Browse the site
Events are racking up, early decs are already appearing, and I think the general feeling is that everyone is pretty excited for Christmas this year! I know we are here at Mum’s guide to Huntingdon HQ!
Of course, you are going to want to know what is going on and where, so I bring the only festive guide you will need this year. OK, you might want the TV guide too, but this is the only other thing you’ll need!
Please remember, this has all been produced whilst things are all still open. If anything changes with restrictions, it’s worth double-checking that your chosen activities are still happening. Also, things are booking up incredibly quickly, and whilst I made sure that what I featured had spaces available at the time of writing, I can't guarantee they'll still be available!
*please note that I have linked the dates rather than the titles, so that they go to the correct event page for the date*
Get those Christmas dates planned!
Santa events
Santa’s Breakfast at Dobbies Huntingdon
4th -5th December, 11th - 12th December, 18th - 23rd December
This festive event includes breakfast for the whole family followed by fun games and a visit from Santa with a special gift for every child. This event is suited to families with children aged 10 years and under. To relax and fully enjoy the experience, families will be seated and served at their own table.
Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Huntingdon
27th - 28th November, 4th -5th December, 11th - 12th December, 18th - 23rd December
Bring your little ones along to walk through the magical outdoor woodland, spotting the Christmas characters along the way. Then be welcomed by Santa himself, plus receive a special gift.
Father Christmas at St Neots Museum
28th November, 4th December, 11th December and 18th December.
Visit Father Christmas in his grotto at the museum. Tickets can now be booked either in the museum or over the telephone (01480 214163), and cost £5 per child (this includes a wrapped gift and card from the man himself).
Santa’s Quiet Grotto at Dobbies Huntingdon
10th December
These sessions can only be pre-booked, with no queuing on the day and a reduced number of families attending in each slot.
During your visit, we'll make sure: All music is off, twinkling lights are removed or switched off, you can choose to have your child’s gift-wrapped or not, prior to your visit, we’ll email a photo of your specific Grotto to prepare children for what they will see on the day. We've worked with the charity Autism Together to support our Santa School training and we hope we can bring you a magical experience to share with your little ones.
Inflatabounce Santa Street
27th - 28th November, 4th - 5th December, 11th - 12th December, 17th - 24th December
Here at Inflatabounce we will be welcoming Santa to his Grotto on Santa Street where you have the opportunity to visit the area's biggest walk-through Grotto to meet with him.
There are enchanted flower displays, smoke machines, bubble machines, snow machines, 150 Christmas trees, miles of lights, Santa's very own bouncy castle for you to play on and our giant bauble as well as all of the friends from the North Pole.
Santa's Grotto at Skylark
27th - 28th November, 4th - 5th December, 11th - 12th December, 18th - 24th December
Our new, larger area will be transformed into a magical Christmas Grotto complete with brand new, amazing decorations.
Christmas at Hamerton Zoo
4th - 5th December, 11th - 12th December, 18th - 23rd December
Santa will be joining us for the weekends of December! Tickets are now available to book to meet Santa! Tickets include a ride on Santa's Express to the Grotto, meet Santa and receive a gift (if you're on the good list!), spend the day visiting the zoo & take part in our gingerbread trail activity!
Santa's Woodland Grotto, Hinchingbrooke
16th - 22nd December
Come and join us for our Santa's grotto, this is a truly unique experience where the outside is created in, we pride ourselves on providing a individual unique experience for every child that comes through the door.
Christmas Parties
Children's Christmas Party, Papworth
12th December
Kick start the children's Christmas with a party! Fun&Games, Disco, Buffet, Prizes and a visit from Santa with a little gift for all the children!
Kids Christmas Party at Comrades Club
19th December
A Christmas party for children up to 10years old. Come and meet Santa and get a present
Christmas Markets (and some light switch ons!)
Huntingdon Christmas Market
19th - 21st November
Sadly, the Huntingdon Christmas light switch on has been cancelled this year, however the market is still happening. The Market will be packed full of traders with unique gift ideas, delicious food, and naughty treats. There will be lots of children's entertainment and Father Christmas will be stopping by to hand out free gifts to the children.
All Saints Church Hartford Christmas Fayre
20th November
Refreshments (including light lunches), cake stall, craft stalls, hand made Christmas cards, preserves, books, jigsaws, flower arrangements, the famous 'good as new' stall, raffle, and more!
Spectacular Christmas Illuminations at Ben Burgess Ellington
25th November
Join us in our showroom from 4pm to enjoy Mulled Wine, Mince Pies and shop a wide range of great gift ideas before the big reveal at 5pm.
Knebworth Christmas Fair
26th - 28th November
The Knebworth Christmas Fair is the region's biggest festive shopping event, packed with Christmas gifts, presents for all ages and delicious festive food & drink, this really is a festive event that everyone can enjoy. See our visitor info page for ticket prices, opening times, directions and more.
St Neots Christmas Market and Lights Switch On
28th November
Christmas Markets, street food, live music, funfair, Santa’s Grotto, and not forgetting the main event, the switch on of the Christmas Lights at 5pm!
