December is always a special time to visit Lincoln. While the famous Lincoln Christmas Market is no longer a feature in our calendars, a fresh schedule of activities, markets and live events ensures that the festive spirit is still alive and well. Pubs will be full of cheer, and the Christmas lights twinkling on the streets. We can’t wait! And there any many ways you can join in the fun. Here, we bring together some of the best things to do in Lincoln in December 2024 to help you make the most of it.
1. See frozen sculptures at the Lincoln Ice Adventure
Last year saw the introduction of a series of stunning ice carvings to the streets of Lincoln for the festive season, and it is back this year on the weekend of 7–8 December.
The Lincoln Ice Adventure will feature a trail of 16 sculptures around the city’s most iconic attractions. Many of the sculptures are inspired by the city’s heritage, and there’s a trail of clues to guide you from one to the next – great for a fun-filled day out!
Check out this clip of the team at The Icebox carving a snow globe that will be a centrepiece of the trail in Castle Square:
Lincoln Cathedral will once again host live demonstrations at 12–3pm each day, so you can learn how the dazzling sculptures are made. Across the weekend there will also be festive music as well as food and drink stalls to add to the entertainment.
When we heard the news that the Lincoln Christmas Market would be cancelled last year, our first reaction was: “what about the gluhwein?!”. A cup of this German-style mulled wine on the opening night of the market was always the moment when we knew Christmas had arrived.
So, we’re delighted that Feucht-Fröhliche-Neustadter (FFN Lincoln) – the community organisation that were the driving force behind the market – is still very much involved in bringing Christmas in Lincoln to life. The team will still be serving their famous gluhwein in Castle Square over the weekend of the Lincoln Ice Adventure.
2. Experience the sparkle of Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle is one of our city’s biggest spectacles, and is impressive to behold at any time of year. However, the magic of the festive season brings an extra-special dimension to its grounds in December.
From Friday 19 November to Monday 23 December, the grounds are brought to life with Christmas lights and festive tree-lined pathways for Lincoln Castle Illuminated.
You can buy tickets for the experience on Lincoln Castle’s website, at just £3 for access to the grounds. You can also upgrade and take the Illuminated Wall Walk, which will give you a spectacular lit-up view of the city from on top of the castle walls.
Dog-friendly evenings are taking place on Wednesdays – on the 4th, 11th and 18th December – so you can bring your furry friends along too! Make sure you book ahead, as there is limited capacity.
Check out our visitors’ guide to Lincoln Castle for everything else you need to know before planning a trip.
3. Enjoy the sparkling Lincoln Light Trail
Last year the Lincoln Christmas lights were given a massive revamp, and the new-look Lincoln Light Trail is back in 2024.
There are some stunning light features to look out for, some of which are interactive. Uphill in the Cathedral Quarter, just outside CASK Kitchen (one of our favourite spots to eat in the area), you can pose as the “i” in Lincoln. Downhill at the Brayford waterfront, you will see a huge illuminated reindeer overlooking the water.
Also make sure you check out the beautiful sparkling stars in the Cornhill Quarter, and the glowing Christmas tree just south of the train tracks on the High Street.
4. Go late-night shopping on Thursdays
Coinciding with the Lincoln Light Trail, many shops around the city centre will stay open until 8pm on Thursdays throughout the festive period.
City car parks will also provide free parking from 4pm–9:30pm. So, come on down after work to see the spectacle and finish off your Christmas gift shopping.
Check out our guide to Steep Hill Lincoln for an introduction to the shops at the heart of the city’s independent retail scene.
5. Find amazing local craft at the Christmas Makers’ Market
Many locals will tell you that the real spirit of Lincoln is to be found in the many small, focused markets that take place throughout the year. Lincoln Makers’ Market is one such event that brings together a collection of stalls selling local handmade goods made by crafters from across Lincolnshire.
On the weekend of 7–8 December, coinciding with the Lincoln Ice Adventure, the market will be hosting a special Christmas edition in Castle Square between 10am and 7pm. This is a great place to come along and find a unique and artistic Christmas gift.
6. Sip a hot festive drink at Thor’s Tipi
It’s always a sign that Christmas is here when we see that Thor’s Tipi bar is back up and running at Lincoln Cornhill!
Thor’s Tipi is essentially a festive bar set in a giant tepee. The extensive drinks menu includes a selection of “winter warmers”. You can come in from the cold and enjoy a classic mulled wine, or other hot treats like hot toffee cider, hot choc Bailey’s and cream or Haig chocolate orange.
There’s hot food available too, with an alpine ski resort feel, with the likes of loaded sausages and raclette fries.
7. See The Snowman performed at Lincoln Cathedral
The classic Raymond Briggs animated short film The Snowman has always been one of my favourite things about Christmas. As a child in the 80s I was wonderstruck by it when it first came out. As a tradition I always make sure I watch it on Christmas Day.
You can experience the classic in a truly unique setting inside Lincoln Cathedral on the weekend of 14–15 December. The animation will be shown on a live screen, further enhanced by a light and colour display, while the music is performed by a live orchestra and the cathedral’s choir.
You can buy tickets via the Lincoln Cathedral website.
