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 events in Peterborough

From Christmas shopping at our artisan market 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.

Christmas lights switch-on

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

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

Christmas lights switch-on performance line-up

Performances will be running from 5pm to 7.30pm.

• Peterborough Cathedral Choir
• PeeBee 
• Peter Burrows and Friends
• Cast of Snow White, the Key Theatre Panto Pantomime
• Teddy Newberry
• Chanel Hughes
• Peterborough Rock Choir
• Gabriella Pineda-Rodrigues
• The Cast of Cinderella, The Cresset Pantomime
• Mayor's address' 
• Countdown
• Lights on
• Eddie Nash DJ set 

A huge thank you to all of our following sponsors:

• Peterborough Family Hubs (headline sponsor)
• Garfield Builders
• Medesham Homes
• Woodstone Fire Ltd
• Howden Turbo UK
• Hudson Homes Estate Agents
• Fuchsia Homecare Peterborough
• The Cresset
• Pick Everard
• Showcase Cinema de Lux Peterborough
• Willmott Dixon
• Keepmoat
• Persimmon Homes
• TLC Signs

Sponsors of the Christmas lights switch on entertainment are:

• Princebuild
• University Centre Peterborough
• PCRFM

Cathedral Choir

Pop along to Cathedral Square on 2 December 2024 between 4.45pm and 5.15pm to watch a rendition from the Cathedral Choir.

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, 7, 13, 15, 21, 22 and 28 December 2024
• Beauty Scents stall 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 December 2024
• The Little Golden Bears Workshop stall on 3 December 2024
• Slade book stall on 7, 8, 15 and 24 December 2024
• Cakes by Yasmin stall on 8, 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

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 Cathedral Square on 7 December 2024 and at the Cathedral Arch on 14 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.

Encore Dance Academy

Don't miss Encore Dance Academy showcase their skills at Cathedral Square on 8 December 2024 at 2.30pm.

Peterborough City Council's Christmas Sustainability Recycling stall

Drop by our recycling stall on Cathedral Square and discover how you can be more sustainable this Christmas.

Come and said hi between 9am and 4.30pm on 13 December 2024 and chat 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.

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.

Willow Singers

Adult, amateur, mixed voice singing group will be bringing festive tunes to Peterborough on 14 December 2024. Head over to 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 Cathedral Square.

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.

Zumba stars children's dance group

Zumba stars children's dance group will perform on 21 December 2024. Head over 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 Johns 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.

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