With the festive season upon us, the “Christmas in Cambridge” event is being talked about all over social media. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth making a trip – especially if you’re travelling from outside the city – here’s a breakdown of what to expect, what’s good, and what to check before you go.
What and where is Christmas in Cambridge?
Taking place on Parker’s Piece (CB1 1NA), Christmas in Cambridge is a festive event that runs until December 31st. Whether you’re heading there as a family or with a group of friends, it promises a wide range of food and drink, festive shopping and entertainment – and the fact that it’s free to enter means you can just pay for the bits you really want to do.
What can I expect when I’m there?
Christmas in Cambridge promises to be more than just a market: it aims to be a full-on festive experience.
One of the main attractions is the real ice rink, with skate hire as well as skate aids for beginners and young children. A one-hour session is priced at £16 for adults, £13.50 for children (family tickets and concessions also available) – the skate aids will cost you an extra £5 each.
If skating isn’t your thing, you can browse the Christmas market chalet huts, selling everything from food and drink to gifts to decorations. While some of the prices seem fairly steep, I guess you’d expect that from a Christmas market – here’s a taste of some of the things you can find…
There are plenty of amusements and rides for all ages: a helter skelter (£3 per slide), a Christmas tree maze, a vintage carousel, a ferris wheel and a few “knock the tin cans over”-type amusements, too.
Inside one of the covered buildings you’ll find a few curling lanes which must be booked in advance, with bookings including drinks and seating. There’s free shuffleboard and table football in the same building, too.
You may see Santa wandering around Christmas in Cambridge while you’re there, and he’s happy to pose for photos! Talking of photos, there are a few photobooths dotted around to capture festive memories, as well as ski lifts, a giant model Santa, a sleigh with reindeer and more, all perfect photo opportunities.
Of course, a Christmas event wouldn’t be a Christmas event without food and drink, and there’s a fair amount of choice. There are various bars – some indoors, one outdoors – and both indoor and outdoor seating where you can enjoy your purchases, no matter which vendor you’ve bought them from.
There are Yorkshire pudding wraps, pizza, German sausages, churros, crepes, hot chocolate, a hog roast and various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I had a lovely cinnamon roll latte (£4.70) from Roll Queens, and we ordered two portions of the “Festive Feast” loaded fries from The Street Kings (£9.50 each) to warm and fill us.
The portions were generous (the food could have been a little warmer, though): a bowl of fries topped with cheese sauce, gravy-marinated turkey, pigs in blankets, crispy onions, bacon bits and cranberry sauce. Definitely helped increase the festive feelings!
The good and the bad of Christmas in Cambridge
We had a great time at Christmas in Cambridge, despite the rain! Our son enjoyed the rides and amusements, the food we tried was decent, and we loved the atmosphere. I can see the place being even more festive in the evenings, when the place is all lit up and there are more people enjoying everything the event has to offer.
I do feel there needs to be more covered space – while the bar where we sat and ate our lunch was cosy and festive, I imagine it would get pretty full on a busy evening. The prices can soon mount up, too: even though entry is free, factoring in skating, rides, food and drink could mean that an all-in visit could end up pricier than many other festive days out.
If you want a festive, fun and varied outing in Cambridge city centre, I’d say Christmas in Cambridge is worth a visit – there’s the flexibility to spend as much or as little time and money there as you like. If you’re on a tight budget or not a fan of crowds, though, it may not be the right event for you.