Christmas What's On Guide for Lancaster and Morecambe Bay

From pantos to grottos, choirs to Christmas fairs, there’s plenty going on this Christmas where we live.

Got a Christmas event that’d you’d like adding to this guide? Email us on whatson@beyond.radio

CHRISTMAS PANTOS & PLAYS

Snow White

Lancaster Footlights' No.1 Christmas Panto is Back! Get ready for a magical adventure, bursting with humour, dazzling costumes, and toe-tapping songs, as this traditional tale comes to life with all the charm and sparkle you’ve come to expect.

Various dates from Friday November 28 – Sunday December 28, Lancaster Grand

Adult Panto - Robin Hood 

Looking for men in tights? You’ve come to the right place!The Adult Panto team are swinging back into the festive spirit as they return with their own special seasonal take on the tale of Robin Hood.

Various dates from December 6 to 21, Lancaster Grand

Schools Panto - Puss in Boots

This paw-some production is written specifically for schools, blending the magic of traditional pantomime with key themes from the PSHE curriculum - so it’s both edu-cat-ional and totally entertaining.

Various dates from December 8 to 18, Lancaster Grand

The Snow Queen

This year's magical Christmas show! Audiences will be whisked away to a frosty forest and join Gerda as she uses her bravery and strength to rescue her friend Kai from the icy grip of The Snow Queen.

Various dates until Wednesday December 31, The Dukes, Lancaster

The Wizard of Oz

Embark on an adventure from Munchkin Land to Emerald City and join Dorothy, Toto and new friends Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as they journey along the Yellow Brick Road to meet the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Every weekend from December 6 to 21, Winter Gardens, Morecambe, 1pm and 5.30pm

MAODS Christmas Concert

Live entertainment showcase of musical theatre classics. Proceeds to MAODS and the church.

Sunday December 7, Morecambe Parish Church, 6pm doors.

The Rat Pack - Christmas In Vegas!

Sunday, December 7, 7pm, The Platform, Morecambe

Buddy Holly & The Cricketers - Holly At Christmas

Wednesday December 10, 7pm, The Platform, Morecambe

Lancaster City Brass Christmas Concert

Wednesday December 10, King's Community Church, 7.30pm, Lancaster

Morecambe Brass Band - Christmas Concert

Saturday December 13, 6:30pm, The Platform, Morecambe

Sinatra - The Spirit of Christmas Swing

With Stevie Kay

Sunday December 14, 2pm, Lancaster Town Hall

Season's Greetings

A cosy, fun Christmas celebration of live music and the spoken word. Readings from Dickens and Hardy to Victoria Wood and Wendy Cope brought to you by two experienced theatre, film and TV actors, Helen Longworth (Hannah Riley in BBC R4's The Archers) and Peter Rylands (Theatre by The Lake, Royal Exchange and TV appearances including Peaky Blinders and Coronation Street). 

Tuesday December 16, Moor Space next to The Dukes, Lancaster, 7pm

The Houghton Weavers Christmas Show

Thursday December 18, 6:45pm, The Platform, Morecambe

FAIRS

Christmas Fair

Saturday December 6, 11am to 3pm, Stanleys Community Centre Morecambe 

St John's Hospice Christmas Fair

Christmas cards, raffle tombola, gifts and much more. 

Saturday November 29, 10am to 3pm, St John's Hospice, Lancaster

CHRISTMAS PARTY EVENTS

60s Christmas Party with The Casuals

Live music with disco and karaoke, and choice of hot pot or chilli supper.

Saturday December 6, The Golden Ball, Snatchems, 8pm until late.

GROTTOS

Santa’s Sensory Grotto

Step into a fully accessible wonderland experience this festive season. Designed especially for children and young adults with disabilities – but open to all – the grotto offers a calm, fully accessible festive adventure, in association with Unique Kids & Co. Search for the event on Try Booking.

Wednesday December 3 to Tuesday December 9, Vino’s, Rosemary Lane, Lancaster

Santas Grotto at the Festival Market, Morecambe

Opening Saturday December 6. On Sunday December 7 it will be run by Wolfwood Wildlife and Dog Rescue and Santa Paws will meet our local four legged residents. Then it will revert to a grotto for children and dogs on the weekends of December 13-14 and 20-21. Opening times are 10am till 3pm. The costs are £5 per visitor except for Wolfwood's day when it will be £3 per dog.

