Top 20 things to do in Lincoln for Christmas 2016 – part one

For a list of the latest Christmas events in Lincoln this year click here.

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Looking for things to do in Lincoln this Christmas? The team at The Lincolnite have searched for the best events taking place in the city this festive season.

Take a look at our top 20 things to do for Christmas in Lincoln this year:

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Reindeer Parade

• When: November 24
• Times: Afternoon display 2pm- 4pm, Parade 6pm
• Where: St Marks Shopping Centre
• Cost: FREE

The Reindeer Parade takes place after a display in the afternoon, starting at St Marks Shopping Centre making its way across the High Street, and finishing at Lincoln City Square.

Follow the parade or watch as it passes by and get your photo taken with the reindeer and Santa at the post-parade display on City Square.

For more information visit the website.

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Santa Fun Run

• When: December 11, 11.30am
• Where: Lincoln Cathedral Quarter
• Cost: FREE to watch

The Santa fun run has become a popular festive event for people to get involved in.

Santas of all ages run or walk around Lincoln’s landmarks, starting and finishing in Castle Square.

For more information visit the website.

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Food and Gift Fair

• When: November 26 – 27 – 6pm – 9pm
• Where: Lincolnshire Showground
• Cost: From £5

The Lincolnshire Food and Gift Fair has two exhibition halls and a large marquee, and is the second largest annual event at the Lincolnshire Showground.

There will be more than 150 varied exhibitors, entertainment from live choir groups, and cookery demonstrations from top local chefs with tips on cooking a delicious festive feast.

For more information visit the website.

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Lincoln Christmas Market

• When: December 1 – 4
• Where: Lincoln Cathedral Quarter
• Cost: FREE

Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter will be taken over by stalls, entertainers and seasonal themes for four days of festive entertainment and shopping at the famous Lincoln Christmas Market.

There is something for everyone, from unusual gifts to food and drink from near and far, not to mention a whole host of entertainment for all the family to enjoy.

For more information visit The Lincolnite’s superguide here. 

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Ice Rink

• When: November 26 – January 1 – 10am – 9pm
• Where: Lincoln City Square
• Cost: From £5

Get your skates on at Lincoln’s outdoor, city centre ice rink for a truly festive experience.

For more information visit the website.

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Medieval Christmas Market

• When: December 1 – 4
• Where: Lincoln Medieval Bishop’s Palace
• Cost: FREE

Step back in time and go medieval this Christmas by browsing the range of historic market stalls selling a variety of festive gifts.

For more information visit the website.

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Carols on High Street

• When: December 8 – 5.30pm
• Where: Lincoln City Centre
• Cost: FREE

Follow a Medieval Christmas tradition and enjoy carol singing in Lincoln city centre with the City of Lincoln Waites and Lincoln Beevor Band.

For more information visit the Visit Lincoln website.

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A Victorian Christmas

• When: December 3 – 4
• Where: Museum of Lincolnshire Life
• Cost: FREE

Visit the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and take in the sights and smells of a traditional Christmas in the historic room-sets, and enjoy festive refreshments in the tea room.

For more information visit the website.

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Coca-Cola truck

• When: December 10, 1pm to 9pm
• Where: St Marks Shopping Centre
• Cost: FREE

For some, there’s one sight that officially signals the start of the Christmas period – the iconic Coca-Cola truck.

Lincoln has been officially announced as one of the stops on the company’s annual truck tour which will see the brightly lit lorry pulling up at special winter wonderlands to greet crowds, who will also be gifted a 150ml can of coke.

For more information, click here. 

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Pantos in Lincoln

Beauty and the Beast

• When: December 9 – January 3
• Where: Lincoln Drill Hall
• Cost: From £13

Lincoln Drill Hall’s 2016 family pantomime will retell the story of Beauty and the Beast in spectacular fashion.

For more information visit the website.

Cinderella

• When: December 5 – January 8
• Where: New Theatre Royal
• Cost: From £16

Treat yourself and your loved ones to a fabulous fairy tale treat this Christmas at the New Theatre Royal starring Kerry Katona and Chris Johnson.

For more information visit the website.

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Macmillan Tree of Lights

• When: November 26, 3pm – 6pm
• Where: St Marks Shopping Centre
• Cost: FREE

Join Macmillan and celebrate the lives of loved ones lost this Christmas at the Macmillan Tree of Lights.

For more information visit the website.

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Advent Carol Service

• When: November 26, 6pm – 7pm
• Where: Lincoln Cathedral
• Cost: FREE

In the lead up to Christmas, join the Lincoln Cathedral Choir in an evening of carols to signal the beginning of Advent.

For more information visit the Visit Lincoln website.

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Artists’ Christmas Market

• When: December 2 – 3
• Where: St Martin’s Square
• Cost: FREE

Find unique works from local artists in St Martin’s Square during Lincoln Christmas Market at the Lincoln Artists’ Christmas Market.

For more information visit the website.

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Christmas Wreath Making

• When: December 4 – 6
• Where: Hartsholme Country Park
• Cost: £15

Create your own Christmas wreath for your home with help from the Rangers at Hartsholme Country Park.

For more information and times, visit the Visit Lincoln website.

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Winter, Wine and Songs of the Season

• When: December 9 – 7.30pm – 9pm
• Where: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Cost: £5

Join Join Bishop Grosseteste University for a Christmas carols event including mince pies, mulled wine, and a brass band.

For more information visit the website.

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Hartsholme Christmas Trail

• When: December 17 – 21
• Where: Hartsholme Country Park
• Cost: £2.50

Take part in a festive trail around Hartsholme Country Park and help Father Christmas find his nine lost reindeer before Christmas Eve.

For more information visit the website.

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A Ceremony of Carols

• When: December 10 – 32pm – 9pm
• Where: Lincoln Cathedral
• Cost: From £10

Enjoy a performance of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols followed by a lantern-lit tour of Lincoln Cathedral.

For more information visit the website.

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The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

• When: December 13 – 17
• Where: Drill Hall
• Cost: £7

A family-friendly Christmas show at Lincoln Drill Hall set in the magical Kingdom of Sweets.

For more information visit the website.

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Lantern Parade and Nativity

• When: December 15, 6pm – 7.30pm
• Where: Lincoln City Centre
• Cost: FREE

Join the children of Westgate Academy on a lantern parade through Lincoln ending with a traditional nativity play in Castle Square.

For more information, see the story on The Lincolnite here. 

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Christmas at Doddington Hall

• When: November 26 – December 21
• Where: Doddington Hall
• Cost: From £7.50

Enjoy Doddington Hall’s festive open days, and browse Christmas gifts, trees, and food from the farm shop.

For more information visit the website.

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Do you know of any other Christmas events taking place in Lincoln this year? Tell us about them by emailing [email protected]