Godmanchester Town Council Christmas Lights Switch On and Market
3rd December
This is the night when we switch on the Christmas lights, hear seasonal messages from our churches, listen to our school choirs sing, and watch local children perform for us. There is a market of local community stalls with lots to buy (small Godmanchester makers, local groups and community fundraisers). There will be hot refreshments, mulled wine and mince pies available too. Father Christmas has it in his diary and will be free for the little ones to visit.
Skylark Christmas Market
4th December
Why not come on down to Skylark's Christmas Food & Gift Fayre Event this December to get in the Christmas spirit. We will have tons of special offers across the Garden Centre, samples of our local food & drink suppliers, a range of stalls, festive specials in Café Skylark & much more!
Johnsons Christmas Market
10th - 12th December
Festive family fun Christmas market is coming to Johnsons of Old Hurst!! Stalls, entertainment, kids activities, and of course lots of food and drink!
Huntingdon Festive Vegan Market
11th December
Our festive event this December will feature a variety of vegan street food, artisan bakers, craft brewers, ethical jewellers, small-batch soapers, sustainable chandlers, local artists, zero-waste champions, environmental charities + loads more.
Christmas Concerts/Cinema/Theatre
Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra - Family Christmas Concert
11th December
Family-friendly concert, including Paddington's First Concert with narrator Richard Walmsley and lots of Christmas favourites. Bring along a bear and join in the fun!
The Snowman: A Christmas Concert
8th December and 9th December
Hinchingbrooke School Music Department are proud to present The Snowman: A Christmas Concert. Come along and join us for an evening of festive music making.
Humbugged - A Christmas Carol 2
10th December
The Pantaloons present a brand new adventure that's part supernatural time-travel heist, part seasonal sequel - and all unasked for Full bar available on the night. For ages 12 and older.
Dick Whittington at The Comrades Club
12th December
Dick Whittington Pantomine at The Comrades Club in Godmanchester.
Christmas Trails!
Snowman Festival St Ives
20th November - 18th December
Join us in St Ives Town to complete the trail for the chance to win one of four £50 Townrow Department store - St.Ives. Winner will be chosen on 18th December.
Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail at Wimpole Estate
4th December - 3rd January
Come along and explore the beautiful gardens at Wimpole. Step into Percy's wellies and help him complete his winter tasks as he is busy on site with activities, games and clues along the way.
Elf Escape Wildlife Trail
4th - 31st December
Wrap up warm this December and join us here at Grafham Water for our Elf Escape Wildlife Trail! Follow the map to find the elf that has escaped from his shelf and discover some winter wildlife facts along the way! All explorers will leave with a festive surprise! ​
Christmas Crafts
Storytime & 'Night Before Christmas' Footprint Plate
26th November
Come along with your little ones for a Festive Storytime with the wonderful Emma Page from Storytime with Molly in partnership with Usborne Books. Emma will be reading the Christmas classic 'Night Before Christmas'. After the story we will take your little one's footprint for our popular 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' plate ready for us to decorate and be turned into a cute mouse complete with a quote from the book and pine needles.
Storytime & Paint - Christmas Decorations
26th November
Come and listen to a classic Christmas tale told by the wonderful Emma Page from Story Time with Molly in partnership with Usborne Books. After the story, it's time for your little one to paint characters from the story, a reindeer and a Father Christmas tree decoration - both will look fab on your tree once fired or you could give them as gifts to Granny etc! You will also get a First Christmas Colouring Book to take home!
Christmas Angels Workshop, St Neots
23rd - 24th December
In this workshop, we'll be using collage, old papers, and printing to help you to make your very own Christmas angel decorations! Perfect to hang on your tree. Suitable for ages 4+
Christmas Specials!
The North Pole Cambridge
19th November - 3rd January
Cambridge's very own winter wonderland is completely free to enter and has everything you need to start feeling festive! Alongside our ever-popular ice rink this year, we are pleased to introduce some new, exciting attractions, an ice bar, more traditional, festive rides and an ice slide! There will be Christmas markets, specialty food nights and a variety of festive rides.
Magical Sleigh Ride in VR - Cambridge
20th November - 24th December
Come and explore Santa's Secret HQ where all the elves live and the Christmas magic happens... Slip, slide, fly and glide through Lapland and make sure Santa doesn't spot you!
Lap of Lights
26th November - 3rd January
Buckle up and follow Santa's journey around the world in a Christmas lights show like no other. Our award-winning and sell-out festive attraction returns, and there's even more magic added for 2021.
Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights 2021
3rd - 5th December, 10th - 11th December, 17th - 19th December
Nature by Night. Nature by Light. Come and help celebrate our tenth year of Winter Lights.
Christmas Animal Antics at Herring Green Activity Farm
11th - 23rd December
Join us this Christmas for some Festive fun on the farm!
Enjoy some festive animal antics including meeting and handling our owls, pat a pet with our rabbits and guinea pigs, animal encounters, have a go at flying an owl, Christmas crafts and flying displays.
