Christmas in Peterborough

Come and join us for some festive fun and cheer at various events across the city. Christmas in Peterborough offers a chance to celebrate with your nearest and dearest while getting involved with a whole host of jolly activities.

Christmas tree in Peterborough at Cathedral square

Christmas events in Peterborough

From Christmas shopping at the craft market stalls to taking a selfie with the Santa sleigh and tucking into tasty food, there's something for the whole family.

Start your adventure at the back of the Guildhall, sampling treats from the Christmas food cabins and the Churros Van. This festive food offering will be open from the 16 November 2024 to 6 January 2025, closing on 25 and 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025.

You can also visit the Ligo Greek food unit on Bridge Street on 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 and 29 December 2024.

Craft market stalls

It's the most wonderful time of the year to head over to Bridge Street and browse a magical craft stall. Visit:

The Brick Shack stall 1, 6, 13, 15, 21, 22 and 28 December 2024
Baby bakes stall 1, 14 and 15 December 2024
Beauty Scents stall 1, 14, 15, 21 and 22 December 2024
Healthier lifestyle choices stall 1 and 21 December 2024
The Little Golden Bears Workshop stall on 3 December 2024
Bandale stall 6, 13, 20 December 2024
Fresh Polish Bread stall 11,19 and 23 December 2024
Lovelace flower stall 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31 December
Yala Beirut food unit - Lebanese 12,13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 27 and 28 December
The Nostalgia Lounge stall 6,14, 20, 22, 23 and 28 December 2024
Hairy Dogs stall 14, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 28 December 2024
Charlie Farley Slade Books stall on 15, 18 and 23 December 2024
Cakes by Yasmin stall on 12 and 23 December 2024
Lets Bee organic stall on 9, 10 and 11 December 2024
Surissa Jewellery Ltd stall on 9, 10 and 11 December 2024
Reading Monsters Children's book stall on 14 December 2024
Breast Cancer Support Group stall 19 December 2024
Joomies stall on 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December 2024
Bake My Day 23 December 2024

Sally Rock Choir

Sally Rose's Rock Choir will perform on 6 December at 1.30pm and 20 December 2024 at 12pm on Cathedral Square.

Santa sleigh

Santa Claus is coming to town! The Santa sleigh will be located at the Cathedral Arch on 7 December 2024, 9am to 4pm and 14 December 2024, 9am and 4pm courtesy of Deeping Lions.

You and the family can also visit the Santa sleigh at Cathedral Square on 21 December, 9am to 4pm, thanks to Whittlesey Lions. It's your last chance to see Father Christmas before he heads back to the North Pole.

Christmas artisan market

Support local artists at the Christmas artisan market at the Cathedral Arch on 21 December 2024. It's the perfect chance to purchase a unique and wonderful gift for a loved one.

Salvation Army band

Soak up the spirit of the holidays on 8 and 15 December 2024 at Cathedral Square between 1pm and 2pm as the Salvation Army band fills the air with Christmas melodies.

You can also listen to festive tunes from the Salvation Army Band on 22 December at 2.45pm.

Back Two

Come and listen to the festive set at Cathedral Square on 9 December 2024. The duet singers will perform at 2pm.

Highness by Monik

Visit Highness by Monik on 9, 10 and 11 December 2024 at the Cathedral Arch. The stall is selling beautiful scarfs and accessories.

Peterborough City Council's Christmas Sustainability Recycling stall

Drop by our recycling stall at Queensgate, Morrisons on Lincoln Road and Cathedral Square to discover how you can be more sustainable this Christmas.

Come and say hi between 11am to 3pm on 6 December 2024 in Queensgate next to the Santa Grotto, 11am to 2pm on 12 December 2024 at Morrisons on Lincoln Road or 11am to 3pm on 13 December 2024 at Cathedral Square.

We will be chatting about food waste recycling, recipes for food leftover tips, sustainable decorations, donating to charity and gifting second hand.

Plus, there will be some free food waste caddies up for grabs coupled with taking requests from residents regarding recycling and waste.

St. John's Choir

On 13 and 20 December 2024, St. John's Choir will be bringing the Christmas spirit to Peterborough. Watch them sing at the Christmas tree from 1.45pm.

Christmas food market

May your stocking be full of goodies from this year's Christmas food market. Wander around delicious stalls and tuck into festive treats on 14 December 2024 at Cathedral Square. It's the perfect way to celebrate Christmas in Peterborough!

Willow Singers

Adult, amateur, mixed voice singing group will be bringing festive tunes to Peterborough on 14 December 2024. Visit the Christmas tree between 12pm and 4pm to listen to their performance.

Ukulele Folk Group

Join in the seasonal festivities by watching an hour set from Wansford-based Ukulele Folk Group on Sunday 15 December at 11.30am on Cathedral Square.

Jess dance group

You will feel like rocking around the Christmas tree after watching the incredible performance from Jess dance group at 2pm on 15 December 2024 at Cathedral Square.

Floraela flower stall

Make your way to Cathedral Arch on 18 and 19 December to check out the fabulous follower stall. It's blooming with beauty!

Christmas wreath laying

We are holding a service and Christmas wreath laying ceremony to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict.

This will take place on 19 December 2024 at the War Memorial on Bridge Street just outside of the Peterborough Town Hall.

The ceremony will start at 9.30am and will run until 11.30am.

Fenspirit stall

Visit Cathedral Arch and wander round the Fenspirit stall on 20 December 2024. It's a great chance to pick up a festive tipple.

Zumba stars children's dance group

Zumba stars children's dance group will perform on 21 December 2024. Go to Cathedral Arch at 11.15am and watch the act until 11.45am.

Outdoor nativity play and Christingle service

On 22 December 2024 celebrate with festive traditions at Cathedral Square as St John's Church hosts a live performance of the nativity play at 3pm and at around 3.30pm follow the procession with donkeys to the Cathedral, where the Christingle Service will be held.

The Marketeur stall

Pop down to The Maketeur stall on 22 December 2024 by Cathedral Arch to browse arts and crafts.

Christmas lights switch-on

Christmas in Peterborough at Christmas light switch-on event

The city centre was turned into a winter wonderland at the official Christmas lights switch-on. The event started at 5pm with the Christmas lights switch-on at 7pm on the 22 November 2024 at Cathedral Square.

The lights were switched on by Father Christmas himself, accompanied by Cheryl Fergison (Heather from Eastenders) and Councillor Marco Cereste, Mayor of Peterborough.