Looking for an event to feature? Here’s our pick of the best events coming-up in November. As ever, please check individual websites for the latest details.
Christmas is coming….
As the Christmas Countdown begins, November’s ‘What’s On’ is dominated by seasonal events. For even more festive fun, check out individual destination website Christmas pages:
Visit East Yorkshire – www.visiteastyorkshire.co.uk/whats-on/seasonal-events/christmas-new-years/
Visit Hull – www.visithull.org/whatson/?group=christmas
Visit Lincolnshire – www.visitlincolnshire.com/events/christmas/
Enjoy Staffordshire – www.enjoystaffordshire.com/whats-on/christmas-in-staffordshire
Visit Hampshire – www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-in-hampshire
HULL
Hull Comedy Festival
Hull City Centre
1-19 November 2023
See website for ticket details
https://hullwhatson.com/hullcomedyfest/
Hull’s annual comedy festival returns for 2023 with a huge line-up of hilarious comedy acts from all over the UK, along with its famous ‘Hullarious’ Fringe nights. Staged in the city for the 17th time, venues include Hull Truck Theatre, Connexin Live, Comedy Lounge, and more!
Victorian Christmas
Museums Quarter
25 – 26 November 2023
Free entry, some events for additional cost
www.visithull.org/whatson/victorian-christmas-market/
The Victorians transformed Christmas establishing many of the traditions we know and love today, and for one weekend Hull Museums Quarter will be the venue for a splendid Victorian Christmas celebration, featuring Victorian and Dickensian characters, carousel, horse and carriage rides, traditional crafts, storytelling and food and drink.
Virtual Horizons
Hull Truck Theatre
1 – 4 November 2023
Tickets: £13
Blending cutting-edge Virtual Reality technology and theatre, the show takes the audience on an immersive experience in a tale of climate hope and resilience created with people living in the HU4, HU7 and HU9 communities. This fusion of storytelling, technology and community collaboration ignites the imagination and inspires a brighter future.
EAST YORKSHIRE
Christmas at the Hall
Burton Constable Hall
14 November – 23 December 2023
Check website for ticket details
This Christmas season, the Elizabethan manor house will be decorated with handmade decorations, many crafted from flowers and foliage cropped and dried from the walled garden, while the woodlands will host a trail of giant, hand-carved and painted candy canes, one for each day of advent, hidden in tree branches. Festive events include a Christmas Craft Fair (25 – 26 November).
Bridlington Food Festival
King Street Market
19 November 2023
Coinciding with the town’s Christmas Lights switch-on, November’s festival will feature more than 30 stalls selling local and national produce, artisan and street food, international cuisine, seafood, real ale and more.
Santa Express
Bridlington
Weekends from 25 November – 24 December
Tickets: £10 per person, must be booked
For the first time, Bridlington’s land train will be feeling festive and offering visitors a chance to climb on board the Santa Express for a special seasonal service. The train will pick passengers up from the Spa land train platform and take them on a journey along the resort’s south promenade before dropping them at the ‘North Pole’ and a visit to Santa himself.
LINCOLNSHIRE
Dog Friendly Days
Lincoln Castle
11 – 12 November 2023
Castle grounds free. all other admission prices apply
Unlock 1000 years of history, with your four-legged companion. For this weekend, visitors’ dogs can follow on a journey back through history. Dogs are allowed to enter the cinema space and the David PJ Ross Magna Carta building, but not in the Vault.
Historic Pubs Walking Tours
Lincoln
18 November 2023
Tickets: £32.50 per person, booking required
A new walking tour in Lincoln offers a deep dive into the city’s historic pubs, breweries and beer houses – and the stories they have to tell. Participants also have the chance to taste local ales and beers during visits to five pubs.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Doddington Hall
18 November – 22 December 2023
Admission: £15 adults, £8.50 children (4-16 years), 3, £40 family, booking required
www.doddingtonhall.com/event/christmas-at-doddington/
Family-owned and run Elizabethan Hall takes on a seasonal shine for Christmas, with ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ offering spectacular scenes using natural, recycled and upcycled resources wherever possible. This year there will be extended opening hours on selected dates into early evening.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Belvoir Castle
18 November – 31 December 2023
Tickets: from £19 adults, £10 children (4-16 years), £58 family – booking required
www.belvoircastle.com/christmas-at-the-castle-engine-yard/
One of the UK’s finest Regency castles, fairytale Belvoir Castle brings to life the enchanting theme of the Twelve Days of Christmas, curated by the talented Charlotte Lloyd-Webber. Brand new for 2023, each of the Castle’s rooms will feature festive installations.
