From festive markets and light trails to Father Christmas himself, pantomimes and plays to winter workshops, there's so much to see and do in our region as we gear up for Christmas. Make the most of this magical season with friends and family and be sure to stop by to try our festive menus afterwards.
MEET THE 'MAIN MAN'
With help from his many elves, Father Christmas is stepping out of the workshop for a few hours here and there to meet some lucky youngsters.
He'll be travelling through the Cambridgeshire fens on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November. Make your way to Fen Cottage at Wicken Fen for a traditional meet & greet with Father Christmas and collect a festive craft pack to take home.
On weekends throughout December Audley End will be hosting Father Christmas in their drawing room. He will tell some of his favourite seasonal stories around the Christmas tree and afterwards you'll get a chance to meet him.
Get transported to Lapland itself and experience Santa’s Magical Journey at Thursford. The journey takes you behind-the-scenes in Father Christmas' workshop where teddy bears are ready to load the sleigh, and through the toy factory with the wrapping machine. After all the excitement, you will finally reach his Grotto!
LIGHT TRAILS
Pull on your woolly socks and wrap up warm for an evening in an enchanted forest or garden.
For the very first time, Markshall Estate is opening its woodland and parkland for an enchanted light display. Running from 6th - 24th December, experience over a mile of specially curated illuminations - including laser show and tunnel of light.
If you're nearer the Suffolk coast, step into the magic of Christmas at Helmingham Hall's Illuminated Garden Trail, from the 15th November to 18th December. The gardens will be transformed with not just light, but sound and colour too.
Following the success of their first-ever light show, don't miss Cambridge University Botanic Garden's lights in 2024. This captivating display brings the garden's most beloved features, such as the fountain, lake, and glasshouse, to life after dark. It's an enchanting way to connect with nature during the colder months.
Rather stay indoors? Holkham Hall by Candlelight is one of the region's most visited Christmas attractions.
As seen in our blog post, every year the hall's state rooms are transformed into a winter wonderland with different themes and Christmas trees of varying sizes at every turn.
WINTER GARDENS
As the nights draw in, bundle up and get cosy under canvas in one of our Winter Gardens. For gatherings big or small, why not throw on an extra layer, grab a blanket and enjoy evenings cosied up with friends and family.
You'll find our Winter Gardens at The Crown, Stoke by Nayland, The Globe Inn, Wells-Next-The-Sea, The Ship at Dunwich, and The Lifeboat Inn, Thornham.
The Three Blackbirds will have a smaller canvas in the front garden - perfect for a post-winter walk hot chocolate.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
One of our favourite ways to get into the spirit of Christmas is a spot of shopping at all the local markets and craft fairs throughout the season. Whether you're looking for homewares, food and drink, or gifting, you can always find something a little different for that special person.
Lavenham is a picturesque backdrop for independent shopping all year round, but this Christmas head to their Craft Market on November 23rd and November 24th (in conjunction with the Farmer's Market). Find unique, handmade gifts, and enjoy a mooch around the quaint streets.
If you're over the border in Essex, be sure to visit Colchester Christmas Market on Sunday 8th December or Saffron Walden Christmas Gift Fayre in The Square on Sunday 24th November and stop by The Eight Bells for a Sunday roast afterwards.
The Crown, Stoke-by-Nayland, is hosting its yearly Christmas Fair in their Winter Garden. With local stall holders showcasing pottery, textiles, decorations and baked goods, tuck into a mince pie and enjoy mulled wine while you have a browse on Friday 29th November.
Just half an hour from The Three Blackbirds and a short drive from Cambridge, Ely Cathedral will be hosting their ticketed Christmas Food & Drink Fair. With some slots already sold out, it's set to be an exciting few days of shopping in an impressive setting.
The largest Christmas fair in East Anglia returns again to Newmarket Racecourse on Friday 29th November for three days. Presents Galore is the ideal opportunity to find something for your Secret Santa, with over 120 gifting, homeware and food stalls present. Plus, our friends at The Bottle Shop will be there, so be sure to try a little tipple!
FESTIVALS & FAIRS
With the unique prospect of Father Christmas arriving by boat from the North Pole, Wells Christmas Tide Festival kicks off at 4.30pm on Friday 29th November with the light switch on and has a spectacular fireworks display in front of the quay afterwards. Warm up with a hot chocolate and sharing plates in our Winter Garden at The Globe afterwards.
From November 14th until January 5th Parker's Piece in Cambridge is transformed into a magical Christmas Village. Including Christmas market, ice rink, après terrace with curling lane, and many other family-friendly attractions, it will certainly get you in the spirit of things!
If you're Norfolk-based, Winter Wonderland Norwich is an event that offers a similar experience with real ice rink, market stalls, rides and observation wheel. Not only this, but this year's wonderland features a maze created by hundreds of Christmas trees and thousands of fairy lights.
WORKSHOPS
Our popular festive workshops are returning this Christmas!
Join Kirstie from Ink & Flow Studio to learn the art of calligraphy and create your own Christmas cards and tags at The Weeping Willow, near Bury St Edmunds, or The Black Lion in Long Melford at the end of November.
Or, join us at some of our pubs in December where Amelia Cornish will lead you through a festive experience of creating your own Christmas wreath to adorn your door this December, using fresh foliage and flowers. This experience includes all the materials, foliage, flowers and tools that you will need to make your festive wreath.
MUSIC & THEATRE
Snape Maltings hosts an abundance of performances in their concert hall every year and this winter they're celebrating with A Ceremony of Carols on Saturday 7th December. If you're looking for something to entertain younger members of the family, though, The Snowman is being shown alongside a live orchestra on Sunday 15th December.
Wrap up warm and join us for cosy Christmas classics under canvas at The Crown. Enjoy a Christmas romance with "The Holiday" or the family favourite "Home Alone." Tickets are just £6 so grab your family and friends!
You can't possibly forgo a trip to the pantomime during the festive period. As well as local theatres, such as The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, Hedingham Castle is putting on a pop-up performance of Beauty and The Beast on Monday 23rd December in their Ballroom Marquee.
King’s College Chapel hosts A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols every Christmas Eve in its famous walls and is broadcast on the BBC. Although you have to enter the ballot for tickets, which opened on Friday 1 November at 9am and closes on Friday 15 November at 5pm, we would recommend giving it a go, or even heading to The Backs of Cambridge on Christmas Eve just to get an essence of the atmosphere.
MURDER MYSTERY SUPPERS
Fancy yourself as a modern-day sleuth? Join us to uncover the culprit behind the mysterious pub murders... all while tucking into a three-course festive supper!
The Pantaloons are set to bring their signature blend of theatrical chaos to our pubs this November and December. The lively and mischievous theatre company will lead this fully immersive Murder Mystery Supper.
To find out more and book a spot, click here.
CHRISTMAS STAYS
Arrive to a festive welcome drink, check-in to a cosy room and settle in for the celebrations! That’s not all, our two – or three – night Christmas Stay Package includes Christmas Eve Supper, breakfast with fizz, and Christmas Day lunch. As well as a hamper of goodies and gift!
If you've made plans for the big day and would rather visit for a festive meal earlier in the month, click here.
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