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Christmas in Preston 2023

A night photo of the front of The Harris building lit up with colourful lights and a Christmas tree with colourful lights

Get ready for Christmas with these amazing events all across our city.

From wonderful arts and crafts with your loved ones, traditional Christmas choirs and historical talks to a Christmas concert and festive family films, there's lots to see and do in Preston for Christmas 2023.

Download the free  Christmas in Preston What's On Guide (PDF) [11MB] to take with you.

To find out about free city centre parking over the festive period see free Preston City Centre parking this Christmas. Please note: there will be late night shopping in the city centre until 7pm on the 18 - 22 December.

Meet Santa

To find out where Santa will be this year see our where to meet Santa blog.

Christmas markets

Wrap up warm and explore some festive Christmas Markets across the city and surrounding Lancashire areas. For details see Christmas markets in Preston 2023.

Featured events

Don't miss these Christmas crackers:

All events

Three Georgian Christmases in Winckley Square

7, 14 December: Three very different Christmases revealed in a new talk by Susan Douglass.

Magio Strings - Christmas Music

8, 14 December: Enjoy the lovely sounds of the Magio String Quartet at Fishergate Shopping Centre.

Santa's Grotto at Preston Markets

9 December: He's made his list, and now Santa is checking it twice, at Preston Markets!

Free Christmas Family Fun Day at Preston Markets

09 December: Get into the Christmas spirit this December at Preston Markets.

Christmas Makers Market

9 December: Head on down to the Christmas Makers Market with a wide range of unique and handcrafted gifts, food and drinks.

Family Film - Arthur Christmas

9 December: Come along and enjoy a festive family favourite with us, at Preston College.

Santa by The Lake - Brockholes

25 November - 17 December: Santa is back at Brockholes in his workshop by the beautiful Meadow Lake.

Brockholes Christmas Artisan Markets

25 November - 17 December: Christmas Artisan Markets on each weekend up until Christmas at Brockholes.

Chew's Yard Pop Up Christmas

7 - 10, 14 - 17, and 21 - 24 December: A 12 day, three long weekends worth of Christmas fun at the new Chew's Yard on Market Street West.

Visit Santa at Fishergate

9, 16, 23 December: Come and meet Santa in a wonderful Christmas scene at Fishergate Shopping Centre.

Christmas Around the Campfire

9 - 10 December: Come and join Brockholes for some winter campfire activities.

St Walburge's Christmas Fair

10 December: Please join St Walburge's for the annual Christmas Fair at St. Walburge's Hall

Winckley Christmas Concert

10 December: Don't miss this year's Christmas Concert organised by the Friends of Winckley Square.

Cannon Street Market

14 December: Come take a look what's on offer on the Christmas market down Cannon Street.

Victorian Carol Singers at Preston Markets

16 December: Feel all festive this season with a visit to Preston Market to enjoy classic Victorian carol singers.

Visit Santa at Preston Markets

16 December: Keep your eyes peeled for Santa meeting and greeting little ones with a gift at Preston Markets.

Family Film - The Muppet Christmas Carol

16 December: Christmas Family Films with The Muppet Christmas Carol, at Preston College.

Carols at the Conti

17 December: St Stephen's Choir and Christmas Carols at the Continental, what could be better.

Mayor's Carols in the Chamber

19 December: Come along and join us for the annual festive charity event - the Mayor's Carols in the Chamber.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

8 - 20 December: Mirror, Mirror on the wall, this panto is the most magical of them all at Preston Playhouse.

Santa Special Canal Cruises

2 - 23 December: Weekend Santa Special cruises with Kingfisher Cruises at Barton Grange.

Victorian Father Christmas at Samlesbury Hall

10, 19, 20, 21 December: Come and meet Victorian Father Christmas in the festive surroundings of Samlesbury Hall.

Dobbies Santa's Grotto

6 - 24 December: Embrace the festive season with a must-have visit to Dobbies' Santa's grotto

Dobbies Santa Paws

7 - 23 December: Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to Santa Paws