Christmas in Lancaster

Christmas in Lancaster, 25 November 2018–6 January 2019 - Visit now

If you don’t fancy forking out and heading up to Lapland for the build-up to Christmas, head down to historic and beautiful City of Lancaster for a wealth of wintry activities, guaranteed to warm your cockles for the big day. There’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy this Christmas in Lancaster.

This festive season, Dalton Square will be transformed into a magical frozen world with the installation of an ice rink around the Queen Victoria monument. During ‘Lancaster on Ice’ families will be able to enjoy six weeks of entertainment, skating, food and drink. Why not try something new, get wrapped up and learn to skate under the watchful gaze of Queen Victoria?

Dalton Square is really quite enchanting when it is lit up on a crisp winter night, making it the perfect spot for a skating wonderland. Made from real ice, the rink will take ten days to construct, and a week to dismantle.

Of course, no festive season is really complete without a trip to see a festive family show and this year’s production of Peter Pan at The Dukes is a real Christmas cracker. Suitable for ages five and over, Tinker Bell and her fairy companions have got a magical story to tell, packed full of fairy dust and songs to sing along to. Running from the 23 November to 5 January, expect mischief and magic, music and laughter in this truly special show.

Lancaster will also throw open its Castle doors during the weekend of the 15 and 16 December 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. With Lancaster’s very own Christmas market and festive entertainment, this event is certain to get you and your loved ones right into the festive swing of things. There will be bell-ringers, Victorian carol-singers, brass bands, school bands, jazz pianists and carnival street bands alongside delicious food and beverage stalls.

There will also be an opportunity for children to step into a magical winter wonderland and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus ahead of the big day. We’re thrilled that ‘Step into the Story’ returns again this year – a unique interactive grotto experience set in the glorious Lancaster Castle. Early booking for this is highly recommended.

Alternatively, The Judges’ Lodgings will play host to ‘A Victorian Christmas’. With live music and seasonal crafts, there will be the opportunity to discover Victorian Christmas traditions and meet the Butler and the Housekeeper – Santa may also pop in too.

There will also be two special guided tours of the landmark Lancaster Town Hall. Discover the hidden secrets of the Edwardian Grade II listed building as you explore parts of the building which are normally out of bounds to the public. At the end of the tour, you will be treated to mince pies and mulled wine in the Mayor’s official parlour.

See? Who needs to trek all the way to Lapland when we’ve got Christmas in Lancaster closer to home.