Christmas Events in Lincoln & Lincolnshire
By Lincoln Rocks · Published · Updated Published · Updated
First things first: the big old Lincoln Christmas Market isn't coming back in 2026. But Lincoln Cathedral is running its first ever Christmas market from 3 to 5 December, with stalls in the nave, the Chapter House and on Dean's Green. Book it, because it's ticketed for everyone over 18 months.
Beyond that, the county is properly twinkly. The castle glows after dark, Belton has a new light trail, Santa's riding a steam train near Louth, and Lincoln's lights go on with a bang on 26 November. Here's what's on, what it costs and what to book now.
Quick picks
Best for little ones: Lincolnshire Wolds Railway Santa Specials. A steam train, Santa in your carriage and a present.
Best full day out: The Real Christmas Experience at Rand Farm Park. Live shows, meet Santa, and tickets include farm park entry.
Best free night out: Lincoln Christmas Lights Switch-On, Thursday 26 November.
Best wow factor: Christmas at Belton light trail near Grantham, with lasers, fire gardens and a fairground.
Christmas Events in Lincolnshire 2026
Christmas at Rand Farm Park
Saturday 28th November to Thursday 24th December 2026
Book tickets here
Rand Farm Park has two festive experiences to choose from this Christmas. The Real Christmas Experience is a 90-minute to two-hour adventure packed with interactive elf shows, real reindeer, gingerbread decorating and a visit to Santa, where children choose their own present.
For younger children, the Term Time Christmas Experience offers a gentler 30 to 45-minute elf-guided visit, without the big shows but still including Santa, a present and festive activities.
Both experiences include entry to Rand Farm Park, so you can make a full day of it with indoor play, farm animals and animal activities too.
Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market, Lincoln
The cathedral's first ever Christmas market, with stalls under that jaw-dropping Gothic ceiling and more outside on the green. It's the closest thing to the old market feeling, just with fewer elbows.
When: Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th December 2026
Thursday and Saturday are now sold out. Friday tickets onlyPrice: £5 per ticket
Ages: Everyone aged 18 months and over needs a ticket.
Book: Pre-booking essential via Eventbrite.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
The castle walls lit up, a snowfall countdown, a mini train ride and fairground rides. Cheap, cheerful and just across the square from the cathedral.
When: 20 Nov to 23 Dec 2026. Wednesday to Friday 5.30pm-9pm, weekends 4pm-9pm, plus Mon 21 and Tue 22 Dec 5.30pm-9pm. Closed other Mondays and Tuesdays.
Price: Grounds entry £4 per person, under 5s free. Family bundles from £6.80 (1 adult + 1 child) to £17 (2 adults + 3 children). Wall Walk upgrade extra (Adult £6, Child £1.50, Concession £5.50).
Ages: All ages. Under 5s go free.
Book: Lincoln Castle tickets
Good to know: The Wall Walk is steps only, so no buggies up there. Wrap up: it's outdoors and it's December in Lincoln.
Lincoln Christmas Lights Switch-On, Lincoln High Street
Panto stars, dancers, Olympic gymnast Louis Smith and a visit from Father Christmas. Free, loud and the official start of "can we put the tree up now?"
When: Thu 26 Nov 2026, 4.30pm-7pm. Stage show from 5pm, lights on at about 6.50pm.
Christmas at Rand Farm Park
Rand Farm Park has two festive experiences to choose from this Christmas. The Real Christmas Experience is a 90-minute to two-hour adventure packed with interactive elf shows, real reindeer, gingerbread decorating and a visit to Santa, where children choose their own present.
For younger children, the Term Time Christmas Experience offers a gentler 30 to 45-minute elf-guided visit, without the big shows but still including Santa, a present and festive activities.
Both experiences include entry to Rand Farm Park, so you can make a full day of it with indoor play, farm animals and animal activities too.
The Snowman with Live Orchestra, Lincoln Cathedral
The film, a live orchestra and a cathedral chorister singing Walking in the Air. Bring tissues. For you, not the kids.
When: Sat 12 Dec 2026 at 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm, 7pm and 8.30pm. Sun 13 Dec at 5.30pm, 7pm and 8.30pm. About an hour long.
