Sleigh bells are ringing, and the children are singing, it’ll soon be Christmas time in Lancashire and our attractions can’t wait to welcome you.

Christmas is one of the most magical times of year, and you will find a whole range of great events across Lancashire to help you get into the festive spirit. Whether you are looking for an opportunity to see Santa, a festive market to grab the perfect gift, or the traditional Christmas pantomime that the whole family can enjoy, Lancashire has it all to offer. Some of these great events need to be booked in advance, with times selling out fast – so plan your magical Christmas today!

Take a look at a selection of great events below, or check out visitlancashire.com or the Visit Lancashire Events Guide to discover even more fantastic activities you can enjoy between now and the end of the year.

SOME OF LANCASHIRE’S TOP EVENTS

12th November – 24th December
Santa’s Grotto Experience at Ribby Hall Village
Kirkham, Lancashire
https://www.ribbyhall.co.uk/holiday-with-us/winter-wonderland-2023/santas-grotto-experience

Head to Ribby Hall this Christmas to meet elves, reindeer and Santa Claus himself! The resort will be transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland for the ultimate Santa’s Grotto experience.  Walk through the magical festive woodland to find the elves and make your way to the grotto, where you can collect reindeer dust, cast magical spells and write your Christmas list under the guidance of the Head Elf.

After your meet and greet with the big guy himself, you can head to the Wild Discovery (additional fee applies) to meet Santa’s reindeer and more amazing animals.

Price: £25 per child  
Where to eat nearby: Grab a bite to eat at one of the fantastic dining options at Ribby Hall like Terrazza, or wrap the day up with a trip into Blackpool to catch the Illuminations and enjoy fish and chips on the promenade from Harry Ramsden’s

17th November – 22nd December
Lot 13 – A Christmas Ghost Story
Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury, Lancashire
https://www.samlesburyhall.co.uk/things-to-do/events

Lancashire's most haunted hall will once again become the backdrop for A Ghost Story for Christmas when a brand new spine-tingling seasonal play titled Lot 13 opens at Samlesbury Hall, near Preston, in December 2023.

Lot 13 is adapted from the legendary tale of The Mistletoe Brough, with additional plotlines taking the audience from the modern day to the roaring 1920s. Guests will be guided through the historic Hall’s “Christmas Auction” of antiques, but not everything is as it seems… Christmas and ghost stories go hand in hand and Samlesbury Hall is the spookiest place to bring that to life.

Price: £22.25
Stay or eat nearby: Treat yourself to the ultimate getaway by combining the evening ghost story with a spa break at nearby Stanley House Hotel & Spa complete with meal at Mr Fred’s Bar & Lounge

15th November – 17th December
Artisan Markets
Holden Clough Nurseries, Clitheroe, Lancashire
https://www.holdenclough.com/events

Find the perfect gift at Holden Clough Nurseries this Christmas period. The Nurseries are holding a variety of special artisan markets, named for the season as Ribbon, Bauble, Nutcracker, Fairy and Pudding, on weekends throughout November and December, all of which will be ideal for finding gifts for your loved ones.

The markets will feature local craftspeople, designers and food and drink producers selling wares from Lancashire and beyond for you to take home and enjoy or pass on to friends and family. They are a fantastic way to meet the people behind the gifts and hear the stories that go into the creation of the unique products on offer. 

Price: Free
Where to eat nearby: After a day of shopping and a bite to eat in the Reading Room at lunchtime, treat yourself to an evening meal at La Locanda in nearby Gisburn.

17th November – 1st January
Christmas by the Sea
Blackpool, Lancashire
https://www.visitblackpool.com/things-to-do/christmas-in-blackpool/christmas-by-the-sea/

Not only can you enjoy the dazzle of the illuminations in Blackpool this December, but you can also join in with the festivities at Christmas by the Sea. Head down to the Festival Headland to shop in the Christmas Chalets, marvel under simulated snowfalls, glide on the free skating rink, zip down the snow slide, and take a ride on festive trams.