8. Shop for gifts at Lincoln Medieval Christmas Market
Lincoln Medieval Christmas Market is back this year, and this time it will be held across two historic locations: St Mary le Wigford Church and St Mary’s Guildhall.
The market will take place from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 December and is free to enter. Festive music and spiced punch will add to the traditional atmosphere as you browse the medieval craft stalls hosted by a selection of regular and new traders selling handmade clothing, gifts, artwork and jewellery.
This is great festive activity for families, with new features for this year including a dancing bear and a willow weaver who will make willow reindeers for children visiting the market.
The market’s opening times are 12pm–9pm on Thursday, 10am–7:30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am–4pm on Sunday.
9. Buy local produce for Christmas at Lincoln Farmers’ Market
Another brilliant local market is Lincoln Farmers’ Market. This takes place on the third Saturday of every month throughout the year, and is where you can find some of the freshest and finest produce from across Lincolnshire.
The last farmers’ market of the year is being held on Saturday 21 December, perfectly timed to stock up on delicious locally sourced food and drink for Christmas. You could also use the opportunity to find that last-minute gift you need.
For us, the Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese stall is always a must-visit for assembling our Christmas cheese board. A generous hunk of vintage poacher or double barrel is the ultimate treat for when the turkey’s settled and you’re ready to indulge again!
Our guide to Lincoln Farmers’ Market gives a rundown of some more of the stalls you can expect to find.
10. See the Christmas Chorus display at Doddington Hall
Situated just a few miles outside Lincoln, Doddington Hall is a stunning family-run Elizabethan hall with sculpted gardens. Every December the hall’s interior is transformed in a different way to depict beautiful festive scenes with artwork and decorations created by staff, volunteers, artists and local students.
The theme for 2024 is “A Christmas Chorus”, which will combine festive scenes with classic seasonal tunes. It will be open for visitors on selected days from 9 November to 23 December.
Doddington Hall has been a family home for more than 400 years, and this festive event will give visitors the chance to absorb its special atmosphere at this time of year. For a glimpse at how impressive these displays can be, check out our review of last year’s Twelve days of Christmas at Doddington Hall.
11. Find unique gifts at Harding House Gallery’s Christmas Cracker exhibition
One of the creative gems on Lincoln’s Steep Hill, Harding House Gallery is run by a cooperative of ten local volunteer artists. Each has a different artistic style and plays a unique role in keeping the gallery running. The gallery itself is set inside a beautiful 16th-Century building.
Every year the gallery hosts a ‘Christmas Cracker’ exhibition. In 2024 this is running in its upper gallery from Saturday 2 November until 5 January 2024. The exhibition features an array of unique handcrafted items by artists from across the country, plus more unique pieces that are displayed on the lower floor.
12. See the Imps play at the LNER Stadium
As the weather gets colder, the football season is really heating up as we approach the midpoint of season. Lincoln City FC, or “The Imps” as they’re better known, could do with some more voices to help lift them up the league table, as they’re in with a shout of competing for promotion this season!
Live matches in winter are very much a ‘proper’ football experience. Don your warm clothes, grab a pint at the Golden Eagle, wolf down a burger from a van near the ground, and join the crowd in chorus.
The Imps have two home fixtures in December 2024, including one right ahead of Christmas on Saturday 21 December. What better way to get set for the festivities? And if you want to blow away the cobwebs on New Year’s Day with a bit of live football action, you can see The Imps playing at home on 1 January.
Here’s the schedule for the festive period:
- Saturday 7 December 2024: Lincoln City vs Charlton Athletic (League One)
- Saturday 21 December 2024: Lincoln City vs Reading (League One)
- Wednesday 1 January 2025: Lincoln City vs Rotherham United (League One)
You can buy tickets for upcoming games here, and find out everything you need to know about attending LNER Stadium in our first-timer’s guide to seeing Lincoln City FC.
13. Find all the kings on the Nutcracker Christmas Trail
Lincoln’s Christmas traditions have been closely intertwined with those of our German twin town Neustadt for many years now. This year, another German festive tradition is back on Lincoln’s streets with the Nutcracker Christmas Trail.
Nutcrackers are part of German folklore and are said to bring good luck and safety to the family home, guarding against evil spirits.
During the 2024 festive season in Lincoln, 20 nutcracker kings will be perched in locations around the city. You can pick up a trail map from Lincoln Visitor Information Centre.
If you discover all 20 by Christmas Eve, you can enter a draw to win a family day out.
Heard about other things to do in Lincoln in December?
We would love to add more ideas to this article, so if you’re a local business, you are running an event, or you have heard about something that’s happening, please get in touch and we’ll add it to the list.
It’s also never too early to start planning for next year. Read our full rundown of the best things to do in Lincoln to find some inspiration for your trips next year.
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Great news that the Lincoln Makers Market is on this Thursday through to the weekend. It’s a fantastic set of local hand made crafters who make quality items and good prices and I know that locals & visitors alike look forward to seeing them on the first Saturday of the month throughout the year. Well worth the time to browse, if in the area, and they are all friendly traders even if this year no smiles due to having masks on.
Thank you for the comment John! We will definitely be heading there at the weekend, looking forward to it.