Christmas Tree Festival
Alford Manor House
Selected days from 25 November until 8 December 2023
Free entry
www.alfordmanorhouse.co.uk/events/christmas-tree-festival/
Built in 1611 and said to be the largest thatched manor house in the country, the historic house’s Christmas Tree Festival launches during Alford’s Christmas Spectacular event on 25 November featuring stalls, music and food. Christmas trees decorated by locals will then be on display in the Manor House on selected days.
The Real Christmas Experience
Rand Farm
25 November – 24 December 2023
Various prices, check website for details
https://randfarmpark.com/christmas/
An award-winning farm park, eight miles east of Lincoln, Rand Farm is bringing Christmas to life with an immersive experience for all the family. Themed Christmas Zones offer the chance for visitors to meet some of Santa’s elves, Mrs Clause, real reindeer and Santa himself.
Christmas at Belton
Belton House
24 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
Check website for ticket details
Seasonal treats at this country estate are twice as nice this year, with two separate offers. During the daytime, step into a winter wonderland with the House rooms decorated with twinkling lights and showstopping trees, 25 November 2023 until 7 January 2024 (). As night falls, Belton’s popular light trail returns 24 November until 31 December, with brand new installations for 2023 ().
Food and Gift fair
Lincolnshire Showground
25 – 26 November 2023
Tickets: from £5.50
https://lincolnshireshowground.co.uk/food-gift
Shop unique gifts, handmade crafts and delicious treats as the annual event with free car parking returns, this year including a new experience, Storytime with Santa. There is also the chance to get hands-on with festive craft and baking activities, while the Lincolnshire Kitchen will be brought to life with top chefs and producers sharing their festive tips.
BURGHLEY HOUSE
Burghley Christmas Fair
23 – 26 November 2023
Tickets: £10 adults, £5 children (3-15 years), must be booked in advance
The courtyards and grounds of Burghley House will once again be filled with festive chalets, pagodas, marquees, carousels and sparkling decorations for the annual Burghley Christmas Fair between 23 and 26 November. One of the biggest events of its kind in the Midlands, it features over 150 stalls offering a wide range of artisan and unique gifts, along with a huge range of seasonal food and drink.
STAFFORDSHIRE
Santa’s Winter Wonderland
SnowDome, Tamworth
11 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
Tickets: from £17.95 – must be booked in advance
www.snowdome.co.uk/santas-winter-wonderland/
Santa’s back at the SnowDome for Christmas 2023 with a family festive extravaganza as the winter wonderland in the snow returns… with real snow, real animals and an all-new winter wonderland show.
Christmas at Alton Towers Resort
24 November – 23 December 2023
Admission: see website for full details
www.altontowers.com/explore/events/christmas/
Join in the festive fun with a host of selected family rides and attractions including the UK’s only CBeebies Land, which this year features a new CBeebies Land Christmas. There is also the chance to experience the ultimate festive short break with a Santa Sleepover (from £85 per person).
Christmas Wonderland
Drayton Manor Resort
Selected dates, 25 November – 31 December 2023
Tickets: from £25, see website for details
www.draytonmanor.co.uk/events/christmas
The ultimate destination for family Christmas fun featuring all new festive shows and attractions, Thomas Land rides & shows, along with over 500 animals in the zoo. Among new features for 2023 are the Wishmas Express, an illuminating light trail train journey, and late-night opening on selected dates.
North Pole Adventure
National Forest Adventure Farm
25 November – 24 December 2023
Admission: from £25 adults, £36 children (2-16 years)
www.adventurefarm.co.uk/northpoleadventure/
A chance for visitors to escape through a magical portal into the North Pole Adventure and explore the Victorian High Street complete with sweet shop and pub, meet the interactive talking Polar Bear under the Northern Lights, visit Father Christmas himself and pay a visit to the elves’ workshop to collect a gift.
The Polar Express™
Churnet Valley Railway
Various dates from 18 November to 23 December 2023
Tickets: from £22.95 per person
www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/polar-express-train-ride
This magical journey to the North Pole starts from Froghall Station features an enthusiastic cast telling the story whilst singing along with favourite characters from the hit film. The full experience lasts around 1.5 hours.
