering historic venues to immersive light trails, family adventures, and festive workshops.

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