It’s that time of year again! I know, I know – many of you will be screaming ‘it’s only November!’, but give it a chance. We’re heading into the winter season and before you know it we will be splitting up for the Christmas break, so if you’re keen to spend some time celebrating with your friends before setting off to your respective homes it’s about the time to start looking at what’s on. Here’s a brief rundown of some Christmas events taking place on our doorstep in the next two months.
First up is the Lancaster Castle Christmas Market, running on the 11th, 12th and 13th of December. This is the very tail-end of the academic term, so if you’re still around over this weekend it will definitely be a nice way to get into the spirit of Christmas with your friends before you go home. In this charming festive location will be an array of stalls containing food, drinks, gifts and decorations, alongside live performances and music. If, like me, a festive market is your ideal Christmas day out, you can even go bigger and head to Manchester for the famed Christmas markets running from 14th November to the 21st December. A short, direct hop on the train, this sprawling multi-cultural market has a little bit of everything Christmas to explore, and a market is the perfect place to get a jump-start on charming and individual presents. Now, there’s one Christmas event that simply cannot be missed – On the 22nd November is the Lancaster Christmas lights switch on! This is a great way to end a day of work, venturing out into the cold with your friends for some mulled wine and a nice atmosphere as we gear up for the lights. This event is free of charge – and it’s a tradition!
Finally, I wouldn’t be a true Lancaster student if I didn’t mention our own Theatre and Arts Centre. For the English Students among us, or anyone who fancies a bit of culture this Christmas, the 2nd December hosts a ‘Winter Words’ book reading and wine reception, led by some of the prominent members of our Creative Writing Department. This is just a sample of all the events on offer this term, so take a look at what’s coming up and start making some plans!