STOKE-ON-TRENT
Christmas at Trentham
The Trentham Estate
16 November – 24 December 2023
https://trentham.co.uk/events-at-trentham/
Christmas launches with the grand Christmas light switch-on in the Shopping Village (16 November) before a special Makers Market showcases local food & drink, craft producers and vintage artisans (8 & 19 November, 25 & 26 November and 2 & 3 December). For more festive fun, Trentham’s new Elf School runs 25 November until 24 December, while Trentham Christmas Festival features a new ice sculpture trail, live music, food and markets (16 – 17 December).
A Wedgwood Christmas
World of Wedgwood
1 November – 24 December 2023
Various prices, check website for details
Start the day with Breakfast with Santa in the Wedgwood Tea Room followed by a meet and greet in Santa’s woodland grotto, a gift and a photo opportunity (£25 adults, £15 children). Storytime in Santa’s Grotto offers a warming hot chocolate, biscuit and a selection of stories read by Santa and his elves (£15 per person). Afternoon tea with Santa includes a festive feast followed by a meet and greet, gift and photo opportunity with the menu including Festive Afternoon Tea (Grown-ups) and Little Elves Afternoon Tea (child), (£35 adults, £20 children). Among other festive treats will be the Decorating Studio on weekends and school holidays when adults and children alike can get creative with ceramics and paint (subject to availability, various prices).
Middleport Christmas Festival
Middleport Pottery
17 November 2023
https://re-form.org/middleportpottery/whats-on
Come & see the site beautifully lit for the festive season. Enjoy a selection of festive food & drink, Christmas music, Artisan market stalls, Children’s activities, Late night shopping for all those Christmas gifts and so much more.
HAMPSHIRE
Southampton Christmas Market
16 November 2023 – 2 January 2024
Free entry
The traditional market features individually designed alpine chalets with more than 30 independent stallholders offering a range of hand-made gifts as well as handcrafted Christmas decorations. There will also be wih a light projection show, high-octane rides and a Christmas Fun House.
Westquay On Ice
Southampton
10 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
Tickets: £14 adults, £12 children, £46 family
www.westquayonice.co.uk
Southampton’s premium ice-skating experience returns for both beginners and ice-skating aficionados. Plus, the Après Bar Southampton offers winter cocktails, Frosty biers, Mulled wine and more in a cosy ski lodge bar.
Christmas Market
Winchester Cathedral
17 November – 21 December 2023
www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/christmas/
Recognised as one of the best in Europe, Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and handpicked high quality exhibitors. The wooden chalets, situated within the historic grounds, are inspired by traditional German Christmas Markets, while the Cathedral is at the heart of the city’s celebration, with its many Christmas services, carol concerts and events.
Glow Marwell
Marwell Zoo
24 -25 November, 1 – 23 December, 27 – 30 December 2023
Tickets: £21 adults, £17 children
www.marwell.org.uk/christmas/
This year’s theme is an enchanted nature trail featuring brand new illuminations and immersive displays using more than 500,000 lights in a rainbow of colours. Venture through a 36 metre multicoloured light tunnel, gaze at a towering Enchanted Tree with fluttering butterflies, wander through colourful clouds projected overhead and meet some new animals brought to life in a magical Glow Forest.
Steam Illuminations
‘Watercress Line’ heritage railway
24 November 2023 – 6 January 2024
Tickets: from £59 seating for two, £250 for compartment for up to six people
https://watercressline.co.uk/steam-illuminations/
Winter is set to light up in Hampshire once more when a spectacular steam train experience featuring a train covered in thousands of LEDs makes a welcome return – promising even more sparkle for 2023. This year there’s pop-tastic sound as well as light with Christmas Chart Crackers DJ mix up until Christmas Day and then a Pop Anthems Journey.
Light Up at Christmas
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Romsey
30 November – 31 December 2023
Tickets: from £20 adults, £12.50 children, £61 family
www.lightuptrails.com/events/light-up-hillier-gardens
Back for 2023, the magnificent Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are set to shine bigger and brighter than ever before as award winning producers, Light Up Trails, return with a host of new glittering. A magical light trail experience includes spellbinding lasers in Himalayan Valley, a multi-sensory, spectacular light show around the pond and the shimmering Winter Wonderland with giant illuminated reindeer, snowdrops and icicles.
A Christmas Journey to the North Pole
Mottisfont
25 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
Normal admission applies (£18 adults, £9 children, £45 family) plus £3 per trail
For 42 days, between 25 November and 7 January, visitors can follow letters to Father Christmas on a magical journey to the North Pole. Featuring children dreaming in decorated bedrooms, through to a Polar Bear Ball, the trail ends with the wonder of the northern lights; while – outside – an activity trail leads to the Elves’ Sorting Office.