There is so much to do and see during Christmas by the Sea, and it really will make visitors realise that Blackpool is not just for the summer months. In addition to all the festivities on the Festival Headland, you can visit Houndshill for your Christmas shopping needs, and check out some of Blackpool’s other attractions such as the Blackpool Tower, or battle it out to see who is the best at wizarding golf at the Hole in Wand Blackpool.

Price: free
Where to eat nearby: There are so many great options for food in Blackpool, why not treat yourself to an award winning meal at Michael Wan’s Mandarin.

18th November – 10th December
Christmas Markets at Brindle Distillery
Chorley, Lancashire
https://www.visitlancashire.com/whats-on/brindle-distillery-christmas-markets-p988670

Expect a real Lancashire welcome at the Brindle Distillery Christmas Markets. With a true community feel, these markets are perfect for picking up a Christmas gift, sampling some great Lancashire produce and treating yourself too. In addition to the chance of picking up some Lancashire Tourism Award winning gin, you will find the award winning Bee Centre honey and a variety of other stalls and food vendors.

Price: free

24th November – 31st December
A Christmas Carol
The Dukes Lancaster, Lancashire
https://dukeslancaster.org/whats-on/theatre/a-christmas-carol

A cosy night at the theatre is one of the best ways to celebrate the festive season with friends, if you are looking for something a little different to the traditional pantomimes that crop up across the country during December, a trip to The Dukes will be just the ticket.

This Christmas season The Dukes will play host to Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three spirits. Unwrap the magic of this story with a musical adaptation featuring toe-tapping music, festival fun and a touch of the Christmas spirit. The historic story is perfect for the city of Lancaster, where you can explore the kings castle in the North, quirky shops and magical museums.

Price: from £18
Where to eat nearby: Right round the corner from the theatre you will find a marvellous menu at The Borough, including an extensive range of drinks and a friendly atmosphere

25th November – 24th December
Santa Specials
East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall, Lancashire
https://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/santa-trains/

Make your visit to see Santa extra special this year with the Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway.        

Start the journey at Bury Bolton Street Station, which will be turned into a beautifully decorated winter wonderland, say hello to Mrs Claus and drop by to see the talking Christmas Tree, you can stop by the choir of singing polar bears too before embarking on the Santa Special train. This 80-minute stream train where you will meet some of your favourite Christmas characters, get the chance to join in some festive tunes with the onboard brass band, and enjoy a visit from the big man himself with enough time to talk through your Christmas wishes and take a santa selfie or two. Grown ups will be treated to a festive tipple and a mince pie, while children will enjoy a fruit shoot and chocolate.

Price: from £23
Where to eat nearby: Pay a visit to Lancashire’s first community owned freehouse, The Dog Inn at Belthorn provides exceptional views and a great menu for you to enjoy.

25th November – 7th January
Lancaster on Ice
Lancaster, Lancashire
https://www.facebook.com/Lancasteronice/

Ice skating in a historic square, with Christmas tunes and a fantastic bar nearby, what more could you want for your Christmas festivities?

In addition to the beautiful ice rink all lit up under the Town Hall’s gaze, Lancaster on Ice offers fair ground rides complete with Big Wheel, stalls and a tipi bar for visitors to enjoy. Located close to the city centre visitors can also do their Christmas shopping in a number of quirky boutiques to grab something more unique for their loved ones.

Price: TBC
Where to eat nearby: You won’t struggle to find great places to eat in Lancaster, during the day there are many fantastic coffee shops including the historic Music Room café to eat in and by night a range of great restaurants; why not treat yourself at Quite Simply French

1st – 31st December
Festive Afternoon Teas
Parbold, Lancashire
https://www.wrightingtonhotel.co.uk/christmas-party-nights-wigan/#6 

Enjoy the perfect hideaway this season and head to The Wrightington, where you can find top class facilities and an afternoon tea like no other!