Price: Not shown on the event pages. Check when booking (UNVERIFIED).
Ages: Children 12 months and over need a seat. Under 15s must be with an adult.
Book: Lincoln Cathedral event page (links to Eventbrite for each showing). Tickets are non-refundable.
Good to know: Prams go in a separate area from the seats. The cathedral says it sells out quickly, so the daytime slots are the ones to grab for little ones.
Christmas at Doddington, Doddington Hall (near Lincoln)
This year every room in the Elizabethan hall is a scene from a classic Christmas film. Spotting which one is which keeps everyone busy, grown-ups included.
When: 11 Nov to 20 Dec 2026 (Wed-Sun), 21-23 Dec and 28-31 Dec. Weekdays 11am-4pm, weekends 10am-4pm, last entry 3pm.
Price: Adult £18-£21, child (4-16) £10, under 4s free. Family (1 adult + 2 children) £32-£35, family (2 adults + 2 children) £50-£55. Carers 2 for 1.
Ages: All ages, but best for children who can enjoy a look-don't-touch house (roughly 4+).
Book: Timed tickets essential: doddingtonhall.com
Good to know: Upper floors aren't accessible by wheelchair or pushchair; there's a 12pm Access Talk daily for anyone who can't do stairs. Two cafés on site (Grain Store Café and Farm Shop Café), so coffee is sorted.
Lincoln Ice Adventure, Lincoln city centre
Ice sculptures dotted round the city, free to follow. A lovely excuse for a winter wander.
When: 5th and 6th Dec 2026, 12 - 6pm
Santa's Grotto at Waterside, Lincoln
A handy city-centre Santa stop for when you're already out doing the shopping.
When: From Saturday 21st November 2026
Price: Last confirmed at £6 per child plus booking fee.
Grantham and Stamford
Christmas at Belton light trail, Belton (near Grantham)
A brand-new trail for 2026 with lasers, fire gardens, a lakeside show, a giant sparkly deer and projections on the house. Plus a fairground and toasted marshmallows. Big night out energy.
When: 20 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027. Timed entry; session times on Ticketek.
Price: Not confirmed here, see Ticketek (UNVERIFIED). £1 booking fee per ticket. Fairground rides are extra (ride tokens). National Trust members pay for the trail but get free parking if booked in advance.
Ages: All ages. The route is about a mile and takes around 90 minutes, so bring the buggy or a sling for tired legs.
Book: Ticketek. Book parking with your tickets (don't park in Belton village).
Good to know: Paths are designed to work in wet weather (puddles possible). Dogs welcome on short leads except Wed 16 Dec, which is dog-free and has a quieter 4pm access session. Free carer ticket with a full-price ticket.
Burghley Christmas Fair, Stamford
A giant posh shopping fair, but with a Victorian carousel and helter skelter to bribe the kids along. Friday and Saturday evenings end with a drone show.
When: 26-29 Nov 2026. Thu and Sun 9.30am-4pm, Fri and Sat 9.30am-7.30pm. Drone show about 6.20pm Fri and Sat (weather permitting).
Price: Adult £15 (Flexi £20), child 3-15 £5 (Flexi £8). Carers free.
Ages: All ages, though it's mostly shopping, so best for patient children.
Book: Advance tickets and arrival slot only, no gate sales: burghley.co.uk
Good to know: Standard parking is free. Prams are allowed but discouraged as it gets busy, and some ground is cobbled. The House, Gardens and Adventure Play are closed during the fair. No re-entry.
Grantham Christmas Fayre and Lights Switch-On, Grantham
This year’s Grantham Christmas Fayre & Festive Lights Switch-On will take place on Sunday 29th November, from 11am - 5pm in the Market Place & Westgate.
Festive Lights Switch-On from 4.30pm
When: Sunday 29th November 2026
Price: Free
Boston
Boston Christmas Festival, Boston town centre
Three days of market stalls, a children's fun fair, live music and an Illuminate Parade. Good for a mooch with the family.
When: Fri 27 to Sun 29 Nov 2026.
