Christmas in Cambridge 2024/25

When Christmas in Cambridge first appeared on our social timeline, we were immediately drawn to how it perfectly captured the festive spirit. Intrigued, we decided to visit this new event ourselves!

Christmas in Cambridge is filled with numerous bars decorated from top to bottom, an outdoor ice rink, festive food stalls, a Christmas market, a giant observation wheel, a carousel, and a Christmas tree maze. It’s clear to see that this event is designed to cater to those seeking a festive experience with friends, family, and work colleagues. It’s an ideal event for grabbing a drink and a bite to eat while browsing the many market stalls offering a wide range of gifts. Younger families are also catered for with informal meet-and-greets with Santa and festive workshops on selected days.

The organisers, Seventa Events, have planned each area with great attention to detail. Bars were warm and cosy, with heaters mounted high to protect revelers from the cold. Quality soft furnishings, cushions, and more adorned the seating areas, along with Christmas garlands and lights to create a festive ambiance. Many groups gathered in these areas, with everyone seemingly enjoying the vibe. Elsewhere, others were appreciating the outdoor ice-skating rink, which glowed under the lighting. Dotted throughout the venue, heated cable car gondolas, igloo domes, and tipis offered additional sheltered seating. Some of these were available for hire, but all looked welcoming. It was also novel to see curling lanes available for hire in The Apres Terrace, offering something unique and never seen before locally at an event.

Next year, the addition of axe throwing would fit perfectly with Christmas in Cambridge’s rustic charm, offering an exciting new activity for guests. This inclusion would not only enhance the variety of attractions but also provide an engaging experience for guests seeking a bit of adventure!

One thing that impressed us was how on-brand and uniform the event was. The signage was clear throughout, adhering to a single design, which added to the level of detail the event aimed to portray. It projected quality, although it was a bit disappointing to see some staff wearing jackets from the organisers past Bournemouth event, especially since the town is over 150 miles away. In addition, it was also disappointing to see a few sections of lights out on features such as the main entrance Christmas tree, and some market stalls closing up early in the evening, particularly in the week leading up to Christmas. However, despite these issues, the event was well-organised and offered a festive escape.

Wood featured heavily throughout the site, giving off Bavarian vibes with barrels dotted around, alongside the numerous Nordmann Fir trees strategically placed and mounted in half barrels. The flooring was on point with rubber matting laid throughout, ensuring there was no fear of getting muddy or wet while exploring the site.

The food options were excellent, with the pizza being a particular hit. We also recommend trying the Garlic Wreath, which was full of flavour! The churros were excellent, and of course, a hot chocolate is a must-have. In addition to these options, vegan food such as burgers and baguettes were available, along with traditional hog roast, bratwursts, and Yorkshire pudding wraps. For those with a sweet tooth, crepes and pick-and-mix sweets were also available, along with many other treats from the market.

Located on Parker’s Piece, the site is conveniently situated next to Queen Anne Multistorey Car Park, making it easy to access, with free parking offered after 6 pm. Entry is also free, meaning you can spend as much or as little as you’d like once inside. 

The event runs until the 5th January, and is open 7 days a week (excluding Christmas Day).

Check out their website at https://www.christmasincambridge.co.uk/ and book your festive activities before it is too late!

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