The Wrightington’s Festive Afternoon Teas are served throughout December and feature a number of festive sandwiches, wrapped chipolatas, mini mince pies, Christmas cake, biscuit stars and chocolate brownies, in addition to cinnamon dusted homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve. Warm mulled wine or prosecco can be added to the standard menu and the tea is served in the stylish Bennett’s Restaurant right on site. Coupled with beautiful rooms, a fantastic evening menu and a luxury spa that can all be found at the hotel, these afternoon teas make the ideal hideaway for anyone looking to relax before the hustle and bustle of Christmas really gets underway.

Price: from £20.50

2nd – 23rd December
Sail with Santa
WWT Martin Mere, Ormskirk, Lancashire
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/whats-on/sail-to-santa-4

Enjoy an extra special trip to Santa this December with the WWT Martin Mere Sail to Santa days. Sail over to Santa’s Island to meet the big guy and his elves, get busy in the elves’ workshop making a pine cone bird feeder, decorate a wooden Christmas tree decoration and make your own reindeer food!
Combine your ticket with admission into the WWT Centre, where you can meet the flamingos, giant otters and the birds and ducks that call the centre home, play on the playgrounds and visit the Quinten Blake Drawn to Water exhibition. There is so much to do after you’ve dropped your Christmas list off with Father Christmas.

Price: £17 per child, adult free
Stay & eat nearby: Lancashire Manor Hotel is a Grade II listed manor house with great facilities close to the reserve

4th – 5th December
Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival 
Garstang, Lancashire
https://www.discoverwyre.co.uk/events/event/40/garstang-victorian-christmas-festival

Garstang Victorian Christmas festival is a community event on the high street of Garstang. Local businesses open late, there are a variety of stalls and entertainment throughout the high street with lots of festive treats and gifts for all the whole family. This is a Christmas market with a difference as it pays tribute to the Christmases of the past. There will be carol singing, live music and more to enjoy and take part in and great food to eat.

Price: free

7th – 31st December
Aladdin 
Blackburn, Lancashire
https://bwdvenues.com/whats-on/aladdin-2023/

Make your wishes come true and fly away on the magic carpet in Blackburn this Christmas.    
Aladdin, his brother Wishee Washee & his mother Widow Twankey will battle against the evil Abanazar to stop his evil plan to become Master Of The World! Take your seat and find out if Aladdin saves the day and falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmine

Don’t forget to shout “oh no you don’t” and “he’s behind you” during this year’s spectacular pantomime featuring a superb cast, live band, brilliant scenery and costumes, amazing special effects and lots of laughs!

16th – 17th December
The Big Christmas Day Out
Lancaster, Lancashire
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Lancaster/Williamson-Park/The-Big-Christmas-Day-Out/36692143/

Hot on the heels of their fantastic award-winning event during the summer, Highest Point are back with a winter event for the whole family. This time Williamsons Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland festival.

Head to Lancasters most loved park to enjoy fairground rides, Christmas crafts, festive cinema screenings, storytime sessions, face painting, and find the surprise at the centre of the Christmas Maze! There will be performances and workshops from Heartbeeps, Northern Heights and the Rag Tag Roadshow and Magical Story Jars will be housed in the iconic Ashton Memorial ready to welcome guests to their Christmas Story Mixing Station. Mulled Wine, Bavarian sausages and more will be found at the events food and drink stalls and there will be a Crafty Vintage Christmas Market where you can find gifts for loved ones. Head to the Christmas Café-Oke to sing along to some of your favourite festive tunes and enjoy sounds from brass bands, carol singers and DJs across the park.

Price: £15 per child, £10 per adult
Where to eat nearby: There will be plenty of food and drink vendors at the event for your daytime needs. For the evening you can’t go wrong with a meal at The Fenwick, a beautiful 250 year old pub just outside the city which has open fires and low-beamed ceilings, perfect for those cosy winter nights.