Christmas in Cambridge: Events, Christmas Market & Things To Do
Last Updated on 22nd December 2025 by Sophie Nadeau
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Welcome to a cosy Christmas in Cambridge! This historic city is best known for its prestigious university and stunning architecture. Come the festive season, Cambridge’s quaint cobbled streets are filled with decorations, twinkling illuminations, and, as of 2024 there was a new Christmas market in town, which is once more open for 2025. Here’s your guide on Christmas in Cambridge and the best things to do!
Christmas Market 2025 dates: November 14th to January 5th 2025
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Is Cambridge nice at Christmas?
Come rain or shine, Cambridge is simply an enchanting city. During the festive season, when the streets are adorned with thousands of fairy lights, and shopfronts are decked out with decorations, Cambridge becomes a cosy Christmas hub to explore.
As of 2024, a new Christmas market known as ‘Christmas in Cambridge’ came to life in Parker’s Piece. This has become a permanent feature of the city’s annual festivities.
Only have one day in Cambridge?
Best visited over a long weekend, some of the best things to do in town include drinking pints in historic pubs, visiting churches, and exploring the free university museums!
Festive things to check out in Cambridge
Switching on the Christmas lights in Cambridge
This annual event often marks the start of the festive season for many. If you happen to be visiting Cambridge during the switching on of the Christmas lights, then you can join the locals at Market Square for entertainment performances, to a light spot of early Christmas shopping.
This year, in 2025, Cambridge’s Big Switch On happened on Sunday 16th November.
Christmas market (Christmas in Cambridge)
This brand new event, as of 2024, takes place in one of Cambridge’s famous green spaces, Parker’s Piece. It is completely free to visit, and this Christmas market’s main focus is on cosy areas, delicious market food, and festive entertainment.
One of the best parts about exploring Christmas in Cambridge has to be the small nooks and crannies where you can enjoy a bite to eat and a warming spicy cup of mulled wine, or hot cocoa. There’s the snug Alpine Bar, set within a tent, or small bubble domes which are super warm to sit in.
By way of entertainment, there’s an ice rink where visitors can clumsily slip and slide across the ice, or enjoy people-watching from the safety of firmer ground. And, a Christmas tree maze, where you can lose yourself down rows upon rows of fir trees and twinkling lights (though it should be noted, the shorter you are the better the experience!)
There’s a surprising variety of food on offer at the market too. From stalls selling sizzling German bratwurst to hot savoury/sweet crêpes, sugary churros, pizza, luxury chocolates, and plenty more. There are also a few stalls from local artisans selling gifts, handmade crafts and the likes.
Cambridge Botanic Lights
Visit Cambridge’s Botanic Gardens for a festive light trail that brings the gardens to life at night through a series of decorative illuminations. Open From Thursday to Sunday evenings, from the end of November till December, this festive event can be booked online in advance through their website.
This event is similar to Edinburgh’s Botanic Light Show at Christmas, though reviews suggest it might not be as popular as the one found in Scotland’s capital.
Cambridge Christmas Market at City Hall
Falling over one weekend in mid December, a small arts & crafts market takes place in front of Cambridge City Hall. This is where local artisans can showcase their work, and visitors can pick up handmade treasures for their loved ones.
Carol Concerts
As you can probably imagine, as a city with several historic (and simply beautiful) churches, many carol concerts take place throughout December.
The most popular concert tends to take place sometime in the first couple of weeks of the month and happens at St John’s College. The audience can enjoy carols sung by St John’s Choir, seasonal readings, and some festive refreshments after the service.
Christmas shopping
The narrow cobbled lanes of Cambridge are a treasure trove, filled with a wonderful selection of independent boutique shops and some high-street favourites, all of which make for great spots to pick up a present or two!
Places to shop!
- Satchel – One of the city’s most famous brands. Here you can purchase all kinds of leather goods, including satchels!
Cambridge Gin Laboratory – For the gin lovers in your life, this shop does the perfect Christmas hampers. - Haunted – This cosy bookshop has something for everyone! It specialises in children’s and illustrated books.
- Giles & Co – Here you can pick up all things Cambridge. This is one of the oldest independent souvenir shops in the city.
- Talking T’s – The perfect place to pick up a quirky T-Shirt that’s sure to make you or your giftee smile!
- Magical Gifts – Dedicated to the world of wizardry, this is the spot to find official Harry Potter merchandise.
Other attractions to visit while in Cambridge
While there’s not loads to do by way of Christmas activities in the city, many of the sights exude that cosy feel you’ll likely appreciate even more when sheltering from the colder weather. That, and the fact that churches are synonymous with Christmas, Cambridge is certainly one of the best places for viewing stunning ecclesial buildings!
King’s College
King’s College was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI. The chapel housed within is considered an architectural masterpiece, it was constructed in the Perpendicular Gothic style, which was the third and final stage of English Gothic architecture developed in the Late Middle Ages.
One of the most unique draws to King’s College is its magnificent stained glass windows, which were deemed so special they were removed during the Second World War to keep them safe.
St John’s College
St John’s College was founded by the Tudor matriarch Lady Margaret Beaufort in 1511, and it sits on the former site of a hospital which was known as the Hospital of St John the Evangelist.
This true architectural neo-Gothic masterpiece is one of the most recognisable sights of Cambridge, simply because of how stunning it is! Since the 1670s the chapel has been home to both religious and musical activities, and is the main spot where the world-famous College Choir sing for services during the university term time (and Christmas!)
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