Christmas in Bassetlaw 2025: What's On in Retford, Worksop & the Surrounding Area
As the festive season approaches, Bassetlaw truly comes alive with a spectacular array of Christmas events. From enchanting light switch-ons to bustling markets, there's something for everyone to enjoy across Retford, Worksop, Bawtry, and the surrounding villages. Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit!
The Bassetlaw region is renowned for its vibrant community spirit, and Christmas 2025 promises to be no exception. We've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you plan your festive outings, ensuring you don't miss any of the magic.
If you love Christmas, you’re in the right place. From lights switch-ons and lantern parades to festive markets, Santa visits and cosy Christmas dining, there’s a lot happening in and around Bassetlaw between now and Christmas Day.
Use this guide to plan your run up to Christmas - and as always, double check details with organisers before you travel as times and programmes can change.
Christmas in Retford
St Swithun’s Church Christmas Tree Festival
When: 22nd-29th November
Where: St Swithun’s Church, Chapelgate, Retford
Dozens of trees, all individually decorated by local schools, groups and businesses, transform St Swithun’s into a sparkle-filled forest. Expect music, refreshments and a lovely community feel – it’s a nice gentle way to ease into the season.
Star Festival at The Grove
When: 22nd November
Where: The Grove Methodist Church & Centre, Retford
Running alongside the Christmas Tree Festival, the Star Festival fills The Grove with festive displays, stars and seasonal music. Ideal if you want something Christmassy but calm, especially with younger children or older relatives.
Retford Christmas Market & Lights Switch-On
When: 23rd November
Where: Retford Market Square & Town Hall
Retford’s big Christmas day out: the square and Town Hall are packed with stalls, food, children’s rides and live entertainment. Inside the Town Hall you’ll usually find Santa’s grotto and craft stalls, while outside the build-up leads to the early-evening lights switch-on in the Market Square.
Retford Illuminate – Winter Festival of Light
When: 11 December 4pm-7pm
Where: Starting near Wonderland Bookshop, then through town to the Market Square
Retford’s Illuminate event features a lantern parade through the town, often led by drummers and performers, before everyone gathers on the Market Square for music, stalls and late-night shopping. Many independent shops stay open into the evening, so it’s a brilliant time to support local and tick off your Christmas list.
Retford Big Market Day – Festive Edition
When: 20 December
Where: Retford Market Square & town centre
Part of the regular Big Market Day series – but with added sparkle. Expect extra entertainment, festive characters, brass bands and the usual mix of farmers’, craft and traditional markets. A great last-minute shopping day.
Sundown Adventureland – Christmas Spectacular
When: 15th November – 24th December
Where: Rampton, near Retford
A dedicated children’s theme park that turns fully festive: meet Santa, ride “Night Before Christmas”, and explore the park lit up for the season. This is a big hit with younger families.
Christmas in Worksop
Worksop Christmas Lights Switch-On
When: 22nd November
Where: Worksop town centre / Old Market Square
Worksop’s Christmas celebrations usually run throughout the day with stalls, children’s activities and live music, building up to the town’s lights switch-on in the early evening. Think funfair rides, festive tunes and plenty of photo opportunities.
Worksop College Christmas Market
When: 22nd November
Where: Worksop College
A family-friendly Christmas market on the college grounds with stalls, food, drink and entertainment. It’s a nice option if you prefer a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than the town centre, but still want to feel properly festive.
Christmas Market at Worksop Library
When: 29th November
Where: Worksop Library, Memorial Avenue
Inspire Libraries’ Christmas market brings local makers and small businesses together in the library. Expect handmade gifts, crafts and seasonal refreshments – a good stop if you’re looking for unique, locally-made presents.
Christmas at Clumber Park
When: From 22nd November into early January
Where: National Trust Clumber Park
Trails, decorations, Father Christmas experiences and seasonal events in one of the area’s best-loved outdoor spaces. Expect sculpture trails, festive walks, chapel music and special events for both children and dogs.
Christmas in Bawtry
Visit Bawtry Christmas Event
When: 30th November
Where: Bawtry town centre / High Street
Bawtry goes all-out with a festive spectacular – stalls, fairground rides, live entertainment and independent shops getting involved with window displays and special offers. It’s very family-friendly and the town looks gorgeous lit up for Christmas.
Bawtry Forest Christmas Trees – Festive Weekends
When: Weekends from 29th November – 14th December
Where: Bawtry Forest Christmas Trees, Great North Road
Choose your real Christmas tree and soak up the festive atmosphere with stalls, seasonal food and drink on selected weekends. Perfect if “picking the tree” is one of your key Christmas traditions.
Visit Bawtry Farmers’ Market – Christmas Edition
When: 14th December
Where: Market Place, Bawtry
A special Christmas version of the farmers’ market with local produce, artisan gifts, decorations and plenty of festive food and drink. Great for stocking up before the big day or putting together hampers.
Equine Dreams of Bawtry – Santa & Grinch Experiences
Where: Equine Dreams of Bawtry, North View Farm, near Bawtry
When:
• 6th December – Exclusive Visit to Santa & his Reindeers
A cosy, family-orientated Santa experience in a wintry farm setting, with proceeds supporting local families.
• 15th December – Twilight Santa Visit
An evening version with lights and a magical atmosphere – lovely for older children who enjoy something a bit different.
• 22nd December – A Day with The Grinch
A more playful twist on Christmas: meet The Grinch, enjoy animal encounters and festive fun before the big day.
Nearby but worth a drive
Rufford Abbey – Rufford’s Magical Christmas (near Ollerton)
When: 15th November 2025 – 4th January 2026
Where: Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton, NG22 9DF
Rufford Abbey turns fully festive for Rufford’s Magical Christmas, a season-long programme of events set around the historic abbey and country park. Highlights include:
• Elf Garden Christmas Trail – 6th December to 4th January
A self-guided trail through the formal gardens, helping children track down mischievous elves. Trail sheets are a small extra cost and include a festive prize, with sheets and prizes available from the Courtyard Gift Shop.
• Santa’s Grotto – selected dates in November & December
Pre-bookable grotto sessions where little ones can meet Santa and take home a gift. Dates are spread across late November and December, so it’s worth checking the website for exact times and availability.
• Christmas Brunch with Cindy & the Grouch – 6th & 7th December
A themed family brunch with characters, a performance and a present for every child, with timed sittings in the Savile or Mill areas of the park.
• Festive Afternoon Tea – 14th December
A dressed-up afternoon tea in the Talbot Suite at Rufford Mill, with seasonal treats in a cosy setting – ideal for a calmer, grown-up festive treat (or a multigenerational family outing).
• Rufford Christmas Farmers & Creators Market – 13th & 14th December
A special Christmas market weekend showcasing local producers, makers and artisans – great for picking up unique gifts or stocking fillers.
• Carols by Candlelight – 21st December
An atmospheric carol event in the Talbot Suite with mulled wine and mince pies, perfect if you like your Christmas on the traditional side.
Standard car parking charges apply, and some activities (especially the grotto, brunch and afternoon tea) need to be booked in advance online.
Before you go…
• Always check the latest information on organisers’ websites or social media – especially for weather-dependent outdoor events.
• Many Santa experiences and dining events must be pre-booked, and popular dates can sell out quickly.
However you like to celebrate, there’s plenty going on across Bassetlaw to make Christmas 2025 feel special.