Ages: All ages.
Good to know: In Boston Market Place and town centre. Includes Boston's Got Christmas Talent.
Louth and the Wolds
Santa Specials, Lincolnshire Wolds Railway (Ludborough, near Louth)
Steam, a heritage carriage and Santa coming round to every seat with a present. Small children go a bit quiet with awe, which is a Christmas miracle in itself.
When: Sat 12, Sun 13, Sat 19, Sun 20 and Mon 21 Dec 2026. Trains at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm.
Price: Adults £10, children (1-12) £20 including a gift, under 1s £10.
Ages: Best for under 8s.
Book: Advance booking required: Wolds Railway Santa booking
Good to know: The railway is at Ludborough Station, Station Road, DN36 5SH. Can't get a Santa slot? The Steam Elf Express (Letters to Santa) runs Sun 15 Nov 2026, 10.45am-2.45pm, pay on arrival. Write a letter on board and post it in the special post box.
Gainsborough and North Lincolnshire
Christmas Market at Gainsborough Old Hall, Gainsborough
Handmade gifts in a medieval manor house with a timber great hall. Christmas shopping, but make it Tudor.
When: Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am-4pm (last entry 3.15pm).
Ages: All ages.
Book: Check English Heritage before you go.
Good to know: Parnell Street, DN21 2NB, in the town centre.
Santa Experience at Pink Pig Farm, Holme (near Scunthorpe)
Letters to Santa, reindeer food, gingerbread decorating, a gift from the elves and then a full day of soft play, toboggans and go-karts. Exhausted children guaranteed.
When: Weekends 28-29 Nov, 5-6 Dec, 12-13 Dec and 19-20 Dec 2026, then daily Mon 21 to Thu 24 Dec. Farm open 10am-4pm.
Price: Child (over 1) £30, adult £15, under 1 £17 (includes a gift). North Star upgrade with bear-making £45 per child.
Ages: Babies to primary age.
Book: pinkpigfarm.co.uk/christmas. The farm says Santa sells out every year.
Good to know: Lots of it is indoors, so it's a decent rainy-day bet. Afternoon tea is a separate booking.
Normanby Hall Christmas Market, near Scunthorpe
Stalls in a country park, with room to run off steam afterwards. Dogs welcome on leads, so the whole household can come.
When: Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec 2026, 10am-4pm.
Price: Free entry. Parking £5 (cash) unless you're an annual member.
Ages: All ages.
Book: No booking needed.
Good to know: Bring cash, as not all traders take cards.
Tips for a smoother festive day out
Book the big four now: Cathedral market, Snowman, Wolds Railway Santa and Pink Pig Santa all sell fast.
Do Lincoln uphill in one go: Cathedral market by day, Castle Illuminated after dark. They're a two-minute walk apart.
Use Park and Ride in Lincoln: uphill parking gets tight in December, and Steep Hill with a buggy is a workout.
Layers, hats and a flask: most light trails are outdoors for 90 minutes or more.
Rainy day back-up: Doddington Hall and Pink Pig Farm are mostly indoors.
FAQs
Is there a Lincoln Christmas Market in 2026?
Not the old city-wide one, which the council stopped after 2022. But Lincoln Cathedral is running its first Christmas market from 3 to 5 December 2026, and it's ticketed, so book ahead.
When are the Lincoln Christmas lights switched on in 2026?
Thursday 26 November 2026 on the High Street. Entertainment starts at 4.30pm and the lights go on at about 6.50pm. It's free.
Where can we see Santa in Lincolnshire?
Our favourites are the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway Santa Specials near Louth and the Santa Experience at Pink Pig Farm near Scunthorpe. Father Christmas also pops up at Lincoln's lights switch-on.
What's the best Christmas light trail in Lincolnshire?
Christmas at Belton near Grantham is the biggest, with a new trail for 2026. Lincoln Castle Illuminated is smaller and much cheaper at £4 (under 5s free).
Are there free Christmas events in Lincolnshire?
Yes. The Lincoln lights switch-on, Boston Christmas Festival and Normanby Hall Christmas Market (you just pay for parking) are all free to get into.
