Visit Loughborough this Christmas time to experience the magic of the Christmas lights and soak in the festive atmosphere in Loughborough town centre. Enjoy some late-night shopping, savour a delicious meal, or unwind with drinks with friends. Don’t miss the fun at Loughborough Panto, and pick up unique gifts, artisan food, and drinks at the bustling markets.
Saturday 22nd November to Sunday 4th January 2026
Cinderella Pantomime
Loughborough Town Hall, Loughborough
Cinderella has big dreams, but with her sisters digging their ugly heels in it’s going to take help from her best friend Buttons and a little magic from her Fairy Godmother to whisk Cinders from her pantry to palace by pumpkin, before midnight!
The multi award-winning Little Wolf Entertainment are back and we proudly invite you to take your seat for this lavish and larger than life pantomime!
Featuring sparkling sets, fabulous frocks, side splitting slapstick and not one, but two outrageous dames, this is an unmissable treat for the whole family.
The clock is ticking so grab your tickets to the ball now! After all … the shoe must go on!
Book your tickets now
Sunday 23rd November 10am – 4pm
Sock Christmas Art & Craft Fair 2025
Sock Gallery, Loughborough Town Hall, Loughborough
The Christmas Fair has a range of exciting stalls selling handmade products of the highest quality from extremely talented makers locally and further afield. From jewellery to ceramics or felt to fine art, there really is something for everyone at our fair.
Whether you’re looking for those last few gifts for Christmas or something special for yourself, don’t miss out on our fabulously festive fair!
Entrance is FREE to the public.
Friday 28th November 4pm – 8pm
Christmas Lights Switch On
Market Place, Loughborough
The countdown to Christmas begins in Loughborough!
Join us in the heart of the town for a fantastic evening of festive fun, live entertainment, and the all-important moment when the town sparkles into life with the switch-on of the Christmas lights.
Whether you’re here for the music, the markets, or the magical atmosphere, this is a must-do event to kickstart your festive season.
Enjoy live music, performances and entertainment on the main stage, guaranteed to get everyone into the Christmas spirit. Gather round for the grand finale as we officially light up Loughborough for Christmas!
Join the countdown and watch the town sparkle. Browse a wonderful selection of seasonal stalls with gifts, crafts, and delicious festive treats. Warm up with tasty street food, hot drinks, and all your festive favourites – from mulled wine to mince pies.
A great evening for all ages with roaming entertainers, Christmas characters, and plenty of photo opportunities. Festive rides will be popping up to add to the fun for the young (and young at heart!).
Friday 28th November to Wednesday 24th December
Love Loughborough Elf on the Shelf Trail
Loughborough town centre
Santa has lost his Elves, can you help?
Santa’s elves have got lost while buying presents in Loughborough and he wants you to help him find them in time for Christmas!
Dozens of mischievous elves are lost across Loughborough town centre and without them, Santa will be forced to cancel Christmas! He needs you to help find out which elves are hidden in which businesses so he can round up 12 in time for delivery on Christmas Eve night.
Love Loughborough has agreed to help Santa and will be offering special Love Loughborough Gift Vouchers to lucky winners of a prize draw.
Friday 28th November till Wednesday 24th December
Loughborough Christmas Village
Loughborough town centre
A variety of festive cabins will be open daily in Loughborough town centre selling German Bratwurst, mulled wine, Bavarian beer, flamegrilled BBQ, giant cookies,marshmallows, Yorkshire pudding wraps, pulled meats, loaded fries, bubble waffle, Dutch pancakes and much more!
Open:
Mon – Weds 10am – 5pm
Thurs – Sat 10am – 8pm
Sun – 10am – 5pm
Saturday 29th November 10am – 4pm plus dates through to Christmas
Christmas Tree Festival and Concerts
All Saints with Holy Trinity Church, Parish Church of Loughborough
Christmas is coming!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Soon the church will be full of lights and Christmas trees as the festive season in Loughborough gets into full swing. Our Christmas tree festival opens at 10.00am-4.00pm on Saturday 29th November and then opens on subsequent Thursdays and Saturdays at 10.00am-4.00pm until Saturday 20th December.
Entrance is FREE.
There is also a full programme of events at the church during the festival:
Thursday 11th December 7.30pm, Christmas Tree Festival Concert
Thursday 18th December 6.30pm, The Mayor’s Community Carol Service
Saturday 20th December 7.30pm, Beer and Carols
Monday 22nd December 7.00pm, Music For Midwinter- A Strings Concert
Sunday 30th November 10am – 4pm
Love Loughborough Gardeners’ Fair Christmas Market
Market Place, Loughborough
On Sunday 30th November the Gardeners’ Fair Christmas Market will take place in the town centre. There’s over 100 stalls with a huge selection of festive plants, wreaths and Christmas trees as well as lots of artisan craft and food stalls for gift ideas. There will be a Santa’s Grotto and a visit from Santa himself from 11am to 3pm. The BID’s Christmas Elves will be busy helping Santa and wrapping all your Christmas gifts for FREE. There will also be a cheeky Elf Storytelling in Waterstones at 11am and 1pm. Street entertainment, Elf on a Shelf Trail and music throughout the day for this truly festive Christmas Market. There’s so much to do, you’ll need to spend the day in Loughborough and with lots of of town centre parking close by so no need to struggle too far with all your purchases!
Don’t forget FREE Gift wrapping by the BID’s Festive Elves for all purchases bought on the day.
Monday 1st December and throughout the month
Tree of Love
Loughborough Baptist Church, Baxter Gate, Loughborough
If you are sad, lonely or missing someone special to you this Christmas, we invite you to add the name of the person you are missing, or your own, to a tag and attach it to the tree of love throughout December.
We invite you to a short service in the forecourt, around the tree on Thursday 18th December at 11.30a.m. when we will read out the names.
We hope this will be a help to you. Do join us for a hot drink afterwards.
Sunday 7th December
Rainbows Loughborough Santa Run
Starts Loughborough town centre
Join Rainbows on Sunday 7th December for the Loughborough Santa Run – a fun-filled festive event for the whole family! Whether you choose to hop, skip, dance, or dash your way along the route, you’re guaranteed to have a jolly good time.
As a special Christmas gift, everyone who registers will receive a Santa t-shirt to wear during the run and a finisher’s medal to celebrate crossing the line in style.
And don’t forget your furry friends! The Santa Run is open to your beloved ‘Santa Paws’, so bring your dogs along to share in the festive fun. You can even treat them to a Festive Dog Bandanna when booking – because every pooch deserves to feel part of the magic!
So round up your family and friends, get your festive gear ready, and let’s make this a Christmas to remember!
Sunday 14th December 10am – 3pm
Love Loughborough Steampunk themed Christmas Market
Market Place, Loughborough
Soak up the atmosphere at the Love Loughborough Steampunk themed Christmas Market being held in the Market Place, Loughborough.
Craft and gift stalls for last minute shopping plus lots of food and drink to take home for the festive season. Live music, carol singing and come and see Father Christmas.
Come along and join our stallholders in Steampunk themed outfits to add to the atmosphere of the event.
FREE gift wrapping for all gifts purchased on the day.
Sunday 21st December
Loughborough Christmas Artisan Market
Market Place, Loughborough
A chance to get all your last minute gifts and artisan food and drink for the festive season.
Wednesday 24th December
Carols at the Carillon
Loughborough Bandstand, Queen’s Park, Loughborough
Gather around the bandstand in Queen’s Park, Loughborough, to sing Christmas carols to the accompaniment of the Carillon bells.
