Celebrate the Season in Lincolnshire: Best Christmas Lights, Markets, and Festivities (2025)
Experience the magic of Christmas in Lincolnshire with festive lights, Christmas markets and seasonal events bringing towns, villages and historic venues to life.
Updated 12/12/2025
Christmas in Lincolnshire arrives not all at once, but in moments. A first glimpse of lights strung across a market square, the glow of winter installations in historic gardens, the scent of mulled wine drifting through a Christmas market — together they signal the start of a season shaped by tradition, community and atmosphere.
Across the county, towns, estates and public spaces transform for winter, offering festive experiences that range from large-scale light trails to intimate markets and family-friendly celebrations. These events do more than decorate the season; they create places to gather, wander and pause, whether you are visiting for a day, planning a festive break or simply rediscovering your local area at Christmas.
This guide brings together some of the most memorable Christmas lights, markets and festive events taking place across Lincolnshire, highlighting the experiences that define the season and bring winter evenings to life.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated is one of the county’s most striking festive events, transforming the historic castle grounds into a glowing winter spectacle. As darkness falls, light installations trace the castle walls and courtyards, creating a magical route that blends history with contemporary design.
Event dates: 21st November 2025 - 23rd December 2025 Recurs daily
Location: Lincoln Castle, Lincoln LN1
Tickets: Available via official website
Price: £3
Parking: City centre parking available nearby
Walking through the illuminated grounds offers a sense of discovery, with each section revealing new colours, projections and festive detail. The experience feels immersive without being overwhelming, making it well suited to couples, families and visitors looking for a seasonal evening out in the heart of the city.
As the festive lights spread beyond the city walls, Christmas in Lincolnshire takes on a more playful, family-focused character in winter attractions designed to delight all ages.
Christmas at Doddington Hall & Gardens
Christmas at Doddington Hall offers a carefully curated festive experience set against the backdrop of one of Lincolnshire’s most beautiful historic houses. Each year, the hall is transformed with themed decorations that reinterpret Christmas through craftsmanship, storytelling and seasonal design.
Event dates: 8 November – 31 December 2025
Location: Doddington Hall & Gardens, Main Street, Doddington, Lincoln, LN6 4RU
Parking: On-site parking available
More info: via official website here
Outside, the gardens and grounds take on a quieter winter beauty, encouraging visitors to explore at a slower pace. Combined with festive shopping and dining opportunities, the experience feels immersive yet refined.
As daylight fades earlier, Lincolnshire’s festive celebrations increasingly come alive after dark, with light-led experiences designed for winter evenings.
Christmas Winter Wonderland Walk at Springfields
The Christmas Winter Wonderland Walk at Springfields is a family-friendly light trail that brings colour, sparkle and spectacle to the landscaped grounds of the Springfields Outlet. With over a million lights illuminating the route, the walk offers a festive journey designed to feel both magical and accessible.
Event dates: 13 November – 30 December 2025
Session times: Evening walks, starting from 4PM
Location: Springfields Designer Outlet & Leisure, Camelgate, Spalding, PE12 6EU
Tickets: Ticketed event, ticket available here
Price: Adult Tickets: £8, Child Tickets: £2
Parking: Free on-site parking available
More info: Available via official website here
The experience is particularly popular with families and groups, combining visual impact with an easy, well-lit route that encourages lingering rather than rushing.
Alongside light trails, Christmas markets remain a cornerstone of festive life in Lincolnshire, offering places to browse, taste and gather.
Christmas at Belton
Christmas at Belton transforms the grounds of Belton Estate into one of Lincolnshire’s most visually striking festive experiences. Designed by award-winning light trail creators, the illuminated route winds through the estate with sparkling installations, festive soundscapes and carefully choreographed lighting that brings the landscape to life after dark.
Event dates: 21 November 2025 – 31 December 2025
Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LS
Tickets: Advance booking required
Price: Ticket prices vary
Parking: On-site parking available
More info: Via official website here
More than a simple walk, the experience feels like a full winter outing, with festive fairground attractions, seasonal food and warming drinks along the route. Families may even spot Father Christmas during their visit, adding an extra layer of excitement for younger visitors. As one of the county’s most popular Christmas events, booking early is strongly advised.
With its scale and atmosphere, Christmas at Belton sets a festive benchmark, before family celebrations turn towards smaller, community-led Christmas experiences.
Meet Santa at the Pink Pig Farm
Meet Santa at the Pink Pig Farm offers an immersive and affordable Christmas experience designed especially for young children. Families follow a festive journey through the magical woodland, meet Santa on his sleigh, decorate gingerbread with the elves and choose a quality gift from Santa’s workshop.
Event dates: 13–14, 20–21, 22–24 December 2025
Session times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Pink Pig Farm, near Scunthorpe
Tickets: Advance booking required; tickets available here
Price: Santa child £25.00, adult £10.00, North Star upgrade £40.00
Parking: On-site parking available
Unlimited access to indoor and outdoor play areas ensures the day feels relaxed and flexible, while optional upgrades allow children to create their own teddy bear through the North Star experience. SEN-friendly sessions are also available, making the event inclusive and thoughtfully organised.
Circus Starlight Festive Cabaret
Circus Starlight Festive Cabaret brings aerial arts, circus skills and seasonal sparkle together in a lively family-friendly show. Designed to be accessible and entertaining for all ages, the performance combines festive energy with impressive physical storytelling.
Event date: 14 December 2025
Session times: 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm
Location: Leadenham, Lincolnshire
Tickets: Advance booking recommended
Price: Adults £10.00, concessions £8.00, family ticket £32.00
Parking: On-site parking available
With two showtimes and an on-site snack shack serving winter treats, the event makes for an enjoyable afternoon or early evening outing, especially for families looking for something different from traditional pantomime.
For families drawn to classic Christmas transport traditions, the season continues on steam and rail.
Crowle Peatland Railway Christmas Market
The Crowle Peatland Railway Christmas Market combines festive shopping with heritage railway magic, creating a memorable seasonal outing for families. Held inside the railway’s large barn, the market features over twenty Lincolnshire makers and crafters offering Christmas gifts, decorations and handmade treats.
Event dates: 6–7 December and 13–14 December 2025
Session times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Father Christmas grotto: 30-minute time slots throughout the day
Location: Crowle Peatland Railway, Scunthorpe
Tickets and info: Via official website here
Price: Market free, Father Christmas £9.70 per person
Parking: On-site parking available
WinterLight at Sleaford Market Place
WinterLight at Sleaford Market Place is a free festive celebration designed to bring families and communities together. Running from afternoon into early evening, the event fills the town centre with illuminated art installations, live music, lantern processions and seasonal entertainment.
Children can enjoy free craft activities and face painting, while families take part in ice rink and curling experiences before sampling festive food and drink from local stalls. The relaxed, open-air format makes it easy to dip in and out throughout the event.
Event date: 20 December 2025
Session times: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Sleaford Market Place
Tickets: Free entry
Price: Free
Parking: Local town centre parking available
As Christmas Eve draws closer, Santa experiences across Lincolnshire reach their festive peak.
From heritage railways, festive family fun takes a more theatrical turn with live performance and spectacle.
Christmas in Lincolnshire is shaped not by a single event, but by a sequence of experiences that unfold across the season. From illuminated castles and winter walks to markets filled with local colour and historic houses dressed for Christmas, the county offers a festive atmosphere that feels both generous and grounded.
Whether drawn to spectacle or simplicity, visitors will find that Lincolnshire celebrates the season with warmth, creativity and a strong sense of place. These lights, markets and festivities do more than mark the calendar — they create moments of connection that define winter and linger well beyond the turning of the year.
