Christmas in Lancaster

Sarah Gaffney-Lang, Families Editor

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Christmas in Lancaster

23 November 2019-5 January 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Ice rink - part of Christmas in Lancaster
The Borough Lancaster
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Visit the historic and beautiful City of Lancaster this December for a true winter wonderland that would warm the cockles of even Scrooge himself.  There’s a wealth of wintry activities taking place, guaranteed to get the whole family in the festive spirit this Christmas in Lancaster.

After the success of last Christmas, Lancaster on Ice will be returning for a second year, but this time with an even bigger ice rink – skates at the ready! Taking ten days to construct, Dalton Square will be transformed into a magical frozen world. The tipi will be back and families will be able to enjoy six weeks of entertainment, skating, food and drink, all under the gaze of Queen Victoria herself, sitting proudly in the centre of the Square.

Christmas in Lancaster

If all the talk of ice and winter is too much then warm up with a visit to the fabulous Dukes Theatre for the perfect festive family treat – Cinderella: A Fairytale. This new production presents the classic story with a thoroughly modern twist (thank goodness!), including glass slippers being replaced with Doc Martens. The Dukes are also presenting a special sing-along-with screening of Jim Henson’s much loved Christmas classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol, set in the beautiful surroundings of Lancaster Priory, on 6th December.

During the weekend of 14th and 15th December Lancaster will throw open its Castle doors for Christmas at the Castle. The Christmas at the Castle market and courtyard will be free to enter and will play host to a range of festive family activities, as well as music from bell-ringers, Victorian carol-singers, brass bands, jazz pianists and a carnival street band. With 50 stalls from local and regional artisans and makers, this is your perfect opportunity to find some unique gifts for Christmas.

Festive spirit is overflowing in Lancaster this Christmas so get the kids wrapped up warm, order yourself a mulled wine and enjoy.

Where to go near Christmas in Lancaster

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

texture logo
Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Bradford
Park
Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

What's on: Families

Until
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Refract 25 at Waterside

Back for 2025, Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for six days of experiential performance and cultural delight.

Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts
FamiliesManchester
Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts

A free day of bizarre behaviour and exciting live performance at Z-arts. Expect the unexpected. Playful, unpredictable, and not easily forgotten.

Free entry

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