Santa's Grotto and Workshop

£4 per child, no need to book. Pop in for Christmas decorations and card making, and colouring 

Saturday December 6, 1pm to 3.30pm, Gregson Centre, Lancaster

CAROLS

Carols by Candlelight

With the St John's Hospice Choir.

Thursday December 4, 6.30pm, Lancaster Priory

Christmas Community Carol Service

From the Bay Veterans Association.

Tuesday December 9, 6.30pm, Morecambe Parish Church

West End Carol Service

Sunday December 21, 4pm, St Barnabas Church, Regent Road, Morecambe

SWITCH ONS & OTHER EVENTS

Christmas On The Crescent

The Santa Sleigh sponsored by CMP Networking Limited will be driving through the village at noon before arriving at his grotto on Princes Crescent for 12.30. Come and wave him on his way, visit him and his helpers and get a gift. All free to under 12s.

Saturday, November 29 from noon, Bare village, Morecambe

Love Lancaster BID Christmas events in Lancaster city centre

Festive Friends in the City  - Sunday November 30

With giant roaming Christmas stockings, gingerbread characters and winter sprites roaming the city during the afternoon. 

Winter Wonderland - Sunday December 7

Characters in the City - Sunday December 14

The Santa Bus will be by the City Museum for all events.

Story Time with Father Christmas

Includes meet and greet with Father Christmas, story time and gifts for £15 per child. Group story sessions at 10am, 10.40am, 11.20am, noon, 12.40pm and 1.20pm. Book at eventsbyalloccasions@outlook.com

Sunday November 30, Ashton Memorial, Williamson Park, Lancaster

Christmas Lights Switch On

Christmas bingo from 3pm, visit from Santa and indoor market stalls 5pm, switch on at 5.30pm and live music from The Craic Inn from 6pm.

Sunday November 30, Slyne Lodge, Slyne

Carnforth Christmas Lights Switch On

With live entertainment and stalls.

Wednesday December 3, War Memorial Gardens, Carnforth, 6pm

Around the World in 80 Cribs

Display of Christmas cribs, story time with Mother Christmas (11.30am Saturday), refreshments, craft stalls, kids' corner and more.

Saturday December 6 11am to 4pm, Sunday December 7 1pm to 4pm, Church of the Ascension, Torrisholme, Morecambe

Christmas Tree Festival

35 beautifully decorated trees. Children's activities including Santa's Grotto on Saturday. Musical entertainment and refreshments. Free entry but donations welcome in aid of LDHAS (Lancaster District Homeless Action Service).

Christ Church on Wyresdale Road, Lancaster; Dates - Friday December 5 noon - 6pm;  Saturday December 6 noon - 6pm; Sunday December 7 noon - 4pm

Beer & Carols

A small band of local musicians from St Thomas’ Church are hitting four Lancaster pubs for a night of Beer & Carols. Grab a pint, grab a song sheet, and sing your heart out!

Monday December 22, 5pm at The Royal, 6pm at The Pendle Witch, 7pm at The Water Witch, and 8pm at The Borough.

Lancaster Round Table’s Santa Sleigh

The charity sleigh will be out bringing Christmas cheer and while raising money for amazing local charities at places including Kellets, Carnforth, Crag Bank, Halton, Bolton-le-Sands, Silverdale and more. Search ‘Lancaster Round Table’ on Facebook for exact dates, times and routes.

Various dates between December 3 and 20.

Christmas Bingo

For the church roof appeal.

Friday December 5, Church Hall, Shady Lane, Slyne-with-Hest, doors 6.30pm.

West End Winter Lantern Festival

Join More Music for live music before Baybeat Streetband lead us through the streets as only they can!

Saturday, December 6, 4pm-7.15pm, West End

Light Up Christmas

Lights switch on featuring carol singers and Santa.

Thursday December 11, 4pm, main entrance to Centenary Building, Royal Lancaster Infirmary

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Beetham Christmas Markets

Thursday December 4-Sunday December 7, Beetham Nurseries, Beetham

Heysham Village Christmas Market

Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7, noon to 5pm, The Royal car park, Heysham

Artisan stalls, handcrafted gifts, festive singing, Thwaites Shire Horses on Saturday (noon to 2pm, weather dependent) and Wreat Sykes Alpacas on Sunday (1pm to 3pm). Also an appearance by Santa who you can pre-book to meet (limited slots available).

Morecambe BID Community Christmas Market

Showcasing the best of Lancashire and Cumbria traders.

Saturday December 20, Morecambe town centre, opening 10am.