What's On - Christmas Events
Celebrate the festive season with exciting Christmas events right on campus and around our campus locations ! Whether you're looking for support, to connect or make new memories, these local events are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
Ambleside
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Rydal Christmas Fayre at Rydal Mount – 5th and 6th December 10am – 4pm
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Hawkshead Christmas Fair – 6th and 7th December 10am – 4pm; see this webpage for quick guide to Christmas markets & other December events in the Lakes.
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Campus Festive Feast Day – Tues 9 December. As each campus is unique, there will be a variety of hot food specials available with a sprinkle of festive atmosphere on the 9th December. Check your local campus catering outlet for details.
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Handel’s Messiah – 13th December, Kendal Leisure Centre
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Wansfell Fell Race – 27th December; FRA kit needed for this short but tough course
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Wainwright at the Armitt December 2025 – final month of exhibition about a Lakeland legend
Barrow
- Furness Christmas Roller Disco – Friday 5th December
- Walney Festive Wonderland and Market – Sunday 8th December
- Campus Festive Feast Day – Tues 9 December. As each campus is unique, there will be a variety of hot food specials available with a sprinkle of festive atmosphere on the 9th December. Check your local campus catering outlet for details.
- Barrow Christmas Market and music – Saturday 13th December
- For December events in and around Barrow, visit All Events site
- Download the Barrow Buzz app to join the digital town hub.
Carlisle
- Fusehill St Christmas Craft Week – 1st to 5th December
- Campus Festive Feast Day – Tues 9 December. As each campus is unique, there will be a variety of hot food specials available with a sprinkle of festive atmosphere on the 9th December. Check your local campus catering outlet for details.
- Carlisle Christmas Markets – 6th December & 13th December
- Christmas Events at Carlisle Cathedral – including Christmas services, carols by candlelight, the Christmas Tree festival, craft workshops, and more.
- Festive Craft Workshops
- Cumbria Pride’s Christmas Party – 14th December
- ICAN Wellbeing - Christmas Day (25th December). The festivities will begin with walk around Bitts Park at 10.30am followed by events at the charity's Caldew Maltings base in Carlisle from 11am . Please contact Tash at natasha@icanwellbeing.co.ukto arrange your donation or book your space.
- For December events in and around Carlisle, visit All Events.
Lancaster
- Christmas Global Café – 4th December 12 to 2: celebrate culture, connection & conversation in our Lancaster campus library
- Gregson Centre December events – including Makers’ Market on 6th December & lots more
- Victorian Christmas at the Judges’ Lodgings – 6th and 7th December
- Christmas Reading Event – 9th December 12:30 – 1:30 – listen to seasonal stories & poetry & read something yourself if you would like, in our Lancaster campus library
- Campus Festive Feast Day – Tues 9 December. As each campus is unique, there will be a variety of hot food specials available with a sprinkle of festive atmosphere on the 9th December. Check your local campus catering outlet for details.
- Carols and Christmas music at St T’s – 19th December 7.00 – 8.45 pm
- Beers & Carols - 22nd December
- Community Lunch at St Thomas' Church - all welcome. 25th December 12-3.30pm
- Lancaster on Ice – skating, ferris wheel, food and drink until 4th January
- For December events in and around Lancaster, visit All Events and check out the Dukes and the Lancaster Grand Theatre listings for December and January
London (East India Dock Road)
- Victorian Santa’s Grotto – 5th to 23rd December at London Museum Docklands, includes quiet sessions.
- The Big Christmas Market – 6th December – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
- Tower Hamlets Markets – December newsletter to help plan a festive market trail.
- Campus Festive Feast Day – Tues 9 December. As each campus is unique, there will be a variety of hot food specials available with a sprinkle of festive atmosphere on the 9th December. Check your local campus catering outlet for details.
- Urban Makers Christmas Markets – 13th & 14th December – Ecology Pavilion, Mile End Park
- Sounds from our Beautiful Island – 18th December from 6.30 pm “Join Grand Union Orchestra in a joyful performance honouring the voices, cultures and shared stories of Tower Hamlets’ diverse communities”.
- Ice Rink Canary Wharf – throughout December
- Mama Goose – see schedule for availability and dates for this Stratford East panto.
- Christmas fun in Tower Hamlets parks – throughout December